I love teaching but I need extra income. Do I need to start a business in order to tutor part time in the summer?
As a teacher, you love your job, but let’s be honest—a little extra part time tutoring income wouldn’t hurt. Maybe you’ve thought about tutoring part time over the summer, but you’re not sure where to start. Do you need to start a business just to tutor a few students? The short answer: No. The better answer: Yes, if you want to do it right and set yourself up for success.
Let’s say you start tutoring your best friend’s kids this summer for extra cash. Great! But then she tells her friends about how amazing you are, and suddenly, you’re getting calls and texts asking if you’re available. Without a plan, you might find yourself making snap decisions on pricing, scheduling, and lesson plans that you later regret. That’s why even a part time tutor should take a professional approach from the very beginning.
Why You Should Treat Your Part Time Tutoring Like a Business
Whether you’re tutoring one student or building a steady side gig, setting up a few business basics will help you stay organized and make a strong first impression. Having a plan for scheduling, billing, and record-keeping is just as important as knowing your subject matter. A professional approach sets you apart from the amateurs and helps you build a solid reputation.
Most people start tutoring with just one client—a neighbor’s kid, a colleague’s child—but once word spreads, your client list will grow. Being prepared from the start ensures you don’t scramble when that happens. Here’s how to get started the right way.
Set Your Schedule and Availability
Look at your calendar. Find a few hours each week that you can dedicate to tutoring. Whether you want to work online or in-person, knowing your availability ahead of time helps you stay in control of your schedule instead of letting your clients dictate it. Plus you can use those hours right now to set up your business.
Plan Your Business Basics
- Pricing: Decide your hourly rate based on experience, subject demand, and competitor rates.
- Client Communication: Draft an introduction email template for inquiries and a follow-up message after sessions.
- Booking & Payments: Will you use Venmo, PayPal, or invoicing software? Having a system in place prevents awkward payment discussions.
- Session Format: Will you tutor online or in-person? Will you provide materials, or will students bring their own?
Already feeling a bit overwhelmed with the business side of things? No worries! I have an affordable course that teaches you all the business basics you need so you can get right to the stuff you love – tutoring clients with your subject expertise!
Market Yourself Like a Pro
Now that you’re set up, how do you find clients? Start by telling friends, family, and colleagues. Post in local Facebook groups, share on LinkedIn, and create a simple website or flyer. Even with part time tutoring, you need a clear, concise way to describe what you offer.
Business Basics helps you craft an elevator pitch to simply tell others what you do and offer an opportunity to help their kids thrive.
Stay Organized and Professional
Professionalism isn’t just about appearance—it’s about organization, communication, and reliability. Here are some key things to keep in mind:
- Stay on top of emails and messages. Respond to inquiries quickly, even if it’s just to say you’re unavailable.
- Manage your time well. Start and end sessions on time.
- Respect client privacy. Never discuss students or share their progress without permission.
- Be prepared for every session. Some students will come with assignments; others won’t. Have backup plans ready.
Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Start
With over 53 million K-12 students in the U.S. and only around 162,000 tutors, the demand for personalized education is higher than ever. Many students are still catching up from learning gaps caused by the pandemic, especially in reading and math. Tutoring is a fast-growing field, expected to expand by more than 6% in the coming years. Now is the perfect time to step into this space and establish yourself, whether you want to do part time tutoring or full time.
Take the Next Step With Business Basics: How to Start Your Own Tutoring Business
If you’re serious about making the most of your part time tutoring side gig, my online course Business Basics: How to Start Your Own Tutoring Business is designed just for you. In 12 easy-to-follow lessons, you’ll learn:
- How to set up a successful tutoring business from scratch
- Best practices for pricing, scheduling, and client management
- Marketing strategies that bring in new clients
- Legal considerations, start-up costs, technology options, and business growth strategies
The course includes action steps, templates, and a master checklist to keep you on track. Whether you’re looking for a part time tutoring job or planning to transition into full-time, this course gives you the confidence and tools to succeed. You can complete the course in a weekend or spend a few weeks working through action steps one lesson at a time.
Don’t just take my word for it, here’s what Ashey said after completing the course.
“Without this course, it would have taken me many, many hours just to think about all of the components to starting a business, much less to complete them! This course was hands-on, practical, and offers all the tools you need to start your own tutoring or coaching business. All of the material included in the Business Basics course, from videos to checklists, will aid you in the process of starting your own small business.
Jennifer has spent lots of time and energy learning all that goes into starting a tutoring business and has compiled all of that information in an organized, easy-to-follow 12-module course. I would recommend this course to anyone who has thought about the possibility of tutoring or coaching, whether you just want to explore the idea, or you are ready to start your business.”
Ashley, teacher and mom
Don’t Wait—Spring Break is the Perfect Time to Get Started!
Use your spring break wisely—set up your part time tutoring business now, so you’re ready to take on students this summer. Go from sticky note (start tutoring?) to start up (your professional tutoring business) in just a few weeks. Help parents go from sticky notes (find a tutor?) to setting up a session with you. It’s a win-win for everyone!
Start learning business basics now at tailorjoy.com and make this summer your most profitable one yet! Learn more at https://tailorjoy.com/business-basics/
Want to try out a free workshop first? Check out Tutor Toolkit 1 – How to Write a Session Plan or Tutor Toolkit 2 – How to Tutor Online.
Table Talk: How would your life improve if you could earn some extra income on your own time schedule? Which sounds harder – setting up a tutoring business or running a tutoring business?