How to Make $800 from Tutoring Online

As a seasoned Wall Street entrepreneur who has built several businesses, including in the education and services sector, I can tell you that tutoring is one of the most lucrative and rewarding side hustles you can start. The rise of online education, coupled with flexible hours and low startup costs, has opened the doors for many to make substantial incomes through tutoring. However, success doesn’t come automatically. You need a clear strategy, well-thought-out marketing plans, and a solid approach to delivering value to your students.

In this guide, I’ll break down how you can make $800 per month from tutoring online, drawing on actionable strategies, metrics, and insights that will help you grow your tutoring business and hit your financial goals.

12 Tips to Earn $50 Per Hour with Students

Achieving an hourly rate of $50 or more is realistic, but it requires expertise, preparation, and a clear strategy. Here are 12 tips to help you charge $50 per hour or more for your tutoring services:

1. Specialize in High-Demand Subjects – Subjects like math, science, coding, and SAT/ACT prep tend to have higher rates due to their complexity and demand. Focus on areas where students are willing to pay a premium.
2. Offer Niche Services – Specializing in a specific exam (e.g., GRE, GMAT, LSAT) or a unique subject (like advanced programming or business analytics) can allow you to charge premium rates.
3. Leverage Your Expertise – If you have certifications, a degree, or a proven track record in a specific field, highlight these to justify your higher rates.
4. Charge for Group Sessions – Instead of offering one-on-one tutoring, offer small group sessions. With the same amount of time, you can tutor multiple students and earn more per hour.
5. Offer Customized Learning Plans – Create tailored, structured courses for students, which will provide added value and justify charging higher rates.
6. Build Your Reputation with Testimonials – Collect testimonials from satisfied students to build your reputation. Positive reviews will enable you to increase your hourly rate.
7. Offer a Free Trial Session – A free 30-minute trial can convince potential clients of your value, allowing you to charge higher rates once they see the results.
8. Work with Adult Learners – Adult learners seeking to upskill or change careers often have higher disposable incomes and may be more willing to pay $50/hour or more.
9. Use Advanced Teaching Methods – Offer teaching techniques like interactive learning tools, multimedia, and one-on-one feedback that make your sessions more valuable.
10. Focus on Results – Offer measurable outcomes (improvement in grades, test scores, etc.), as parents and students are willing to pay a premium for results.
11. Set Boundaries for Scheduling – Use your availability to your advantage. Offering limited availability creates demand, and clients may be willing to pay more for access to your time.
12. Use Reputable Platforms – Platforms like Wyzant or Chegg allow you to connect with clients, and they often have more students willing to pay premium rates for experienced tutors.

15 Ways to Market Your Services and Get Clients

Marketing your tutoring business is key to reaching potential students and generating consistent income. Here are 15 ways to get your first clients and build a steady stream of work:

1. Create an Online Presence – Set up a professional website that highlights your expertise, services, and testimonials. Make sure your contact information is easy to find.
2. Leverage Social Media – Use platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn to showcase your expertise, post educational content, and advertise your services.
3. Partner with Schools or Universities – Reach out to local schools or universities to offer your services as an adjunct tutor or academic consultant. Establishing formal partnerships can bring in more clients.
4. Use Online Tutor Platforms – Websites like Tutor.com, Superprof, and Wyzant have existing user bases looking for tutors. These platforms can help you connect with clients faster.
5. Start a Blog or YouTube Channel – Share valuable educational content on a blog or YouTube channel. This will position you as an expert in your field, attracting potential clients.
6. Utilize Local Listings – List your tutoring services on local online platforms such as Craigslist or Nextdoor to attract clients in your community.
7. Offer a Referral Program – Give current students or parents discounts or free sessions in exchange for referring new clients to you.
8. Attend Education Conferences – Network with other educators, parents, and students at conferences. Often, these events lead to new tutoring opportunities.
9. Run Facebook Ads – Use targeted Facebook ads to reach students and parents who are actively seeking tutoring services in your subject area.
10. Offer Free Workshops or Webinars – Host free educational workshops or webinars to showcase your expertise. These events can serve as a lead generator for paid sessions.
11. Use Email Marketing – Build an email list by offering free resources (like study guides or mini-courses). Once you have an audience, you can promote your services.
12. Reach Out to Educational Blogs – Offer to write guest posts or contribute content to educational blogs or websites to increase your visibility.
13. Network with Parents and Teachers – Word of mouth is powerful. Connect with local teachers, parents, and other tutors to exchange leads and recommendations.
14. Use Google Ads – Target high-intent keywords (e.g., “SAT tutor near me”) with Google Ads to bring in targeted clients who are actively searching for tutors.
15. Offer Special Packages or Discounts – Create package deals or discounts for first-time clients to entice them to give your services a try.

9 Strategies for Earning a $800 Monthly Side Income

If your goal is to make $800 per month from tutoring online, you’ll need to implement strategies that attract steady clients. Here’s how to earn $800 as a side income:

1. Set Realistic Hourly Rates – With an hourly rate of $50, you would need to tutor for approximately 16 hours per month to reach $800. Find clients willing to commit to regular sessions.
2. Offer Recurring Packages – Instead of one-off sessions, offer recurring tutoring packages. For example, 4 sessions per month at $50 per session guarantees steady income.
3. Target High-Value Clients – Focus on high-paying clients, such as those seeking specialized test prep or adult learners pursuing career advancement.
4. Work with Multiple Students – If you have limited availability, working with multiple students in the same subject area can help you reach your goal faster.
5. Offer Group Tutoring – Charge $20 per student for group sessions with up to 5 students. You could earn $100 per hour with a full group, which would quickly add up to $800.
6. Increase Your Sessions During Peak Times – Take advantage of peak times like exam seasons, holidays, or school breaks when demand for tutors is higher.
7. Teach Multiple Subjects – Offering tutoring in more than one subject area (e.g., math and science) can increase your earning potential by attracting different clients.
8. Offer Private and Group Sessions – Providing both options helps diversify your income. Group sessions can help you reach a larger audience while still maintaining premium rates for private tutoring.
9. Upsell Higher-Tier Packages – For clients who need extensive support, offer premium packages that include test prep, extra resources, or follow-up sessions.

