10 Steps to Starting a Tutoring Side Hustle

TL;DR

This post walks you through the steps to starting a tutoring side hustle, from choosing an easy, familiar focus to setting simple policies, rates, and schedules that protect your energy.

It shows you low-stress ways to find your first students and offers a repeatable session structure so tutoring feels sustainable, and not like a second full-time job.

This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!

You want to earn more money, have more control over your time, and still use your teaching experience.

But your nervous system is already fried from the school day.

And the idea of starting a business feels like one more crazy free-wheeling project in your head.

You're not lazy.

You're a teacher whose brain functions a little differently.

But, learning how to start a tutoring side hustle can actually still work for you.

This guide walks you through it step-by-step.

Take what helps, leave the rest, and go at your own pace.

Without further ado, here are the steps to starting a tutoring side hustle.

Step 1: Choose a Focus That Feels Doable

Before you think about flyers or rates or websites, you need to make a decision.

What are you actually tutoring?

You want to choose something that you've taught before, or feel like you know a lot about.

So instead of only thinking, “What pays the most?” try asking:

What subject or skill do I already teach well?

What age group do I naturally connect with?

What kind of work lights me up instead of draining me?

I used to be an elementary general music teacher, for example.

And oboe is my main instrument.

So for me it would make sense to start with giving instrument lessons, especially oboe or even woodwinds as a whole.

Jumping into high school calculus may not be the best option.

Unless you reallllllly love math. I would absolutely not offer this option.

You can also factor in local demand:

Are parents always asking about reading support?

Is there a shortage of math tutors in your town?

Are families looking for executive function support or homework help?

You are aiming for a general fit, for now. You can always adjust later.

Step 2: Decide How Tutoring Fits Your Life (Not the Other Way Around)

This is where a lot of teachers skip ahead and then burn out.

You want to shape the logistics around your current energy patterns and time constraints.

Online, in person, or both?

Ask yourself:

Do you have the energy to drive to homes or libraries?

Does leaving your house feel grounding, or does it wipe you out?

Is your internet stable enough for video calls?

Online sessions can be easier for sensory needs.

You can potentially wear comfy clothes and keep lights how you like them.

You could also use fidgets off camera, and wear headphones.

If noise is hard for you, simple tools like noise-cancelling headphones can help a lot.

You can find more ideas in this ADHD accommodations checklist for teachers.

Session length that matches your energy

You don't have to start with hour-long sessions.

Especially if you work with younger kids, you know your energy drops fast after school, or you are still figuring out your flow.

Try 30-minute sessions at first.

You can always offer 60 minutes later, or reserve longer sessions for older students who can sustain focus.

Clear policies that protect your energy

You will want a simple document or one-page statement that covers the basics.

These are things like, length of sessions, rate and payment method, what happens if a student is late.

Also, what happens if they cancel or no-show.

This does not need to sound like legalese.

Plain language is fine. As long as you and your families/clients are all clear.

The goal is to protect you and your students' families, from awkward money conversations later.

Step 3: Set Your Rates Without Spiraling

Pricing can feel scary, especially if you've never charged for your work before.

Here is a simple way to think about it.

Check tutoring rates in your area using local Facebook groups, parent forums, and other tutors’ websites or ads.

Notice the low end and the high end of the range.

Pick a number somewhere in the middle that feels comfortable for you.

Flat hourly rates are usually the easiest to track.

You might also offer a small discount if families pay for a month at a time.

For example, if you charge $35 per hour and meet once a week, that is about $140 per month.

You could have them pay that at the start of each 4-week block.

Example:

Sessions per month: 4
Hourly rate: $35
Monthly total: $140

If they are paying by session. But by month you could knock off a few bucks.

Or just always charge by the month.

You are not locked into your first rate forever.

You can adjust after a few months once you see how much energy and prep time it really takes.

Step 4: Protect Your Schedule And Your Energy

Tutoring can be flexible, but it is another job of sorts.

Most students want help after school, early evenings, or possibly weekends.

Which is exactly when you might need to rest, parent, or take a nap if you're lucky.

So ask yourself:

When do I naturally have the most energy in the day?

What family or personal routines are non-negotiable?

How many sessions per day can I realistically handle?

You might decide: “I only tutor on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3 to 5.”

Or “I do two Saturday morning slots and that is it.”

You can support yourself with timers, alarms, and visual cues.

If you like wearable tech, these Apple Watch tools for ADHD teachers can help you manage time blindness and transitions.

Step 5: Find Your First Students Without Feeling Salesy

You can start with people who already know and trust you.

Before you do anything, check with your school admin, district policies, and union rules, if you have one.

Some districts don't want you tutoring your own students on campus, or they have specific rules.

Better to know up front!

Once you are cleared, you can tell neighbors, friends, and people in community groups.

You can join local community Facebook groups and introduce yourself in a helpful way.

Instead of posting “I tutor, message me!” and dipping out?

Try being an active, kind presence in those groups.

Answer questions, share tips, and then mention your services in your profile or a pinned post.

People trust the tutor who is helpful even before money is involved.

Speaking of students, there's a good chance at least some of them will be ADHD.

This article from another site goes into how to best support ADHD students.

