How to use online marketplaces to build credibility and a client base

Today's online educational system would be incomplete without private tutors. Research estimates the online market will be $14.76 billion in 2026. Online lessons are becoming famous worldwide due to their flexibility and tutors' ability to connect with students. Despite the growing number of private tutors, some still struggle with online marketplaces.

Workee experts discussed building credibility and a client base in the private tutoring industry with teacher Jenna J. from the Philippines. Teacher Jenna J. has been a tutor for 8 years and has worked with students of all ages. Here are her tips:

Make your profile memorable

Whether you use your own service or a tutoring marketplace, it's essential to establish an intriguing profile to attract the attention of prospective pupils.

Your profile should include a compelling bio and a comprehensive summary of your qualifications. You can also include pictures and videos of work in your profile to convince potential students that you are good at what you do.

When creating your profile, be sure to showcase your teaching philosophy and any specific interests. 

Establish a web presence

Having your own website is advantageous to your business and a good way to establish credibility with your customers. It can also increase your visibility and allow you to sell services to prospective students. This process can be simplified and made more affordable by using a website builder that includes pre-made templates and integrated functionalities such as booking and scheduling, among other things.

Websites provide you with the platform you need to detail your tutoring services and methods in great detail, which is critical if you want to attract the right students to your business. You can also provide rates, trial classes, and demos. You can show examples of worksheets and other resources you've created for your clients and previous work.

Create a Google My Business profile

A Google Business Profile is a great way to let potential students know about you if you tutor online. And it's free, which is the best part! When people look for keywords related to your business on Google, they will be sent to your Google My Business page, where they can find all the information they need.

You can give an overview of your business, a list of the services and prices you offer, a link to your website, and your contact information using Google Business Profiles. With the analytics tools at your disposal, you can keep track of profile views, clicks, and impressions and learn more about the keywords people used to find you. Since this service is free, you have nothing to lose by making a profile for yourself and seeing what comes of it.

Create a blog, a YouTube channel, or both

Sharing your knowledge on YouTube or a blog is an interesting and enjoyable way to reach your target audience. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok have become more popular over the past few years, which makes them great places to share content. You could share about your daily life as a tutor, study hacks, exam/test prep hacks, subject hacks, and articles that address issues your students are having.

Use social media

Social media is an excellent way to spread the word about your private tutoring services. You can make your social media page a place where you discuss tutoring in general and share your own personal experiences and stories with others. Furthermore, social media forums and groups are the go-to places for parents looking for private tutors. Place ads there promoting your services and describing the ones you provide.

Consider investing in paid advertisements

It is possible to promote yourself on social media without spending any money; however, if you have the means and the motivation, paid advertisements will help you see results more quickly. You can promote yourself on social media without spending any money.

Differentiate your rates from competitor prices

Many private tutors are discouraged by all of the competition and believe that the only way to get students is to offer much cheaper prices than their competitors. That's terrible for business, and you will hardly get noticed with hundreds of other instructors doing the same thing.

Instead, charge according to the quality of work you provide. If you're doing the work, don't hesitate to charge what you're worth.

What advice do you have for private tutors who are starting out?

The first piece of advice I have is never to put all of your eggs in one basket. It is not easy to begin as a private tutor. Having a steady flow of students takes a lot of time, effort, and patience. Do your research first and work on this as a side job before quitting your current job. Second, narrow your focus. What exactly are you teaching? What levels of English do you want to teach? Extending what you teach may appear to help you gain more students, but it will require you to prepare or find additional materials. This means you'll have less time to focus on your students' needs. As a result, the quality of your lessons will suffer. Is it grammar, pronunciation, business English, IELTS, or something else that you teach? Niching down allows you to concentrate on a specific market. There will always be students with special needs. Understanding this will aid you, and the students in finding each other more effectively. Finally, look after your first students. Word of mouth has always been one of my most effective marketing tools. Nowadays, most of my newer students come to me on the recommendation of my older ones. 

Thank you, Jenna, for sharing your insights with us and supporting Workee!

Connect and learn more about Jenna on her website.