Reflecting on Fall 2024
I think…I need to write some thoughts out and really think about where I want to take this tutoring-gig.
So, I guess, dear reader, grab a cup of tea, coffee, matcha, or whatever you are really feeling. I think it is time to get into the weeds of this and really think about what I want to bring to the table and to all of my potential students.
Going back to the Fall of 2024, I really think I could have put more time and effort towards marketing. However, in what ways? I definitely learned a lot when it came to going to small businesses and asking if I may put a flyer or two in their restaurants, bars, and other smaller areas. I really like coffee shops, especially local ones. I think places like Starbucks and Einstein Bros. are really hostile to small-scale businesses and even seem to be hostile to young students and professionals- in general. For example, when I went to a small coffee shop near a community college, I found this place called Our Grounds Coffee.
This place was small. I mean. SMALL. We are in Miami, where space is and is not a premium. This place is way out in a suburban area, mainly roads and little to no crosswalks. Still, this shop is small enough to fit maybe one or one and a half compact cars. The place is small but the environment is so inviting and soothing. The lighting is soft, tons of sunlight comes in from the floor to ceiling windows, and the arrangement of tables allows for folks to sit all around and even engage with one another while they are working or studying.
Contrast this to a place like Starbucks or Einstein Bros. The purpose is to have constant turn-over of customers. Our Grounds is seemingly designed for people to grab coffee and chill out or get back on the road. Starbucks kind of makes the decision for you with the uncomfortable bar-style seating and high tables. Additionally, Starbucks doesn’t really like it when smaller businesses try to advertise their services. Additionally, Starbucks is always cold. Why is it so cold in massive franchises? I never really understood that.
As for the lesson I took away from these two places: 1. Expect “no” to be an answer 2. It is ok if a small business says “no” 3. Most small businesses are also looking for some help, so they are more likely to say “yes” 4. Do not be afraid to ask others for help
On to the next bit, I really do need to focus on marketing more. It just costs money to purchase and make quality business cards, nice looking stickers, or colorful flyers.
I went to a local boba tea shop and left some stickers with flyers. The little set up I was allowed to have looked REALLY nice. I was VERY happy with it. However, I have no idea how well that actually worked. I did not receive any emails, texts, or messages through my website or on my instagram account. I am wondering if I am pointing people in the wrong direction? I am noticing that folks are finding my website, which is really nice. However, the sources are mostly from socials and a few google searches. These are not coming directly from the QR scans or by searching the name of the company- itself.
So, with the small amount of attention that the stickers, flyers, and business cards gathered; is it really worth it to continue to buy and market this way? I know the strongest way to market is through word-of-mouth. I think I also need to really ask my students and former students to check out my social, share instagram posts, and tell people that I am available and willing to offer really good chemistry tutoring at an affordable price.
So, for this part of the reflection, I think my takeaways are:
Ask more small businesses to leave my cards or hang up a flyer where they see fit
Really ask my students (if I am lucky to get one) to really tell others and friends about my services
Just tell people of my services and ask them to share my instagram account or follow it.
Start tracking how much I spend on marketing, how many students come directly from marketing and start to math it out. Does the marketing strategy actually bring people in?
For the next bit. Definitely want to examine my use of Instagram and what I should be doing more of when it comes to Spring 2025.
Something I noticed, thanks to the advice and support of my lovely partner, is the use of Reels as opposed to simple posts. I think reels really did make my account become more and more popular with non-followers. I noticed that once someone was a follower, engagement kind of falls off or, at least, in my case. However, I do want the page to grow and for more people to know that my tutoring exists. I think focusing on getting more non-followers to see my tutoring services and the information that I am putting out there is really important.
My Muay Thai coach told me that once people follow, they cannot get away and can never get away from the ads. I think that is something that is really important.
Additionally, I think (only after 100 followers) it was an ok idea to put out a poll on what services I should focus on in 2025. I included four options:
1 hour webinars about study strategies
1 hour webinars on course content
Push for more group tutoring
Push for more online tutoring
I think this is a good way to get folks engaged but could also tell me what I need to focus on a bit more, aside from marketing and just trying to get 1-on-1 students.
Honestly, the best thing I could do is really have a one-on-one with my current and previous students to see what services they would like to see and what services they think their friends and classmates would most benefit from. I think that is the route I need to take…hmmmm.
The last thing I REALLY want to try is offer free 1-hour lectures where it is about chemistry but more about the chemistry of certain things. For example, I am DEFINITELY planning to ask Our Grounds to collaborate with them or with Books & Books about the chemistry of something related to chemistry and reading books. I think that would be a cool way to get my name out there.
The issue is: money for marketing materials. I know I could also do a QR code and cut down on paper and stuff; however, I think that would look…bad. Not too sure. I really need to sit down and brainstorm.
I also want to work with the local public library system and offer maybe monthly free tutoring or lessons for adults or students who want to brush up on skills before entering college. Again, I really need to sit down and think about what skills I have, which ones are pretty refined, and how best to share those with others.
At the end of all of this, I think I have learned that I really need to keep active and balance these three aspects:
The actual tutoring and knowing my content
Marketing and really tapping into the local businesses and networks
Coming up with new and unique ideas to further improve my tutoring, increase access to my services, and build a community around my services.
Not too sure if AI can help me dream up ideas, I think I really just need to hit the pavement.
Let’s hope my chemistry tutoring really starts to take off when Spring 2025 comes around.
