"You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing that we call '"failure"' is not the falling down, but the staying down." -Mary Pickford

Start something new such as a career is very exciting. There are so many new challenges and things to do. Nonetheless, there are also a lot of questions when starting some fresh. For example, when becoming a private online tutor, a person may have plenty of questions about setting up their business and getting repeat clients.

But, have no fear, Superprof is here to save the day with a Do It Yourself Guide for new tutors. Let's get started to learn more!

Get to know more of the risks of using Skype for online tutoring.

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1st lesson free!
Lucinda
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Lucinda
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1st lesson free!
Hakim
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5 (16 reviews)
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1st lesson free!
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Necessary Tools to Get Started

desk and quiet place
The necessary tools for success as a private online tutor are much easier than one might think. (Source: Unsplash)

Before a videoconferencing app is selected and sincere efforts to market yourself be made, an aspiring tutor needs to be appropriately set-up with the necessary equipment to conduct online classes. Such as? The following are a few hardware tools that tutors must possess:

  • A PC or updated desktop computer that features a webcam,
  • Highspeed internet with a good broadband connection, 
  • Microphone headset,
  • A desk.

All of the previously mentioned things are indispensable for individuals looking to make it big in the online tutoring world. Now, which online videoconferencing platform should I use? Read the following subheading to find out more!

Are you a tutor that wants tips of online tutoring best practices? Check here now.

Finding a Videoconferencing Platform

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, tutoring sessions and how they are completed has dramatically shifted and moved online to avoid close personal contact while continuing to help students learn new essential concepts. Therefore, to meet the needs of students, online teaching companies, and professional tutors have found videoconferencing platforms to conduct their virtual classes.

But, the question arises, which videoconferencing platform is the best in the business to conduct online lessons and establish a prosperous career? Well, without further ado, we shall consider four of the most popular and reputable video calling apps that the best tutors frequently use.

Want to read a complete guide about how to become an online tutor? Click here!

Skype

online conference calls
Skype is the favourite application of tutors conducting online lessons. (Source: Unsplash)

Practically synonymous with online video calls, Skype has become a household name and mega profitable company that allows students to connect with their teachers all over the world.

Skype has the option of doing everything: video conferencing calls, one-to-one video chats, a dial pad to call international phone numbers, and a dynamic chatbox. Skype is used by many massive online teaching companies and smaller private companies alike to make the virtual learning experience active and instructional.

Skype works with Microsoft, so it is easy for those who own PCs and have an Outlook/Hotmail account. Nevertheless, Mac users can easily download the Skype app from the App Store and use it without any problems.

Google Hangouts

Not as widely known as Skype, Google Hangouts has become a reputable source to be reckoned with in recent years. Having been replaced by Google Talk, Google Hangouts Meet, Google Hangouts Chat, and Google Duo are being used by talented professionals in all sectors from education to business.

Google Hangouts is without a doubt one of the most viable alternatives to industry favourite Skype.

What are some of the benefits of using Google Hangouts? The following are a few striking features:

  • Multi-Party Video, 
  • Instant Messaging in a Chatbox, 
  • Screen Sharing, 
  • Acceptance of Third-Party Apps,
  • Broadcasting Options on Google Plus and Youtube. 

Zoom

Zoom has become THE most sought after and utilised video conferencing app of the coronavirus pandemic with users more than quadrupling in number since the beginning of the COVID crisis. Therefore, teachers and tutors alike have been turning to online applications to teach children at home, and Zoom has emerged as a clear favourite.

As a daily user of Zoom, it is my favourite video conferencing app to utilise for meetings and virtual social events amongst friends. Why? Some of Zoom's features include video chat capability with texting. This whiteboard utility is built-in and user-friendly document-sharing that is possible after your account is signed up.

Nonetheless, it is essential to state that since Zoom has been so widely used recently, developers and servers are having a hard time keeping up which results in certain malfunctions. However, after frequent updates and increased vigilance by Zoom industries, the Zoom app can be used without a catch during online classes.

Also, it's important to state that when there are more than two users on a Zoom call, it only lasts 40 minutes on a free account.

Get tips on becoming an effective online tutor.

Slack

Not commonly known by most newbies in the online education industry, Slack is used to manage administrators and teachers effectively yet it also has a video conferencing tool that is highly recommended for tutors conducting online lessons.

