"Speak to other people who have already been an online tutor." 

That is the advice that many people give tutors when they are starting out.  Today I have made it easy for you because I have taken the wisdom from 50 online tutors who have been in the industry and compiled them.

If you only read one blog post about starting an online tutoring business, this is the only one you will need to read.

I’m Joanne Kaminski and I have been helping tutors who are great at teaching, but struggle with running the business side of a tutoring business or are looking to improve the current systems they have in place.  I have been tutoring reading online since 2010 and helping other tutors since 2012.

This post is divided into the three sections of mindset, marketing, and technology.  The advice that all of these tutors give is priceless.  You may want to save this post so you can keep coming back to it and read it at different stages of running your business.  

Let’s dive into the top tips that other tutors have that will make a huge difference in your tutoring business.

Mindset

Having the right mindset is important when starting any business, and this is particularly true for an online tutoring business. Here are a few reasons why mindset is important when starting an online tutoring business:

1. Determination: Starting a business can be challenging, and it can be easy to get discouraged or give up when faced with obstacles. Having a determined mindset can help you to persevere and keep going even when things get tough.

2. Adaptability: The online tutoring industry is constantly changing, and it is important to be adaptable and open to new ideas and approaches. A growth mindset, which is the belief that you can continually learn and improve, can help you to stay flexible and open to new opportunities.

3. Confidence: It is important to have confidence in your skills and abilities as a tutor, as this can help you to build trust with your students and establish yourself as an authority in your subject area.

4. Focus: Finally, having a focused mindset can help you to stay focused on your goals and priorities as you build your business. It can be easy to get sidetracked or distracted, but having a clear vision of what you want to accomplish can help you to stay on track.

    

   

Don't Compare Yourself to Other Tutors

Comparing oneself to others can be a natural human tendency, but it can also be unproductive and potentially harmful. In the context of starting an online tutoring business, comparing oneself to others can lead to a variety of negative outcomes.

One issue with comparing oneself to others is that it can lead to feelings of inadequacy or insecurity. If you constantly compare your tutoring business to others and find that it falls short in certain areas, it can lead to self-doubt and a lack of confidence in your own abilities. This can be especially damaging if the comparison is to a business that is more successful or has more resources.

Jemma Zoe Smith shared her experience this way.  

Someone will always be better than you at some part of your business. But just because there are other tutors out there, you can't stop doing what you do.

In the last 4 years, Jemma has grown to £250k turnover and 65 tutors. But every day she sees someone who is doing a better course, or producing better reports, or running better social media.  Today she just keeps swimming!

Overall, it's important for tutors to focus on your own business and to not get too caught up in comparing yourself to others. Instead, you should focus on identifying and leveraging your own strengths and opportunities and on building a strong, sustainable tutoring business.

Feeling Like an Imposter is Natural

Imposter syndrome is a psychological phenomenon in which an individual experiences feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt, despite evidence of your accomplishments.

You may feel like you are not qualified or capable of performing your tutoring services or achieving success, and may worry that you will be exposed as a "fraud" or "imposter".

Lara White had quit her teaching job to stay home with her new baby.  She needed a few hundred dollars to help pay for the health insurance.  

She was chatting about that with a woman at the private school where her husband teaches. She said she was moving and that Lara could take over her tutoring job. She mostly worked with middle schoolers, helping them with their homework and staying organized.

Lara said, "Oh, I'm not qualified to help kids with math and other subjects. I'm a certified science teacher." This woman said, "Lara, I was an early childhood education major! You're more qualified than I am. You can easily do this."

Lara realized that this woman was right, but she wouldn't have gone for it without her encouragement. Lara now tutors full-time and helps kids with reading, writing, math, SAT prep, and executive functioning support. She loves helping students in a variety of subjects and is glad that she didn't sell herself short.

Sometimes we think we need to go back to school to get that next degree to be qualified to help students.  Find out why that is false in this video.

Clara Tong struggled with believing in herself.  She started tutoring 7 years ago as a backup job.  She believed that finding students on her own would be difficult because it’s definitely possible to run listings online and hear from no one.

It took a lot of students telling her that they couldn’t have achieved their goals without her that she began to understand how influential she is.

Today she gets regular inquiries from people she never knew existed because they have already heard about what she has done for other students. They don’t argue about the price, and they don’t take issue with it being online.

Helping students achieve their goals by tutoring online from the comfort of her own home is her dream job, and she wishes she had always known that she could do it.

You Deserve to Charge What You Are Worth

Several tutors touched on the point of charging what you are worth.  This is an area everyone struggles with in the beginning.  If you were a classroom teacher, then the odds are pretty good that you were not getting paid well for the amount of time you were working.  

