Fall is a fun time with many activities, many of these have to do with schools and some don’t. Here are some ideas to get you thinking about some ways you can get more business for your tutor business. The best idea for your business will be when you take our ideas and make it your own.
Before you start – you should make sure you have the following in place.
a) Business cards – we’ve talked about them before. You’ll want business cards with a discount. The discount you’ll want to tailor to the event. This way when someone calls and you ask them if they have a discount, you’ll know exactly where it came from.
b) A brochure that explains a bit more about your business. This is one of the reasons I strongly suggest you have a website. Your brochures and business cards can direct them to your website for more information.
c) A shirt and hat with your business info – whenever you out working on getting more business you’ll want to make sure you’re wearing this. Your Business name, logo, phone number, website address should be easy to spot.
1. The Pumpkin Patch – every area of the country has a place that has things like corn mazes, pumpkin painting, etc. Ask the owner of the venue of you can set up a small booth and (do something that will add value). This something of value can be anything from face painting to braiding hair. Just think for a bit about what you’re good at. One of the things you need to realize is as a tutor you want to be a very
visual part of the community. The more parents see you at events the better they will come to know you. When they get to know you they begin to trust you – and many times with trust comes business.
2. The School Carnival – volunteer to work at the school carnival. I’ve talked before about how important it is to be a volunteer in the schools you’re getting tutor business from. If you can’t volunteer for working at a booth, volunteer to get some goody bags for prizes. These bags will have your business cards in them (make sure they know that).
3. Football Games – go to them to show support for your school. If they have programs you may also be able to advertise in them cheaply. Give free hot dogs at a tailgate party before the game. Again make sure to get permission – and let them go home with a bag of your stuff (brochure, cards, etc.)
4. Out of the box – now is also the time to think about the holiday season and Thanksgiving. Why not plan on an open house. Even if you tutor from your home and don’t have a “real office” you can do it. One of the things you’ll want to make sure you do is have some good giveaways. Giveaways will help people get into your door. You’ll also want to teach something – either to parents or students. An example would be something like this….
Come to Our Tutor Extravaganza on the Weds. before Thanksgiving from 6 – 8 pm. At 6pm we’ll be starting off with a free 30 minute class on helping your child with High School Math (insert your subjects) – we’ll be teaching you how to use the internet to help your kids. At 7pm we’ll be playing backyard bingo with cool prizes and free stuff including a free 2 months tutor session.
You would then want to advertise locally and who knows you may get some local news coverage.
Enjoy your day!!