All payouts are handled through Stripe. Once the session has been completed, the mentor will have the option to withdraw the funds from Stripe directly after 2 business days. 

How do I get paid?

Yes! Reviews matter. Be sure to give your Students a great experience, because positive reviews will help you rank higher on the search results. 

Do reviews matter?

If the student fails to show up to their session, the student still is charged for their session. Please stay on the session for the entirety in case the student is running late. The session will automatically end at the scheduled end time despite their tardiness.

What happens if the student fails to show up to a session?

If you fail to show up to the session, the student will automatically be refunded their money and Sidetrain will be notified. While we know things happen, we want to ensure a great experience for the students.

What happens if I fail to show up to a session?

What happens if I miss a session?

Once a student has booked a session with you, you will be alerted of some of the topics they would like to discuss on the session with you. 

Messaging with students

It's important to keep your listing up-to-date and to fully fill out your profile.

It's important to focus on your reviews with students. The search engine typically favors good reviews and number of sessions booked through the site. 

Marketing and search optimization

Congratulations, someone has booked you for a session on Sidetrain! 

So what's next? You were sent an email with the time the session is scheduled for. The Student also included some topics they'd like to discuss on the call. Be sure to show up a few minutes early to ensure your microphone and webcam are working properly. 

Preparing to host a session

In order to create an coaching profile, click this link and start the signup process. 

To reach 100% completion and have your profile listed, you will need to...

Add rates for 15-minute, 30-minute, and 60-minute sessions. If you only want to offer 30-minute sessions, leave the 15-minute and 60-minute session rates blank. 

Add Stripe account. In order to get paid for your sessions, you'll need to signup or sign in to your Stripe account. Here you will be able to request payments for your sessions. 

Add Bio. In this section, give a 2-5 sentence bio of who you are and your areas of expertise. 

Add Profile Picture. Add a picture of yourself that will show up when people are searching for you.

Add Categories. Add your areas of expertise. For example, if you are knowledgeable in "Quilting," locate the "Lifestyle & Hobbies" section and click on "Arts & Crafts." 

Add Availability. Here you'll want to specify the time you have available for bookings. Just click and drag the time you have available. For example if you have 12pm-5pm open next week, click on the right arrow on the top right, click on the day at 12pm and drag to 5pm. Then click "SAVE AVAILABILITY" on the top of the screen. 

Creating an coaching profile

Fees on Sidetrain are simple: When you make a sale, we charge a 20% fee. You keep 80%. 

This does not include credit card processing which do not affect your fee. 

There are no monthly payments or other hidden charges. 

Sidetrain's Fees

Sidetrain is a knowledge marketplace to book 1:1 personalized advice on demand. You can discover mentors in many different areas of knowledge and see if they have times available for you to book. At the time of the appointment, join the live 1:1 video session, ask your questions, and get advice on-demand. 

How does a 1:1 Video Session Work? 

The mentors are Sidetrain set their own time availability and length of sessions they offer. They may choose 15-minute, 30-minute, and/or 1-hour long meetings.

How long are the video sessions?

Yes, in fact, we encourage our customers to book the same mentor on a regular basis. There are no limits to how often you can book someone. 

Can I book someone more than once? 

You are able to ask the mentors anything within their areas of knowledge. We do ask that you refrain from asking someone medical or financial advice or about any private matters. If you have medical questions, please see our terms of service and see a doctor near you. 

What are we allowed to ask?

All of the timezones are geo-located to the timezone you are located in. The timezone will also be displayed on the time selector as well on the confirmation pages. 

What timezones are the video sessions based in?

Sidetrain uses its own video conferencing platform through our own website. You should make sure your browser is updated to its latest version, have a working microphone and webcam, and click on the link sent to your email or phone. We recommend that you show up to your session early to ensure everything is working properly. 

How do I prepare for a video session?

If the mentor fails to show up for the session, you will automatically be refunded. Please allow 2-5 business days for the money to be refunded.

What happens if the mentor fails to show up for the session?

Yes! People from all over the world will have access to one on one personalized learning on demand. We accept all major credit cards in USD. 

Do you support international customers?

We encourage mentors to keep sessions available. If enough people visit their profile and there are no sessions available, they will be reminded to add more time on their calendar. 

What if a mentor does not have any time available? 

Yes! If the session did not meet your expectations, let us know within one day of the session taking place and we’ll give you a refund. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Mentors Help

Students Help