How To Start Your Own Tutoring Business

Are you a teacher looking to start a tutoring business?

When I first started, I jumped right in with no real plan or structure. I knew I wanted to tutor in foundational literacy and that I had the materials and expertise to do so.

I knew I had the passion to share my knowledge about the science of reading and it’s researched based practices with young learners.

I made a virtual business card and posted to the local moms Facebook group. Within an hour I had multiple messages asking for more information. 

I quickly learned there was quite a demand for reading tutors in the area and I was unprepared for the number of clients I would eventually take on. 

Through trial and error, I’ve learned what works, what doesn’t, and how to succeed in building a tutoring business.

If you’re teaching something you love and are passionate about, it’s exciting to know you are doing something positive for your community.

However, it is also essential to be organized and have great communication to ensure you are offering services that are professional and effective.

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Getting Started With Your Tutoring Business

Through my two years of tutoring privately, I have culminated a list on how to stay organized for myself and my clients. Here’s my how-to guide to help you get started on your very own tutoring business. 

1. Identify your Tutoring Subject 

When identifying your subject, you not only want to think about what you are certified in but also what you are passionate about.

A great tutor is always researching, learning and adjusting to meet each child’s individual need so it is important to love what you are teaching.

To build a positive relationship with your students, they need to see that passion and love for learning that you bring to each session.

You also want to think about what subjects are areas of interest in the community for tutoring services.

Join a local tutoring Facebook page and look around to see what services people are looking for.

2. Research and Collect Materials

Once you identify your subject, it is important to brush up on the current expectations and teachings of this topic.

What materials do you have from your classroom? What materials do you already have at home? Are there any worksheets or printables you could print ahead of time?

Collect and print materials based on your subject and organize them in a way that is easy to transport to and from home.

3. Identify your Organizational System for Materials

My tutoring bag has been a great way to organize and transport manipulatives, supplies, worksheets, and my computer to and from each tutoring session.

Through my experience, I have learned that your sessions may not always go as planned. It is important to have back-up plans and activities for those you may need to change course.

4. Set Rate

When choosing your rate, you want to first look at the average rate for your area of expertise in your area. Each state’s average can be so different so doing that little bit of research will help you to decide on a rate that is far and comparable.

You also want to think about the type of service you are providing, the value it has, and the community you are serving. For example, I tutor in early foundational literacy. I tutor students in grades Kindergarten through second grade. I have found that the need for early literacy tutoring is very high in my area.

However, many families with these students are younger families who don’t necessarily have a lot of extra money to be spending on consistent high quality tutoring.

By lowering my hourly rate to a reasonable rate for families, I have had more bookings and families are likely to stay on longer with tutoring services.

This being said, you do not want your rates to be too low, as you want to guarantee you are getting paid for your time and energy! My advice: Know your worth but don’t be greedy if you want clients starting out!

5. Select a Location

Choose a consistent location for your tutoring business and what you are most comfortable with. Currently, I tutor students 4 days a week so it was important for me to have a location that was convenient and easy to get to each day.

The local library is a great location for tutoring. It is in a safe, public location which all parents are looking for.

Most public libraries are open until late in the evening, accommodating those after-school hours. Many libraries also often have private study or quiet rooms.

Some families may even request you come to their home.

Maybe you are looking to do virtual tutoring! This is also an option if you have the correct equipment, high speed internet, and a quiet space available.

Choosing a location that best fits your comfort level for a potential long term client is what is best! But choose a location and stick with it.

6. Create a Schedule

Identify your availability ahead of time.

You want to be able to provide a consistent schedule for your students and their families. Think of them signing up for tutoring as if they are signing up for an extra curricular class.

Families are busy enough as it is, so keeping the schedule predictable and consistent will be the most beneficial for not only the families, but for the learning of the students as well.

Also, identify the duration of your sessions. Because I specifically tutor such young kids (and during after-school hours at that), I keep my sessions to 30 min. I have found through my experience that this is the sweet spot for young learners.

Think about your clients and their needs, but be firm and consistent with your availability.

7. Create a Business Card and Share the Word

Get creative and create a business card that reflects your teaching style and personality.

Keep it simple with your name, credentials, topic and cities served. I created my business card for FREE on Canva. Canva offers a lot of free templates that can help you get started.

Once you create your business card, you can have them printed and you can pass them out around town. For example, my sons’ pediatricians office has a stack of my cards to hand out to parents who are looking for early literacy tutors.

Think of businesses that align with your service or clients.

You can also keep your card virtual! Post it to local tutoring Facebook groups, Mom Facebook groups, neighborhood groups, etc.

There are so many different ways to get the word out!

Getting Your Tutoring Business Organized

Once you start to share the word, you will hopefully start being contacted by interested parents, caregivers or students. It is important to be organized and prepared to answer all questions, and be ready to begin (with FREE files included). 

Here is my guide on how to get and stay organized with lesson plans and communication with families.

1. Create a Tutor Fact Sheet

Once I shared my virtual business card on the local mom Facebook group, I started being bombarded with questions on Facebook messenger.

Quickly, I learned that I needed some sort of tutor fact sheet to share with interested families.

This is a document that shares the details of my business, like a Frequently Asked Questions page for parents.

I included information such as my specialty, my rate, my schedule, location, etc.

I also include a Q&A section for parents to complete so I can have a better understanding of what they are specifically looking for.

2. Create a Contract for Your Tutoring Business

Creating a contract is a simple way to make sure you don’t get taken advantage of.

The contract doesn’t need to be anything crazy, but you want to ensure that your families understand their commitment while also respecting your time.

When I first started tutoring, I had no sort of contract and was very casual with my families when they needed to cancel, reschedule, etc.

However, it became quickly evident that I was being a little too forgiving.

I needed to have some sort of document to make sure all families understood the expectation.

Think of some ground rules you want to put into place. Do you need advance notice for cancellations? How and when is payment expected (Venmo, cash, Paypal)? What “benchmark” are you trying to get to?

These are all important questions to ask yourself when creating your contract.

3. Print Tutor Lesson Plan Forms

I have attached my free resource for planning all tutor lessons!

Having a visual plan helps you stay on track throughout the session, stay organized with materials you need to for each specific session, and serves a place to take notes about your session.

As your number of students grows, it is essential to have a method to organize notes and key skills for each individual client.

4. Print Tutor Communication Form

When starting my tutoring business, I also quickly realized I needed some sort of written communication to my families.

I created a form and have shared it here for you!

Print 100 copies and put them in a folder in your tutoring bag.

This is an organized way for parents to see what their child worked on as well as a way to communicate ideas for them to work on at home.

This is also a way for parents to share information with one another.

Final Words on Starting Your Own Tutoring Business

Starting your own tutoring business can be overwhelming but by preparing yourself ahead of time, you are surely able to have a successful start!

Your dedication to serving your community is admiral and you should be so proud of the work that you do.