The true art of the teacher consists in awakening the joy of work and knowledge.
Albert Einstein
Teaching is a noble profession that will bring you the joy of teaching and the satisfaction of seeing your students progress.
But you may have some practical questions before you start:
- Do I need to have specific training to teach - a diploma?
- How do I make myself known as a teacher and through what organization?
- Can I make a living as a private tutor?
- How do I write my ad to attract students?
- How can I differentiate myself from other teachers on a networking platform?
- What status should I choose and how should I declare my income?
We answer all the legitimate questions you may have through our teacher's guide.
What Are the Advantages of Being a Private Tutor?
Thinking about becoming a private tutor? Choosing this profession as a main or complementary activity has several advantages.
Share Your Knowledge 🧠
First, you will have the joy of passing on your knowledge and skills in the subject you choose to teach. This may include:
- A school subject such as English, mathematics or physics/chemistry.
- A language such as French, Spanish, German or Chinese.
- An artistic subject such as dance, singing, drama or drawing.
- A sporting activity, such as boxing, basketball or tennis.
- Hobbies such as sewing, cooking or painting.
Becoming a private tutor is a way to make a living from your passion and to pass it on to beginners who want to improve their knowledge in a particular field.
Freedom of Methodology and Organization 📆
If you specialize in private tutoring and tutoring, you will have freedom in the methodology and pedagogy used, unlike teaching in a school, in a classroom, which must follow the school curriculum to the letter.
The freedom of the private teacher is also reflected in the possibility of organizing your schedule as you wish. There are no imposed schedules. You decide whether you prefer to work on Wednesday afternoons, evenings, between noon and two o'clock or on weekends. However, you will have to adapt to the availability of your students.
A Special Relationship with Your Students 👩🏫 👨🎓
Being a private tutor also means developing a special relationship with each of your students, whom you will have on a one-to-one basis. If you are fresh out of the public schooling system, this will change your life! You will have time to really help your student, motivate them, help them overcome their difficulties, as well as develop a connection with them.
Feel Useful 💪
Helping a child or teenager prepare for the future or helping them progress in their area of expertise is a good way to feel useful and responsible. It's rewarding!
Attractive Compensation 💸
Finally, as a private tutor, you can benefit from an attractive remuneration by working only for yourself. And if you teach via webcam, you can also work from home! It's a great way to save time and travel expenses.
What Is the Best Way to Become a Private Tutor?
There is no standard way to become a private tutor. It is a profession that is open to everyone, as long as you have the knowledge and skills to transmit them and, above all, the desire to do it!
What Qualifications Are Required to Become a Private Tutor? 👨🏫
In theory, you don't need a degree to give private lessons. In practice, it depends on the subject you choose to teach but also on the platform you use (some tutoring organizations require qualifications).
If you are interested in tutoring or teaching a school subject:
You do not need any diploma or experience. However, in practice, in order to reassure your students and increase your rates, it is more interesting to present a diploma in the subject taught and/or a teaching diploma.
For artistic subjects or hobbies (sewing, painting, etc.):
Experience over qualifications. For example, if you want to give guitar lessons, the fact that you have been playing guitar for more than 15 years and have played in a hundred concerts will be more telling than a degree in musicology.
In the case of sports education, it's a little different:
It will be more reassuring for a student to deal with an athlete, certainly with experience, but above all with someone who has a diploma to teach their discipline and a knowledge of the human body and good practices to avoid the risk of injury.
Is It Possible to Be a Private Tutor without a Diploma?
It is possible to be a private tutor without a degree. In many cases, no qualification or experience is required to register as a tutor on a platform. However, it is sometimes required if you go through a tutoring organization. In any case, if you have a degree in the subject you wish to teach, we recommend that you state this in your profile. This is one of the elements that can make the difference for students if they are hesitating between several teachers.
Being a Private Tutor During Your Studies 🎓
Being a tutor can be considered a student job (it is a good alternative to working at McDonald's or a grocery store). You can teach the subject you are studying to less advanced students (economics, history, philosophy…) or tutor several subjects to elementary, middle and high school students.
Teaching will also allow you to acquire useful skills, whether you want to continue teaching in the future or not: creativity, problem solving, communication, time management, patience, empathy, collaboration, adaptability… All of them are behavioral skills (or soft skills) that will be useful and that you will be able to present in your future job interviews.
