"Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning." -Benjamin Franklin

Being the best at what you do in the domain of your choice requires a lot of hard work, humility, and a diligent attitude. Why does success require those three things?

Well, for example, hard-working people turn their dreams into goals, are humble when they need to accept counsel to become better, and show diligence by persevering no matter how difficult the task at hand is.

Remember, success is not something given like prominence and power, but rather it is earned by your wholehearted actions. So, whatever you decide to do with your life, bring your earnest efforts forth, and success will find you.

Also, before getting started, it is essential to state that since the online tutoring industry skyrocketed and became more popular than in-person learning sessions. However, there are a whole new set of challenges – mainly in the areas of keeping students motivated and ensuring they are consistent and disciplined enough to complete set tasks, despite not having to see their tutor in person.

But, have no fear since Superprof is here to guide tutors by providing ten fantastic tips to become an effective online educator. Let's get started!

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Hone Various Skills to Become Adaptable

working together
Successful online instructors take the time to examine difficult academic issues that students are facing. (Source: Unsplash)

You want to be known as the "Swiss Army tutor": the personal educator that can do everything!

Therefore, don't limit yourself to only offering remedial help in one subject and only using one education technique. Equip yourself with various tips, tricks, and additional skills to become a personal educator that attracts a lot of students.

Also, by acquiring multiple abilities, you become a lot more adaptable, and you possess the skills to respond to doubts and queries, set interesting assignments, guide them through difficult areas and give positive/honest feedback on work that is submitted to you.

Check out this online tutoring "do it yourself" guide for online tutors.

Be Available

To make a dent in the online tutoring world and have repeat clients, you can't only have five hours of availability per week. A successful online instructor who wants to make tutoring their career needs to have at least 20-30 hours of available time in their schedule to teach.

Also, when addressing a problem that a student needs to improve, don't be stingy on time. Allocate sufficient time with the student to tutor them and provide them with the remedial help that they need.

We much suggest leaving at least 30 minutes of break time between tutoring sessions in case one class goes over and to prepare for the next. 

Remember that being available doesn't just mean offering more room in your schedule to teach, it means being there for your students and helping them achieve their goals no matter what.

Be Professional

To have a repeat clientele, an online tutor who is new to the game needs to be known as professional and trustworthy. Therefore, do the following things that contribute to professionalism in the online classroom:

  • Pre-book lessons, 
  • Always be punctual,
  • If you happen to run late, let the student know immediately and apologise, 
  • Come prepared, 
  • Send messages or call to confirm classes, 
  • Demonstrate a compassionate and concerned attitude.

If you put the previously mentioned tips into practice, not only will you demonstrate professionalism in the workplace, but you will also have many new students from positive word of mouth!

Tailor Lessons to the Students

"Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." -Albert Einstein

Educators should vigorously apply the quote stated above. Why? It teaches us, as teachers, that we must adapt our abilities and transmission of knowledge to each student. While adaptability to each pupil is difficult in the traditional classroom where there are 20 students or above, it can thankfully be done in one-on-one tutoring sessions; hallelujah!

So, to become a caring and successful online tutor, try to get to know your student and cater your tutoring lessons to their individual needs. Present the necessary information to offer remedial support based on the learning style of the student. While this might be difficult during the first lesson, you will slowly get to know your student.

Knowing your audience and subsequently interactively providing knowledge is equally rewarding for both the student and the tutor.

Some students prefer lively discussions and a lot of questions, whereas others like to read and spend time meditating; we're such a varied bunch of humans!

You can find out about online tutoring DBS checks and child safety here.

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Be Engaging

having fun
Have fun, keep the class engaging, and don't forget to laugh it off; that is what makes a tutor successful! (Source: Unsplash)

No one and, I mean no one, wants to take lessons with a boring tutor who sticks to the same formula and follows it blindly. So, you need to be more engaging and continuously find new ways to make lessons fun and fresh despite having conducted classes with the same student for months.

Try to find engaging ways to draw the student's interest based on the subject at hand and their learning ability. 

You always want to be known as the fun tutor and have students look forward to your classes instead of dread them.

Here are best practices every tutor should check out.

Encourage Critical Thinking

As an educator, we have the privilege and the responsibility to do more than make our pupils learn and memorise facts. The best private tutors encourage students to share their opinions about a subject, analyse new ideas, and ask questions at a profound level.

No one should ever be discouraged from asking questions; it's the best way to learn!

So, motivate pupils to think about the bigger picture and help them to solve problems virtually instead of solely giving them the answer so that you can move through the necessary material more quickly.

Keep in mind that the right tutor will help students pass an exam, and a great one will encourage them to be thoughtful about the world. We want more competent citizens, not only good test-takers!

Share Personal Experiences

Most educators have come across a myriad of helpful learning strategies and techniques. Also, to become a qualified tutor, you've done your fair share of studying and problem-solving. Therefore, it is in your best interest, and for that of the student to share tips and tricks that you have found personally helpful.

What advice might you provide? The following suggestions are good personal experiences:

  • Use mind maps, 
  • Memorise and use mnemonics,
  • Read notes out loud,
  • Regularly summarise class notes. 

Your past experiences through the formal education system are valid and should be shared because even the brightest students may be struggling at school simply because they have not been taught the correct study techniques.

Teach Students the Importance of Organisation

teach students responsibility
The best online tutors are organised and responsible and they make efforts to impart these qualities to their students. (Source: Unsplash)

The best academic instructors encourage their students to stay organised in all things that they do when learning a new concept. By being well-organised, the following items are avoided:

  • Being late for class, 
  • Extra time searching for study notes, 
  • A feeling of being overwhelmed with too many things to do. 

Hence, motivate your students to use online tools and straightforwardly present their material and even to use colourful visuals that will add a professional look to an assignment or project. Also, state the primary consequence of giving haphazard works and presentations: a considerably decrease in marks.

Additionally, by teaching pupils to stay organised, you will be proud to see them grow into responsible adults with a lot of potential for the future. Remember though that to teach organisation skills and be a successful tutor, you must practice what you preach and be organised in all matters.

Check out our article on the risks of using Skype for online tutoring.

Use Recommend Online Resources

As have seen in this article, being a successful tutor does not come about by accident. Online educators that ensure successful work periods regularly consult informative resources online or on print to become the best at what they do.

Therefore, do not hesitate to introduce to students the websites and online study materials that helped you to master challenging academic achievements. It is exceptionally suggested to use websites and resources with students to have them see that the internet is a fantastic place with so many educational possibilities.

Recommended online resources to use during tutoring classes include the following:

  • Khan Academy, 
  • Big Think,
  • Cosmo Learning,
  • Futures Channel. 

The previously mentioned websites touch on a lot of topics that many pupils need remedial support in.

Discover the findings of some online tutoring researches here.

Market Yourself On a Reputable Tutoring Site

While it is true that many tutors have successfully marketed themselves and created a client-base using classified ads or other similar mediums, the best way to launch a triumphant career as a tutor is by creating a profile on a popular tutoring website. Such as? Look no further than Superprof!

With over 12 million successful tutors teaching more than 1000 distinct topics, Superprof has become a force to be reckoned with and a wonderful tutoring community to become a part of.

Creating a profile is free and extremely easy with Superprof, and there are always thousands of students looking for new teachers to instruct them virtually.

In conclusion, we sincerely hope that the information in today's website will prepare new tutors with the necessary tools to enjoy a prosperous career. Let's get teaching!

Want to give private lessons?

Join the Superprof community and share your knowledge with interested and motivated students.

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Brentyn

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