So many people are seeking a different career path. Whether you are driven by a passion to change the world or just want to have an impact on a few people, online tutoring is fast becoming one of the best career choices. Online tutors enjoy the ability to empower students from anywhere around the globe while freeing up their schedule without having a standard 9 to 5 job.
Online tutoring has skyrocketed in recent years and grew by 11.60% in 2021 alone. Projections for continued growth in the coming year are at least 12% with some estimating even higher. Those numbers are driving more people to become online tutors and if you are interested, start now, and you do not need a bachelor's degree to get started.
It All Starts with Passion
This might seem like a non-issue, but you have to have a certain level of passion for teaching before you will be successful in this growing industry. We can all remember at least one teacher that has had a substantial impact on our lives and it was not always their ability to teach, but the passion driving them to do so. Take some time to search your soul and see if teaching is your true passion because it will have an impact on your ability to reach and connect with your students.
A Good Computer
Teaching jobs online can technically be done anywhere in the world with a stable internet connection, but it is not feasible to consider teaching via a tablet or your smartphone. Where you may be able to video chat with these devices, they are not compatible with various programs and actions you will need to be able to do for your students. The only real, feasible option for effective online tutoring is having a quality computer. A laptop computer with an up-to-date processor will allow you to have access to your students and various attributes needed to do your job effectively. The best online teachers invest in both a computer and various drawing and tablet devices for optimal versatility.
The Right Software Program
The ability to teach anyone anything is phenomenal and the driving force behind this ability is the use of software specifically designed to connect people. Programs such as Zoom, SKYPE, Google Hangouts, and FaceTime have had a supreme impact on the online teaching industry. Before you begin your online tutoring journey, take some time to get to know these programs and find the one that works best for you. Being versatile in a variety of connection software programs will allow you to reach more students in various countries and ultimately boost your ability to find more teaching opportunities.
Understand How to Market Yourself
When becoming an online tutor, you will have to understand something about marketing yourself. Marketing is a key ingredient in finding students to teach. There are a variety of avenues to find students, but the most important aspect is how you present yourself. Online tutor communities are a great place to start and social media is a must for any online teacher. These avenues expand your reach from merely a localized teaching opportunity to a truly global one. Facebook groups for online tutors and other social media options allow students to find you and taking the time to understand how to market your skills is important for your overall success.
Like traditional marketing, marketing yourself can take a lot of time, but if done correctly, your business is sure to thrive. Creating your own website and posting it on sites such as NextDoor or Thumbtack will allow your skills to be viewed by a lot of people. The more you can get your name out into social and tutoring sites, the better off you will be.
Choose the Right Site for Online Tutoring Jobs
Marketing may be the key ingredient, but an online tutor must reach out to individual job postings as well. You must remember, there are 2 sides to this career choice, the teacher and the student looking to be taught your skills. Sites such as Preply offer teaching job postings specific to the teaching industry and have various opportunities to bid on online tutoring jobs. Signing up on these sites will allow you to gain experience and broaden your reach for student interactions