The COVID-19 pandemic has opened up a lot of opportunities in the education sector. One of such opportunity is the ability to start a tutoring business.
Setting up a home tutoring business is a great way to earn some supplemental income or even make a career change if you’re successful enough.
Here I will be showing you how to start yours.
Tutoring is needed by students at all levels of education, from elementary to college, and on various topics.
According to the Research And Market report, amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for Private Tutoring, estimated at US$173.4 Billion in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$279.3 Billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 7% over the period 2020-2027.
So, to help you tap into this opportunity, this
Here is a table of what to expect.
Table of contents
How To Start a Tutoring Business In 2023
There are several ways to start a tutoring business from home, either online or offline. You can sign up to work as a contractor on one of the many online tutoring companies such as Chegg, Brainfuse, or Tutor.com. On the other hand, you can open your own.
Regardless, here are the steps to follow to start a successful tutoring business in 2023:
- Be sure a tutoring business is right for you.
- Know your expertise
- Make a list of potential students
- Decide how you Will offer the tutoring services
- Plan your budget
- Carry out some market and competitive research
- Gather the materials you’ll need to provide tutoring services
- Decide on your pricing and policies
- Choose a business name
- Deal with financial and legal issues
- Draw up a plan to bring in clients
- Map out a marketing plan
- Ask for assistance when you need it
#1 Be Sure a Tutoring Business is Right for You
Before starting any business, you need to answer some questions to determine if the business is a good path for you. As an aspiring tutor, you must be sure you want to teach or even own the business.
According to Caitlin Meister (founder of the Greer Meister Group, a practice of private educators who tutor kids throughout the New York City area), “If you only want to teach, you are best off working with an established tutoring practice that can handle the myriad demands of running a business and free you to do the best teaching you can do.
On the other hand, if you have the entrepreneurial spirit to launch a new business amid a pandemic, a strong source of initial client referrals, and strong credentials that you can communicate well, there is definitely an opportunity.”
you can read this: Who Are The Highest-Paid Tutors? | 10 Highest Paying Tutoring Jobs In 2023
#2 Know Your Expertise
Tutors can assist in almost every subject that students take from elementary school to high school through college.
So, before starting a tutoring business, whether online or face-to-face, answer these questions:
- What type of tutoring will you specialize in?
- Will you focus on younger kids, test prep, subject-specific tutoring, or special needs students?
- Do you prefer group tutoring or one-on-one?
Now, break down the grade levels and subjects you are comfortable with to tutor students.
In addition, you can boost your business simply by embracing the basics that parents are looking for. For instance, those common topics where students need help like math, English, and science from elementary school through high school.
Also, many college students need help in these areas and in subjects specific to their majors.
#3 Make a List of Potential Students
Based on your expertise, the subject, and the level you want to tutor, draft out the people who are most likely to hire you and where you will find them.
#4 Decide How You Will Offer The Tutoring Services
Do you want to tutor locally or only online? Or do you want to do both?
Where will you conduct the sessions if you’re going to tutor local students(one on one)? Make sure you check with your local city/county zoning department if you plan to tutor in your home. Also, ensure you have good liability insurance in case your student gets hurt on your premises.
#5 Plan Your Budget
If you want to set up your tutoring business, having a sustainable budget and sticking to it is a big part of being a successful business owner.
Here are some factors to consider when planning your budget:
- The business costs you may incur to set up your tutoring business.
- The right materials and supplies (Do you have them? If not, can you obtain them?).
- New equipment or dedicated space you need to work.
- Your living expenses (How much money will you need to cover them?).
- Your pricing (Is that enough to be profitable?)
- Business type (Will you hire other tutors or do it yourself initially?)
In a situation where you plan to quit your job to pursue a career as a private tutoring entrepreneur, it’s advisable to set aside money to cover at least three to six months of your living expenses.
