How to start your tutoring business: part 1
6 action steps to make your tutoring business idea a reality
Few teachers are business experts and when you start a new business you have so many questions:
Where do I start?
How do I make money?
How do I find clients?
Can I even really do this?
The good news is: you can!
Just remember, confidence always comes after you take on a new challenge, not before it.
So if you are thinking “I’m not confident enough to start a tutoring business," reframe it as: “I’m not going to feel really confident about doing this, but I’m capable of achieving my goals, and I know that confidence comes from just doing it.”
Are you ready?!
Here are 6 action steps to starting your tutoring business.
1. choose a name for your business
This will affect your email address and domain name, the basics for getting your unique online presence established. Choosing a name for your business is a multistep process, but one thing is for sure: clear always wins over clever. And be sure to google it to make sure it doesn’t mean something you aren’t aware of!
2. check/buy your domain name
Your domain name is your online address that starts with www.
You can buy your domain name from Google at the same time you buy your email address (see number 3) or you can buy it from one of many different providers. Just google “buy a domain name” and see if the one you want is available.
3. get a business email address
You can use a free email address, but it doesn’t look as professional as a branded one. The easiest way to do this is to go to Google workspace here https://workspace.google.com/ and buy an email address that has your domain name. It’s helpful to have a verified email address if you want to start building your email list to market your services to your ideal clients.
4. register your business
Take professional advice and decide what kind of business you want to set up.
Many UK tutors find that being a sole trader is enough.
There’s more information for UK businesses here: https://www.gov.uk/browse/business
5. open a bank account just for your business
The kind of bank account you can open will depend on what kind of business you have, so check eligibility. The banking websites will tell you what you need. But you want to keep your personal and business finances separate to avoid complicating your accounting.
6. consider insurance
The question to ask yourself is not can I afford insurance, but “Can I afford to pay for it if it goes wrong?” Tutoring is not a high-risk profession so insurance won’t necessarily be that expensive. Use the link to find what you need online. We use and recommend Policy Bee from Hiscox and this link will give you money off
https://www.policybee.co.uk/refer/zxcu-504
Having a legal, viable business that runs smoothly might not feel like part of your marketing, but it is. It makes you trustworthy and credible and you are building in processes that will make for a smooth client journey. Clear procedures should make running your business easier for you, too.
Don’t worry if this looks like a lot of admin.
You’ll be surprised at how quickly you can get it done once you have a list!
Coming next time: 6 more action steps on how to start your tutoring business.
And if you want help with all of the business and marketing aspects of starting your tutoring business, that’s exactly what the Tutor Like a Pro! membership is designed for.
We’ve got detailed training on all aspects of starting your business, including live weekly group coaching calls along with a supportive community you can learn from too.
Book a call with Sandra and let’s see if we are the right fit to work together.
I'm looking forward to meeting you!
