How To Start an After-School Tutoring Program
An after school tutoring service can be a great way to earn money while having a flexible schedule and working on your own terms. Marketing is essential to finding clients, and great service is key to keeping clients. Schools, community centers, libraries and after school clubs are great places to advertise tutoring services.
Do you enjoy working with children? Do you have an interest or strength in a particular subject area or have a skill that you’d like to share? Are you looking for flexibility and an opportunity to be your own boss? If these things apply to you, starting your own tutoring service may be right for you!
What do I need?
Tutors don’t need any specialized training or certification. You do need to have a strong grasp of the subjects you are going to tutor and an ability to transfer that information to the student. You can start a tutoring service without investing a bunch of time or money. You need to determine a name for your business, the subjects and ages you will tutor, where services will take place and your hourly fees. Every business needs a budget, marketing plan and a way to keep accurate records of clients, expenses and revenue.
How do I market?
Your business name should reflect your specialty and the services you offer. Business cards, flyers and a website will up your professional image and help get the information to potential clients. Drop off flyers at schools, libraries, after school clubs and community centers. Stick flyers on bulletin boards at those same locations, as well as grocery stores, doctor’s offices and anywhere else families gather. Use email and social networking sites to spread the word about your business.
Spread the word!
Once you have one happy client, getting more should be fairly easy. Get cozy with the secretaries at your local schools. They will pass your info on to teachers and parents. Ask to speak at PTA meetings. Set up an information booth at community events. Set your tutoring service apart by offering a greater range of services, more convenience, better customer service or slightly lower rates. Keep the marketing going even after you have all of your slots full. You never know when you will lose a client or want to grow.