Which Platforms Can I Use to Register as a Teacher?
If you are just starting out in the world of tutoring, you will find that there are many options available to you, starting with traditional tutoring organizations. We advise you to find out how much they pay you (they usually charge parents for expensive lessons and you barely get paid half 😩).
You can also register on online platforms to gain visibility.
Why Choose Superprof to Become a Private Tutor? 🥇
We recommend Superprof for all the advantages it offers, which are detailed below.
Excellent Visibility!
See for yourself on Google. Type "private lessons + subject + city" and the Superprof platform will appear in the first results.
By choosing Superprof, you are guaranteed visibility in the US and around the world if you wish to teach in another language. Superprof is present in 42 countries around the world.
You can teach subjects as different as programming, samba, pilates, drums or sign language.
Creating an account and posting an ad is completely free. You will only be charged a 10% service fee if you get paid for your classes through the platform. You should note that this is an option, as if you give the classes in person you are completely free to choose whether to receive payment through the platform or directly from the student.
It is the student who pays a pass of $49 / month (without commitment, cancellable at any time) to be able to contact the teachers of the platform in an unlimited way, all subjects included.
The Other Platforms 🧑💻
Wzyant, Preply, Udemy…. There are many, but we advise you to find out about their pricing policy and the remuneration you will get for working with them.
If you want much lower commissions, we advise you to turn to online platforms, such as Superprof.
Our Advice
Be sure to read the teachers' FAQs, terms and conditions and legal notices on the site to learn about each platform's fees and commissions (which can be very high). Ask about fees and commissions if you can speak to someone on the platform.
How Much Does a Private Tutor Earn?
At Superprof, it is the teacher who chooses the price of a lesson. Of course, this rate is guided by many criteria, such as the competition in your geographical area (and the average price charged), your level of qualification, your experience or the level of your students.
To help you, the average rate for the subject taught in your geographic area will be displayed when you write your ad.
According to Salary.com, the average home teacher salary in the US is $58,187 per year.
But your remuneration will depend mainly on the number of classes you give per month and your hourly rate 😉.
Remuneration through the Superprof Platform 💵
Teachers can choose to be paid through the Superprof platform. In this case, payment is made through the messaging system by credit card or through Paypal. The latter is at the student's choice.
For the teacher, if the course is paid through the platform, Superprof charges a 10% service fee. For example, if your student has paid $30 for a lesson, you will receive $27, and Superprof will keep 10%, i.e. $3 on the service provided.
Good to Know
There are no service charges if you take out the Premium subscription ($99 per year): a student pays you $30 on the platform, you receive $30.
You then have two options to receive your payments:
- Receive it automatically in your bank account on day D+1 of the course (i.e. about 3 working days after your bank makes and receives the transfer).
- Receive it directly at the end of the month.
In both cases, the amount to be transferred must be more than $30. If the balance is less than this amount, you can request the transfer manually.
About the Course Packs
If the payment refers to packs and takes place on the Superprof platform, you will receive 50% of the payment immediately after validation. To receive the rest of the balance, you will have to schedule all the lessons (5 or 10 hours) through the messaging system. If you have Ambassador status (see section on Superprof status), you will receive the full payment as soon as the student validates.
You also have the possibility for your student to pay you directly, without going through the platform, but it is less secure and you do not benefit from the cancellation policy (we talk about it just below👇 ).
What Happens if the Student Cancels the Class? 🧐
It may happen that the student cancels the class more or less at the last minute.
You can choose your cancellation policy, whether you have a Premium subscription or not. The policy applies when the course is cancelled with less than 24 hours notice. You can choose to be paid 50% or 100% of the course depending on the policy you choose.
Please note: the cancellation policy only applies if you use the platform to get paid.
If the course is cancelled with more than 24 hours notice, the student will receive a full refund. In that case you will not receive any money for the cancelled course.
How to Write an Advertisement for a Private Tutor?
To find your first students you will have to write your ad. Where to start, what to say, what to propose, how to find a good title? Don't panic, here are the best tips for writing an ad that hits the nail on the head.
Choosing the Right Words for Your Teacher Ad ✍️
Choosing the right words for your Superprof teacher ad works like a search engine. It locates keywords in the ads to offer relevant results to the student who is searching.
