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Anyone registered with 'Tutor Doctor'?

Last post 07/04/12 at 19:11 by simstutoring, 22 replies
Post started by littlevicki on 18/01/12 at 21:23

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  • littlevicki avatar
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    Posted by: littlevicki 18/01/2012 at 21:23
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    Joined on 10/06/2002
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    Hi,

    I've just started advertising myself as a private tutor. I've got my profile on a few free to join websites and am waiting for my business cards and flyers to arrive...

    Today, I got a message from a woman asking me to join her agency, TutorDoctor- a local franchise of a national company.

    I think I'd really like to be truly independent and find my own tutees so I have control over who I work with, how much I charge etc. However, part of me thinks it may be worth finding out more about her business and perhaps joining her to get my first contacts...

    Is anyone registered with them? Would you recommend them? Alternatively, how long did it take people to get their first clients themselves and how long should I hold out before I sign up with an agency?

    Thanks for your advice...
  • adamcreen avatar
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    Posted by: adamcreen 21/01/2012 at 08:03
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    First of all, "Franchise". So the person employing you probably has no background in education, but is doing this as what they hope to be a profitable business. Any profit they make is profit that you don't.
    Here's a quote from one TutorDoctor website: "You don't have to be a qualified teacher ... it is more important to have the passion to help others learn. Successful applicants are provided with a tutoring guide, so that you have the confidence to provide a standard of tutoring that is internationally recognised as best of breed."
    So passion is more important than subject knowledge, and you get a free "tutoring guide"! I would say any qualified teacher could do much better for themselves, with targetted advertising and establishing a good reputation through word-of-mouth.
  • davi_theuk avatar
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    Posted by: davi_theuk 21/01/2012 at 11:56
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    Joined on 21/03/2011
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     I wouldn't recommend it. I have a reason for that as their ex potential client. 

  • littlevicki avatar
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    Posted by: littlevicki 21/01/2012 at 20:49
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    Joined on 10/06/2002
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    Thanks for that, kind of confirmed what I already thought!

    Hopefully, I'll get my first tutee soon and word will spread like wildfire- in a good way!
  • bananamoore avatar
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    Posted by: bananamoore 22/01/2012 at 08:47
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    Hi. It takes time to get your first few students - I was placing my adverts in every newsagent/post office in a 5/6 mile radius and only had one response. Felt very fed up. Have you registered on First tutors or UK tutors? They are free to register and First tutors doesn't charge the tutor at all (only the student). Had 10 plus students from these sites. Taken me 3 years to build up my numbers and most are word of mouth now.
  • adamcreen avatar
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    Posted by: adamcreen 22/01/2012 at 12:07
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    Even better is a site that doesn't charge the student either - I'm registered on Tutors4Me and it is completely free, contact from the parent is filtered through the site so they can't see my contact details until I reply to them.
  • waywardangel avatar
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    Posted by: waywardangel 25/01/2012 at 11:21
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    Joined on 16/09/2008
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    Hi!

    I advertise in 'Home tutors directory' - cost £30 for the year and have had 10+ enquiries, all of whom are now regular clients, so it was worth paying for.  I do some tutoring through a local agency and pay 15% commission - I tend to charge a little more for these to compensate for the commission, also these clients are further away for me to travel to so I don't feel bad about charging more!

    I also have my own website which I set up using vistaprint, I link to it wherever I advertise so that potential clients already know a bit about the way I work and what I tutor, before they contact me.

    In terms of how long it will take to get your first client, to some extent it will depend on what subject / level you're tutoring - if I remember rightly, my first enquiry was within a week of advertising on the directory.

     Do make sure that you've got some terms & conditions in place to give to parents, just to cover you.  Feel free to pm me if you need any more info.

    Good luck!

  • adamcreen avatar
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    Posted by: adamcreen 25/01/2012 at 18:27
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    Joined on 01/11/2000
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    I promise I'm not advertising, just relating my experience: after reinstating my account on Tutors4Me on Sunday evening, I have already had several enquiries from parents. People do seem to find the site when searching. And it is free.
  • robyn147 avatar
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    Posted by: robyn147 25/01/2012 at 20:45
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    Joined on 29/07/2010
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     At the moment I don't need to advertise - although I use a mixture of sites as well as my own website. Tutors4me has been good.

    If you want to know what to do, think of what a parent would do to find you. Google tutors in your area. Use the keywords they would. 

    At the moment, I am too full!!

  • littlevicki avatar
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    Posted by: littlevicki 25/01/2012 at 22:36
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    Joined on 10/06/2002
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    Thanks again for the feedback and advice.

    I've had my profile on a few websites for a couple of weeks now, including Gumtree and tutors4me, but so far no enquiries, even though I can see that my profile is being viewed.

    A little disappointing, to say the least...

    I've just had my new business cards and flyers delivered so tomorrow I'll start trying to get those out locally in my first target area. Thinking of using noticeboards in the library, supermarkets, garden centre, sports centre etc to start. Anyone tried targetting parents using those education places in Sainsburys?! Or hanging around schools at the end of the day?! Not that I'm starting to feel desperate!

    I've tutored in the past and know that word of mouth and personal recommendation is the best advertisement. Just need to get that first contact now and hopefully I'll be able to start tutoring and stop worrying soon! Keeping fingers firmly crossed...
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