The Challenges of Starting a Private Tutoring Business Working as a private tutor can be very rewarding. The opportunity to improve people’s learning whilst being your own boss is an appealing prospect for many. However, there are a number of challenges that go with the territory of being a private tutor, some of which, we’ve outlined below. Finding Enough Work Possibly the biggest challenge for tutors, finding enough work to sustain a long-term career can be difficult at first. For many, Tutoring is often a seasonal occupation, with busy periods dictated by upcoming exams. It can be challenging to remain pro-active during quiet periods but rest assured, there are many tutors out there who manage to maintain a steady stream of students all year round. Considering that 1 in 4 students in the UK now use or have used private tutors, the demand is definitely there, it’s just a case of marketing yourself in the right places. When it comes to promoting your services, it’s important to cast your net far and wide to see what works well for you. In today’s industry, the first place students and parents turn to find a tutor in their local area is the internet, so make sure that you’re making the most of your online profiles. Working Alone One of the biggest differences between working as a teacher (or almost any other job) and working as a private tutor is the absence of your peers on a day-to-day basis. One aspect of private tutoring that some people find difficult is the lack of interaction with colleagues. Whilst part of your working week is spent interacting with students, tutoring can mean spending a significant amount of time working alone, preparing lessons, marking assignments or marketing your services. Such feelings of isolation are common among people who work from home on a freelance basis but there are ways you can make yourself feel a part of something bigger. Giving your day some structure can really help combat feelings of isolation. For example, you may want to plan to leave the house at certain times during the day when you start to feel demotivated and interact with people. Arranging lunch dates with friends who work nearby or spending a couple of hours in a cafe can help make times when you're alone more productive and enjoyable.
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