I’ve shown up today to remind you tutors of something important: it is safe for you to raise the standards for yourself and your students in your tutoring business. Here’s why you might need to hear this right now.
The Permission to Price Your Worth
Remember that moment when a parent enquired about your services, and you quoted your rate with a slight tremor in your voice? Or that time you saw another tutor charging twice your rate and thought, “I could never…”? Here’s the truth: it is completely safe to raise your prices to reflect your true value.
I’ve seen countless tutors wrestle with this. A GCSE Maths tutor kept her rates at £35 per hour despite her students consistently achieving 7-9 grades. When she finally raised her rates to £50, not only did she retain most of her students, but the ones who stayed were more committed and engaged. This isn’t just about money – it’s about valuing your expertise and creating a sustainable business.
The Freedom to Specialise
You might be thinking, “But if I only focus on A-Level Chemistry, I’ll lose all my GCSE Biology students!” Let me share something powerful: specialisation isn’t limitation – it’s liberation. When you choose one exam board, one subject level, or one type of student, you’re not shrinking your business; you’re amplifying your impact.
Think about it: When you’re juggling multiple exam boards and levels, you’re constantly switching contexts, updating resources, and spreading yourself thin. But when you focus? That’s when something powerful happens. That’s when you can create effectively-targeted study guides, develop laser-focused revision strategies, and truly become the go-to expert in your field.
The Effect of Boundaries on Our Personal Lives
Here’s a scenario that might feel familiar: It’s Sunday evening, and a parent messages about a last-minute session before Monday’s test. Your stomach churns as you consider saying yes, even though you promised yourself family time. Listen closely: it is safe to say no. Boundaries aren’t just about saying no to inconvenient timing. They’re about:
Defining your working hours and sticking to them
Setting clear cancellation policies
Choosing your preferred teaching format (whether that’s 1:1 or group sessions)
Deciding which types of students you want to work with
The Authentic Business Model
Your tutoring business doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. Some tutors thrive on Instagram, sharing daily study tips and building a following. Others prefer the quiet strength of word-of-mouth referrals. Both approaches are valid. Both approaches can be wildly successful.
Take Mark, who felt pressured to create TikTok content because ‘that’s what successful tutors do.’ When he finally gave himself permission to focus on building relationships with local schools instead, his business flourished in a way that felt authentic to him.
If you need an honest guide to finding YOUR authentic way to marketing, join 2-Hour Tutor’s lovely mentor Mel for a FREE workshop: ‘How to Market Your Group Tuition Programme.’ Whether you’re drawn to social media or prefer traditional networking, this workshop will help you develop a marketing strategy that feels genuine to you. Register now and take the first step towards authentic business growth.”
The Guilt that Comes With Growth
Let’s talk about money – specifically, about earning more than your teaching salary. Many tutors carry guilt about this, as if leaving the classroom means they should earn less. But consider this: as a tutor, you’re not just teaching. You’re also:
Running a business
Creating or sourcing new materials
Marketing your services
Providing personalised attention and support
You deserve to be compensated for all of these roles you are taking on
When Will You Need These Reminders Most?
You’ll need to dig this out of your heart when the going gets tough, especially:
When a potential client questions your rates
When family members suggest getting a “real job”
When you want to specialise but fear losing students
When you’re tempted to take on students outside your ideal niche
When you’re comparing yourself to other tutors
When you’re ready to scale but feel uncertain
Moving Forward
As you step into February, I invite you to reflect: Which standards are you ready to raise? What boundaries are you ready to set? With this permission, how will you design your business to support the lifestyle you desire?
I Invite you to APPLY for my 6 month coaching & mentoring programme – The 2 Hour Tutor to help you:
- Build an epic group tuition programme
- Curate an audience of parents and students that are EXCITED to work with you
- Boldly communicate the true true value and the transformation your programme will bring in the longer term!