So you want to tutor kids? But how? What? Where?
When deciding to become a tutor, the array of options out there are mind boggling. In this article, we try to help you focus on what you want to do, and find your way through the forest (the internet) to a lovely clearing (your business)!
Starting with a disclaimer – this article is going to focus on business options for anyone looking to tutor kids in maths and English only. Please feel free to read on however if you are interested in other subjects, as the advice will still stand!
Decision 1: Face to face or online (or hybrid)?
Many people will have a firm idea whether they are more comfortable tutoring in a physical location, or from a computer. Some will query the demand for the various options and let me reassure you – the demand is there regardless of how you want to tutor! The trick is to promote your services in the right places, so you are finding people looking for your type of tuition. For example, if you want to tutor face to face, then you need to build up a good reputation locally, via contributing to local Facebook groups, for example.
Face to face please!
Excellent choice! Many parents feel that their child responds best when “in the room”. They also want a local tutor who understands the schools in the area and adapts their tuition accordingly. We always recommend small groups as being the best approach, as it’s less pressure for the kids and a much more scalable business. MagiKats Tuition Centres offer out-of-school support for kids from 5 to 16 in maths and English. We are always looking for people to open a new centre in their area, through what’s known as a franchise (if you don’t know what that is, this article is really good).
I love my computer, so online is for me!
Also an excellent choice! Busy families often rule out travelling to a physical location, so feel that online works best for them. Some kids also respond much better from the security being in their own home provides, so look for online support. As with face to face tuition, we advocate for a small group approach, for exactly the same reasons. Additionally though, the flexibility of online tutoring using our system allows for safe interaction between you and a small group, giving students the opportunity to develop their social skills, even if not in the same room as others. A safe learning environment is just one of the benefits of a subscription with Study Central – our system which has been developed from the ground up, specifically to provide online maths and English tutoring materials for 5 to 16 year olds.
Decision 2: Generalist or specialist?
Perhaps you love working with primary students? Perhaps you prefer maths? Perhaps you feel your English just isn’t up to GCSE standard? Perhaps teenagers intimidate you? You are not alone!
If you are looking to start a face to face tutoring business, then it’s likely you will get enquiries from a range of subjects and ages. Decide whether you are prepared to take them on, or if you want to specialise in, say, primary maths and English. You can promote this specialism in your marketing. However, what will you do if you get an enquiry from someone with a secondary student? If you were running a MagiKats centre then you simply take on tutors who prefer the age groups or subject you don’t like. You can scale up your business more quickly and move towards making it your full time income.
Online, it’s arguably easier to specialise. You can list yourself on tutoring platforms as offering a specific subject or level, and parents will filter their search accordingly. You can sign up for a single subject on Study Central and work on a month-by-month basis, reviewing whether to add the other subject as time goes by. However, if you are a qualified teacher, or simply pretty good across both subjects, what’s making you hesitant to offer everything from age 5 to 16 across both maths and English?
We have been working for decades on our programme and it continue to evolve. We have comprehensive lesson plans, teaching materials and supporting tutor notes mean that even a university student can do a really good tutoring job – if they have the right subject and social skills, and are good with kids of course. So whether you are taking on staff in your Tuition Centre, or willing to try something outside your comfort zone to build your online business, we can support you.
Decision 3: Where will I operate?
This one is more for those looking to operate face to face – but still keep reading for the online advice at the end!
Option 1: From home/in your customer’s home
OK – that’s a cheap option if you are working from home, but what about the quality of the space you can provide? Do you have the room for a small group, or would you be restricted to 1-2-1 (less profitable) tutoring? Is there easy parking outside? Will your home insurance cover you? What about safeguarding? Same applies if you go to someone else’s home.
Option 2: Space in a community venue (like a church, scout hut etc.)
A great option. Firstly, as you are only paying for the hours you use, it’s affordable and hopefully you can add more hours in the same space as your business grows. Following the MagiKats model, you aim to have yourself plus one to four (or more) tutors working in the same space at the same time – fewer safeguarding concerns and built-in extra backup if someone is ill. A great business, all done in a couple of hours at a community venue. Plus, with other people using the same space at other times, a great local marketing opportunity too!
Option 3: Your own, branded space
The Holy Grail of options! In some areas, you will find affordable leases and nothing beats seeing your branding above the shop window, or on the door. Have you seen the MagiKats brand? It’s strong, colourful and recognisable across the country. A great way to kick-start a business. However, leases are a commitment and not always affordable for a start-up. It depends on your individual circumstances and location. Part of the MagiKats franchise set-up package is bespoke advice on local demographics and location targeting.
OK – so how does the “where” question relate to people operating online? Well, in two ways really. One is where you will be physically located when tutoring online. It’s easy to think that you can do it from home – but where at home? Can you carve out a space where you can guarantee you won’t be interrupted, and will someone else answer the door to deliveries? Safeguarding is once again a consideration here – can you be sure someone won’t be able to hear the session, or walk across behind you at the wrong moment?
Second is where will your students be located? You could advertise globally, but do you want to? Having decided to operate online, should you still focus on recruiting students who live in an area you know? Local knowledge about schools in particular can really give you the competitive edge over someone offering cheap tutoring from across the other side of the world.
Final Decision: Go it alone, or with support?
If you are still reading, then you are probably good at research, and keen to learn. Those are two excellent attributes. Starting up your own business is a minefield and many will fail – I won’t sugar-coat that. So, what can you do?
If looking for a face to face business, then consider a MagiKats tutoring franchise. Although you need to “buy in” to the business, for that investment you get a comprehensive package of training and support (including a heavy investment in marketing) which means you enter the marketplace with confidence and the backing of a company who has been starting and building businesses for over two decades. Several of our franchisees are still with us after over ten years of operation, which is a testament to how rewarding they find working with us – and that they have successful businesses!
The MagiKats franchise suits someone with who wants to build a long-term, local business. The main focus is delivering tuition through a Tuition Centre, but MagiKats Principals (franchisees) can also offer online tuition if they wish.
If you are more comfortable online, and perhaps less confident about your longer term plans, then why not look at a Study Central subscription? For a low monthly fee, you get access to a portal from where you can prepare and deliver effective online tutoring, following our business model. You get access to all teaching materials, guidance on tutoring specific topics, online games and additional resources – all delivered using one of the best online learning portals in the world. As it’s a month-by-month subscription, you can stop and start when you want (no long term commitment unless you want it) and pay a small fee to keep all your data safe until you are ready to come back. Perfect for long summer holidays!
Whichever route you choose, know that you can be successful if you plan carefully and believe in yourself!