Step 6: Write a Simple Tutoring “Elevator Pitch”

When someone asks, “What kind of tutoring do you do?” you want your brain to have a script ready so you are not scrambling.

You can keep it short and clear: who you are, who you help, what you offer, and when you are available.

Example:

“I'm a fourth-grade teacher, and I offer one-on-one reading and writing tutoring for students in grades 3 to 5.

Sessions are 30 or 60 minutes after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Saturday mornings.

If you are interested, send me a message and we will see if it fits.”

Practice this out loud a few times.

It will get easier the more you say it.

Step 7: Keep Tutoring From Turning Into Another Full-time Job

One of the biggest risks for teachers is turning a side gig into a whole second career by accident.

To keep it sustainable, stay close to what you already teach.

Reuse and adapt materials you have created, and keep your session structure simple and repeatable.

If you or your students are neurodivergent, structure is essential.

As much as we strongly dislike it at times, it's what keeps things rolling along as they need to.

A familiar rhythm helps you both.

You might design a loose template like this:

• Short greeting and check-in
• Warm-up game or activity
• Main skill or concept for the day
• Quick assessment or practice
• Wrap-up and quick reflection

Using visual schedules can make your routine even easier to follow.

You don't need a brand-new lesson for every single session.

Consistency is most important.

Step 8: Boundaries, Policies, And Communication

Families are overwhelmed and tired. Just like you.

(Maybe you're a parent and a teacher. Best of both worlds!)

That means they will forget things, miss texts, and sometimes cancel last minute.

You can't control that, but you can protect yourself with clear boundaries.

Some things to decide ahead of time:

How late is “late” before you count it as a missed session?

Can they reschedule if they cancel within 24 hours?

Do you still charge for a same-day cancellation?

What is your preferred way to communicate: text, email, or app?

You can include this in your welcome email or policy sheet and then regularly remind people as needed.

Expect this.

If holding boundaries is hard for you, you are not alone.

Step 9: Safety And Professionalism Matter Too

Even though you're not in your classroom, you are still the adult in the room.

That means showing up on time, following through on what you say you will do, and keeping your word about policies and payments.

All that fun adulting stuff.

For online sessions, check in with your school tech team or admin if you are using anything connected to your school account.

Make sure your platform uses passwords, lets you control who joins, and allows you to remove someone if needed.

For in-person sessions, meeting in a public space like a library or community center is a good idea.

You and the family can decide together what makes the most sense.

Step 10: A Simple Example of a Tutoring Session Flow

Sometimes it helps to picture what an actual session could look like.

Before the session

Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early, online or in person.

Set up your materials and pull up any digital resources.

Start a haptic timer on your watch in 15-minute increments.

Have water nearby and anything you need to stay regulated.

If you like quiet reminders instead of loud alarms, try some ADHD Apple watch tips.

Beginning

Greet your student by name.

Ask one or two short questions:

“How did last week’s homework feel?”

or

“What would you like support with today?”

Write down any celebrations or struggles.

Middle

For 60-minute sessions, plan a 5-minute stretch or water break.

Focus on one main skill or concept. Keep instructions clear and concrete.

Use games, visuals, or hands-on practice where you can.

Give feedback that is specific, based on what you see, and focused on effort and strategy, not just scores.

Example:

“You stuck with that problem even when it got challenging,

and you caught your own mistake.

That shows how much you care.”

Ending

Review what you worked on.

Share what you plan to focus on next time.

Explain any homework in simple terms.

Write a couple of notes while it’s fresh.

Send a short summary to the family later, so everyone remembers what’s coming next.

Step 11: Let The Money Motivate You (In A Good Way)

Sometimes with ADHD, it helps to be very concrete about why you are doing this.

If you charge $35 per hour and tutor one student once a week, that’s $140 a month.

That might cover your power bill, gas for your car, or part of your grocery budget.

(Those groceries!!)

Even one bill can take some pressure off.

Ask yourself: What will this money do for me or my family? How will I feel if that bill is covered each month?

Or you can start saving for a new pair of work shoes.

But having that clear goal already determined is helpful.

Otherwise it's too easy for us to forget the ‘why.'

Step 12: Support Your Brain So Your Side Hustle Stays Sustainable

You probably already know your tricky spots.

Is it running late even when you care, forgetting sessions if they are out of routine?

Struggling to switch contexts between school and tutoring.

None of this means you shouldn't tutor. It just means you need supports.

Here are some ideas you can try.

Ask a partner, friend, or trusted colleague to be your accountability buddy.

Set multiple alarms on different devices.

Log in or arrive at least 10 minutes earlier than you think you need to.

Keep a simple checklist for “before tutoring” on your desk or in your bag.

Neurodivergent brains are very context-based.

It can take a few minutes back in the library or your office for your brain to remember:

“This student has a paper due in two weeks that we need to outline today.”

That's not a dealbreaker; it's just how your mind works.

You don't have to be perfect.

You do want to be consistent enough that families trust you and your side hustle can keep growing.

Bringing It All Together

Learning the steps to starting a tutoring side hustle is doable.

It is about building a routine and structure around the skills you already have.

You decide what you teach, when you work, how many students you take, and which supports you use to make it sustainable.

Start small, and keep it simple.

You can adjust as you go, based on your real energy.

Want to learn about other options?

Check out my post on the best side hustles for teachers.