Thursday, August 18, 2011

Guest Blog Post from Kasey Hammond--How To Market Your Tutoring Business


How to Market Your Tutoring Business

As an independent tutor, it can be difficult to stand out from the large franchises when first starting your business, so keep in mind that first impressions are everything, and your marketing is key to growing your tutoring business!

It is important to give a professional, business-like first impression. Having business cards made is a great way to start. I recommend having your picture on your business cards so that it will help personalize your tutoring services and make you stand out from the big franchises. You should also include the specific subjects you tutor, along with your website and contact information.

Once you have your business cards, take a minute to send a personal note in the mail to teachers in your area with whom you would like to receive referrals. Let them know about your services and include several business cards along with your letter.  This is an inexpensive way, once again,  to send a personal touch to teachers and potential referrals in your community.  

Printing flyers with the same information as your business cards and including a testimonial is also a great way to advertise your tutoring business. Most communities allow flyers to be placed in newspaper boxes as well as libraries and community bulletin boards.

Most counties and cities will have an official tutor directory. If you call the Education Department in your city or county, you can ask them how to be placed on their list. Usually it is a small, one-time fee (if any fee at all) and this list will continue to produce leads for you.

For internet traffic you can list your business on Google Places (this is free) as well as on Craigslist to help you get referrals from the internet. There are also tutoring directories online that advertise your tutoring business at a small cost (usually a monthly fee).

 

Having yard signs made can be costly but can also yield great results. You can post them at busy intersections or in your front yard to attract new clients.

In my opinion, the best way to market and advertise your tutoring business is through referrals and word of mouth.  Once you have been tutoring for 6 months you will notice that many of your leads are coming from referrals.  It is a great idea to have a referral program and offer a free tutoring session for any referrals that you are given. 

Also, if you notice that a certain teacher or school administrator is sending you referrals, it is a great idea to send them a thank you note and even a thank you gift, if appropriate.  

Happy Tutoring!

 
Kasey Hammond has been tutoring since 2004 and enjoying the freedom and income that tutoring offers.  

After being frustrated working 50 hours a week only to make her boss rich she decided to venture out and start her own tutoring business.  After struggling the first year she turned her pitfalls into a lucrative business and now shares her secrets and tips with you to be sure that your business will be a success. 

YourTutoringBusiness.com 
MyTutorSpace.com 

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