How to Promote a Tutoring Business

A tutoring business has benefits of low overhead cost, a flexible work schedule and high profits during the hours you work with students. However, you have to build a clientele and, if you are doing your job, you will have a high turnover of students as they catch up in school. Therefore, focus your attention on effective marketing so you can promote your business and continually secure new clients to fill your schedule.

Things You'll Need

• Printer
• Card stock

Instructions

1. Create a name for your tutoring business and make business cards. Include the business name, phone number, your qualifications and the subjects you tutor. Many websites and office supply stores print inexpensive business cards in batches as small as 100 cards.

2. Give the business cards to people you know, including your neighbors, people at your religious center, friends and acquaintances with kids within the age range you tutor. Ask them to carry a few cards so they can give them to people they encounter who need a tutor. As soon as you get new clients, give them business cards to pass along to others as well.

3. Talk to teachers and guidance counselors at schools in your area, and ask them if they will tell their colleagues about your tutoring business. Often, parents go to teachers for help when their children are struggling in a class. If the teacher knows about your services, he can recommend you as a private tutor.

4. Create a website for your business. On the site, include your general location, subjects in which you tutor, available times, tutoring rates, your name and contact information. Parents searching online for tutors might stumble across your website and contact you to set up lessons.

5. Purchase print and online classified advertisements for your business. Advertise in your city newspaper, community newspaper or newsletter and on online classified websites such as Craigslist.

6. Create fliers advertising your business. Use bold colors and large fonts that draw people's attention. At the bottom of the flier, include your name and phone number on tear-off strips so parents can pull them off and contact you later. Print fliers on card stock and post them in community centers, libraries, grocery stores and businesses that cater to parents of kids within the age range you tutor. Of course, ask for permission before posting the fliers.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask past clients who were satisfied with your services if you can provide their names and phone numbers to potential clients who need a reference. Parents are much more likely to hire you if they can speak with other parents who were pleased with your tutoring.

• Don't take it personally if teachers decline to meet with you. Some schools have a ban on recommending outside tutors. This is often because the school runs its own tutoring service and would lose government funding if students leave. In other cases, it's simply to prevent teachers from making biased recommendations.

References

• PowerHomeBiz.com; Starting a Tutoring Business from Home; Isabel M. Isidro
• The Tutoring Business; Marketing a Tutoring Business Without Spending a Fortune; Tony Aitken