For example, if the student searches for "piano Los Angeles", teacher ads will appear. The student can then filter the ads by choosing various criteria:
- Face-to-face or webcam: in the second case, the results will show piano teachers from all over the US offering distance learning.
- A maximum price: only teachers below the indicated price will be shown.
- The first lesson free: only teachers offering the first lesson will be shown.
- The time of response: if the filter is activated, only teachers who respond during the day will be shown.
- The level: beginner, intermediate, advanced, children… The levels depend on the chosen course. If it is a school year, the classes will be displayed (elementary, high school, university…).
The first thing to do in your case is to list the words corresponding to these criteria: teacher, private, course, webcam, face-to-face, your city and region, the subject you teach, the level of your students… ✍️
What to Do and What Not to Do in Your Ad 👍 👎
To stand out and find students through the platform, you need to know some good practices.
On Superprof, you will have to fill in several insertions, starting with the title (10 words minimum).
In the title of your ad, do not write "I give tennis lessons for $35 per hour". Prefer a wording that gives information about your level and the level at which you teach, such as "semi-professional tennis player gives tennis lessons for beginners and intermediates in Miami".
You can also talk about your years of experience ("15 years of guitar experience"), your degree ("graduate of Harvard") or your teaching location ("at home", "by webcam"…).
In the "About the class" section (40 words minimum), you are asked to explain your methodology or your way of teaching. You can talk about your teaching techniques, the typical course of a class with you, your specificities as a teacher and who your students are (what level, what qualification, what class).
In the "About me" section (40 words minimum), talk about your diplomas, your years of experience, the number of students you have had… You can also talk about your passions and hobbies so that the student connects with you on common points.
What not to do:
- Give your contact details in the ad.
- Don't make spelling mistakes: use a spell checker if necessary.
- Put a blurred photo of yourself, a group photo or a logo.
- Do not give enough details about yourself.
How to Improve the Visibility of Your Ad on Superprof 👀
By filling out your ad correctly, you should already have good visibility on the Superprof platform.
But to put all the odds on your side, here are a few more tips:
- Add a nice, bright, professional photo with a smile.
- Add your address: it will not be displayed on the site but it will improve the geolocation to prevent you from encountering requests from students from another city or another department.
- Make sure your ad is well detailed, explain your approach, your method, your approach.
- Take out a Premium subscription at $99 per year to increase your visibility.
- Improve your status: there are 4 statuses on Superprof, new, confirmed, superteacher and ambassador.
- Add your diploma.
- Add your identity card.
- Validate your phone number.
- Respond quickly to requests (even if it is a negative answer). The faster you respond, the higher you will be in the search results (and in the teachers who respond in less than 24 hours if the filter is activated by the student).
- Ask for at least four recommendations from your personal circle (colleagues, former students, family, friends). In your control panel, click on "Evaluations" and then on "My recommendations".
- Ask your students for feedback through the platform: they just have to click on the "evaluate" button in their mailbox after the lesson (the feedback will upgrade your status).
How to Stand Out From the Others in Superprof?
The advantage of Superprof is that it is a very well referenced platform. In fact, you will compete with many other teachers. Therefore, you will have to stand out!
How Does the Status System Work in Superprof 🤔
There are four statuses in Superprof: New, Advanced, Superteacher and Ambassador.
When you register, you will have the New status.
Here's how to upgrade your initial status:
| Status | Criteria | Advantages |
|---|---|---|
| Confirmed | - Attach a photo - Provide a title of 12 words - Text about your methodology minimum of 40 words - Text of Professional Trajectory minimum of 40 words - Have 2 reviews or recommendations | - Visability x2 |
| Super Professor | - Have 4 recommendations - Add a diploma - Have a response time of less than 24 hours - Have a student's review | - Visibility x4 - A badge, symbol of trust and seriousness for students, will appear on your ads. - 1st free lesson optional |
The Status of Ambassador 🥇
Ambassador status is the highest status in Superprof. It is synonymous with seniority and rigor on the platform. Ambassador teachers have a small medal next to their first name. There is also a reassuring note for students in the announcement.
Ambassador status confers important advantages:
- Better visibility (x8 compared to New status): ambassador teachers appear first in search results.
- You are not subject to the 10% commission on scheduled courses.
- You receive the full amount of the package when you schedule a class, unlike other teachers.
- You can participate in exclusive events such as the Ambassador evenings organized by Superprof.
