Ask Micki: Sale on tutoring?

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Question: Hi, I have a question that deals with the business side of tutoring.

Is it inappropriate to offer sales or promotions for tutoring services?

Here's my idea: I'd like to have a "Back to school" type of deal where I give parents 20% off of my tutoring services.  It would be for tutoring appointments in September only, and would last from September 1st through the end of September.  Is this a good idea? Bad idea? Inappropriate in any way?

Thank you so much for your help!
Becky Anne from MI


Answer: Hi, Becky Anne -  This is a great idea!  Everyone loves a deal, and offering a discount for your tutoring services is not inappropriate at all.  I have heard from a lot of tutors who have done this, and they all report great success with the technique!

Plus, the fact that you are making this an exciting, focused ("Back to School"), limited time promotion almost guarantees success.

On another note, you are also doing your tutees a favor.  With the economy being like it is right now, I know that your tutoring parents will really appreciate the break in cost, especially with all of the other back to school expenses looming overhead.

Good luck with your sale, and stop by when you get a chance to let us know how it worked out for you!

Tips from Charlie: The fun of math...no kidding!

Recently I had my fifth tutoring session with a 13 year old who hated (and I mean HATED) math.  He did everything he could to avoid doing his math homework, looked bummed out during tutoring, and dreaded going to math class. 

So, I did what every tutor is renowned for doing - I communicated with him about why he hated math so much.  His two main complaints:

1) Math is boring, and he'd never use it (how many times have I heard that one?)
2) He felt freaked out and unprepared during tests (which caused him to get low grades, increasing his dislike for math in general)

Well, the second issue I knew I could handle.  After all, tutoring not only increases a student's preparedness for classes and tests, but it also raises a student's confidence level. 

The first "I hate math" issue, on the other hand, would be a little bit more of a challenge. 

After all, my tutee was 13 years old, and I knew the standard "kid stuff" wouldn't fly.  He was working on Geometry at the junior high level.  So, I put away the worksheets aimed at the elementary school crowd, and started wracking my brain for fun activities that would engage (not insult) a teenager with a dislike for the mathematical arts.

We talked for a little while during our first tutoring session together, and eventually wound up on the subject of hobbies.  As it turned out (luckily for me), my tutee loved anything to do with space, astronomy, and rockets.

Eureka!  I had found something that related to geometry, and knew I had a way to connect with him during tutoring. 

I came up with a few worksheets that laid out geometry and angles as they related to rocket launches, related angles to various space concepts (such as meteors or UFOs falling to earth and casting shadows), and pretty much presented every math tutoring session as something to do with space and rockets.

So far it has been a huge hit, my tutee is excited about learning the new concepts, and he is even talking about being an astronomer or Air Force pilot someday. 

Best of all, he just got his last geometry test back this week, and we were both thrilled to see the "Great job! A-" at the top of the paper!

Ask Micki: 10 year old tutee hates science

Question:  Hi, Micki.  I am hoping you can help me come up with some ways of making tutoring more entertaining.  I work with a bright, friendly 10 year old who is really, really bored with the botany part of her science class.  She works really hard, and her grades are good, but I feel bad that she is so bored during tutoring.  Any ideas for how to make botany more thrilling to a 10 year old? 

Thanks!
Science Tutor in IN

Answer:  Hi there, Science Tutor - the short answer to your question is ABSOLUTELY!  Sorry, I know I'm a bit too excited, but science is one of the few subjects for tutoring that automatically lends itself to fun, hands-on activities.

First, if you are an ITA tutor, check out the resources once you login to your account.  There are a ton of cool science experiments for kids, exercises, and activities that will jazz up any tutoring session.  Besides botany, there are also experiments and activities for biology, chemistry, astronomy, and a host of other subjects!

Second, look over the lesson plans and homework for the next few weeks (if it is available), and talk to your tutee about what she is currently studying, what she is going to be studying, etc.  Then, come up with a few simple experiments that will highlight the botany principles she is studying.

