Your profile video is key to having a strong profile on Sherpa. It's one of the most powerful tools you have for attracting new students!
This guide will walk you through everything you need to record, edit, and upload a video that gets results! 💯
1. Why Your Profile Video Matters ⭐️
Most students will watch your video before they read a single word of your profile.
Think of it as your first impression - a chance to show prospective students exactly who you are, how you teach, and why they should choose you.
In just 60 seconds, a great video can do what a wall of text never could – it lets your personality shine, builds trust instantly, and gives students a genuine feel for what lessons with you will be like.
Tutors with strong profile videos consistently attract more enquiries. So it's worth taking the time to get this right.
The good news? You don't need any extra fancy equipment or film experience. You just need a bit of preparation and the tips in this guide.
2. Before You Record: Technical Setup 🛠️
Camera & format 🎥
You can use your laptop's built-in webcam or the usual webcam – it's perfectly suited for this.
You can use your smartphone in horizontal orientation if your webcam quality is an issue.
Make sure your device records in MP4 or MOV format (most built-in cameras do by default).
Your final video must not exceed 100MB in file size. If your file is too large, read this guide on how to reduce video file size.
Framing Yourself 🖼️
Position your webcam at eye level. If your laptop sits low on a desk, prop it up on books until the camera is roughly level with your face.
Frame yourself so your head and shoulders are fully visible with only a small amount of space above your head.
Look directly into the camera lens when speaking – not at your own face on screen. This creates genuine eye contact with the viewer and makes an enormous difference.
Make sure there are no filters or special effects enabled. Keep it as authentic as possible. Students want to see the real you!
Keep your device resting on a stable surface. A shaky handheld shot is distracting and looks unprofessional for this purpose.
Lighting Yourself 💡
Natural light from a window works well – as long as the light is falling on your face, not behind you. Sitting with a window behind you will put your face in shadow. This impacts video quality as the camera will adjust to this automatically.
Avoid uneven lighting that casts shadows across one side of your face.
Avoid sitting directly in front of a bright window or light source – this will wash out any natural colours. Adjust your distance and see what looks right in the preview window.
Adjust lighting with lamps if needed to avoid shadows or overloading with natural light. The right combination will improve the image camera quality.
Background & environment 🏠
Your background should reflect the professional setting your students will expect from lessons. A tidy bookshelf, neutral wall, or clean desk setup will all work well.
Remove any clutter or distracting items from the shot.
Record somewhere quiet. Close windows, turn off fans, and let anyone nearby know you're filming.
What to wear 👔
Dress professionally or in smart-casual attire. What you wear on screen signals how seriously you take your teaching.
Do a test run ✅
Do a 10-second test recording before your full take and play it back – check both how you look and how you sound, as well as any background noise.
3. What To Say: Your Script Structure 📝
You don't need to memorise a word-for-word script – in fact, reading from one is one of the most common mistakes tutors make in a profile video.
Instead, use this five-part structure as your guide and speak naturally within each section.
Aim for a total video length of 60 seconds maximum.
Part 1: The Hook 🪝
(5–10 seconds)
Don't just open with "Hi, my name is..." – lead with something that speaks directly to your student's goal or situation.
Ideally, you should mention the 'problem' they might be facing, followed by the 'solution' (you!) within the first 5 seconds. This makes them feel seen immediately.
Example hooks:
"If you've been learning English for years but still don't feel confident speaking – I know exactly how to help."
"Getting ready for an IELTS exam? I've helped over 50 students hit their target band score – and I can help you too."
"Do you understand English well, but freeze up the moment you have to speak? That's exactly what we'll fix together."
"What if you could feel genuinely confident in English within just a few months? That's what my students achieve."
Part 2: Who You Are 👋
(10–15 seconds)
Keep this brief. Your name, your top qualifications, and one or two standout facts about your experience. Try not to drag on by listing every aspect; leave that to your profile.
Example:
"I'm [Name], a fully qualified TEFL tutor with [X] years of experience helping [type of student – e.g. professionals, exam students, beginners] build their English confidence."
