As a homeschool group leader, one of the questions I hear most is how to earn some extra income while working part time at home. In this economy, it can be hard for a family to make ends meet while one parent stays home full time. One way a parent can earn extra money is by tutoring students other than their own. Here are some tips to help you market yourself as a tutor and find clients of your own.
Create a dynamic sales pitch
Much like a brief resume, you will need a dynamic description of your experience and history as a tutor. If you have previous experience teaching, whether in a classroom or one-on-one, make sure and let people know. Also note relevant degrees that you hold, and the subjects you feel confident tutoring. You will be better off advertising a narrow field of expertise than trying to convince people you can successfully tutor every subject.
Remember to hold your writing to the highest standard, as I encouraged in another article, because the example you set in your written communication may make or break your efforts to find work as a tutor. Even if you aren’t tutoring English, you should still be able to write without resorting to textspeak.
Decide on your rate
Rates that other parents are willing to pay for tutors vary by subject and region. Don’t sell yourself short. You can check online at Care.com or WyzAnt.com to see what other tutors in your area are charging and set your rate accordingly. Know that a certified teacher or a professional with a degree will likely be able to charge more per hour than a younger tutor or one without a degree, but as you build a reputation as a successful tutor, you can begin to charge more.
Make connections
You could just post flyers and try to get clients that way, but you’ll probably find more work by making connections with other parents in your town. Get active online, spreading the word among your friends and making new contacts where you can. You might even try advertising on Craigslist or other websites, but be careful about what information you give to strangers.
Get a background check
You should be prepared to provide a background check upon request. Even if you know you have never been arrested or convicted of a crime, your clients will likely want to know that, too, before trusting you with their kids. Check with your state’s department of justice or bureau of investigation to find out how to procure a background check on yourself.
Set a manageable schedule
As you begin to find clients, make sure you set a manageable schedule. Remember that you owe it to your clients to give them your undivided focus during their tutoring session. This may mean scheduling appointments at times when you have child care available, or even meeting at the library or another location if you can’t work undistracted in your own home.
Once you have your schedule set, treat it like the real job it is. Don’t miss sessions. If you must reschedule, let your clients know as early as possible and schedule a make-up session quickly. If their grades suffer because of your scheduling conflicts, your reputation will, too.
More by Tavia:
Educators, Hold Your Writing to the Highest Standard
Who Wins when Educators Cheat?
Help Your Adolescent Deal with Sexual Harassment at School
