Imagine a family has decided to take the plunge and invest in a tutor for their child. It’s not something they’ve ever done before and they’re not sure what to expect. There are so many tutors out there. How should they decide!
There are (in all likelihood) two main possible routes that they might take.
They might get onto social media and ask for recommendations.
Alternatively, they might head to Google and search for tutors in their area.
Either way, if they come across you, they will probably end up investigating you further.
And so, their journey with you begins. It begins long before you may even be aware of it, but we need to be careful because the first impressions that we make will last.
A click on your profile and they read:
“Hi, I’m Dawn and I tutor both maths and English. I’ve been tutoring for over 12 years now but have additional 12 years of experience working in childcare and education prior to that. In addition, I also have a degree in childcare and education from the open university.
I am mum to 3 adult children and do lessons both online and in the child’s home. I am available Monday to Sunday but having said that my remaining slots are limited. For prices and more information get in touch.
Click here to get in touch.”
That’s fine, I have covered all the basic information that they might need, but there is nothing personal in there. Why me? From that, what makes me different to any other tutor that they might read about. Ok, you might have a couple of testimonials to justify that you are good at what you do, but so many people are cynical about them and often dismiss them as being created by your friends and family.
So, what do you do?
There are two main considerations I would like to suggest from the outset.
The first is that you consider: If I was looking for a tutor for myself or a member of my own family what would I want to know? What might I expect?
The second question you might ask yourself is what would the best tutor in the world do? How could I replicate that?
Now you have had a mind shift you will no doubt address your profile completely differently. Talk to them about how you will help them rather than an egocentric piece of information about yourself.
I always talk about how we strive to support confidence as well as knowledge and the style of teaching and resources we use to achieve this.
The journey may stop at this point, or it may continue, and they do get in touch with you. Now you need to consider what you can do to impress them going forward. It’s not about bragging, in fact may be the opposite of that. It’s about answering their questions, putting their mind to rest.
Maybe you will offer a free lesson, but often it is the little insignificant details that make the biggest difference. An email confirming the day, time, and what you will be covering. Taking your shoes off as you go into their home, smiling!
So, in your mind what would the best tutor in the world do? What can you do to replicate that? How can you take the family on a journey that will impress them from beginning to end?
Remember, often it is all in the detail.
Clara James Tutoring is inviting you to join us as a founding franchisee to help you to set up your own tutoring business with the systems, knowledge, and experience that we have gathered over the years.
We are offering our founding members a franchise for just £3,000 then a subscription of just £100/month on a 3-year contract.
Interested to learn more?
Send me a message: [email protected]
Get in touch and we will get details in the post to you today
