How to Write a Class Description

-

Want to write a class description that packs your class with students who want to learn exactly what you’re teaching? With these six simple elements, you can grab their attention and hold it all the way through to registration and payment!

*Date & time
So they know if they’re available to attend

*Title
Do you want it to turn up in google results? What terms do you think people looking for something like your class will search? Put those first in your title.

*Description
-What they get out of the class (1 sentence)
"You'll take your floor work to the next level in this class with [ your name ].” (Add your tagline or favorite credit, especially if it relates to the class content.)
-1-3 things they can expect to happen in the class (1 sentence)
"You'll do a warmup, a series of the most popular floor work moves, and then take some time to discover what your personal floor work style can be."
-Experience Level (1 sentence)
"For people with some performance experience, new to or moderately experienced in floor work."
What to wear and what to bring (1 sentence)
"Wear shorts or a leotard, bring kneepads and a bottle of water."

*Price (comparable to regional expectations) & Payment Info
A payment button is easiest, but your Venmo/paypal info works too.

*Bio - (1-2 sentences maximum)
Short bios are the only ones most people will actually read.

*Photo
Ideally, showing you doing something you teach in the class; if not available, a headshot works too.

*A very clear email link for questions
People who ask questions and get quick answers are more likely to sign up.

I've been reviewing class descriptions for festivals for over a decade, and many instructors often give bios and descriptions that are more suitable for promotion of themselves as performers, or give their entire CVs as if they're terrified someone will doubt their qualifications. Sometimes they'll try to teach everythng they know in one class, instead of making the class specific to a topic. Keep it relevant, keep it to the point, and it will sell!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How to Get Started as a Performer in Burlesque

-
Image
Above: Jo Weldon performing at The Burlesque Hall of Fame. Photo by Tigz Rice. Many students come to my classes with the intention to perform professionally. Not all who want to perform want to become fulltime performers, but they'd like to get onstage now and then. I work in the field of what I call "Independent Burlesque," where most performers are creating individual acts that then get booked into variety or burlesque shows. People also sometimes hear about a theme for a show and then create an act based on that theme, or start producing a show for which they then create acts. There are as many different approaches as there are people to come up with them. However, for this article, let's focus on what most of my students are asking me about, which is how to get booked as a solo performer in a burlesque show that already exists. I'll also be focusing mostly on how things work in New York. Traveling to work is a separate topic, but I'll have an article...
Read more

Burlesque Festivals in 2024!

-
Image
Burlesque festivals are more popular than ever in 2024, and many times students ask me if it's too soon for them to go to a festival if they're new performers. It's never too soon! Festivals are a great way to discover performers, producers, and venues, and to meet new people. They are a concentrated networking opportunity that includes amazing shows and often with unique classes by headliners and locals. They’re usually expensive to travel to, but with this list you might be able to find some within driving distance, so you can get your first few festival experiences without a major investment. Remember to be yourself so you attract people who share your interests, instead of trying to impress people who intimidate you (and remember, sometimes getting intimidated by a person is something you do to yourself, not something they do to you – you are worthy of respect and having your art respected, at all times! Nobody is important enough to pander to or be insulted by). ...
Read more

Creating Your Best Videos -- with Alek Paliński

-
Image
The New York School of Burlesque is so excited and honored to have Alek Paliński as a guest author this month! With his 7 years of experience in burlesque, Alek has performed all over the world and contributed to the creation of many burlesque acts. He's worked with iconic burlesque performers, such as Dita Von Teese, Dirty Martini and Zelia Rose, to name a few. Enjoy Alek's comprehensive guide to filming your burlesque act for performance submissions. We get so many questions about this topic and this guide is just what performers need to put their best work forward when submitting for an audition or applying for a festival or gig. The world of burlesque continues to flourish, bringing more interest and a fresh wave of enthusiasm towards the art form. A new generation of performers combined with the post-pandemic reality in live entertainment makes it harder for the up-and-coming artists to book work. In-person auditions are increasingly rare. Video submissions have b...
Read more