There are a few different ways to set up private lessons in Sawyer Tools. Choose the one (or the combination) that best fits your format.
Appointments
In general, Appointments are the best way to set up private lessons in Sawyer Tools.
With Appointments, you can set your availability and let customers select specific non-recurring slots for their private lessons. Learn more about the Appointments feature in this FAQ.
Parties/ Private Events
The "Parties" feature in Sawyer Tools can be repurposed--and renamed for your customers!--to be used for "Private Events" which you can call anything you like (e.g. "Private Lesson!") With this feature, customers can submit inquiries to request any timeslot they want.
Unlike with Appointments, customers can only pick one slot at a time and cannot complete registration without your specific approval. For example, if someone requests a slot in the middle of the night, you get notified of their request so you can get in touch and figure out a time that works before they paid for anything. Learn how to set up a Private Event package here.
Semesters
Semesters are great for setting up lessons that repeat at the same time every week for a set number of weeks (e.g. Mondays at 4 PM throughout the fall.) This is a great option if there are specific and consistent times when you're available for private lessons (as opposed to more fluid or flexible availability which is a better fit for Appointments.)
To create private lessons using Semesters, create an activity called something like "Private Lesson," schedule it for the specific times when you're available and set the capacity to 1.
Once you have a specific timeslot established with a student, you can create a hidden semester timeframe and scheduled activity just for this student.
Combination: Private Events + Hidden Semesters
"I'm using Private Events."
"I'm using Hidden Semesters."
"I'm using a combination of Private Events and Hidden Semesters."
This approach takes advantage of both the open-ended request-form functionality of the "Parties" feature and the weekly-recurring, specific-timeslot functionality of Semesters. Providers who use this approach allow new students to request any time they want for private lessons using the "Parties" feature and then get in touch with each person who submits an inquiry to work out a specific recurring schedule. Once there's an agreed-upon recurring schedule, the provider builds it out as a hidden semester and sends a private link for the customer to register.