Hi Parents,
I’m a private learning specialist providing tutoring/academic remediation for all kinds of kids, but especially students with LD’s. I have been doing this now for a few years, and want to expand my hours. Where would you, as a parent, look for a specialist or tutor? Would you consider the Yelllow Pages in your phone book? I’m trying to decide if it’s worth paying for a listing there. Would you search on the web, such as on Google? If you asked around for personal referrrals, whom would you ask?
Most of my students have come to me through my former teaching connections. I am also networking with professionals such as educ. therapists and psychologists who do private assessments. I am listed with my local LDA and CHADD. Who else do you think I should connect with to spread the word?
Thanks for any input,
Lisa SP
Re: Advice on advertising my tutoring/remediation services?
I think most people looking for more professional and expert tutoring steer away from yellow pages; they’re looking for somebody whose budget went into education, not marketing. Having your own website (which is *not* expensive or particularly difficult as long as you keep it very simple) makes you look even more professional and gives people instant access to your information (IMO better than yellow pages, though that has the advantage of targeting local folks).
School contacts can also be key- which usually happens by word of mouth through a satisfied parent. You can suggest that s/he tell the teacher (depending on their relationship of course) because often parents will ask teachers who they can go to for help.
You can also find grocery store bulletin boards in the upscale neighborhoods and post there… do something fancy on the ‘puter and it will look like you’re a big company with a graphics department.
Re: Advice on advertising my tutoring/remediation services?
Thanks so much, Sue and Victoria. Very helpful advice. I had not heard of iser.com - wow! Internet Sp Ed Resources. That’s perfect.
I also asked this question on Schwab.com and based their responses and yours, I’m going to forget the Yellow Pages in the phone book and work on my own website and strengthening my school and professional contacts.
If anyone else has more advice, I welcome it.
Lisa SP
Hi. I also do private academic tutoring. These last couple of years, over 90 percent of my referrals have come through internet advertising. Definitely register with iser.com, absolutely worth it. Find your city or regional website and buy an ad there — this is a great resource. If you can set up a website of your own and arrange linking and get it on the search engines, that helps too; get a computer-savvy friend to help you set up something simple but clear.