Starting Your Own Tutoring Business – How Technology Can Help

If you are thinking about starting your own business as a tutor, then the good news is that there is plenty of money to be made in this niche. In fact, a report by Zion Market Research found that globally, the private tutoring industry is expected to generate $178m USD by 2026. More and more students are opting for private tutoring, with students at all levels benefitting from the option of having a private tutor to work with on the things that they struggle with on a one-to-one basis.

For example, there are more and more Chinese tutors on Preply.com tutor service every day – as there is a huge demand. And, thanks to technology, it’s become easier than ever to start a tutoring business today – many tutors offer online services, with AI, video calling, and instant messaging making it easier than ever for tutors and students to communicate with one another, even if they are in different towns, cities, or even countries.

Is Tutoring the Right Business Idea for Me?

Before you can start tutoring others in any subject, it’s a good idea to sit down and determine whether or not this is the right path for you. You may know that you’re a good teacher, so there’s no doubt about that but think very carefully about the idea of running your own business – there’s a lot to consider. A tutoring business can be great for career-changing, though. For example, the CEO of Caddell Prep Glyn Caddell founded his company after being laid off from mechanical engineering during the 2008 recession, but he had to learn a lot about business. All business owners need to be able to grasp a wide range of factors including marketing, bookkeeping, and taxes, managing appointments, generating leads, and providing great customer service. So, do your research into all of this first to determine whether or not it’s something that you’ll be able to handle.

What Type of Tutoring Business Should I Start?

Next, think about the type of tutoring service that you are going to offer. Will you be setting up a physical space in your local area, for example, where students can come for lessons, or will you be visiting them at their own homes? Maybe you are thinking of utilizing technology to provide students with a virtual tutor experience, or maybe you want to offer a combination of all these options. Whichever you decide, it’s important to do your research and understand exactly what it’s going to cost you to get started. For example, if you’re going to be holding physical classes, you’re going to need to think about things like utilities – check out the schools energy prices available at Utility Bidder.

What Technology Do I Need?

No matter how you’ve decided to deliver your tutoring lessons to students, you’ll need to think about the technologies that could assist you in providing the best service to them. If you’re holding physical classes, then you’ll need to think about things like electronic whiteboards, computers, and tablets that students can use during lessons, while if you’re visiting students in their homes, you may only need a laptop, tablet or smartphone of your own to come up with lesson plans and deliver the materials to the student. For tutors looking to work online, you’ll need good video calling software, and you can utilize a wide range of further software programs like online quizzes and online course creation software.

How Can I Market My Services?

Technology isn’t just useful when it comes to helping to get your lessons delivered to students – you can also use it to spread the word about the services that you offer, whether you’re working locally, nationally or even globally! The first thing that you are going to need is a strong business website detailing the services that you offer as a tutor. You can hire a developer to do this for you, but if you’re on a budget then consider using a DIY website building platform like Wix, Squarespace or WordPress – they are easy to use, cheap to set up, and provide great results. It’s also worth starting a blog on your business website; you can use this to showcase your knowledge and further advertise your services to potential students. And finally, build a strong presence on social media – use social networks like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn to connect with potential students and their parents.

Defining Your Unique Selling Point

Finally, every business needs a USP – and your tutoring business is no exception. Determine the statement that describes the solution that you’re providing to your students, and what it is that makes you stand out from other tutors. You could include this on your website, and be sure to also include any notable experience, qualifications or certifications that you have as a tutor. Bear in mind that your USP could be the main determining factor when a student is looking for the right tutor.

The tutoring industry is booming – and technology has made it easier than ever for tutors to make a living with their own business.