How Availability Works
Your availability tells TutorLingua when you're open for bookings. Students can only book during times you've marked as available.
Think of it as your "office hours" - the recurring weekly schedule when you teach.
Setting Your Availability
Step 1: Access Availability Settings
Go to Dashboard > Availability
Step 2: Add Time Slots
For each day you want to teach:
- Click on the day (Monday, Tuesday, etc.)
- Click "Add Time Slot"
- Set the start time and end time
- Click Save
Example Schedule
| Day | Time Slots | |-----|------------| | Monday | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM | | Tuesday | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | | Wednesday | Off | | Thursday | 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM | | Friday | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM | | Saturday | 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM | | Sunday | Off |
Multiple Time Slots Per Day
You can add multiple slots to create breaks:
With break:
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Students see 9-12 and 2-6 as available, but not 12-2.
Without break:
- 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Students see the entire 9-6 window as available.
Timezones
Your availability is set in your timezone. TutorLingua automatically:
- Converts times to each student's local timezone
- Shows students accurate available times
- Handles daylight saving time changes
Make sure your timezone is correct in Settings > Profile.
Availability vs. Calendar Sync
Understanding the difference:
| Availability | Calendar Sync | |-------------|---------------| | Your recurring weekly schedule | Real-time busy/free status | | "I teach Mon-Fri 9-5" | "I have a meeting at 2pm today" | | Set once, applies every week | Updates dynamically |
Best practice: Set availability for your general teaching hours, then connect your calendar to block specific appointments.
Blocking Specific Times
For one-time unavailability (vacation, appointments), use blocked times instead of changing your availability:
- Go to Dashboard > Calendar
- Click on the time to block
- Add a label (optional)
- Save
This keeps your regular availability intact while blocking specific times.
Availability Tips
Start Conservative
Begin with fewer hours than you think you can teach:
- Easier to add hours than remove bookings
- Prevents burnout
- Tests demand first
Include Buffer Time
Don't make slots back-to-back with other commitments:
- Allow 15 minutes between lessons
- Account for lessons running over
- Give yourself breaks
Consider Timezones
If you teach students globally:
- Morning slots work for your timezone + eastern students
- Evening slots work for your timezone + western students
- Vary your availability to reach more students
Peak Times
Consider when students typically book:
- Mornings: Business professionals before work
- Evenings: Students after school/work
- Weekends: Flexible schedules
Seasonal Changes
Update your availability for:
- Holidays
- School terms vs. breaks
- Personal schedule changes
Tip: Review and update your availability at the start of each month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can students book any available time?
Students book in increments based on your service durations. A 60-minute lesson requires a 60-minute open window.
What if I need to take a week off?
Use blocked times to mark specific days as unavailable rather than changing your recurring availability.
Can I have different availability for different services?
Currently, availability applies to all services. Use service-specific notes to guide students on best times.
How far in advance can students book?
By default, students can book up to 60 days ahead. This can be adjusted in your booking settings.
Next Steps
- Connect your calendar to prevent double-bookings
- Create your first service
- Share your booking link with students
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