For example, if she is learning about chlorophyll, check out an experiment like this:
http://www.sciencemadesimple.com/leaves.html

Is she studying up on plants and watering?  Check out this experiment:
http://www.helium.com/items/1608049-plant-science-experiments-for-kids

Is your tutee learning about different plant and flowergroups?  Try putting together a plant field guide or a flower press: http://belladia.typepad.com/crafty_crow/2009/06/make-a-portable-flower-press.html

Is your tutee learning about fungi or growth patterns of other plants?  Try putting together a simple herbarium!

The possibilities are endless, so have fun with them - Your tutee will be grateful, and your tutoring will be even more effective!

And, as always, happy tutoring!

Tips from Charlie: 5 Quick Tips for Online Tutors

Tips from Charlie: 5 Quick Tips to Make the Most of E-Tutoring

Online tutoring is growing in popularity, and it is important that tutors know the subtle differences between online tutoring and in-person tutoring. It is not just the technology that sets these tutoring styles apart, but the approaches and communication methods used.

Below are 5 quick tips you can use for polishing up your online tutoring skills. You'll most likely recognize a lot of these tips from in-person tutoring scenarios, but with some very subtle changes to make them more fitted to online tutoring.

Enjoy!

Tip #1: Adapt to the comfort level of your tutee. Don't overload him or her with a bunch of different types of technology and communication methods (i.e live chat, email, message board, etc.) before your tutoring even begins; ask what types of communication preferences your tutee has. If he or she likes live chat tutoring, then go for that approach. If your tutee works best via forum posting, then use that tutoring approach. The point is that you want the tutoring session to be comfortable for your tutee so that he or she can focus entirely on the learning, and not on the technology.

Tip# 2: Be patient with your tutee. If you are live chat tutoring, or tutoring in some other way that allows instant discussions, allow ample time for your tutee to answer your questions. There is nothing more frustrating for a tutee than attempting to work through a problem only to be cut off by the tutor.

If a significant amount of time has passed, you may want to check in with your tutee to make sure that he or she is still working, but make sure that you give the tutee plenty of time so that he or she doesn't feel rushed. A rushed tutoring session is never successful.

Patience on the part of the tutor is even more important in online tutoring situations that involve email or forum postings - make sure your tutee feels heard, but never make him or feel rushed. Not every silence needs to be filled in by the tutor. Sometimes your tutee is contemplating a concept, or the next step of the problem.

Tip #3: Keep your online tutoring time relaxed, friendly, and open. Your tutoring session should put your tutee at ease, and make him or her comfortable enough to try new concepts, answer questions, etc.

The dialogue between you two during tutoring also doesn't have to be perfect in spelling or grammatical structure (with the exception of English, language arts, etc.). Often, typing quickly into live chat can yield a few typos; don't worry about these, just stay focused on the tutoring. If you are tutoring math, for example, you shouldn't spend time correcting the tutee's live chat sentence structure when you could be helping him or her with algebra. Focus on the subject at hand, not just how your tutee phrases questions and answers. This will not only make the tutoring more productive, but it will also keep your tutee from feeling self-conscious about his or her participation during he tutoring session.

Tip #4: Be flexible during tutoring, just like you would be in a traditional tutoring environment. You may expect a set number of problems or things to be done during the tutoring session, but it is important to move at the pace that your tutee is most comfortable with. Let your tutee's knowledge and progress drive the tutoring session. If that means getting a bit less, or a bit more, done than you had planned, then so be it.

Tip #5: Keep your tutoring fresh and interesting. Try contributing new discussions, activities, and thought provoking exercises for your tutee during each tutoring session. Come up with ways of opening up dialogue with your tutee that gets him or her thinking about the subject in a bunch of different ways. Ask questions that make your tutee think. Talk about new, innovative ways of solving problems.

An enthusiastic tutor keeps tutees excited about learning, so never underestimate your attitude - it can make or break a tutoring session!