Guests who use one channel/join a user are free; however, paid users can have much more media etc. 

When you add students to your page, it is much easier to communicate with them and provide them with essential information that will shoot them to success. Also, the videoconferencing application is excellent for those who want the option to share notes and write on the screen.

Now that we've highlighted the four must-have apps for videoconferencing apps, how does one start marketing themself to enjoy a fruitful career as a private tutor? The following subheading has all the advice!

Check here to learn more about online tutoring DBS checks and child safety.

Effectively Marketing Yourself as a Tutor

Finding online tutoring jobs is not as simple as one might think when starting since a lot of hard work and crafty methods are required to find clients ASAP.

And making a name for yourself in the world of private tutoring in the era of COVID has made the situation that much more difficult. Nonetheless, there are various low-tech ways to advertise your new tutoring business, such as the following:

  • Placing an advert in free local publications, 
  • Paying for an ad in a publicised spot in your local newspaper,
  • Posting flyers up in supermarkets, shops, restaurants and petrol stations, 
  • Ask if your library will allow a stack of your flyers on the circulation desk or study areas, 
  • Ask friends and neighbours to talk up your new business to students and friends, 

All of your adverts should include which courses and levels you can tutor and, of course, your contact information which may include a telephone number and email. Some additional information that may be contained on a flyer might be the following:

  • The price of an hour of instruction or more, 
  • The experience you've had in the classroom and instructing online, 
  • Your methodology. 

While it is noble to use old-fashioned methods recognising the fact that they still do work, it is essential to state that we are living in the digital age and advertising your tutoring sessions online is much more useful than on paper.

Your educational and academic coaching abilities offered in cyber-space makes much more sense than hoping for a hit from one of your flyers.

You can advertise directly on Google, via Google Adwords in your local area or country offering online lessons at a competitive price that is slightly below average to encourage students to take a class with you.

Alternatively, you may post your advert on sites that are known for classified ads such the UK-based Freeads or Gumtree.

Nonetheless, it is essential to state that marketing yourself and deciding to offer online remedial classes on your own is much more complicated than posting your profile on a tutoring website that boasts a community of millions of online educators from around the world. What site is the best? Superprof!

While there are many agencies to consider that offer online tutoring sessions, Superprof makes new tutors feel comfortable to use their site to market themselves effectively. 

By using Superprof, online tutors have a platform that speaks to a much bigger audience of potential students who trust Superprof educators and eagerly come back time and time again. Likely students have deeper pockets than those you might find using handmade flyers and the customer support team on Superprof makes tutors teach with ease, knowing they are taken care of at all times.

Also, the positive reviews from past students on Superprof get shown on your profile which instils confidence in future pupils who are considering taking lessons with you. And, now more than ever, positive feedback is necessary!

While it is true that independent tutors get to keep all the cash, platforms such as Superprof only receive a small commission from each online tutoring lesson that barely makes a dent in your overall earnings. And guess what? Creating a profile on Superprof is free!

Find out more about what online tutoring research reveals about the industry.

How to Get Paid

24 hours a day
As an online tutor, you can offer lessons 24 hours a day. (Source: Unsplash)

While you might have considered a career in education for the love of teaching and learning, like everyone else, you need to earn money to live. So, how does a private tutor earn cash to survive?

There are various ways to get paid depending on which platform you are teaching on. For example, those who work independently might choose to accept payment via bank transfer per every lesson conducted. In contrast, those who work for a large tutoring company create an invoice and get paid through Paypal once per month. You could also decide to accept payments online via a credit card if you have a merchant's account.

It is essential to state that Paypal is the most popular way to collect tutoring fees. Nonetheless, bear in mind a transaction fee between 1.4% and 3.4% plus 20p per transaction is required by the company.

A bank transfer would be a cheaper option for you, but this means sharing your account details with people you may hardly know and not feeling safe in this world of online scams. 

Search out your potential options of how to get paid ahead of time to protect yourself and those to whom you are offering lessons.

We sincerely hope that you have found this blog post useful to get started as an online tutor, if you have any other suggestions you would like to share, please feel free to add them in the comment section. You've got this!

Learn more on jobs for ex teachers here.

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Brentyn

Avid movie-goer, reader, skier and language learner. Passionate about life, food and travelling.