| So you like the idea of starting your own
tutoring business. Great! Now how do you go about finding students? Since hiring a tutor
is becoming more popular all the time, there are plenty of potential students waiting for
you to help them, and willing to write you a nice check after each session.
Word Of Mouth Is FREE And Your #1 Marketing Tool
One thing you’re going to learn very quickly is that
tutoring is a word of mouth type of business. Once you get one parent who is thrilled with
you because their child is getting better grades, you’re going to find that parent
praising your name. After that, it won’t be long before you start having other
parents pounding on your door begging you to help their kids.
Contact Schools
But you’re still right where we started just a few
sentences ago. You still need that first student. Let’s say you want to tutor middle
school math. I would try to contact middle school math teachers, counselors, and
principles and tell them about your tutoring business. Talk to them about your background
and show them your resume. Explain why you are such a great tutor, and can really help
students who are struggling with math or whatever subjects you want to tutor.
There’s a chance you have children and already have a
relationship with the teachers you would like to contact about your tutoring business.
This is always better, because the teacher already knows and trusts you and is more apt to
send you future students.
Spread the word of your new tutoring business among all
your friends, neighbors, and family members. These people are key. They know you already!
Just like teachers you might already know. They are more apt to recommend you to someone
because they like and trust you.
Advertise Your Business Using The Written Word
You might think you need to hurry and pay for an ad
somewhere to get that first student. Use that as your last resort. Don’t be afraid to
make up some flyers and post them in the area where your future students or their parents
might be. Check out local parenting publications and see if you could write an article for
them outlining what to look for when hiring a tutor. There won’t be any mention of
your business in the article, but there will be the opportunity to include a byline that
says you’re a tutor. As the writer of that article, you are seen as an expert tutor
and can easily get business this way.
Here is a list of possible places and groups you could
contact to market your business:
- Parents
- Home school Groups
- Schools
- Students needing to learn a second language
- Aftercare Programs
- Day Cares
- Boys and Girls Club
- YMCA
Marketing Material
Before you even think of trying to find one student, make
sure you have business cards made. You’re going to need something to leave with
people so they remember you and can contact you later. Business cards are a must! If you
can create a brochure about your service, what you offer, your background etc, that would
be nice to give away too.
You can also take it one step further and create an online
brochure by having a website. This way people can check out your business whenever
it’s convenient for them. This is a great way for parents to contact you, ask
questions, find out what you charge, and to make appointments with you. Once you start to
have more and more students, ask for testimonials to place on your website and include in
brochures. Testimonials are a great marketing tool. If someone is saying good things about
your business, your future customers should hear about it.
Believe In Yourself
One marketing tool that works above all others is to
believe that you are a great tutor. Don’t be afraid to talk about your credentials
and background. Include this information on your website, resume, and any letters that you
might send to school counselors, teachers, and principles. The more information you
include, the more credibility you’ll have.
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