How to find people for user research

Explain what you're asking them to do

Keep the invitation simple:

I'm researching how independent tutors arrange lessons with parents. Would you be open to a 20-minute call about how you handle it? This is a research interview, not a product demo.

Include whether you'll pay for their time, whether you want to record, and how you'll use the conversation. Give them those details before they agree.

You can use a separate outreach plan for each person, but don't let the invitation turn into a sales pitch. If you said you're there to learn, stay there to learn.

Check one thing before booking

Ask a simple question to make sure they're the person you need: “Do you arrange the lessons yourself, or does someone else handle that?”

Avoid asking them to agree that your proposed solution is useful. “Wouldn't an app make this easier?” tells you less than “What happened the last time a parent changed a lesson?”

Use the conversation to answer questions and arrange the next step.