Marketing is a key aspect for all businesses. That said, it's even more important for startups, small businesses, and private tutors looking to grow and establish a name in the tutoring industry. It is very difficult to achieve this goal without having an effective marketing strategy for social media for online tutors.
When running an online tutoring service, traditional marketing strategies like advertising in local newspapers and at local schools may not be as productive as getting your tutoring business onto social media.
Social media marketing, like any other skill, will take time to master. At the start, it can be difficult to know what makes a good marketing campaign, and where you are making the right decisions. However, we are here to give you 10 simple tips to help you get started to advertise tutoring services effectively online.
1. You Need a Game Plan
Creating a marketing plan is one of the most important steps in marketing success. Think of this plan as the foundation for your entire campaign, the more solid these ideas are, the more likely you will succeed.
A good way to start is to write down some overarching goals you want to achieve with your marketing, and then give details about what this might include. For example, if your overarching goal is to increase social media engagement, you may include details about increasing likes and shares.
If you want, you can also add appropriate metrics to each goal, such as the % of your followers who like your post. These can help you easily understand whether your marketing is successful, as well as help you compare how successful it is in different periods of time. You can choose to compare these weekly, monthly or even annually.
The marketing plan can help you track your success as well as help you visualize what you want to achieve. It is also useful to refer back to if you are unsure about the next step in your marketing.
Pro Tip: Most social media platforms have their own easy-to-understand analytics systems built in for business accounts. These allow you to view useful numbers in a digestible way.
2. Get to Know Your Surroundings
Before you begin any marketing campaign it is important to learn about best practice on each social media platform. Generally each platform comes with its own set of rules and can help you achieve different goals. While there are dozens of social media platforms, the five giants that you should definitely explore are:
- TikTok
Instagram and TikTok are great for photos and tend to cater to a younger crowd. These two platforms are the best for sharing highly visual information, such as graphic design, or images of your business. Facebook and Twitter are generally more news based, a lot of people use their feeds on these platforms to keep up to date with what is going on. LinkedIn is all about business, and networking professionally.
Doing a bit of research can help you understand what platforms you can use to achieve each of your marketing goals. It is likely you'll find that certain goals are more easily achieved on a particular platform.If there is a brand or company who targets a similar group of people to you, have a browse through their social media platform for some inspiration.
3. Your Social SEO is Key
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimisation and this is the key to being found on the internet. In the same way people often use Google to explore subjects, or products they may search through hashtags on social media to learn more about a topic they are interested in.
It is important to make sure you use the right hashtags to drive people to your website, who are interested in similar topics. Make sure each hashtag you choose is relevant to your business and to each post.
Top Tip: While using hashtags is important, using too many will make your social media look unprofessional. It is generally best practice to stay away from hashtag-generating sites, as these often attract bot accounts and followers.
4. Mix It Up and Be Creative
“The biggest misunderstanding about consumers is that they only engage with short, concise content. The truth is they will engage with what is interesting, no matter how long it is... - Edward Bourelly, Omni-Culture Marketing, Inc.
People often think the key to success on social media is short, easy to absorb and to the point content. While it is true that people on social media have shorter attention spans, this does not necessarily mean longer content will not be successful.
Get creative with how you choose to present your content, use images, videos, audio, or even animation to present your message. Above all, be sure that your message is clear and interesting!
5. Use the Right Social Media for Your Target Audience
Choosing the right platform for your online tutoring business is all about understanding where your potential students are most active. Each social media site has a unique user base, so focus on these things when regarding to the following online platforms:
- Facebook – Share success stories, educational content, and updates to engage with parents and students. Join education-focused groups for interaction.
- Instagram – Use visuals like demo videos or graphics to connect with younger students. Add hashtags for visibility.
- LinkedIn – Showcase expertise, share testimonials, and build professional connections.
- TikTok – Create quick videos featuring teaching tips or learning insights for younger audiences.
- Twitter – Post updates and join education-related discussions.
Regularly update your profiles and engage with your audience to build a robust brand identity. By choosing the right platform for your tutoring services, you'll be able to effectively market to those most interested in what you have to offer.
6. Create Keyword-Rich Content
Creating keyword-rich content is key to boosting your online presence. Start by researching keywords that your potential students are searching for. These can include terms like "online tutoring services," “tutoring business,” and "advertise tutoring services."
Incorporate these keywords naturally into your content. Make them part of your blogs, social media posts, and tutoring service descriptions. This helps search engines understand what your content is about and who it should be shown to.
Make sure that the content you create provides genuine value. It should give your readers a memorable experience that keeps them coming back and encourages them to share with others. This supports a nurturing relationship with your audience and strengthens your reputation in the educational community.
7. Respond to Comments Swiftly
Replying quickly to comments on social media can strengthen your relationship with potential students. When questions about your tutoring services or teaching methods arise, be ready to engage. This shows you're professional and attentive, which is highly valued by your audience.
Use tools for notifications to stay alert on different social media platforms. If someone leaves positive feedback about a tutoring session or the resources you shared, acknowledge it promptly. A simple thank you can enhance your tutoring business's visibility.
Negative comments can't be ignored. Address concerns politely and offer solutions. This approach turns criticism into an opportunity to showcase your dedication to improving the learning experience. It can also demonstrate your ability to nurture relationships and adapt, which can attract new students.
Engage in online forums related to education and tutoring. These spaces not only let you share educational resources but also allow you to connect directly with an audience interested in your services, building your robust brand identity.
8. Offer Free Online Demo Videos
Offering free online demo videos can be an effective way for tutors to showcase their skills and teaching methods. You can create engaging content that highlights your approach to explaining concepts, which helps in attracting new students.
Demo videos allow potential students to see what they can expect from your tutoring sessions. These videos can be shared on various social media platforms to reach a broader audience and increase your online presence.
Tips for creating demo videos:
- Keep it short: Aim for 5-10 minute videos to maintain viewer interest.
- Focus on key topics: Highlight important aspects of your subject area.
- Use clear visuals: Incorporate graphs, images, or animations to reinforce learning.
Consider hosting these videos on popular platforms like YouTube or Vimeo. Providing these resources for free can help establish trust and demonstrate your expertise in the subject.
9. Follow Online Trends
Staying current with online trends can improve your tutoring business’ reputation. Trends help you keep your content fresh and engaging, attracting new students and maintaining interest among current clients.
Social media platforms are constantly evolving. Aligning with online trends can make your tutoring service appealing and relevant. It's about using trends strategically to reach more students and improve their learning journey.
10. Put It All Together
Once you have a game plan, and know what you will post, just start posting! Social media is a great marketing platform as it is free, and easy to monitor. You can use the in-app analytics for each of the platforms to see your success almost instantly.
If you find something isn't quite going as well as you planned, you can always go back to the drawing board, create new posts, and target different hashtags. On social media, success is about persistence and patience, so don't give up too quickly!
Contact Us Today to Find Out How We Can Help
Develop a solid online presence with our social media strategies tailored for online tutors. By sharing engaging content, you can reach a broader audience and attract new students. Once you’ve started this, using a tutor management software like TutorCruncher can help you focus on teaching and marketing, while we sort out the admin and financial analysis.
Whether you're interested in refining your advertising strategy or exploring social media platforms further, we’re here to help. Contact us today at support@tutorcruncher.com or 020 3966 1863.
