How To Schedule Multiple Online ESL Companies (Gogokid and VIPKid)

There are a growing number of online ESL teachers who are adding multiple companies to their basket of online gigs. This is a great strategy but it brings some unique scheduling challenges. How do you balance working for multiple companies? In this article, we will look at some options for scheduling when you work for two or more online ESL companies. In each example, I will reference Gogokid and VIPKid, but it could apply to any online ESL company that you are working for or diversifying with.

Why Work For Multiple Online ESL Companies like Gogokid and VIPKid?

The Online ESL industry is booming and there are many choices out there. Where should I work? What is a good online ESL company? How do I work for multiple online ESL companies?

This article will help to give you some options for scheduling and maximizing your potential income by working for a variety of companies.

First, why would you work for multiple companies?

1. Stability

It is important to diversify. As independent contractors, we do not have to stay with one company. We are allowed to work for multiple companies and control our schedule, our hours and where we spend our time. This is a great work from home job and although online ESL teaching is a stable job, we never know what might happen to a company so it is important to be prepared.

2. Variety

I like the variety of being hired at more than one online ESL company. If I am getting bored with the curriculum of one, I am able to open slots for another. Sometimes we need a break and diversifying allows us to see other platforms, curriculum and keeps things exciting for us.

3. Income

You are potentially increasing your income as well by diversifying and adding other online ESL companies to your portfolio. Perhaps one company books better for you during peak hours, off-peak hours or weekends. This might mean that adding another company allows you to work more hours (daytime), or during other time slots. This will ultimately turn into more income for you!

Types of Online ESL Teaching Companies

Chinese – based companies (ie: Gogokid and VIPKid)

Some of the large name companies like VIPKid, Magic Ears, and Gogokid are focused on the Chinese student market. This means that your teaching hours will mostly be concentrated when students are not in school. Companies like those listed above are open during daytime hours in China but the booking rate is lower. These companies only focus on school-aged children, usually under the age of 12.

Adult focused companies

These companies have a wider range of hours available to work due to having adult students from around the world. Cambly is an example of a company where you can teach adults and this might mean that you can schedule your classes during the day time, depending on what time zone you live in. Unfortunately, these companies typically pay less than Chinese-based companies that focus on children.

Set Schedule companies

Some companies offer set schedules for their teachers, like Whales, where you can work a set schedule for a certain amount of time and have a regular base of students. This might mean that your schedule is less flexible during certain times of your day. Adding a second or third company might mean that you can create a flexible schedule outside of your set hours.

US-based companies

There are some US-based companies that might also offer different hours, like NeuABC, but it is important to look into their hiring requirements, the hiring process and what market of students they are targeting. These companies are usually quite small and not all of them have good reputations.

Set Your Rate companies

Some people might be looking for companies where you set your own pay rate and students can find you, book and take classes with you. iTalki is an example of a company that provides this type of platform. Companies like this will usually take a percentage of your class rate but this can be an incredibly flexible schedule, but, again, these might pay less than other more reputable and established companies.

Scheduling Options for Multiple Online ESL Companies

Strategy 1: Peak vs Off Peak

In this strategy, we are looking at scheduling both companies during different time slots. For example, you might want to schedule your primary company during off-peak hours (if you have built up a student base) and your secondary company during peak hours (to help with building up your bookings). If you work for Chinese based companies then you might schedule Company A from 5-7pm BJT and Company B from 7p-9p BJT.

5:00pm – 5:30pm	VIPKid
5:30pm – 6:00pm	VIPKid
6:00pm – 6:30pm	VIPKid
6:30pm – 7:00pm	VIPKid
7:00pm – 7:30pm	Gogokid
7:30pm – 8:00pm	Gogokid
8:00pm – 8:30pm	Gogokid
8:30pm – 9:00pm	Gogokid

Strategy 2: Alternating Days

In this strategy, we are looking at devoting certain days to certain companies. When adding any new company it is important to be as available as possible and, in some cases, available during peak booking times. In this situation we are looking at devoting individual days to specific companies. You might want to devote Monday, Wednesday and Friday to Company A and Tuesday and Thursday to Company B. Your weekends can be more flexible and you can open what you want for each company depending on the demand you have or the amount of classes you want to teach. You might leave the weekend to choose yourself and which company you prefer! Your schedule might look like this:

Monday	Tuesday	Wed.	Thursday	Friday
VIPKid	Gogokid	VIPKid	Gogokid	VIPKid

Strategy 3: Mix & Match

In strategy 3, we are looking at a real “mix and match” schedule of alternating between companies. This would allow you to still work with both companies during peak hours but it would eliminate any possible double bookings. If you were going to adopt this approach, your schedule might look like this:

5:00pm – 5:30pm	VIPKid
5:30pm – 6:00pm	Gogokid
6:00pm – 6:30pm	VIPKid
6:30pm – 7:00pm	Gogokid
7:00pm – 7:30pm	VIPKid
7:30pm – 8:00pm	Gogokid
8:00pm – 8:30pm	VIPKid
8:30pm – 9:00pm	Gogokid

Scenario 4: Backup Only

In this scenario, you would be using your 2nd or 3rd company as a backup to your primary. Did you get a low frenzy this week? Open up with your secondary company. Did you get fired? Thank goodness you have a backup! Did your company close up shop? Good thing you diversified! I work for VIPKid & Gogokid and use Gogokid as my backup company. I occasionally teach a few sporadic classes with them to keep up with their changes and to still know how to advise my referrals. However, they are there if I need them!

Strategy 5: Play the Incentive game (ie: Gogokid and VIPKid)

Which company is giving you better incentives? With this strategy, you are taking advantage of potential income. If VIPKid pays short notice pay (Which they do!), then one way to schedule is to open up all your slots with Gogokid and if they do not fill before 24 hours, turn those slots into VIPKid slots. This way you are able to take advantage of the extra short notice pay.

Some companies have peak hour teaching incentives during various times when they may need teachers or teachers to fill certain time slots. Pay attention to this and you could game the system to take advantage of company-specific incentives.

Strategy 6: The “No Strategy” strategy

In this strategy you aren’t really applying any strategy…you are going with the flow! What feels right? What company do you prefer? Who is paying you more? Where are your regular students demanding your classes? This is the most flexible strategy but it is one that you need to be careful with. Here are some cautions:

1. Do not double book, so do not open the same slots for both companies
2. Watch your schedule closely so that you are on top of what slots you are booking.
3. Do this after you have built up bookings in both companies which might allow you to use this flexible approach.

Want to work online?

1. Please email me: [email protected] if you would like more information or if you would like to apply to Gogokid and VIPKid.
   
2. Jump over to the Online Coaching page for information on how to get supported!

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