What are the steps to start a self-employed teaching career?

3 Choose your platform and tools

The third step is to choose your platform and tools, or how you will deliver your teaching services and manage your business. Depending on your niche and preferences, you could teach online, offline, or both. If you teach online, you will need a reliable internet connection, a webcam, a microphone, and a software or app for video conferencing and screen sharing. You will also need a website or a profile on a marketplace to showcase your services and attract customers. If you teach offline, you will need a suitable venue, equipment, and materials. You will also need a way to promote your services locally, such as flyers, posters, or word-of-mouth. Additionally, you will need some tools to handle your accounting, invoicing, scheduling, and marketing tasks.

4 Build your brand and reputation

The fourth step is to build your brand and reputation, or how you will present yourself and your services to your target market and establish trust and credibility. Your brand should reflect your personality, values, and style. You should have a catchy name, a logo, a slogan, and a consistent visual identity. Your reputation should be based on your quality, professionalism, and results. You should collect testimonials, reviews, and referrals from your satisfied customers and showcase them on your website or profile. You should also create and share valuable content, such as blog posts, videos, podcasts, or ebooks, to demonstrate your expertise and attract more customers.

5 Grow your network and skills

The fifth step is to grow your network and skills, or how you will expand your reach and improve your performance as a self-employed teacher. Your network should include other teachers, experts, mentors, partners, and collaborators who can support you, inspire you, and refer you to new opportunities. You should join and participate in online and offline communities, events, and groups related to your niche and interests. Your skills should include not only your teaching skills, but also your business, marketing, and personal skills. You should invest in your professional development, take courses, read books, attend webinars, and seek feedback.

6 Evaluate your progress and goals

The sixth and final step is to evaluate your progress and goals, or how you will measure your success and adjust your plans as a self-employed teacher. You should set SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) goals for your teaching business, such as income, customers, retention, satisfaction, or impact. You should also track and analyze your key performance indicators, such as revenue, expenses, profit, conversion, retention, or referrals. You should review your results regularly, celebrate your achievements, and identify your challenges and areas for improvement. You should also update your goals and strategies based on your feedback and market changes.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?