Launch Your Online Tutoring Business with These 3 Expert Tips
I was sitting in the backseat of an Uber in Austin, Texas last summer.
The Uber driver was chatting with us and mentioned driving was his part-time job.
“Oh really, what’s your day job?” I asked him.
“I’m a high school band teacher.” He replied. “I drive Uber on the weekends for extra cash and my wife doesn’t mind because our baby is asleep at this time.”
“Wow, so you work a lot?!” I said.
We continued our conversation because as a fellow teacher, talking to teachers is totally my jam. Our conversation ranged from what contract hours he had to what I like to call the “Golden Handcuffs of Teaching” (aka our teacher pension).
Being raised by a public school teacher myself, I’m no stranger to talking about teacher retirement.
In fact, my dad often says he’s living his best life 14 years into retiring from a 35 year career in teaching. (Which he loved).
I, myself, have had my fair amount of “after school” jobs while teaching full-time because $35,000 a year minus taxes and teacher retirement = zilch, zip, nada, nothing when it comes to paying your bills.
If you’re a teacher, I’m sure you can relate.
According to NEA, almost one third of new teachers take on a second job.
And just because you have a second job, doesn’t mean your financial pressures go away.
Because most of the time, your second job is a part-time job that pays very little.
That’s a belief that many teachers have: in order to make extra money on the side, I have to take on a job like Uber, waitressing, selling makeup or leggings.
(If you do any of these things and love it, that’s great!)
And many teachers feel burnt out and are just trying to survive until they retire. This might be you if you can tell how many years you have left in teaching off the top of your head.
But what if it didn’t have to be so dang hard?
What if you could use skills you already have to earn extra cash?
It’s true, you can use your teaching skills tutoring just a few kids a week and not have to deal with a drunk person puking in the backseat of your Ford Focus, or getting stiffed on a tip again on a Thursday night waitressing shift or having to sell makeup to your friends and family.
What would it be like to set your own schedule and charge what you’re worth?
Once I realized that I was surrounded by potential clients (ahem, students) the doors started opening to creating my own tutoring side hustle.
If you’re thinking “That’s great, but how do I get started?” I’ve got you covered with 3 actionable steps you can take today!
1. GET STARTED NOW
This sounds like a cliché, but it’s 100% true. Stop limiting yourself and start thinking big picture. Get a notepad and start writing down all former students you could reach out to and what subject area you would like to tutor in. The hardest part is starting, so start today. You can do this!
2. EMAIL 10 PARENTS
If you’re looking for a template on what to say in your email, go back and read my blog post on How to Get Your First Tutoring Client. You can literally copy and paste into your email and send it to 10 people right now!
3. DECIDE ON A BUSINESS NAME
This is important for legal reasons and it also nudges you to get going. Once you take tutoring seriously, your potential clients will also take you seriously. A business name not only legitimizes your business, but it also lets the world know that you are ready to serve.
Start with these 3 steps and I promise you won’t regret it. Once you get that first tutoring client you’ll be soaring on cloud 9 wondering why you ever worked a second job that you weren’t the BOSS of!
If you’d like MORE STEPS, I’ve got you covered! DOWNLOAD my free 10 Step Guide to Starting Your Online Tutoring Business.
What second jobs have you had as a teacher? Tell me in the comments!