Why I Started a Tutor Blog

Today I am linking up with Adrianne of The Tutor House to share my story about why I tutor and why I started this tutor blog.

I started tutoring in college when the parent of my younger sister’s classmate (that’s a mouthful!) asked if I could help her son in pre-algebra.  I started tutoring him once a week at his house for $25.  He is now graduated and attending a community college and I have tutored both his younger brother and sister. 

I have taught in traditional and non-traditional classrooms, but nothing compares to tutoring for me.  I love the interaction I get to have with my tutoring students.  Up until recently, tutoring was always side money.  I did it because I loved it and I could squeeze it in between my other two jobs (teaching math and coaching gymnastics).  Within the last six months, I have been trying to make tutoring my main source of income and start a legitimate tutoring business.  This is when I started doing research online.

I came across Adrianne’s blog, The Tutor House, and thought it was a great resource.  It really helped me to clarify my goals as a tutor and future business owner.  I move next week to Port Hueneme in Ventura County, so I have been planning to start my business up there once I’m settled in.  My goal is to get 25 tutoring students by the end of this year.  To help me reach that goal I have done several things and have a few more things planned.

The first thing I did was re-vamp my tutoring business website.  I knew that if I wanted to look legitimate, I would need to have a professional looking and organized website.  The second thing I did was to create a Facebook Page for my tutoring business.  I knew most of my potential students would be on Facebook and that this would be a great way to market my business after I posted on my personal Facebook about looking for more tutoring students and getting four new students out of the post! 

After I did those two things I wanted a way to connect with students and other tutors.  I then started this blog, made a Google + account, and made a Pinterest page for my tutoring business.  Through these avenues, I was able to meet other tutors and exchange business ideas.

Once I move I’m planning to start the hard work of starting a business by getting all the tax forms completed and filing all the necessary paperwork.  I’m also planning on marketing locally using flyers and posting on local social networking sites.

I’m hoping to meet my goal of 25 students by the end of this year and I have Adrianne and The Tutor House to thank for helping me set my goals and have means to reach them.

What are your goals for the year?  How are you going to meet them?