How do I find students for my CHL classes?

A meeting place for CHL instructors

Moderators: carlson1, Crossfire

User avatar
The Annoyed Man
Senior Member
Posts: 26885
Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2008 12:59 pm
Location: North Richland Hills, Texas
Contact:

Re: How do I find students for my CHL classes?

Post by The Annoyed Man »

WildBill wrote:
The Annoyed Man wrote:
WildBill wrote:I would seperate your CHL website from Artsthisnthat.
Additionally, I would retain the services of a professional website designer.

I just happen to be one. :mrgreen:
And a darn good one, I might add. :thumbs2:
Why, thank you sir! :mrgreen:
“Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times.”

― G. Michael Hopf, "Those Who Remain"

#TINVOWOOT
philip964
Senior Member
Posts: 18440
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2009 12:30 pm

Re: How do I find students for my CHL classes?

Post by philip964 »

I found mine on the web, I wanted it on the next weekend Saturday and Sunday and I wanted it nearby and inexpensive. I also wanted the price to include everything, no extras. Classroom, any books or pamphlets, passport photos, shooting, range fees and fingerprinting, the whole boat.

The guy's website came up, it included all of this, called him, he had space and the rest is history. All I had to buy was ammunition. I think he charged $75.00 per person.

The fingerprints included ended up being not accepted by the state as unreadible.

I didn't own a gun at the time, I wanted to get the CHL first, so the instructor loaned me his for the shooting test.

Renting a gun for the test, might be a selling point

Good Luck.
wgoforth
Senior Member
Posts: 2113
Joined: Tue Dec 09, 2008 11:12 pm
Location: Brownwood, Texas

Re: How do I find students for my CHL classes?

Post by wgoforth »

philip964 wrote:I found mine on the web, I wanted it on the next weekend Saturday and Sunday and I wanted it nearby and inexpensive. I also wanted the price to include everything, no extras. Classroom, any books or pamphlets, passport photos, shooting, range fees and fingerprinting, the whole boat.

The guy's website came up, it included all of this, called him, he had space and the rest is history. All I had to buy was ammunition. I think he charged $75.00 per person.

The fingerprints included ended up being not accepted by the state as unreadible.

I didn't own a gun at the time, I wanted to get the CHL first, so the instructor loaned me his for the shooting test.

Renting a gun for the test, might be a selling point

Good Luck.
Keep in mind fingerprinting can only be done now by L1 services.
NRA Life Member
NRA Instructor for Refuse To Be A Victim
Instructor of Basic, Advanced and Defensive Handgun, CHL
http://www.castlekeepservices.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
User avatar
WildBill
Senior Member
Posts: 17350
Joined: Tue Jul 03, 2007 12:53 pm
Location: Houston

Re: How do I find students for my CHL classes?

Post by WildBill »

My CHL instructor had a good selection of "loaners" that the student could borrow for the price of the ammo. :thumbs2:
NRA Endowment Member
wgoforth
Senior Member
Posts: 2113
Joined: Tue Dec 09, 2008 11:12 pm
Location: Brownwood, Texas

Re: How do I find students for my CHL classes?

Post by wgoforth »

WildBill wrote:My CHL instructor had a good selection of "loaners" that the student could borrow for the price of the ammo. :thumbs2:
Wondering what kind of added liability that might place the CHL instructor under if any?
NRA Life Member
NRA Instructor for Refuse To Be A Victim
Instructor of Basic, Advanced and Defensive Handgun, CHL
http://www.castlekeepservices.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
bizarrenormality

Re: How do I find students for my CHL classes?

Post by bizarrenormality »

Art S wrote:Any and all ideas are much appreciated.
Will the range where you qualify students allow you to post flyers and business cards?
User avatar
Art S
Member
Posts: 82
Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2011 2:32 pm
Location: S.E. Houston area

Re: How do I find students for my CHL classes?

Post by Art S »

I want to thank all that replied. You have given me a lot to think about. :clapping:
Did you learn something new today and did you smile? if not, why?

Have a Great One,
Art S.
Image
jkatona
Junior Member
Posts: 5
Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2012 11:07 am

Re: How do I find students for my CHL classes?

