Students come to the page to find you. They will choose you mostly according to your intro video. So make sure it is professional.

How to film your intro video:

1. YOU MUST appear in the video. 

Students want to know who their teacher is and hear the language they are about to learn. It's important to represent yourself truthfully to students. Your video should be around 1 minute long.

1. Shoot horizontal videos.

DO NOT shoot vertical/square videos.  

3.      Put your camera/mobile phone on the level with your eyes and look into the camera/mobile phone. 

Do not put the camera/mobile phone below your face and talk down to it. See the pictures below and say for yourself - which of them looks better?

4.   Put the camera/mobile phone on a stable surface or use a tripod to keep the video still.

Do not hold the camera/mobile phone with your hands or allow the camera/mobile phone to shake. Holding the camera/mobile phone in your hand doesn't look very professional.

5.   Lighting

• Basic quality - use natural daylight or powerful lamp lighting from the FRONT
• Better quality - 2 lights from 2 sides in the FRONT
• Professional - add the third light from one side slightly behind you

Do not record at night with poor lighting or record with too strong lights or lamps right behind you.

6.   Sound

• Basic quality - Use quiet surroundings and speak in a clear voice.
• Professional quality - Using a field recorder or speak into a microphone.

Do not place the microphone very close to your mouth (causes "beatboxing" noises and distortion).

Do not place the microphone too far away from your mouth (too quiet). 

Do not allow wind or any other distracting background noises. 

7. Background

Think about your background. Use a clean and tidy study room, classroom or some teaching-atmosphere background. It is good if you also appear in a place you will use for teaching.

Do not show moving or distracting things ­in the background (other people, busy background, etc).

Do not show any commercial logo in the background.

Which of these places do you think is better as a background?

8.   Editing (optional)

If you are familiar with simple video editing, you can:

• Add subtitles
  
• Add subtle background music. 
• Add videos showing your lifestyle and hobbies, a place where you teach or even how you teach, while you introduce yourself.

Do not post your personal contact information in the video.

Do not use logos or advertisements from other companies or services.

Do not add loud music that makes it difficult to hear your voice.

Do not use copyrighted music or any media for which you do not have the rights for. 

9. What to say

Your video is where you get to show students who you are. Create a script and practice.

Speak slowly and clearly with no accent.

Smile - Make students feel welcome to your online classes!

Be creative, and please include the following: 

• Who you are

Introduce yourself. What is your name (use the name that you want your students call you), where are you from and what languages do you speak? 

• Teaching experience, work experience, and education

How many years, how old students, education and certificates. Any teaching experience counts so feel free to share that. Some adult students or companies might want to choose a teacher with similar work background, so if you have an education or experience in other fields, like IT, hotels, marketing, etc, you can share that, too.

• Your interests

Get closer to students. Say why do you like teaching, how you teach and what your other interests are. Show or tell something interesting about yourself. Do you have special hobbies that students might enjoy discussing with you? Choose clothing or background that really represents you. Chances are that students with similar interests or personalities will choose you just because of this.

DO NOT provide personal contact information - your video will be available to people on the internet, so protect your own privacy.

DO NOT advertise or promote other services in your video.

10. Some other tips

• Keep it short - Just a minute is enough. Keep it under 2 minutes.
• Be natural - Do not read directly from a script! Look into the camera, make it as though you are speaking directly to your student.
• Think of your students - The care you take in preparing for your video shows students not only what you think of yourself, but how they can expect you to prepare for your classes with them.
• Mention ESITY - Doing this and adding a link to your teacher profile in the description will help people find and book your classes on ESITY.
• Dress Appropriately - Smart casual is acceptable, remember that 1st impressions count

Video examples