Good luck out there in tutoring cyberspace!
-Charlie

Ask Micki: Tutoring Website

Question: Hi, Micki. I have a question about advertising my tutoring via the web. I was thinking of setting up a website for my tutoring services, but am not sure how to get people to it. Any words of wisdom on how to get the word out about my (upcoming) tutoring site? Thanks!

~ Charlie, a tutor from Redlands, CA

Answer: Hi, Charlie - thanks for the great question!A lot of people, both tutors and other professionals, struggle with this. Here are 5 ways that you can make your tutoring website a success!

1. Get the word out the old fashioned way: business cards and word of mouth. Make sure that your tutoring site URL is listed on every piece of paper that leaves your hands (business cards, letterhead, etc). That way, when people need a tutor, they can look down at your card, and easily locate your site. Word of mouth is also a powerful way to get noticed. Tell *everyone* you know about your spiffy new site. Friends, family, and clients are great places to start - after all, you never know who those people may know!

2. Focus on Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and keywords. No, I don't mean using the words "tutor" and "tutoring" every other word. The trick to keywords is using them naturally in the text while still making sure that the words show up often. Also, keep in mind that there may be other variations on your chosen words, and you'll want to include them, too. For example, "tutors" and "tutoring" may also be listed as "learning specialist," or "homework helper." Use as many relevant keywords as you can related to tutors and tutees, and web crawlers will have no trouble finding your site!

3. Submit your tutor services site to places like Google. Submit your URL to a few search engines, and you will get noticed faster. You are trying to get your site noticed, so why not make it easier for people to search for you?

4. Start a tutoring blog. A tutoring or learning blog can be a great way to drive traffic to your tutor site. After all, you will be offering people valuable (and entertaining) information relevant to tutoring, and you will be including a lot of tutor relevant keywords, too! Plus, writing about what you do is great way to learn more about it - keep up the life long learning, and both you and your tutees will benefit!

5. Offer easy ways for others to spread the word. Include "tell a friend" buttons, offer promotional tutoring discounts for referrals, and think of ways to get other people excited about your site. Keeping people coming back, and having loyal customers talk about your site, is a great way to get repeat visits.

Good luck and, as always, happy tutoring!

Ask Micki: Do tutoring/learning contracts work?

Question: Hi, Micki. I am pretty new to the world of math and science tutoring and was wondering whether I should bother with a learning contract. Do they work, or is it a waste of time?

Thanks!
Joe, a math and science tutor from Northern California.

Answer: Hi, Joe - thanks for the great question! I've been hearing quite a bit about learning and tutoring contracts lately, and I happen to think that they can be a great tool for your tutoring sessions.

A tutoring or learning contract is basically an informal document that the tutor and tutee (and/or tutee's parents) sign. It is a written promise that the tutor will provide stellar tutoring, and that the tutee will put in his or her best effort, do all of the tutoring assignments, be at the tutoring sessions on time, participate in the tutoring sessions, etc.

Essentially, it helps keep the tutee accountable for learning the material, taking an active role in the tutoring sesisons, and giving 100% at each tutoring session. It also (from the tutee's point of view) keeps the tutor accountable for providing the best tutoring possible.

Some people also choose to incorporate the business contract (i.e. pay rate, when the tutor will be paid, etc.) into the learning contract, but I choose not to do this.

In my opinion, it is a better idea to keep the business contract separate from the learning contract. The tutoring/learning contract should be all about learning, not clouded by business details.

It is also a great idea to make a copy of the contract so that you, your tutee, and (if needed) your tutee's parents all have the document to reference at a later date.

There are some great learning contracts available in the ITA Resource Bank, so take a look around, and try using one of these great tools out at your next tutoring session!

Good luck and, as always, happy tutoring!

Tips from Charlie: Learning Tools

I used to think that tutoring was all about using my own knowledge and my tutee's textbook.

