Are you thinking of starting an online tutoring business and wondering whether it will be worth your time and effort? In recent times, the market for online tutoring has seen significant growth due to the increase in demand. As parents and students become familiar with the concept of online tutoring and realize the benefits it has to offer. Online tutoring has made it possible for students to learn at their own pace, at a schedule that suits them from the comfort of their homes.
Not only does online tutoring bring benefits for students, but it is equally beneficial for anyone looking to work as an online tutor or starting their own online tutoring business. This business is surely rewarding, both financially and intellectually. As an online tutor, you get to teach students from all sorts of cultural backgrounds and geographical locations, helping them realize their true potential. Moreover, you can enhance your knowledge of a subject to the extent that you become an expert in the field.
Whether you choose to become a full-time online tutor or pursue it as a side hustle to increase your income, there are clear benefits to working in this profession. However, the question for most people is where do you begin? To help you out, we have compiled a list of seven things to consider before you decide to start an online tutoring business:
Here are some tips to help you consider before starting an online tutoring business:
Working for An Established Online Tutoring Website vs. Starting Your Own Business
If you wish to do online tutoring, starting your own business isn’t the only option, there are many well-known online tutoring businesses that you can work for. Starting your own business will require starting from scratch. You will need to set up your website, carry out extensive marketing to gain recognition in the market, and come up with a payment system. None of this is required if you choose to work for an established website that already has a large number of students as their customers.
However, the drawback is that these websites will charge you a significant commission, which can be anywhere from twenty to fifty percent. This means working for these websites is not that profitable as setting up your own business.
Online Tutoring is Still at An early Development Stage
Before you choose to work as an online tutor, you must be aware of the fact that this is still a relatively new concept, with many students still preferring the traditional way of learning which requires face-to-face sessions with the tutor or visiting the tutoring center. They believe that they can communicate with the tutor a lot more effectively and learn better in their physical presence.
While the market is at its development stage, it is surely growing as students begin to realize the benefits that online tutoring can offer. One of the major benefits it offers is that it eliminates the need to travel for both parties, which results in significant time and cost savings. And once you get comfortable with learning this way, you don’t even realize the difference.
Do You Have the Necessary Tools?
To work as an online tutor, you will need a reliable computer, a fast internet connection, a webcam, and a microphone. Your system has to be capable of running long video chats smoothly and the webcam and microphone need to be able to perform well too. Running an online business requires a system and accessories that are guaranteed to deliver a high level of performance.
Choosing Your Communication Platform
Deciding on the communication medium that you will use to conduct your tutoring sessions is vital before you start the business. Thankfully, several virtual interaction platforms are great for video chatting and many of them are free. For someone who is just starting, even Skype makes a brilliant application to use. It is reliable, free and everyone knows how to use it. Facetime also works great for video conferencing as it has excellent call quality.
Whichever option you choose, you have to first be familiar with the platform you plan to use as you will be the one guiding your students through it.
Deciding Your Work Hours
Working as an online tutor often requires a different work schedule than most jobs or other home-based businesses. Every student has their preference when it comes to the timing and frequency of tutoring sessions and how well you can meet their needs will set you apart from the rest. For instance, high school students will only be available after school for tutoring, meaning you are likely to have to work in the evening. Those at an advanced education level can be more flexible with their timings.
How Much Will You Charge?
The amount of money you can charge for tutoring services will depend on several factors such as the subjects you teach, the length of each session as well as your skills and experience. The rates of online tutoring vary greatly based on these factors.
The demand for tutors in your chosen subject is a major factor in deciding the amount of money you can charge. Tutors who teach specialized subjects such as advanced physics or foreign languages can usually charge higher than tutors for other subjects. Some research into the rates being charged by other tutors in the subject can help you set a competitive rate for your services.
Designing the Course
Once you decide the subjects you will teach, you need to design your course structure. How long will the lectures be? Will you do one-on-one sessions or teach in small groups? The main mistake many online tutors make is not having a syllabus completion chart and schedule. This means not having a solid plan for how to cover all the topics in the subject in a given time. You need to prioritize topics that are most important and stick to a schedule if you want your students to succeed.
Also, many students who learn online complain about it not being engaging and interactive enough. To get around this problem and ensure your students are keeping up with the learning milestones you set for them, consider making use of a variety of online learning tools such as interactive videos and quizzes as a part of your course structure.
Conclusion
If you have sound knowledge in a certain area of education and believe you can effectively transfer this knowledge to others, an online tutoring business can be a very profitable venture. The investment is minimum, all you need is a reliable system, high-speed internet, and a platform to communicate with your students. Many students need assistance with their studies. Once you make a name for yourself in the market, you will see that your business will reach great success.