Part 3: Your Teaching Style & What Makes You Different 🧑🏫
(15–20 seconds)
This is where you build trust. Be specific – vague claims like "I'm passionate about teaching" don't stand out. Tell them how you actually teach.
Example:
"My lessons are always tailored to you – your level, your goals, and your schedule. I focus on building real conversational confidence, not just drilling grammar rules. Every session is practical, encouraging, and structured around what you actually need."
Part 4: What The Student Will Achieve 🎓
(10–15 seconds)
Paint a picture of the outcome. Students aren't booking lessons – they're investing in a result you can help them achieve.
Example:
"Whether you want to pass an exam, feel confident in work meetings, or just hold a natural conversation – by the time we're done, you'll get there."
Part 5: The "Call To Action" 🏃
(5–10 seconds)
Close with a clear, warm, direct invitation. Don't trail off – try to end with energy and a smile! You might also reference the 'message' or 'booking' buttons on your profile.
Examples:
"I'd love to help you reach your goals. Send me a message today and let's book your free introduction lesson."
"Click the message button now – tell me where you're at with your English, and let's build a plan together."
"It's free to book an introduction, so why not get in touch today! Looking forward to meeting you!"
4. On-Camera Presence: How To Come Across Well 💅
You don't have to be a natural performer – you just have to be yourself. Here's how to bring your best self to the camera.
Smile genuinely. It sounds obvious, but it makes an enormous difference. A warm smile signals approachability and immediately puts the viewer at ease.
Speak slowly and clearly. Many people speak faster when nervous. Take your time. Pauses feel far more natural on screen than you'd expect.
Bring energy, but keep it natural. Think about how you feel at the start of a lesson you're excited to teach – bring that version of yourself to the camera.
Multiple takes are completely normal. Do a warm-up run first, just for yourself. Stand up, take a few breaths, shake out your hands. Most people nail it by the third or fourth attempt.
Keep notes just off-screen if needed. Stick a Post-it with your five-part structure just above or beside your screen. Glancing at it briefly is fine – just return your eyes to the lens quickly.
5. Adding Captions: They're Not Just For Style! 🔤
You may have noticed that the most engaging videos online now use bold, animated captions. This trend isn't just a stylistic choice!
Captions dramatically improve how long viewers watch, and ensure your message lands even when someone is browsing without audio.
Recommended free tool: CapCut
CapCut is a free video editing app available for download on desktop and mobile, or for use in your browser. It can automatically generate captions from your speech in seconds.
Here's how:
Record your video as normal and save the file to your device.
Open CapCut and import your video file.
Select Captions → Auto Captions. CapCut will transcribe your speech automatically using AI.
Review and correct any transcription errors.
Choose one of the preset caption text templates – bold, high-contrast text works best (white text with a dark outline is very readable on any background).
For added dynamic flair, choose one of the preset caption text animations.
Export your finished video as an MP4 file.
Here's a helpful video that goes through how to add animated captions on Capcut:
The whole process takes around 10–15 minutes. It's well worth it!
6. Uploading Your Video For Approval 🚦
Once you're happy with your video, here's how to get it live on your profile:
Before you upload, check:
✅ File format is MP4 or MOV.
✅ Video is 60 seconds or under.
✅ You're happy with the audio and lighting on playback.
To upload it, you'll need to upload it to YouTube, and then link that on Sherpa.
Go to My Profile → TEFL Profile on the left-hand sidebar.
Scroll to the bottom of the page
Paste a link in the "Profile Video" section
Submit the video for approval.
Your video will be reviewed by the Sherpa team to ensure it meets our guidelines before appearing on your profile and in search results.
If you run into any issues, contact our support team via the chat icon in your Sherpa dashboard.
You've Got This! 🤙
Your students aren't expecting perfection – they're looking for someone they can trust, someone who understands their goals, and someone they'll enjoy learning with.
Your video is just a chance to show them that person is you.
Take your time, be yourself on camera, and don't be afraid to do a few takes. The tutors who put care into their profile videos are the ones who fill their schedules.
Good luck – and if you have any questions, we're always here to help. 🎬