Where do I start with tutoring?

[fattt]

I am a shortage subject and can offer my expertise but I don't know how to start! Where do people advertise?

As a parent, I found a tutor on TutorHunt. We could contact via their web system so I could check they might be suitable, but when we were happy to go ahead I paid a fee to TutorHunt (about the cost of 1 session) and they released contact details. I don't know what fee the Tutor has to pay, if any. There is no ongoing 'commission'

Think about whether you need pupils to come to you, or whether you would go to them.

I advertised on my local Facebook page. Good luck!

I understand that Tutorhunt have now changed their model and there is on-going commission.
Firsttutors are good and allow you to verify your qualifications and show references.

There are any number of online platforms to advertise on - TutorHunt, Tutorful, FirstTutors....lots and lots of them. I get work sporadically from them but there are costs involved and you need to watch your pricing to manage it. Be very clear about your work in schools and the fact you have QTS as many tutors don’t have this and it is something parents seem to like. I don’t have a website and nor do I advertise on local groups on Facebook as my availability is limited and the online platforms deliver me sufficient work, but I do use Facebook for support from other tutors and have started to develop some online tutoring as a result.

I get mine through an old fashioned advert in the post offices in the local wealthy villages. Also tutor hunt.

The people I know set up a social media page and then existing colleagues and friends who could vouch for them would send students seeking tutors to them. Quite a lot of parents like the recommendation side of things.

If you have worked in a school recently, let your colleagues know that you're tutoring. I have had loads of referrals from colleagues at a previous school.

Found mine via tutorful

Cards in shop windows and notice boards works well.

If you're doing 11+ prep, then it's cards in the newsagents, post offices, spar shops, garages, etc around the primary schools where the parents will be shopping before/after the school run.

Most of the uni campuses we've visited have tutor cards on notice boards all over the campus and nearby shops.

Slightly harder with GCSE/A level as it's more likely to be parents wanting to organise it, and they'll be spread all over miles around the school. You could try cards in shops/takeaways close to the school but that would just aim at students themselves who may not be the motivated ones to organise it!

Other than that, a simple free one page website with meta/key words such as "maths tutor Southport" will get a few google hits. And of course, a facebook page, again with short, snappy key words.

Once you have a few clients, word will spread and you'll soon start getting referrals. It's always the first few clients that are the hardest to get.

I have a small advert in my parish magazine which brings in some business. Costs about £75 a year. That's the only paid for advertising I do though. I have a website and FB page and tend to post on local parents pages giving advice and posting the odd advert within what they allow.

Once you get a few students word will spread. I started 4 years ago and now have registered interest lists for 11 plus until 2024. I get enquiries most weeks, mostly through other parents and tutors I know.

I advertised on good old Gumtree three years ago. From the replies I had, and then from subsequent recommendations from my now-clients, I've never needed to advertise again!

Then again, I only need a couple of evenings a week as it's not my main job.

I think the parents liked not having to go through an agency, and obviously I am also much more in control of prices and communication.

Good luck - it's definitely the most rewarding part of my teaching.