Post by jkatona »

Finding students is only half the battle...has anyone had any trouble finding a range to qualify your students? Most of the ranges I've called said they don't allow new instructors to use their range. Okay, so now what? What the deal?

Any feedback?

Thanks...

Waiting to get certified in Texas
Justin :grumble
my email: armamerica@gmail.com
User avatar
Crossfire
Moderator
Posts: 5405
Joined: Sun Jan 08, 2006 10:27 am
Location: DFW
Contact:

Re: How do I find students for my CHL classes?

Post by Crossfire »

Keep trying. But, be aware, most ranges will require that you have liability insurance and that they are named on the policy.
Texas LTC Instructor, FFL, IdentoGO Fingerprinting Partner
http://www.Crossfire-Training.com
User avatar
sjfcontrol
Senior Member
Posts: 6267
Joined: Wed Oct 28, 2009 7:14 am
Location: Flint, TX

Re: How do I find students for my CHL classes?

Post by sjfcontrol »

jkatona wrote:Finding students is only half the battle...has anyone had any trouble finding a range to qualify your students? Most of the ranges I've called said they don't allow new instructors to use their range. Okay, so now what? What the deal?

Any feedback?

Thanks...

Waiting to get certified in Texas
Justin :grumble
my email: armamerica@gmail.com

I'm in the same position in McKinney. (Looking for a place to shoot.)

Where are you located?
Range Rule: "The front gate lock is not an acceptable target."
Never Forget. Image
User avatar
sjfcontrol
Senior Member
Posts: 6267
Joined: Wed Oct 28, 2009 7:14 am
Location: Flint, TX

Re: How do I find students for my CHL classes?

Post by sjfcontrol »

OH -- and welcome to the forum! Unless you like spam, you might want to remove your email from your sig line.
Range Rule: "The front gate lock is not an acceptable target."
Never Forget. Image
User avatar
fickman
Senior Member
Posts: 1711
Joined: Tue Nov 25, 2008 2:52 pm
Location: Fort Worth, Texas

Re: How do I find students for my CHL classes?

Post by fickman »

Stand outside of the worthless class I took at Bass Pro in Grapevine with a sign that says, "Now that you're licensed, you might want to take my class to learn the important stuff you were actually supposed to be learning while you wasted half a day listening to incoherent ramblings."

I took instructor A & B in that class for my initial license and it was good. For my renewal, instructor A was no longer part of the program and B had a bunch of his buddies "helping". Needless to say, I sent my wife and sister to Crossfire for their renewal.

It's all about word of mouth, word of mouth, word of mouth. You might be one of the few folks I'd recommend attending gun shows. . . wear a shirt with your company on it and pass out cards as you walk around. Be friendly and strike up helpful conversations with people.
Native Texian
wgoforth
Senior Member
Posts: 2113
Joined: Tue Dec 09, 2008 11:12 pm
Location: Brownwood, Texas

Re: How do I find students for my CHL classes?

Post by wgoforth »

jkatana.... sadly, you'll find most instructors are territorial. So if these ranges have their own CHL classes, it can be a problem. There is plenty of business so I don't understand why this is such an issue, but it is.
NRA Life Member
NRA Instructor for Refuse To Be A Victim
Instructor of Basic, Advanced and Defensive Handgun, CHL
http://www.castlekeepservices.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
User avatar
MOA
Junior Member
Posts: 32
Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2012 7:47 pm

Re: How do I find students for my CHL classes?

Post by MOA »

wgoforth wrote:jkatana.... sadly, you'll find most instructors are territorial. So if these ranges have their own CHL classes, it can be a problem. There is plenty of business so I don't understand why this is such an issue, but it is.
:iagree: I can understand why they wouldn't want to rent out the whole range, or a section of the range, during a busy time when they have a lot of customers, but it seems like a great opportunity during slow times when most people are at work or church.
BrianSW99
Senior Member
Posts: 659
Joined: Wed Apr 01, 2009 9:51 am

Re: How do I find students for my CHL classes?

Post by BrianSW99 »

Has anyone had any experience with paid print advertising? Does it work? I've thought about an ad in the local community newspaper, but not sure if it would just be a waste of money.
Post Reply

Return to “Instructors' Corner”