online esl teacher learning how to find leads for new students and parents

Lead Farming for Beginners

January 05, 20252 min read

Cultivating Leads: No Overalls Required

Leads are the lifeblood of your business—without them, you’re basically a teacher hosting a one-person Zoom meeting (awkward). But finding and nurturing leads? That takes time.

farmer in green overalls representing online teachers growing and cutivating leads

Let’s Talk About “Cultivation”

Think about the word cultivate. It’s often used for growing fruits and vegetables.

Imagine a gardener—watering, pruning, pulling out weeds, making sure their plants don’t just survive but thrive.

Now, replace the plants with potential students, and congratulations! You’re now a lead farmer.

The hardest part? This isn’t just “business” or “marketing”—it’s about stepping out of your comfort zone, putting yourself out there, and staying patient (even when you’d rather just teach and let students magically appear).

But here’s the good news: Once you land a great lead, it can pay off for years.


So… Where Are These Leads Hiding?

Great question! They’re out there, waiting to be found—you just need to know where to look. Here are a few places to start:

teacher looking at options for how to find leads for online esl students
  • Google – Yes, it’s obvious, but are you using it strategically?

  • Personal contacts – Your network might be bigger than you think.

  • Referrals – Happy parents/students can become your best recruiters.

  • Recruiters – Some specialize in connecting students with teachers.

  • Social media – Facebook groups, LinkedIn, Instagram… even TikTok if you dare.

  • Collaborations – Partner with other educators or businesses.

  • Email marketing – Because inboxes are the modern-day front doors.

  • Blogs – Share your expertise and let Google work its magic.

  • Your website – If you don’t have one, it’s time.

  • Your blog – Content builds trust and attracts leads over time.

  • Schools – Private schools, language programs, and homeschool networks.

  • Businesses – Corporate training, language programs, and tutoring for employees.

  • Google Business – Local SEO isn’t just for brick-and-mortar businesses.


online esl teachers learning how to successfully find leads for new students and parents

Ready to Dig In?

Each of these lead sources deserves its own deep dive, so stick around—I’ll be breaking them down one by one in future posts.

For now, think of this as your starter pack. Pick one or two and start experimenting. Leads aren’t going to sprout overnight (unless you have some seriously magical soil), but with consistency, you’ll see results.

Which lead source are you focusing on first? Let me know! 🚀

Hi, I’m Allison. With 30 years of teaching (including 8 online), I help kids shine in English and teachers thrive in their own independent businesses. Parents get peace of mind, teachers get clarity—and no one gets stuck with confusing jargon.

Allison Winzurk

Hi, I’m Allison. With 30 years of teaching (including 8 online), I help kids shine in English and teachers thrive in their own independent businesses. Parents get peace of mind, teachers get clarity—and no one gets stuck with confusing jargon.

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