Recently, the demand for online private tutors has been at an all-time high. As lives become increasingly busy, and with society fast gearing towards the digital space, the need for online tutoring services is becoming more popular these days.
The thing about online learning is that it makes it easier for students to study whenever and wherever they want or need to. It affords online tutors the same perks because they can work from home and require no travel time.
How to be an online tutor?
To become an online tutor, you don’t need a teaching qualification or even a bachelor’s degree. As a matter of fact, you don’t even need prior experience! All you need is a personal laptop, an internet connection, and an undying passion for learning and teaching.
Tutoring has become a booming business that makes an excellent alternative for the nine-to-five deal or a part-time position.
However, online tutoring, much like any other job, can be daunting at first. So, we have curated the steps you need to follow to become a full-time online tutor.
1. Decide on the subject you want to teach
The first step is to determine what subject you want to teach and at what level. What subject are you most qualified to teach and specialize in? It should be a subject that you have studied in length, have a good understanding of, and have long been familiar with.
Remember that you should be able to tutor up to the level of your highest qualification. Although there are no specific requirements to becoming a tutor, the more qualified and valuable you are, the more students you will have.
2. Research, research, research
No matter what you teach, it is important that you can navigate your way around the internet. It helps you look for the best tutoring websites or companies you can work for or search for suitable learning materials you can use to teach your students. Doing some research before taking the plunge gives you an idea of how you can best maximize your potential for success.
3. Hone your business skills
Being an online tutor pretty much makes you self-employed. This means that it’s time for you to familiarize yourself with all things business, including finance and marketing. Know how you can promote yourself as an asset and how you can promote your service. Read some guides with regards to the legal aspect of your online tutoring business. For starters, you can also try applying to online tutoring platforms that will help you get your first set of clienteles.
Also Read: 5 Strategies for Engaging Students While Teaching
4. Plan ahead
Keep in mind that most tutoring services take place outside of school time, thus, limiting how much you can earn. Aside from that, rates also depend on what age and subject you will teach and how many hours you can fit in one evening. Be smart about this. Arrange your schedule to get the most hours in one evening every week.
5. Choose your platform and tools.
Once you have decided what subject and level you want to teach, and once you are familiar with the technical and business side of things, you must now choose a platform and equipment for teaching.
There are many free services available on the internet, such as Zoom, Skype, Google Hangouts, etc. These platforms are all incredibly good in video conference services, screen sharing, and file sharing. You can choose one or multiple platforms to make yourself more available and readily accessible to students who use different platforms.
You can also join online tutoring platforms where you can submit your application, create your own profile and offer your services. The advantage of joining a tutoring platform is that they already have an existing pool of students who are looking for a tutor like you. This will make it easier for you to find students.
It’s also wise to invest in good equipment that will help you along the way, such as microphones and headsets. Make sure you have a reliable internet connection as well!
6. Set your rates.
Think about your pay rate, but consider your experience and qualifications before deciding how much you want to earn. Of course, the best way to know how much you can charge is to Google the rates for online tutors of your caliber and in your subject. While there is no set standard for online tutoring costs, take the time to research, so you know your worth.
Also Read: How to create an excellent tutor profile
7. Find students.
Now, to get your online tutoring business up and about, you need new students. The best way to do this is to create an attractive and valuable profile that will stand out. If you can, you can start offering sessions to those closest to you, those you know, and those who can give you feedback and review. This can also help build your repertoire of experience. From there, you can advertise online via different tutoring websites such as Talentnook, Preply, Tutorme, etc to help find new students.
How to create your profile?
In setting up your profile, make sure that you have a professional-looking yet friendly profile photo. A short bio description that contains the subjects you want to teach, your location, and your experience will also help you build a reputation. Lastly, your pay rate should also be seen in your profile. Remember, this is where you can advertise yourself to potential students, so make it as impressive as possible without sounding too pushy.
Also Read: How to set up the perfect tutor profile
Final tips before starting your online tutoring venture
Before your first session, start planning the flow of your lesson and prepare how you can interact with your students. Do not overthink it. Yes, it’s normal for your first day to be nerve-wracking and overwhelming, making it a case of trial and error. But take the opportunity to learn and observe how your students react and answer to you. This way, you’ll know how you can improve your teaching style to accommodate your student’s learning needs.
Don’t hesitate to make additional preparations such as assignments or worksheets and other learning materials so your students can familiarize themselves with your lessons. With online learning, you can take advantage of the multiple media tools available to enhance your teaching methods.
Online tutoring offers flexibility to both students and tutors. It is an engaging and interactive job that gives you the power to set your hours, rates, and decide on your clients. But most of all, it is rewarding. It nourishes not just the students with learning, but also the tutor with the experience that is both challenging and enjoyable.
If you’re looking for a comprehensive guide on how to build a great tutor profile, check out our tutor resources
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