To Become a Superprof Ambassador, Your Seniority Will Be the Most Important Factor. You Will Have to:
Have 6 reviews
Create an interview
Add an ID
Respond to requests within 24 hours
The First Free Lesson 🧑🏫
Teachers who offer a free course are contacted on average 10 times more than those who do not.
Why offer your first lesson?
- Because it is fairer: the first session is not really a lesson, but it allows you to understand the student's expectations, his level, his goal and to adapt your approach and methodology to the student's strengths and weaknesses.
- Because it is more commercial: like when the pastry chef makes you taste a piece of cake. It makes you want to buy from him more than from someone else.
- Because it is more reassuring: the student can meet you without commitment and get to know you to find out if your approach is right for him.
You don't have to offer a one-hour lesson! On the platform, it is possible to choose the duration of the class offered between 30 minutes, 45 minutes and one hour and then follow it with a paid course.
Good to Know!
The first lesson is automatically offered for New and Confirmed status. You are then free to offer it or not once you have obtained the Superteacher status and, therefore, after receiving your first review (hence the importance of asking students to leave reviews).
The Premium Subscription ✨
As a teacher, creating an account and posting ads is free. But if you want to stand out and increase your visibility, we recommend you to choose the Premium subscription at $99/year, which can be cancelled at any time (you will keep the advantages of your subscription for the remaining days).
The Premium subscription allows you to multiply by 3.2 the visibility of your ad. And this is not the only advantage.
If you pay through the platform by bank transfer or Paypal, Superprof does not take any commission: the student pays $30, you receive $30.
You benefit from a smart help to plan your lessons through the messaging system. The Premium subscription entitles you to material and physical insurance of up to $3,000 (you never know!). You will also have access to detailed statistics to improve the visibility of your ad and to a dedicated and priority customer service in case of doubt or problem.
Possibility of Sponsorship
You can refer a friend or family member and get a free month of Premium membership each. Go to the "Reviews" tab of your control panel. Send the invitation. The friend or family member will need to create an account and an ad, and then you will need to contact support, who will validate the free month for each of you.
Do You Have to Declare Your Taxes as a Private Tutor?
If you earn money by giving private lessons, it is mandatory to declare your income. If you are not employed by a company, you must register as a self-employed person.
In this case, you must comply with the quarterly and annual tax returns by submitting your invoices.
Superprof Is Not Your Employer
Superprof is in no way your employer. You are self-employed and you have to make your quarterly declarations even if your income is $0. You will also have to make invoices to give to your students for the paid lessons.
In addition, you should know that as a self-employed individual in the US, you must pay self-employment tax, which covers Social Security and Medicare. This is done through quarterly estimated tax payments to the IRS, covering both self-employment tax and income tax.
The self-employment tax rate is 15.3% of your net earnings, consisting of 12.4% for Social Security and 2.9% for Medicare. The Social Security portion applies to earnings up to the annual limit, which is adjusted annually.
There is no fixed monthly fee; instead, your tax payments are based on your actual income. You can also deduct the employer-equivalent portion of your self-employment tax when calculating your adjusted gross income.
If you have specific circumstances or need further details, consulting a tax professional is advisable to ensure compliance with US tax laws.
What Do You Need to Register?
To register as self-employed in the US, you must complete certain steps, which you can do either online or in person.
- Register with the IRS:
- Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN): If you plan to hire employees or operate as a corporation or partnership, you need an EIN. You can apply for an EIN online via the IRS website.
- Report Your Business Income: For sole proprietors and independent contractors, you report your business income on Schedule C (Form 1040).
- State and Local Requirements:
- Business Licenses and Permits: Check with your state and local governments to see if you need any business licenses or permits.
- Register Your Business Name: If you use a business name different from your own, you might need to register a “Doing Business As” (DBA) name with your state or local government.
Once you have completed these steps, you are ready to start your activities and declare your income!
You should now have all the information you need to start tutoring, but if you have any questions, we look forward to hearing from you in the comments!👇
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Hello, what if you have two degrees in different subjects? For example I have physics but also business (accounting and finance). When signing up it only allowed one choice. Is there a way to add multiple subjects that aren’t as related? Thank you
Hello Chris, thank you for your interest in Superprof! Unfortunately, you are only allowed to upload one degree. If you have any additional questions please reach out to our customer care department at hey@superprof.com.