How to Start Up a Tutoring Business in Memphis, Tennessee
If you have a teaching certificate or degree or you are a college student with tutoring skills, starting up a tutoring business might be a good idea for you. And if you want to start up a tutoring business in Memphis, Tennessee, you're in luck. Business is booming for the private tutoring industry in Memphis.
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Things You'll Need
- Computer
- Reliable transportation
- File folders and notebooks
- Flyers
- Business cards
- Cell phone
Instructions
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Figure out which subjects you're most qualified to teach. High school math tutors are highest in demand, but if you're an English major who doesn't know an algorithm from an algebraic equation, this is not the niche for you. If you're just rusty in an area, brush up on your skills to become qualified.
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Find out how much other tutors in your area charge. Set your rates according to your own skills and an average of what other tutors charge.
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Visit the Memphis Small Business Resource Center at the Tennessee Small Business Development Center, which offers services to small businesses.
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Figure out where and when you should tutor a student. Are the parents comfortable bringing their child to your home or do they prefer their own? A quiet place with no distractions is ideal, but be sure the distance you have to travel is worth what you'll make. Decide how many sessions per week the student needs instruction, and figure out how much time you need between tutoring sessions. Having one student arrive as another is leaving doesn't work.
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Find out what goals the student and their parents expect you to meet and work toward making visible progress during each tutoring session. Find out if you will be expected to assign homework and if you can have permission to talk to the student's teacher. Send the parents information after each session letting them know what the student accomplished.
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Be organized. Most students who have problems in school are disorganized and having a disorganized tutor won't help them. Keep a separate folder for each student with contact information, notes on sessions, plans for future sessions and another folder for payment invoices, which should be sent out the same day each month.
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Explain your rules to the student right away. Tell them what you expect from them and what they can expect from you. Encourage your student to ask questions. Focus all conversation during tutoring sessions on the work the student is doing and expect the student to stay on task.
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Advertise your business by word of mouth, using flyers, sending out business cards and letters or advertising in classified ads. You could also sign up with an online tutor referral agency for a reasonable fee. If you've volunteered in a classroom, worked in a learning center, or tutored other students successfully, get letters of reference to use for future jobs.
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Buy a tutoring franchise such as Mathnasium, Club Z or try online tutoring with low start up costs and a high income potential.
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Join the Memphis Computer Tutoring Meet-up. You can meet other local tutors to share ideas and to give or receive instruction on using a computer. Learn more about programming, software, and the internet and how to use these in your tutoring business.
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Tips & Warnings
Have a cancellation policy for parents who form a habit of cancelling a tutoring session at the last minute. Set a fee that they will have to pay if they cancel the session. Be flexible as possible, but firm with those who are taking advantage of you.
