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How Do I Become a Private Tutor?

Alex Tree
Alex Tree

You can become a private tutor by first deciding what to teach and then marketing your services to locals. If you wish to become a private tutor who works for a company, take your official education into account because employers most likely will. On the other hand, if you plan to work for yourself, set aside funds for things employers usually cover, like health insurance and money set aside for retirement.

Determine what skill you will be teaching students and if there is a demand for that kind of tutor in your area. To determine the skill, think about what you are good at, even if it is something like secondary school math or using a specific type of computer. Next, look online to see if other people are already offering this service and at what price. Sometimes a market is already flooded with tutors and being successful requires expertise most people do not have.

Tutors are often recommended by local colleges, libraries, or community centers.
Tutors are often recommended by local colleges, libraries, or community centers.

Depending on the type of private tutor you wish to become, marketing techniques might be a big factor in your success. You can advertise online in area-specific forums, post flyers around your home and local grocery stores, or rely on word of mouth. Remember to always state how much you charge to save time by not having to explain pricing by phone. If you plan to post flyers at a business, ask the management's permission before doing so. In addition, to become a private tutor, keep in mind that you will need to take charge when potential clients call; let them ask questions, but be thorough and outgoing when responding.

A private tutor may help a child improve his or her math skills.
A private tutor may help a child improve his or her math skills.

Sometimes a person can become a private tutor by joining a company that tutors. These companies usually require people to have degrees in the subject that they intend to teach. Unlike becoming a teacher, a tutor rarely needs to be licensed as a teacher. Polish your resume and brush up on your communication skills to get a tutoring job with a tutoring company. Many of these jobs are popular for graduating college and university students because these people have the knowledge but not the experience to get a job performing what they studied in school.

If you end up working for yourself, remember to set up financial accounts for taxes, retirement, and health care costs. Many employers either cover these fees for you or make managing the fees easier by completing the paperwork. Without an official employer, you are in charge of acquiring health insurance, paying any taxes due in your area, and much more.

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    • Tutors are often recommended by local colleges, libraries, or community centers.
      By: Jacek Chabraszewski
      Tutors are often recommended by local colleges, libraries, or community centers.
    • A private tutor may help a child improve his or her math skills.
      By: Gennadiy Poznyakov
      A private tutor may help a child improve his or her math skills.