Whether the economy is good or bad, freelance tutoring businesses always seem to do well. Tutoring is a great choice for a home business because you get to help students achieve their goals, work hours that are convenient for you, and it is a business that has low overhead and start up costs.
Besides learning the basics of good tutoring, practically all you will need to start a tutoring business is passion for the profession and some general office supplies. Here's what I used to get started last year. Typically, I carry all of this in one messenger bag so that it is always convenient for me to grab as I head out to new sessions, or potential clients' homes.:
1. ITA Certificate
I have my ITA certificate copied so that I can take it with me to my interview sessions when I am getting to know my potential client(s). By showing my certificate to my tutees, or for younger tutees their parents, I am able to show off my credentials - that I have learned how to tutor and that I have trained to be the best tutor available.
2. Timesheets
I always keep these in my bag so that I can fill them out and have them initialed by my tutee (or the tutee's parent) on site immediately after the session ends. This eliminates any potential billing issues down the road.
3. Paper
I always take lots of scratch paper with me. I primarily tutor math and programming languages and my tutee and I go through a lot of paper.
4. Pencils
I can never have too many pencils with me. They allow a little flexibility during the session, since mistakes can be easily erased and the problem can be attempted again without blotches of ink intimidating my tutee.
5. Learning activities
I have developed some activities for different age groups so that, no matter who I am tutoring, there is something fun and engaging for us to do if the session starts to get a bit stale. I have also used some of the activities on the site in the resources section.
6. Laptop (optional)
Because I tutor computer programming, I always have my laptop in my messenger bag. However, if you tutor something that doesn't require laptop, I definitely wouldn't bother bringing it with you.
As far as supplies, that is about it!
But where do you tutor? What do you charge? And how do you get clients?
As far as where I tutor - I choose to go to the tutor's homes. This is more convenient for them, and I have never had anyone suggest another location. My friend, on the other hand, is an ESL tutor who typically only tutors at the local schools and libraries. He finds that many of his tutees are most comfortable with this option. It is important to communicate with your tuttee (or tutee's parents) to determine the best place for your sessions to take place. If your tutee is more comfortable at a local library, then by all means, tutor him or her at the local library. online tutoring is another option that is growing increasingly popular, but I don't have experience with this form of tutoring session...not yet anyway!
When it comes to charging, this is a bit more difficult to answer. Different tutors charge different prices depending not only on their geographic area, but also their subject area expertise. A math tutor in Manhattan, NY will most likely be able to charge more than a history tutor in small town Tennessee. This is not to say that there aren't exception to the rule, but in general, these are the two aspects that will influence session fees. I charge between $35-$40 per hour for both math and computer sessions. My ESL tutor friend charges between $25-$35 per hour, depending on the situation. In the small town where he lives, he charges at the low end of the scale. When he tutors in the nearby college town, on the other hand, he raises his rates a bit. Check out some tutors in your area to get an idea what they are charging. Then, price your services accordingly.
Now on to the part that a lot of people dread - getting new clients. The first thing you'll want to do is establish what I like to call "paper credibility." That is, credentials and other experience that you can write down and show to potential customers. Like I said just above, I always take my tutor training certificate so my clients know that I have been trained in the art of tutoring. I also take along a quick resume that details some past clients, my areas of expertise, how long I have been a tutor. I have also been fortunate enough to have a few of my past clients agree to be contacted by potential clients - in other words, I have references!
I also make sure to get the word out that I am a tutor looking for business. I tell friends, family, even strangers. You never know who will need tutoring...or who will know someone who needs tutoring. I also make up flyers and put them up (with permission) at local colleges, high schools, stores, etc. I also had some luck hanging flyers on front doors.
In addition to the flyers, I also made up some simple brochures to leave out in various offices (again, with permission) and other areas with decent foot traffic. Some of my best customers have come from the local school that allowed me to place some brochures in their main office. This particular school acted as an umbrella school for the local homeschool group and I was ambushed with calls from excited parents who needed my help.
As you can see, the possibilities are practically endless, and you are only limited to your marketing imagination. Give yourself time, watch your business grow, and good luck!
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Jill G. is a certified tutor from Texas who specializes in math and computer tutoring.
