Written by

Tamatha Hazen

September 25, 2025

Edited by

Tara Farmer

Fact-checked by

Kristen Cramer

Standing out and finding new students is a challenge for every tutor. Effective advertising is the key to growing a tutoring business, whether online or in-person. This guide covers 11 essentials every tutor should know about how to advertise tutoring services and how to get tutoring clients.

How to advertise tutoring services

Whether you're just starting out or bringing years of experience, you need a solid marketing approach to find tutoring clients and keep your schedule full. Follow these practical steps to reach your ideal students and achieve lasting success!

Step 1: Register with Tutors.com

The first practical step is to join Tutors.com, which gives you direct access to families and students already searching for tutors in your area. Create a free profile that shares your education, areas of expertise, and teaching experience. Upload a professional headshot photo and use clear, confident language so your profile stands out in search results.

Step 2: Choose your target audience

After building your profile, define the groups you want to reach. Decide if you want to work with elementary students, high school students preparing for exams, adults learning languages or other skills, or another audience. Research what these learners need and adjust your approach to address those needs. Focus your website, social media, and marketing messages on this audience for better results.

Step 3: Conduct market research

Once your audience is defined, study your local area and online competition. Look at what other tutors and businesses offer. Analyze pricing, lesson formats (both in-person and online), popular subjects, and what makes parents and students choose one tutor over another. Use this information to shape your service offerings and set rates that match demand and your expertise.

Step 4: Refine your pitch

With a better understanding of your competition, develop a short, clear message that describes who you help, what subjects you cover, and what students gain by working with you. Focus on results, such as better grades, successful exam strategies, or confidence in learning. Practice sharing this pitch with families and in any promotional content, including your website and social media pages.

Step 5: Advertise locally

Showcase your promotional pitch on flyers, brochures, and other print materials around your community. Distribute these at schools, libraries, coffee shops, and local events to build recognition with families. Increase your online visibility by joining neighborhood Facebook groups, posting on Nextdoor, and listing your services with local organizations and directories.

Step 6: Build an online presence

Beyond your local marketing, spend time developing a professional online profile as well. Create a professional website that highlights your services, specialties, testimonials, and clear contact options. Add an FAQ, short intro video, or booking form to make it welcoming and practical. Tutors.com provides a free website when you join, making it easy to get started.

Expand your reach by sharing study tips, resources, or short educational videos. Choose one or two platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) and post consistently to show your expertise and build trust. This helps families find you more easily and view you as a reliable resource.

Step 7: Set up your Google Business Profile

To further boost your visibility, set up a Google Business Profile so your services appear in local search results and on Google Maps. This step ensures families in your area can easily find you online, see your offerings, read reviews, and contact you. Be sure to include your contact details and keep your information up to date.

Step 8: Offer trial lessons and consultations

To motivate new students, promote short demo lessons or consultations. Meet families to assess learning needs and explain what you can provide. Use these meetings or sessions to build trust before families commit to regular lessons. List these options on your marketing materials and website.

Step 9: Collect and display reviews

Once you start working with students, regularly request feedback from them and their parents. Post positive testimonials on your website, social media, and Tutors.com profile to build your reputation. Make it easy for families to leave honest reviews and update your profiles with fresh feedback as you receive it.

Step 10: Encourage client retention

As your client base grows, focus on keeping students engaged by introducing loyalty programs, long-term discounts, or referral bonuses. Continue providing high quality service, share regular progress updates, and check in after sessions to show families your commitment. These actions help encourage repeat bookings and referrals.

Step 11: Measure your metrics

To refine your efforts, consistently track the results of your marketing strategies. Pay attention to where your inquiries and bookings come from, such as your Tutors platform, email marketing, or social media campaigns. Focus your time and resources on actions that yield the best results so that your tutoring business keeps growing.

Questions to ask yourself

Ask yourself these questions as you evaluate and grow your marketing efforts for your tutoring business:

• Who is my target audience, and what do they need most?

• Is my message clear about what sets my services apart?

• Am I reaching clients through both online and in-person channels?

• What marketing methods have brought the most new clients?

• Are my lesson formats, pricing, and subjects competitive in my market?

• Do my website, social media, and printed materials show my current contact info?

• Is my tutors.com profile up to date with the latest subjects, rates, and reviews?

• What feedback have I received, and how can I use it to improve?

• How often do clients return or refer new students?

• What strategies could I test to reach more families or groups?

• Are there ways to adjust my offerings to fit new trends or needs?

Refer back to this list often. Your ongoing efforts will make a huge impact on your tutoring business!