You may struggle with charging what you are worth because you lack confidence in the skills you have.  I had no idea if I would be able to tutor reading online back in 2010.  Once I got started, I realized that I could actually teach reading to kids online better than I was able to do in person.

You may also struggle with charging what you are worth because you have always used external factors to judge your worth like Becky Dole.

Becky said that she always allowed herself to judge her worth based on external factors.  Those factors include,

How many students she recently enrolled.

How clean her house was.

Whether people are happy to be around her.

She always charged bargain basement rates because that’s what "nice people" do, right?  She had convinced herself of the merits of keeping low rates by telling herself, "If I charge too much, people won’t like me and I’m a teacher and should just want to help people. After all, this is JUST tutoring."

Becky felt that her income should be much less than a traditional teacher’s salary.

Then she learned to reflect on what she had to offer. She considered

• what she offers vs. what a traditional teacher offers,
• the change that she can offer to children that is often desperately wanted and even needed, 
• the impact her experience and education have on what she offers.

She realized it’s not about whether she thinks she is worthy today. It’s about the fact that not only does she fix a problem that her clients have, but she is extremely effective and efficient in doing it, and she does it in a way that no one else does.

She is not a traditional teacher, so she shouldn’t be comparing her income to theirs. In fact, she is not the same as anyone else, so she shouldn’t be comparing herself to anyone! Since realizing her value, she is more confident, calmer, and more focused on her students’ needs.

A lot of tutors struggle with the fear of rejection when it comes to charging what they are worth.  Michelle Porjes thought that by setting an initially lower price, people would appreciate what she was doing for them even more.  In reality, the opposite happened.

Gianna Caruso has learned to work smarter, not harder, and understand her worth and charge appropriately. Not everyone is going to be your client and that's ok. Gianna charges upwards of 150/hour for test prep and she doesn't do subject teaching anymore.

Dite Bray discovered she wasn't charging enough to make a living tutoring.  She had to work up to raising her rates to a point where she could make this a career.

As tutors, we can be altruistic because we love to teach, and we want to help those that can't afford our services.  The turning point for Viv Davenport was when she started giving herself credit for the high level of service that she provides. 

Once she did this, it felt right to be paid the amount she desired because she recognized the quality of her service.  This, in turn, helped her to see herself as a successful, professional businesswoman.  

Many tutors don't factor planning time for sessions in their rate.  Renee Pena Lopez struggled with this.  

In the beginning, it will take you more time to prep for your sessions, but once you start getting more and more students, you will spend less time prepping. 

This doesn't mean you should be charging more in the beginning because it takes you more time, but think about once I become proficient at this, what should I be charging?  If it takes 10 or 15 minutes to prep for each student, then factor that into your cost.  

Get an Accountability Partner

An accountability partner can be a valuable asset for running an online tutoring business in a number of ways. Here are a few examples of how an accountability partner can help:

1. Setting and achieving goals: An accountability partner can help you set clear, measurable goals for your business and hold you accountable for making progress towards those goals. This can include things like increasing your customer base, expanding your offerings, or improving your marketing efforts.

2. Tracking and analyzing your progress: An accountability partner can help you track your progress over time and identify areas where you may be falling short. This can be particularly helpful if you're feeling overwhelmed and unsure of how to move forward.

3. Providing support and encouragement: Starting and running a business can be challenging, and it's important to have someone who can offer support and encouragement along the way. An accountability partner can be a great source of motivation and can help keep you on track when things get tough.

4. Brainstorming ideas and problem-solving: An accountability partner can be a valuable sounding board for brainstorming new ideas or troubleshooting problems you may be facing in your business. They can help you think through challenges and come up with creative solutions.

Rajalique McCowin puts it this way. I wish I understood the importance of mindset and having a business “bestie.” These two things separate the business that thrives and those that don’t. The ability to think about what you are thinking & shifting your thought is a game changer. Having that one person that understands the pains and joys of birthing a business is a game changer! For me, it empowers me to continue on the days when I want to give up.  I refuse to let this happen.

Your Student Will be More Focused with Online Tutoring

One-on-one tutoring online is completely different than the virtual schooling that many students had to endure during the pandemic.

Robbi Ames Fischer had no idea that her student would be more focused and accomplish more during sessions compared to in-person tutoring.

I experienced this as well when I began tutoring online and there are many reasons why students are more focused.  Dr. Kelly S. Frindell who has been a test prep tutor since 2001 and evolved her business over the years said this.

"When I first started my business, InHouse Test Prep, I named it such because I did not want to be tied down to an office, so I traveled all over town to my students’ houses.

During the economic downturn in 2008, traveling around between clients became both tiresome and expensive. I rented an office for the next 11 years and never planned to leave. In January 2020, however, I went on a trip abroad and had a sudden realization that I wanted to take my business online so I could travel. I joined a business program and had a “three-to-five-year plan” to get out of my office and online. I had resisted online work for many years, even though I knew that was where my industry was headed.

