Hi, I quit my job in January to teach guitar, privately, full time. I have written about this before, but I thought I would post an update and provide some details that may help others who want to earn a living by tutoring in some way. Follow me below the jump for some details. Feel free to comment.
First of all, when I quit my full time job to teach, I had about 8 students per week, paying about $40 each per hour long lesson. My first student came from a friend, her child wanted to learn and I began this new Odyssey. My other students all came from posting free ads on Craig's list, and Backpage, and also from putting up flyers around music shops and around my home.
I promptly went nearly bankrupt as my average weekly lessons dropped to only 4 by June.
Luckily, at the 11th hour, the phone rang, and I held on with a new student. Then, mercifully, the referrals started to come in, and before I knew it, I had over 18 lessons per week to manage.
It has been a challenging and interesting time for me, for I had very little previous experience teaching, and I have had so little exposure to children since I was a kid myself. At first, my approach was non-traditional. I would ask the student for a song they loved, then teach it to them, along with the theory behind the song. Now, I realize that some students are more comfortable simply learning step by step from a music book.
If I have learned anything these last months, it is that each student is so very different, and they all bring a different musical sensibility to the table. I feel that I must learn as much as I teach. The more rigorously I try to steer some students in one direction, the more they resist. As a result, it seems to me that I must let the lesson unfold, as the student desires, and my task is to advance their skills on their own terms.
Because music is art, the more I teach, the more I realize that I must never tell any student that my was is the right way. It is simply a way that works for me. The guitar can be played with a large variety of techniques, and any song can be rendered unique by any player.
In addition to teaching the very young, some of my students are retired seniors, that are just learning the guitar for the first time. It is indeed wonderful to see a person learn to play music for the first time, especially those who have just begun in retirement.
Are you unemployed or underemployed? If so, consider helping others learn whatever special skills that you have. It's easy and free to start. Just post an internet ad on a free site, and do so as often as you can until that phone rings, or you get an email.
Look out for scammers, especially on Craig's list. I get a lot of email responses that are a scam, most say, "I am going to need a tutor in your city for my daughter", beware of any message that does not directly address what you are advertising, or where you are advertising it.
In your ad, be sure to describe where the lessons will take place, and be flexible about your available time. Don't be shy about the price, post it boldly, and DON'T UNDERSELL YOURSELF! In my experience, people are LESS likely to hire you at bargain prices. Just list the going rate for what you do, and people will respect that.
Get reviews as quickly as you can, and have them posted to Yelp, Yahoo Locals, and Google Places. Ask every client for a review, and send them an email to make it easier. I can't stress enough how important a few reviews can be.
Admit your mistakes! Tell your student immediately if you misinformed them.
Ask for referrals after EVERY LESSON. Don't worry about annoying your students, just be polite and ask, it works! Pass out business cards (I use the free vista print ones), be as vocal as you can to everyone you know about what you are doing.
Don't forget; this country has a HUGE amount of folks that would love to pay you top dollar for your special skills. Don't think for a moment that people can't afford your service, that is the fastest way to give up.
Give back to your students; knick knacks, swag, etc, anything that may make them remember you and recommend you. Send text messages to ALL of your students ( send messages to parents of kids that say, 'message to John', etc.) to motivate them, remind them that their progress is important to you.
Here are some ideas for tutoring that many of you may be able to offer:
1. Any school subject. You don't need a teaching credential, just tell the truth about your education.
2. Tennis, Golf, or ANY SPORT that you excel at.
3. Foreign Language. (see #1)
4. Public Speaking.
5. Real Estate
6. Video Gaming
7. Computer programming, or just basic computer skills.
8. Child care. (Got kids? Help new parents with your experience and skill)
Of course ANY SERVICE that you can perform is also great to list on the internet.
BE PATIENT, and HANG IN THERE! There are still a lot of people in this country with adequate funds to pay you a fair amount for your skills!
Ok, that does it for this update. Be well, and remember what I tell all of my students,
"STAY ON THE FRETS"! (if you play guitar, hee hee)