Perhaps it is because I am teaching my first marketing class on eduFire this weekend; or maybe it is the fact that another rent payment is due in just a few short weeks.  Whatever the reason, the idea of marketing one’s self online to help generate additional income in these recessionary times has been on my mind quite a bit lately.

Now I understand that one need only to conduct a Google search on the word marketing to be inundated with not hundreds, but thousands of somewhat generic definitions of the term.  However, for those of us attempting to make money by teaching online, understanding the term from a tutor/student’s perspective should prove to be extremely beneficial.  So this past weekend while others in beautiful southern California were enjoying a fun day at the beach with family and friends, I set out to finally nail down a definition of marketing that takes the unique relationship between an online tutor and his or her students into consideration.  

Let me just say from the beginning that it is a minor miracle I completed this monumental task at all.  I almost decided to forget all about online teaching after reading about Lisa M. from Sallisaw, Oklahoma.  Lisa M. is just one of thousands making more than $2,000 a day while lying on the couch in their pajamas watching I Love Lucy reruns and using the latest Set it and Forget It internet marketing scam.  Oops – I’m sorry – make that the latest Set It and Forget It internet marketing plan.  But because there are quite a few people who have actually signed up for my class on Saturday, I decided to put off becoming the latest instant internet millionaire for yet another week and got back to work on defining marketing from an online tutor/student’s perspective.  You can thank me for my kindness and total devotion to your welfare later!

            After many hours spent visiting dozens of websites and reading countless articles on marketing from several different perspectives, I finally settled on a definition of marketing that somewhat accomplishes what I originally set out to do.  My definition of marketing from an online tutor/student’s perspective reads:

Marketing from an online tutor’s perspective involves the process of creating positive relationships with both your students and potential students based upon their educational goals and needs. The understanding that comes from this type of relationship helps lead to the creation of classes that are motivating, challenging, entertaining, and filled with value from your student’s perspective. This process benefits the tutor through classes that prove to be popular as well as financially rewarding.

            Although the marketing relationship between the student and the tutor is symbiotic in nature, it is imperative that you as the tutor take the initiative and learn not only what your potential students wants to learn, but also why they want to learn their chosen topic as well.  The process of researching your potential students’ needs and developing classes that fulfill their educational goals in the most economical way possible is at the core of determining how successful your online tutoring business will be.  It doesn’t take a marketing genius to understand that students will always seek to find the least expensive way possible to reach their educational goals.  Just as you, the tutor, are hoping to supplement your income by teaching others, your potential students are searching for ways to save as much money as possible while continuing their pursuit of their studies.  Remember, because they pay for our services, the needs of our students will always be the key determinate factor in defining what really true value is.

            However, while it is true that the needs of the students are the key component in determining true value in this marketing equation, students must understand that tutors who consistently provide classes and other services that enhance their learning experience deserves to be rewarded.  But how should students reward tutors who consistently deliver services which allow them to reach their online educational goals in the quickest, most efficient way possible?

            First and foremost students should try to be a loyal customer of the tutor’s services, even if it means actually paying for larger group classes, conversational classes, and 1:1 sessions when the need arises.  Although chances are your online tutor enjoys teaching and is extremely passionate about the subjects he or she teaches, the reality is they not only deserve to be paid for their services, but need to be paid as well.  Helping you to reach your online educational goals should not require your tutor give away his or her services for free. Show your tutors that you appreciate all the hard work and dedication they give while helping you to achieve your educations goals.

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