Then I started tutoring younger kids and it changed the way I tutored forever.

Kids can be great to work with.  They are enthusiastic (most of the time), are honest about what they do and don't know, and have a very different way of learning...they also, like myself, have shorter attention spans than most grown adults!

I started realizing that my tutoring sessions with kids were just not as exciting and full of zest as they could be.  So, I sat down and did some thinking.  What did I respond to at a younger age? What bored me?  What got me enthusiastic about learning?

The answer, as it turns out, was using learning tools during our tutoring sessions.

Learning tools can turn a drab tutoring session into an exciting learning opportunity!

I used simple experiments to tutor the concepts of electricity and chemistry.  I brought games and activities that showcased the exciting world of math.  I dug out my old microscope and brought simple slides to go over biology concepts and make them more interesting.

In other words, any tutoring tool I could get my hands on (that related to the subjects I tutored), I brought with me to tutoring sessions.

The results were amazing, and I noticed that not only was I getting more excited learners, but I was getting happier parents.  One mom told me that I was the only person who had managed to get her son excited about science.  He had hated the subject before our tutoring had started.

An unexpected benefit to this new technique were the referrals I was getting from other parents.  I was known as the fun tutor who could actually get kids to learn boring subjects.  I was honored, and thrilled to have the "title."

So, if you are looking for a way to spice up your sessions, thrill parents, and garner referrals, look no further than tutoring and learning tools!

~ Charlie

Ask Micki: How to help a young tutor get excited about fractions

After answering my most recent question about getting a tutee more enthusiastic about math sessions, I was inspired to keep the positive vibes going and answer this question that deals with the same sort of topic...enjoy!

Question: Hi, Micki. I am working with a really bright little girl who just started the first grade and is working with fractions for the first time. We're going to be going over them during our next few sessions and I was hoping you might have some suggestions for how to make them more fun than they are right now. I'm thinking black print on a boring white page is just not as exciting as it could be. Thanks!

Answer: Thanks for the great question! I love fractions for kids because there are so many great ways to make them a lot more fun.

Pizza, for example, is a great way to work with fractions. Having a mathematical pizza party is always a winner - just get a few pictures of different pizzas and cut them up into various fraction pieces. Then, have your tutee mix and match how much of each type of pizza he or she wants.

This exercise also works for slightly older tutees as they begin adding or subtracting fractions - the tutee takes various slices and adds them up as he or she "orders."

Technically even multiplication or division works. For division, give your tutee a set number of pizza slices and determine how many party goers need to be fed. For multiplication, determine the number of "guests" and figure out how much pizza you'll need if each person wants one slice, two slices, etc.

You could do the same with cake, pie, or anything else that is bright, fun, and can be segmented into pieces.

Good luck and, as always, happy tutoring!

Ask Micki: Adding zest to your tutoring sessions

Question: Hi, Micki. I have a question about encouraging my tutee to be more excited about the subject matter we're working with during our sessions.

I absolutely love tutoring, and my tutee and I get along wonderfully. He's a bright kid, funny, and pays close attention to the math that we go over together.

The thing is, I feel bad that he is so bored by math, and would love to be able to make things more interesting for him. Just for a little background, he loves music, soccer, and guitars. Thanks!

Answer: Great question! I'm always happy to get emails from people who love what they do, and get along well with their tutees.

Even better, you're going above and beyond the call of tutoring duty to make the material jump off the page for your tutee. Good for you!

Now, how to get him more enthusiastic and involved in math?

The good news is that your tutee likes music! That is good news because a lot of music relies on math, right down to the quarter and half notes used to compose tunes. So, definitely go with that interest. Find articles about math and music being related, put together music related problems, and try to tie the two subjects together whenever you can.

As for his other interests - soccer and guitars - those can work, too. Make up some problems using soccer lingo or guitar talk. Trigonometry that deals with shadows on a soccer field, algebra that focuses on guitar-centric word problems...pretty much anything that even mentions his favorite hobbies can be useful in peaking interest in a less exciting subject.

