"Top Three Tips For Making Money as a Tutor"

You Gotta Be Good

The fact is, you're not going to make any money as a tutor if you're not a goodtutor. Being a good tutor is more than simply a lot of knowledge on a subject; excellent tutors are teachers, friends, coaches, babysitters and cheerleaders all rolled into one. Keep reading for three great ways to make yourself a better tutor, and, in turn, earn more money!

#1: Always Work Hard to Become a Better Tutor

Tutoring is a great way to make extra money, and it can even be a full-time career if you are able to generate enough clients. While "tutors" don't get the same respect as "teachers," the truth is, a good tutor can be just as important in the life of a child as a classroom teacher. For children who struggle in school, a supportive, positive tutor can be even more important than the teacher he or she sees for eight hours a day.

That being said, tutoring is not just a way to make easy money. If you are serious about tutoring, you need to be constantly working to become a better teacher. If you are a tutor, you are obviously gifted at teaching. But are you the best teacher you can possibly be? No. All of us can become better teachers, and if you want to succeed as a tutor (especially if you want to tutor as a career, and retain your clients for many years) then you must continue to hone your skills.

Ideas for research include: how to effectively teach different learning styles, educational games, different ways of assessing student progress, reading-level appropriate books.

#2: Research and Create a Stash of Educational Games

It's a universal rule: Kids who struggle in school do not want to spend more time on schoolwork when they climb off the bus. Therefore, it can be difficult for the tutor to gain the respect and compliance of the children he or she teaches. Dyslexic kids, for example, are not going to be enthusiastic about practicing reading. They have been struggling to read all day at school, and chances are they'd rather wash dishes or fold laundry than open a book. It's the tutor's job to set a positive climate for the tutoring session, and follow through with a fun, and productive, hour. Educational games are an excellent way to get kids learning, while still having fun. A quick Google search for games for all subjects will quickly yield many different choices. Go for it! If one game doesn't work, try another! Children quickly loose interest in doing the same games over and over, so it's best to have many possible games at your disposal.

#3: Make Yourself Essential to the Family

As all tutors know, tutoring is more personal than a "regular" desk job. Like classroom teachers, tutors are on the receiving end of all parents' worries, concerns, hopes, and dreams for their children. If you tutor at a child's home, it's even more personal. That's both good and bad for a tutor: If you're a terrible tutor, they won't want you in their home. BUT, if you're a GREAT tutor, they will never want you to leave!

Ways to boost your "tutor cred" with a family:

1. Always be a good mixture of friendly and professional. Take an interest in the family! As about weekend plans, favorite hobbies, etc. Don't, however, feel SO comfortable that you unload all of your personal baggage on them. It's about THEM, not you.

2. Be positive! Parents of struggling students are STRESSED! Always remain upbeat and positive. A happy, friendly presence in their home, even for an hour, is well worth it to stressed out parents.

3. Genuinely care about the child. If you don't actually care about the success of the child you're tutoring, then you should not be a tutor. Tailoring games and lessons to the interests of the child shows him that you care. Ask about school, friends, hobbies, and more. Always encourage them, and never make them feel "stupid" about their learning difficulties.

Good Luck!