Checking in with absent students
- Daniel Kalman
- Aug 3, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 19, 2024
GOAL: Increase re-enrollments to 70%+ every season (currently ~45% over all time post-pandemic. Measured 7/31/2024)
PURPOSE: This re-enrollment increase = 40% profit increase. HUGE impact. Achieving this will give us stronger reason to run paid ads, which could lead to incredible growth.
HYPOTHESIS: “Reactivation” is a known topic in gyms and other service businesses because it’s crucial for success, and reactivation strategies can have a positive impact. Students want to feel seen and cared for. Personalized messages may help a lot.
CONTRIBUTING ACTION:
Log in profile any dates students tell us they’ll be missing class. Instructors inform admin when students share this info.
Text absent students.
First absence: “Missed you in class! Everything okay? [can we send gifs too? This would be good. But not a link. The gif must be part of the text] https://media1.tenor.com/images/73030f6f389b43d47e038b7749c4d6a2/tenor.gif?itemid=8889653
Second absence: “Shoot we missed you again. How can we make it better?”
BOUNDARIES:
Text only up to twice per season (the first two times they’re absent)
Don’t text for planned absences (if we already know they’re gone for travel or something else)
Adjust as needed for context! (important!)
When they respond, consider encouraging Friday practice to catch up. Possibly mention private lesson as well.
LOGGING & KAIZEN:
Build a story for each student in zoho & include screenshots of what you sent, their responses, and any additional context.
Post this all to Signal each time you do it (we can make a unique “Absence communications” chat for it).
At the end of each season, also create a report that includes all these “stories” for each student.
As you post to Signal, and in the final report, look for clues and patterns in how we can improve and make recommendations if possible. Danny will do the same.
The student support specialist may refer to this template when checking in with students who has been absent from class 3 times in a row.
If student missed 5-6 classes already:
Hey {studentName}, we missed you in class. Everything ok?
1. Don't worry. Most people miss some class.
2. Recap video is in WhatsApp group. If you're not yet part of it, let me know!
3. Practicing with classmates is great to catch up
4. Private lessons are an option to catch up
5. We typically do some review in class so even without any of the above you should be fine.
Enjoy the next class!
- {vaName}, Movers and Shakers