FAQs: frequently asked questions
You'll find FAQs about the Tutor Like a Pro! Membership first.
General questions about starting your tutoring business are second.
FAQs about the Tutor Like a Pro! Membership
What fees do I have to pay once I join?
None! Your only fee is the membership fee. You keep 100% of your income.
Are there any additional costs once I join for any resources, etc?
No, none. Everything is included in the single memebership fee.
Are you going to recommend I buy a whole host of expensive things to start my tutoring business?
Exactly the opposite! We want to keep your startup costs as low as possible so we recommend tools that have useful free versions that we use too. Our VA Katie - an ex-phonics teacher - is a whizz on all things systems so you have video walkthroughs of how to set up the tech inside the membership. She comes into some of our group calls too so you can ask your questions directly to her.
Are you an agency?
No. That means we won't send clients to you directly and we won't give you a tutoring job. What we do is show you how to market your tutoring business with ease and integrity so you can attract the clients you want to work with.
Do I have to be native English speaker to join the membership?
No! We have members with excellent English who are not native English speakers.
Do I need to be a qualified teacher to join the membership?
No. But you do need to have an interest in and experience teaching phonics and early literacy to young learners.
Can international teachers who teach English as a foreign language join?
Definitely! Our exclusive, signature Jigsaw Phonics programme with ready-to-teach lesson was created by an internatioanl teacher and are optimised for non-native English speakers.
What kind of people are in your membership?
A mix of UK and international tutors and teachers. Some are full-time tutors, some have tutoring as one income stream, some are transitioning out of the classroom and into tutoring, some teach online only, some teach face-to-face, some do a mix, some teach phonics and other subjects ... a vibrant and interesting mix!
Will the resources make tutoring easy for me?
Yes, that's the plan! Our signature, exclusive Jigsaw Phonics programme has 90 ready-to-teach structured phonics and literacy lessons plus 30+ vocabulary enrichment activities plus 30 separate spelling lessons.
They come in powerpoints to easily teach online or face-to-face. Plus assessments and reports. One member started small group tutoring just 14 days after joining, so it can go fast!
What I really need help with is getting clients - the marketing. Can you help?
Yes! A third of the membership is "Market with Ease and Integrity" so you have all the training and know-how you need to get your business out there in a way that attracts your ideal client without the hard sell.
How much live support will I get inside the membership?
A lot! We have (1) weekly live group calls (2) twice-monthly live coworking sessions (3) a private forum inside the membership (4) a private members-only Facebook group (5) the option to book a 1-1 call with Sandra any time you are stuck on something that needs some personal attention. You'll feel really supported.
Do you just help online tutors?
No. Lessons are optimised for easy online teaching but they work for face-to-face teaching too. There are a whole load of extra resources, like flashcards and games, that you can print and use.
Is the membership just for phonics and early literacy tutors?
Yes. We are experts in our niche but if you want some help to set up your tutoring business in another subject get in touch! I can connect you with the best in the business who I know will be able to help you.
I'm seeing Jigsaw Phonics tutors around? How does that work?
You have the option to co-brand with Jigsaw Phonics Tutoring if you wish. Some of the many advantages of cobranding are (1) increased brand visibility and awareness (2) improved credibility and trust and (3) cost savings because you get the graphics and the immediate brand awareness
Check out Kara Cook's website here for an example of how cobranding can work.
How do I join?
Membership is by invitation only after a call with Sandra - to make sure Jigsaw Phonics is right for you and we are right for each other :)
General FAQs about the business of tutoring
Inside the Tutor Like a Pro! membership there are solutions to all these questions.
Is there any guidance you can give me as a new tutor? It seems so different to teaching, although I know realistically it can’t be?
The business side is the different bit, so it's about packaging and pricing your offer, communicating your value to your ideal client and making sure your terms and and conditions are solid.
How much should I charge?
In the membership we go beyond outdated hourly rates and recommend pricing and packaging your offer to cover all the work you do in your business in a way that will make your business sustainable.
Do you ask to be paid upfront? How does that work?
Yes, always ask for payment upfront and be very clear in yout terms and conditions about cancellations, lesson credits and refunds. There are many ways to take payments automatically but the aim is to make it a smooth process for your client.
I'm just trying to figure out what insurance I need to start tutoring?
It’s great to start your business professionally and to think of insurance - here's our recommendation for tutor insurance https://www.policybee.co.uk/refer/zxcu-504
Do I need a DBS/criminal records check as a tutor?
Yes. Safeguarding has to be the number one priority and you should make a point of telling prospective clients that you have all the safeguarding checks in place. We also recommend adding your child protection policy to your T&Cs (we have templates in the membership).
How do people first go about advertising themselves as a tutor?
The first and easiest way is to tell everyone you know that you are tutoring! Someone always wants a tutor or knows someone who does. After that, it's about communicating the value of your offer. That's less about what you do and how you do it, and more about communicating the benefits and results clients get from working with you - it's a really imporant difference that isn't immediately obvious.
I'm thinking about starting up as a primary tutor but not feeling very confident about it. Any words of wisdom?
It's completely normal to feel nervous about doing something new. When you think of starting a business, you think it's all about accounts, logos and insurance. It's not really that at all - 80% of getting started is mastering your mindset. And since you have to be be in it to win it, just get started! Believe in your amazing transferable teacher skills to guide you through the process.
The smart thing to do is to believe enough in yourself to invest in yourself. Get the help that will fast-track you through all the questions you have as an owner of a tutoring business. You need to know you are doing it right so you'll be excited to get out there!
Book a free, no obligation call with me, Sandra, to talk about whether the Tutor Like a Pro! membership could be for you - click here to choose a time that suits you. I'm looking forward to meeting you!