You can also come up with some games that fuse his hobbies with mathematics. A music worksheet that deals with fractions, for example. These games work especially well with younger tutees, but if you can find some more sophisticated, complex games they would also work for older tutees.

And don't forget about short breaks. Even the sharpest mind can reach overload status pretty quick after staring at the same material for hours on end. Try to take a few short breaks in between problems. Let your tutee know that he's doing a great job, talk about school, and get away from the hardcore math for a minute or two.

Good luck and, as always, happy tutoring!

Starting a Tutoring Business

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.

Time Cards

If you are like most tutors, your main focus is probably on your tutoring sessions; communicating with your tutee, being able to present a problem in clear steps, and making sure that your tutee is able to improve in whatever subject he or she needs tutoring.

If these are the kinds of thoughts that are your main focus, congratulations! You are undoubtedly a great tutor.

But now I'd like to talk about another important, often overlooked, aspect of tutoring sessions - the time card.

I’ve always hated paperwork. It seems like a waste of time that could be spent on more worthwhile things. But a tutor’s time card is probably one of the more valuable parts of any tutoring business.

Besides lending an air of professionalism when working with tutees, a well designed time card can assist in billing, help with future appointments, and maintain good customer relations.

I like to use a time card that includes the following:
1) Date of session
2) Subject tutored
3) Tutee name
4) Start/stop times of the session
5) Tutee/parent initials

Date and start/stop times are pretty obvious. Both my tutees and I need this info for billing purposes. Subject helps me remember what I worked on with a particular tutee. In fact, I tutor a few tutees in more than one subject. In those cases, the subject info is especially useful to both of us. I like having session time so that my tutee and I can verify that the stop-start calculation was correct. Tutee/parent initials adds some proof that the tutoring actually occurred as logged.

Although I’ve never had a problem, I’ve had a few friends who have had issues with tutees regarding a particular tutoring session or the times. Including the initials on the time card helps to avoid any billing issues that may otherwise arise.

When it is time to bill my tutees I total up the session times, multiply by my hourly rate, and send a copy to the tutee.

One last thing. I only include one tutee per time card. Otherwise the billing scheme doesn ’t work. By doing these things, I have always had an easy time with billing, and with balancing the books. Keep track of everything that happens during a session, use the time card methods listed above, and soon you will be on your way to a well organized tutoring business.

Resources for Writing Tutors

As a writing tutor, I’m always looking for ways to liven up my tutoring sessions. Let’s face it, when it comes to writing, there are a lot of rules and exceptions to learn. Pretty dry stuff!
I often use colorful handouts. They are visually more exciting than hand written notes, plus my tutees can keep them for future reference. But even my handouts get stale over time. It really doesn’t matter how cool they look. Ultimately, they are just more material for my tutees to read and memorize. There is nothing engaging about a paper handout.
Enter technology. Except for word processing software on computers, I’ve never been a big fan of technology. I generally find myself spending more time trying to figure out how to use it rather than actually using it. I’d rather do things the old fashion way and save myself the frustration. Well that all changed, at least as far as my tutoring goes, a couple of months ago.
I was talking with another writing tutor about her views on handouts. I was hoping for some fresh ideas and she gave me a great one: Grammar Bytes. It is a website that covers tons of writing topics.
Examples and explanations are presented along with interactive practice questions. For some reason my tutees prefer the web over paper handouts. In fact, I now regularly use this site to motivate tutees to familiarize themselves with a topic before we meet! It is a lot more productive.
Grammar Bytes can be found at: http://www.chompchomp.com/exercises.htm.
I’m now on the lookout for more of these kinds of resources!
~ Katie M.
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Katie is a certified tutor and has been tutoring writing for over 10 years. Her work load spans generations, from elementary school students to elderly ESL tutees. Thanks, Katie, for this fantastic contribution to the ITA blog!