However, you can decide to continue working while you launch your tutoring service, then use the money you’ll get to build a savings account to cover the lean times that may arise when you’re ready to quit your job and run your business full-time.
#6 Carry Out Some Market And Competitive Research
Invest time in market research and know your competition in the tutoring service. Then answer the following questions honestly to ascertain the likelihood of your tutoring business success:
- What are the other tutoring businesses in your location?
- What do they specialize in? The subjects and grades.
- How much do these tutoring centers charge?
- What difference will you bring; How can you set yourself apart from them?
#7 Gather The Materials You Will Need To Provide Tutoring Services
There are many teacher stores (both online and offline) where you can get workbooks and other materials to assist in tutoring.
If you plan on tutoring online, ensure you have a good webcam with clear audio. Also, consider using a service that allows for digital whiteboard writing.
#8 Decide On Your Pricing And Policies
After carrying out your market research and knowing what others charge, consider other factors that affect pricing in the tutoring business, such as the topic and grade level you’re instructing. Weigh them and place your price(s).
While doing this, also bear in mind that the more advanced the topic and grade, the more money you should charge.
Check this: How To Start A Personal Concierge Business in 2023| Business Model
#9 Choose a Business Name
The next step is to create a name, a logo, and a tagline or catchphrase for your business. Ishmael Brown, Jr., president of the National Tutoring Association (NTA), recommends that you choose something that is kid- or family-friendly.
Nevertheless, you can operate your business under your given name or create a business name or a combination of both. Better still, ask for other people’s opinions on the name.
Also, search for the name in Google to make sure other companies aren’t already using it — this will help you to stand out.
#10 Deal With Financial And Legal Issues
It is always essential to know of any local laws or regulations surrounding tutoring. For instance, offering group tutoring to home-schooled students in some areas could mean you need to register as a private school.
So, make sure you obtain needed permits and licenses as required by your city or county.
Also, speak to your tax accountant about the business structure best for your company. In addition, consult with a small business lawyer to find out about local ordinances, liability issues, and other aspects of business ownership.
#11 Draw Up a Plan to Bring in Clients
Write a business plan outlining all aspects of your tutoring business and how you plan to grow it. Remember, your clients are the core of your business.
So, as someone starting a tutoring service for the first time, you need to figure out who or what their initial source of clients will be.
Do you have any friend, family member, or colleague who works with children, is trusted by families, and can recommend you? You can also get clients through another tutor with more students than they can take on, a pediatrician, a music school director, or a kids’ sports team coach, says Meister.
#12 Map Out a Marketing Plan
Once you’ve connected with a potential client, you need to be able to communicate the credentials that set you apart from other new tutors and your value in order to strengthen your initial success.
Word of mouth is a great way to begin accumulating clients, but a website or an online presence will also go a long way to building your brand and your tutoring business.
This is because many parents—even those who hear positive word-of-mouth recommendations—may not take your business seriously if they can’t find more information on the internet.
So, a good tutoring marketing plan will include a website where people can learn about you, a networking strategy, such as through schools, and a referral system. This is a vital plan of action you must take to start a tutoring business.
#13 Ask For Assistance When You Need It
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Also, don’t take any of those business relationships for granted once you develop them. Network, ask for advice, and learn from other people.
Networking groups like Lions Clubs International or Rotary Club and organizations like the Small Business Administration offer excellent resources for new business owners.
Also, read this: 20 High Paying Side Hustles In Germany You Can Start Now
Final Thought
The tutoring business is one business that will stand the test of time.
Although starting up a new tutoring business can be a bit difficult, just like other businesses, if you invest time and energy and follow the steps above, soon you’ll be the one offering advice to other tutors opening a company.
I hope this helps you in making meaningful decisions.
Good Luck And Success!!!
References
- Care– How to start a tutoring business
- TheBalanceSmallBusiness – How to Start a Home-Based Tutoring Business
- wikiHow – How to Set up a Home Tutoring Business
