How to start your own tutoring business

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You can now live and work from anywhere worldwide while still accepting clients nationwide. Imagine sitting on a beach and helping a student complete their algebra homework. You could also relocate to another state and still be able to provide small graphic design classes to recent college graduates from your hometown. Are you already sold on the idea of starting a tutoring company? Let’s get started.

How to start your own private tutoring business

To help you get started, follow the steps listed below.

How to identify a type of client

Most tutors specialize in a specific subject or grade level. The first step is to find a market for what you want to teach.

Here are a few things to consider:

You may be required to have specific accreditations or certifications depending on the subjects that you teach and where you live. A tutor certification can reassure students, parents, and caregivers that you are a qualified educator.
Your target market could be parents, depending on the age range with which you intend to work. Parents are the ones that sign up their children for SAT preparation or French lessons.
Think about the format of your tutoring sessions. You can tutor students individually, in a small group, or both.
Your target market doesn’t have to be within driving distance. Online video platforms make it easier than ever to reach clients around the globe.

How to write a business plan

When seeking funding from banks or investors, business plans are usually required. The startup costs of tutoring are relatively low. You can finance your launch out of pocket.

A written business plan can be a great idea. This road map allows you to prioritize your limited resources to scale up operations faster. Please read our guide on how to start a business for writing tips.

Register your business

You’ll still need to register your tutoring company in your state, even if it’s just you.

The easiest to set up are sole proprietorships. Startups love them. You should be aware that your assets and your companies are not separate.
When there are more than two owners, partnerships are widespread. Partnerships can provide more protection than sole proprietorships if they are set up correctly.
Due to their ease of setup, limited liability companies (LLCs) are widespread. They create a barrier between your personal and business assets.
Larger companies prefer corporations. The setup and maintenance cost is the highest, but the liability protection these companies offer is the best.

You’ll want to check out the requirements in your state for sole proprietorships and LLCs if you are a private tutor just getting started.

Get the appropriate licensing.

In the world of tutoring, permits, and licenses are not always required. If you are in a field that is not regulated by law, or if you have a business registered in a state where it is, obtaining accreditation from reputable authorities may help you gain more clients. Since the entry-level for tutoring is low, having credentials can help you stand out from your competition.

Marketing your services

There is a whole article on How to Write a Marketing Plan, covering everything from social media to online advertising. If you are targeting tutoring clients, you will also need to attend their gatherings, whether PTA meetings or social media groups.

It would help if you also had tools that would keep clients engaged. You can use everything from referral rewards and promotions to loyalty points.

Prepare to accept payments.

Payment processing is the final step. Clover’s comprehensive point-of-sale solutions (POS) are popular among professional tutors.

Go and Flexible are portable handheld POS systems that let you accept payments in person, wherever your tutoring business may take you. Clover Go allows you to turn your smartphone into a credit card reader.
Clover devices are not required to accept payments. You can access your dashboard on any computer, tablet, or smartphone and enter the card information of your clients. You can also send invoices or set up automatic payments.
We offer payment options to allow your customers to book and pay for classes, just like they would on a traditional eCommerce website.