Creating Compelling Session Types
The session types you offer directly impact your bookings and mentee satisfaction. Learn how to structure a compelling session portfolio that meets mentee needs and maximizes your time.
Why Session Types Matter
Different mentees have different needs, budgets, and time constraints. Offering multiple session types allows you to:
Attract More Mentees
Lower-priced intro sessions remove friction for first-time bookers
Maximize Revenue
Premium sessions and packages increase your hourly rate
Match Mentee Needs
Some problems need 30 minutes, others need 2 hours
Build Relationships
Package deals encourage ongoing mentorship
The Recommended 3-Tier Structure
Most successful mentors offer at least three session types. Here's the proven structure:
1. Intro / Discovery Session
Your conversion engine
Purpose:
Lower barrier to entry. Let mentees meet you, discuss goals, and ensure you're a good fit before committing to full-priced sessions.
What to Include:
- • Get to know each other (5 min)
- • Discuss mentee's goals and challenges (10 min)
- • Share initial guidance or approach (10 min)
- • Discuss ongoing mentorship options (5 min)
Pricing Strategy:
If your standard rate is $75/hour, price this at $25-35 for 30 minutes. The discount makes it easy to say yes, and 70% convert to regular sessions.
Pro Tip: Make this your default first session. Many mentors even offer the first 15 minutes free to eliminate all friction.
2. Standard Session
Your bread and butter
Purpose:
Your core offering. Enough time to dive deep into specific topics, provide meaningful feedback, and create real value.
What to Include:
- • Quick check-in on progress (5 min)
- • Deep dive into 1-2 key topics (35-40 min)
- • Action items and next steps (10 min)
- • Q&A and wrap-up (5-10 min)
Ideal For:
Problem-solving, skill development, code reviews, resume feedback, interview prep, career advice, technical discussions.
Pro Tip: This should represent 60-70% of your bookings. Price it at your target hourly rate based on your experience level.
3. Intensive / Deep-Dive Session
Your premium offering
Purpose:
Extended sessions for complex topics that need uninterrupted focus. Your highest value-per-session offering.
Ideal For:
- • Comprehensive portfolio or project reviews
- • Multiple mock interviews with detailed feedback
- • System design deep-dives
- • Career strategy planning sessions
- • Pair programming or live debugging
Pricing Strategy:
Price at 1.5-2x your hourly rate. If your standard session is $75/hour, price this at $110-140 for 90 minutes. The premium accounts for the focused attention and energy required.
Note: Only offer this if you can maintain focus and energy for 90+ minutes. It's better to offer two 60-minute sessions than one unfocused 2-hour session.
Optional: Package Deals
Coming Soon
Package deals (multi-session bundles at discounted rates) are not available yet but will be added soon. For now, focus on individual session types.
Writing Compelling Session Descriptions
Your session descriptions make or break bookings. Here's how to write ones that convert:
The Formula
1. Start with the outcome
"Walk away with a clear action plan for your next career move"
2. Describe what you'll cover
Use bullets to list 3-5 specific topics or activities
3. Explain who it's for
"Perfect for engineers considering management" or "Ideal for bootcamp grads job hunting"
4. Set expectations
"Come prepared with your resume/portfolio/questions"
Example: Good vs. Great
❌ Weak Description:
"60-minute session where we can discuss your career, code, or any questions you have."
Too vague. Doesn't convey value or set expectations.
✓ Strong Description:
Technical Interview Preparation Session
Get ready to ace your coding interviews with personalized practice and feedback.
What we'll cover:
- Live coding of 1-2 technical problems
- Detailed feedback on your approach and communication
- Strategies for common problem patterns
- Tips for thinking out loud and handling pressure
Best for: Software engineers preparing for FAANG or startup interviews
Come prepared with: Your preferred coding environment ready to share screen
Specific, outcome-focused, sets clear expectations.
Session Type Best Practices
Start with 2-3 session types
Don't overwhelm yourself or mentees. Start with intro and standard, add more based on demand.
Name them clearly
Use names that instantly communicate value: "Quick Career Chat" is better than "Session Type A"
Test and iterate
Track which sessions book most. Adjust pricing, duration, or descriptions based on data.
Set boundaries
If a session type doesn't include code review, say so. Clear boundaries prevent scope creep.
Consider your energy
Don't offer 2-hour sessions if you're drained after 60 minutes. Quality over quantity.
Update seasonally
Add "Interview Prep Sprint" during hiring season or "Year-End Career Review" in December.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- • Offering too many session types (creates decision paralysis)
- • Pricing all sessions the same (misses revenue opportunities)
- • No intro/trial option (high barrier to entry)
- • Vague descriptions that don't explain the value
- • Session lengths that don't match the topic (30 min for system design?)