17 Techniques to Provide Value and Get Referrals

Offering great value to your students is the key to building a loyal client base and getting referrals. Here are 17 techniques to provide more value and get clients to refer you to others:

1. Personalized Learning Plans – Create custom study plans based on each student’s goals and weaknesses, ensuring that they see measurable progress.
2. Be Responsive – Respond promptly to client inquiries and maintain excellent communication with students to build trust.
3. Provide Additional Learning Resources – Share worksheets, practice exams, and study guides to help students succeed outside of tutoring hours.
4. Set Clear Expectations – Establish clear goals, timelines, and expectations for both you and your students to ensure accountability and success.
5. Track Progress – Regularly track and share progress with students to keep them motivated and show them the value you provide.
6. Offer Free Follow-Up Support – Provide students with brief follow-up support (via email or messaging) after sessions to answer questions and show that you care.
7. Celebrate Achievements – Celebrate milestones (e.g., improved grades, completed projects) to boost student morale and increase their commitment to your tutoring services.
8. Offer Feedback – Provide constructive feedback on homework, assignments, or practice exams. This personalized feedback makes you more valuable to students.
9. Offer Extra Practice Sessions – Occasionally throw in free mini-sessions or practice tests to help students prepare for exams.
10. Be Available for Emergencies – Offer flexible hours and be available for last-minute help during exam prep to make yourself indispensable to your students.
11. Build Strong Relationships – Establish rapport and trust with students. Clients are more likely to refer someone they feel personally connected with.
12. Create a Referral Program – Offer discounts or extra sessions to clients who refer others to you.
13. Solicit Reviews – Encourage satisfied students to leave reviews on tutoring platforms or social media. Positive reviews help boost your credibility.
14. Use Success Stories – Share success stories on your website or social media to highlight the results you’ve achieved with past students.
15. Offer Group Learning Options – Group tutoring options can help clients save money while still receiving quality instruction.
16. Be Consistent – Show up on time and deliver consistent, high-quality lessons that exceed client expectations.
17. Surprise and Delight – Occasionally surprise students with personalized resources, encouragement, or rewards for achievements to build goodwill.

6 Ideas for Scaling Your Tutoring Business

If you’re ready to scale and turn your tutoring into a larger business, consider these strategies:

1. Hire Other Tutors – As your demand increases, consider hiring additional tutors and managing them as part of a team. Use platforms like Indeed or LinkedIn to recruit qualified educators.
2. Create Digital Products – Sell pre-recorded courses or ebooks based on your tutoring material. This can generate passive income.
3. Expand to New Niches – Branch out into other subjects or skills where demand exists, such as learning a new language or coding.
4. Offer Tutoring Packages – Sell packages for long-term tutoring programs that give students a discount for bulk purchases.
5. Host Webinars and Workshops – Offer paid webinars or workshops on specific topics (e.g., test prep) to attract more students.
6. Automate Scheduling and Payments – Use tools like Calendly and PayPal to automate scheduling and payments, freeing up your time to focus on teaching.

20 Tips for Setting Up an Engaging Online Class

The effectiveness of your online class is key to retaining students and getting referrals. Here are 20 tips to make your classes engaging and impactful:

1. Use Interactive Tools – Incorporate tools like quizzes, polls, and interactive whiteboards to keep students engaged.
2. Make Learning Fun – Use gamification, fun activities, and real-world examples to make learning enjoyable.
3. Break Lessons into Segments – Avoid long lectures by breaking your lessons into smaller, digestible sections.
4. Use Multimedia – Incorporate videos, slides, and visuals to explain concepts in multiple ways.
5. Create Clear Objectives – Set clear learning goals for each session, so students know what they should expect.
6. Encourage Participation – Ask open-ended questions and encourage students to share their thoughts during lessons.
7. Follow-Up Activities – Provide follow-up activities or assignments to keep students engaged and reinforce learning.
8. Personalize Content – Tailor lessons to each student’s strengths, weaknesses, and interests.
9. Be Enthusiastic – Your energy and enthusiasm are contagious. A lively, positive approach can motivate your students to engage more deeply.
10. Provide Immediate Feedback – Give feedback during or immediately after lessons so students can act on it quickly.
11. Use Real-Life Examples – Make the material relatable by using real-world scenarios and examples that apply to students’ lives.
12. Offer Office Hours – Hold regular office hours for students to drop in and ask questions outside of the regular tutoring sessions.
13. Use a Structured Curriculum – Develop a clear curriculum with planned lessons to ensure consistency.
14. Keep Sessions Focused – Limit distractions and focus on the topic at hand to maximize learning time.
15. Use Time Management – Stay on schedule so students know how long each segment will last, creating a more efficient learning environment.
16. Encourage Peer-to-Peer Learning – Allow students to collaborate on projects, improving their understanding through discussion.
17. Make the Platform User-Friendly – Use platforms like Zoom or Google Meet that are easy to navigate.
18. Offer Flexibility – Give students the option of recording sessions for later review or offer flexible schedules.
19. Encourage Accountability – Set weekly goals and check in on progress to keep students motivated.
20. Solicit Feedback – Ask students for feedback after each session to improve your teaching methods and content.

With these strategies in place, you’ll be well on your way to making $800 per month or more from tutoring online. Keep refining your approach, and you’ll not only reach your goals but exceed them.