From first message to demo lesson: a three-message WeChat funnel
What to write to a Chinese parent on WeChat, in what order, and the five messaging mistakes that lose clients before the demo.
A parent found you on RedNote, you exchanged contacts, and now she has added you on WeChat. This is where most teachers lose the client, usually by saying too much too early.
The goal of the first conversation is only one thing: a booked demo lesson. Three messages are enough.
Message 1: a greeting and a question
“Hi, I’m [Name], nice to meet you. Are you looking for a teacher for yourself or for your child? Could you tell me more about their learning goals?”
Keep it simple and end with a concrete question. A question hands the ball to her and makes a reply natural. Without one, the conversation can stop at “hello”.
Message 2: confirm and send the video
She answers: “My daughter is 11, I want to improve her speaking.”
“I understand. Before I can give a detailed assessment and course suggestions, let’s schedule a demo class first. Here is my class sample.”
Send a short video from a real lesson. It should go out no later than your second message. It works better than any text you can write about yourself.
Message 3: the demo and its terms
If she has asked about price, send the demo terms: a discounted trial class, 25 minutes, a level check and detailed feedback afterwards, paid in advance through WeChat Pay or Alipay.
If she has not asked, offer the demo yourself and send your free slots.
The order matters. First the question about the child, which shows attention. Then the video, which shows how you work. Then the demo. Not the other way round.
Five mistakes that lose the client
1. Price list as the first reply
She writes “hello” and gets a price table, a schedule and your terms and conditions. It is like walking into a shop and being handed a receipt instead of a greeting.
2. Answering the next day
If she writes at 11 in the morning, answer that day, ideally within an hour. She is probably talking to several teachers. By tomorrow she has booked a demo with one of them.
3. Long messages
WeChat messages should be short and to the point. Save the long writing for the monthly feedback report.
4. Dropping the price at the first “expensive”
“Expensive” does not always mean she cannot pay. Sometimes it is a test. Sometimes it is a request for a discount she does not want to ask for directly. Do not rush to cut.
5. Not asking the child’s name
“May I know your daughter’s name?”
After that, use the name. A small thing, and the tone changes. She feels you already know her family.
When she goes quiet
Do not panic. People are busy, discussing the budget, comparing teachers. Send one reminder after two or three days:
“Hi, just checking if you had a chance to think about the demo class? I have a few slots available this week.”
A second reminder is the last resort, a week later. After that, leave her alone, but do not delete the contact. Your WeChat contact list is your main business asset, and people you never pushed away often come back months later.