But after realizing that taking my business online would allow me to create a new type of life, I jumped in.

My “three-to-five-year plan” turned out to be a wild overestimation - due to the happenstance of history, my “three-to-five-year plan” to get out of my office and fully online only took “three months and a pandemic” to take shape.

I never went back to my office after March 2020 and have been fully online since.

In the years since then, the tools and technology have become so much better, and I find that I love the very thing I was so afraid of.

My online business is currently allowing me to live in a remote tropical location that is pretty close to paradise, and I am able to leverage the significant time zone differences to work more standard hours.

I spent 20 years working till 10 pm on weeknights and all day on the weekends, and now I can serve students from all time zones in the US and still be done by a very reasonable 4:00 pm.

I had never envisioned living this kind of life when I set out to take my business online, but I’m so grateful for the opportunity to do so.

So why do students get better results online?

1. Individualized attention: Online one-on-one tutoring allows students to receive individualized attention and support, as they are the sole focus of the tutor. This can help to keep students more engaged and motivated, as they are able to ask questions and receive guidance on specific areas of need.

2. Reduced distractions: Online tutoring can take place in a virtual classroom or on a video call, which can help to reduce distractions for students. They may be less likely to be distracted by other students or by their surroundings, which can help them to stay focused and engaged.

3. Flexibility: Online tutoring can be more flexible in terms of scheduling and location, which can be beneficial for students who may have busy schedules or who may be in different time zones. This flexibility can help students to find a convenient time to learn, which can improve their focus and motivation.

4. Technology: Online tutoring often relies on technology, such as virtual whiteboards or screen sharing, which can be engaging and interactive for students. This can help to keep students more focused and interested in the material.

Overall, online one-on-one tutoring can be an effective way for students to receive individualized support and attention, which can help them to stay focused and motivated.

If You Love Teaching, You Will Love Starting an Online Tutoring Business

Ingrid Moats, an online math tutor, had no idea how much she would love tutoring online.  She had heard people tell her to find something that you are passionate about doing, and then it won't feel like work.  

She mentioned that running a business is not always easy - often, it’s about making decisions or doing things that push you beyond your comfort zone - so having that passion can propel you to keep going.  In turn, this allows you to make the impact you want to have on your students to improve and succeed.  

Starting an Online Tutoring Business Can Feel Like a Rollercoaster Ride

Alexa Imwalle wished that she knew the ups and downs of entrepreneurship and how to navigate those highs and lows with more grace.

She left the classroom after getting pregnant with her twin daughters.  She had no idea how to navigate twin mom life as a 26-year-old newlywed or what would happen to her teaching career that she had dreamed about since she was a little girl.

All she knew was that she was going to take amazing care of her babies and that maybe staying home with them would open some doors she didn’t know even existed.

It has been the best thing that has ever happened to her. She gets to be home with her kids, be available for them and make her own hours. She also gets to use her passion for working with struggling students to help kids every single day learn to read.

Alexa also wishes that she knew that starting a business and growing a business would take HARD work, grit, and determination. The only thing that has kept her going over the last five years is that she absolutely loves what she does.

As someone who wanted to be a teacher her entire life and never felt fulfilled once she reached that goal, finding out that tutoring is a real job and working with kids 1-1 in reading has reignited her passion for teaching. 

Alexa wished she knew that there is an amazing community of online tutors in the Insiders Secrets Club just waiting to be her new friends and colleagues. She wishes she knew that she didn’t need to feel so alone when it came to learning the ropes of both teaching reading online and running a business.

Rachel Berntsen also experienced this rollercoaster ride when starting her business.  She thought that once she had gotten her tutoring business booked solid once that it would be smooth sailing from that point on.  

That is not what happened!

Rachel still experiences lulls in her business, but this does not mean that she is doing anything wrong.  It is just a great opportunity to see what she could be doing better.  

She said that you will experience these ups and downs every time you try a new method of getting students.  The important thing is to not get discouraged when things aren't going the way you envisioned.  Instead, remind yourself of your why.  Why did you start your business in the first place? 

Remember that you have something of value for each of your potential students.

One reason why this business feels like a roller coaster is because it is a journey, not a destination, as Freddie Ryder pointed out.

Freddie said that it is easy to see the appeal of tutoring, but there is actually a lot more to it than you might expect.

It takes time to find your tutor identity and work out the details, such as your ideal client and, even more importantly, your pricing structure. Freddie mentioned that he was way too ambitious with trying to get everything done at once and wished he had enjoyed the journey and process as it’s actually quite fun and really important for you in the long run.

More important still, these things are not fixed in stone, and you should constantly review your business.

