The Perfect Time To Start Your Tutoring Business
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Tutoring is the PERFECT teacher side hustle.
Think about it…
First of all, tutoring will never go out of demand. Parents are always searching for academic support for their kids outside the classroom. Whether it’s helping students catch up or giving them a chance to excel, the opportunities to build a thriving tutoring business are endless.
Second, you already have EVERYTHING you need to succeed. Seriously, you’ve been teaching, guiding, and supporting students for years. You’ve got the skills, the experience, and the heart.
Starting your tutoring business is the ultimate teacher side hustle—it’s flexible, impactful, and can be as big or small as you want it to be. That just leaves one question…
When should you start?
You’re already juggling a million things as a teacher, so trying to carve out extra time isn’t easy. That’s why it’s crucial to make sure the time you do invest will give you the biggest bang for your buck.
So, let’s break it down. We’ll talk about why timing matters, the exact steps to launch your tutoring business, and—most importantly—what you can do today to start building a profitable side hustle.
Why Timing Matters: The Importance of Starting Your Tutoring Business at the Right Time
Yes, technically, you could start your tutoring business whenever you want.
But, teacher friend, let’s be real—you’re BUSY. That’s why it’s so important to start your business at the right time—a time that works for you and your already packed schedule.
And guess what? There is a sweet spot.
The best time to launch your tutoring business? A few months before school lets out for the summer.
Here’s why…
As the end of the school year approaches, parents start looking for ways to help their kids catch up, stay ahead, or avoid the dreaded “summer slide.” Whether it’s remediation or enrichment, summer tutoring is ALWAYS in high demand.
But that’s not even the best part. By starting before summer, you’re setting yourself up for success. You’ll have time to get your business organized, market your services, and build a solid client list without trying to cram it all into your already hectic school year schedule.
By the time summer rolls around, you’ll be ready to hit the ground running with eager parents who are more than willing to invest in their child’s success—and in YOU.
How to Start Your Tutoring Business: Steps to Get Started
Starting your tutoring business is so exciting!
But while your head is spinning with all the excitement and possibilities, you could also be feeling a twinge of overwhelm.
There’s a lot to organize and figure out when you’re getting started! (Trust me, I’ve been there!)
How do I find clients?
How do I do everything to get my business started?
And most importantly..where do you even start?
When you have a clear plan, you’ll be able to get where you want to go in your business, fast!
Email Former Student’s Parents
Want to know the easiest place to find your first clients? Right under your nose.
I’m talking about your students!
Think about it—the families of both current and former students already know you. They’ve seen you in action and they trust you with their child’s learning! That makes them the perfect people to reach out to when you’re getting your tutoring business off the ground.
And before you start overthinking it—no, you’re not being pushy. You’re offering something valuable. These parents want their kids to succeed, and you’re handing them the solution on a silver platter. All you have to do is reach out.
Promote your Tutoring Business on Social Media Daily
I bet seeing the words “social media” probably just made you cringe a little.
I get it.
When I first started, talking about my tutoring business—especially online—felt awkward. I worried about what people would think. But here’s the thing, the second I stopped caring about what other people thought and started owning my business, things exploded! Parents were literally asking to be on my waitlist.
And you can do the same - no Tik Tok dance required! (Unless you want to, of course!)
The secret is to share content that matters and resonates with your ideal client. Focus on:
Testimonials from former clients.
Stories that highlight how you solve problems for struggling students.
Behind-the-scenes look at what a tutoring session with you looks like.
And friend, no need to overwhelm yourself posting on every social media platform. Start by picking a platform you actually enjoy and just start showing up. (Just an FYI, I break this all down inside my course Tutorpreneur Academy®!)
Treat Your Tutoring Business Like a Real Business
I get it…
You’re showing up, putting in the hours, and wondering why your tutoring business isn’t growing the way you thought it would.
Here’s one of the biggest problems I see when I coach teachers who are starting their tutoring business…
A lot of teachers treat their side hustle like a hobby.
They work on it when they have time, but they never create real systems. They don’t set boundaries. They don’t streamline the business side of things. And then they wonder why they’re not hitting their income goals (or why they’re totally burned out).
If you want your tutoring business to be profitable and sustainable, you’ve got to start treating it like an actual business. That means:
Setting up clear systems for billing and onboarding clients
Creating boundaries around your schedule (no more working at all hours!)
Saying no to clients who don’t align with your goals
Successful business owners know that the key to growth isn’t working more—it’s working smarter.
Build Your Tutoring Business with Confidence!
You’re ready to start taking BIG steps toward building a successful tutoring business!
Maybe you’ve started reaching out to former students’ parents. Maybe you’ve posted on social media (even though it felt a little awkward at first). Maybe you’re setting up systems so your schedule doesn’t run you.
Whatever steps you’ve taken—you’re doing it. You’re laying the foundation for a business that actually works for you.
And listen, if you’re feeling overwhelmed? That’s normal. But you don’t have to figure it all out alone.
Inside Tutorpreneur Academy®, I walk you through every step, from finding your dream clients to maximizing your time, so you can build a tutoring business that gives you both freedom and profitability.
Let’s Land Your First Client!
One of the hardest things to do when I was first starting my tutoring business was reaching out to current or former students.
It was so AWKWARD!
I just never really knew what to say, and I didn’t want to seem pushy…
If reaching out to students to promote your tutoring services is making you cringe, then you’re going to want to check out this blog post: “How to Get Your First Tutoring Client”.
It’s everything to know to build your confidence and get your first client!