Monique Bundy shares this quote from Alex Elle.

Whether you are struggling personally or professionally, if you work through your struggles, you will stumble across your strengths.  You can do this.  It may not always be easy, but if you are consistent and persistent, success is inevitable. 

Set Boundaries for Your Business

Keep Developing Yourself as a Professional

Ana Martin shared a 2500-year-old piece of advice from Heraclitus.  "No person steps into the same river twice."

Ana says, If you want your business to thrive, you cannot just learn once and consider it done. Tools keep changing, markets evolve, social media trends change quickly and unexpectedly, and no single solution will work every time.

Plus, you become a different professional over time! So training, research and networking are vital to keeping your business growing: look beyond immediate profit and invest in keeping yourself up to date, for nothing is permanent, and neither are you!

There are several reasons why it's important for an online tutor to keep developing themselves as a professional.

First, continuous learning and professional development can help an online tutor stay current and up-to-date in their field, which can make them more valuable and competitive in the online tutoring market. It can also help them stay engaged and motivated in their work, and can open up new opportunities for career advancement and growth.

Continuous learning can also help an online tutor improve their skills and knowledge, which can lead to better performance and results in their work. This can be especially important in fields that are constantly evolving, such as technology and education, where new developments and best practices are emerging all the time.

In addition, professional development can help an online tutor stay energized and motivated in their work, and can help them stay committed to their professional goals. It can also be a great way for an online tutor to network and connect with other professionals in their field, which can lead to new opportunities and collaborations.

Finally, professional development can help an online tutor better understand the needs and preferences of their students, and can help them adapt their teaching style and approaches to better meet the needs of their students. This can lead to more effective tutoring sessions and better outcomes for the students.

Invest in Business Coaching

Don't Try to Be a Generalist and Tutor or Teach Everything. Niche Down and Earn More Money.

Several tutors had a ton of thoughts about niching down.  In the beginning, you think that you need to tutor or teach as many topics as possible.  You're thinking, “The more I say I can tutor, the more students I will get.” 

Viv Davenport thought this.  She pointed out that in the beginning, she wanted to be everything to everyone.  She slowly realized there are enough of her ideal clients out there to allow her to hone in on Maths for kids aged 14-16.  

Michael Gibben who has a support group for Online Tutors on Facebook says,

Sharon Frazier-Verpooten of Struggling Reading Help mentioned,

While it seemed reasonable that, as an elementary teacher, I could tutor a wide variety of subjects, the reality was that different subjects require different techniques and know-how. And parents are really looking for an expert in 1 particular subject.

I spent a year trying to market my tutoring services with no clients. It wasn't until I met Joanne and decided to niche down as a reading tutor for students who struggle that I began to get students.

Thankfully, I got outstanding training in the Reading Interventionist program with all of the tools I needed to become an outstanding online reading tutor.

I was able to adjust and modify my approach so that my students achieved the best results.

If and when my clients ask me for help in something outside my niche, I can still teach those other subjects. I have just learned how to market to that one subject so that I get more ideal clients!

Katie Prescott of Abridge Academy pronounced, "I wish I had known how important it is to have a clear niche and brand.

When I first started, I was just advertising myself as a general ESL teacher, so it was difficult to charge good rates or stand out.

Now, I am much more focused, am bringing in even more leads (niching down doesn't limit you!), and earning much more per hour for my classes.

As an extra bonus, I can also reuse many of my lesson materials between multiple groups of students, so less planning time, too, says Prescott.

I have found this as well.  When I know exactly what to teach next because I have narrowed down my focus, I don't have to spend hours each week planning lessons for my students.  I know exactly what I need to teach them and when they need to learn it.

Erin Daniels made this observation as well. She said, "It’s okay and helpful to stick to my specific focus areas of Orton Gillingham and multisensory math. Early on, I was tempted to do whatever subjects families asked of me because I wanted to help the kids. But I realized I could better meet everyone’s needs by limiting my focus.

Jessy Coulter wishes she knew so many things when she got started 7 years ago.  She said the first thing would have to be about her rates, and the second would have to do with the grades and subjects she tutors.

She didn't believe she could charge as much as she does now.  In the beginning, she severely underpaid herself. 

She has realized over time that she doesn't enjoy tutoring elementary-aged students. Her sweet spot is middle school through college, and she's ok saying that now.  She used to want to tutor MUCH younger students because she was afraid she'd miss out on clients. When it comes to the subjects she tutors, she wishes she would have narrowed her focus a lot faster! She loves being a study tutor and knows her Love to Learn program is helping more students than the content tutoring she used to focus on.

You may start with a broader niche in the beginning because you have the same fear that Jessy had, but observe who you enjoy working with the most and make note of it.  Then learn how to communicate online, so you can attract those students and work with them even more.