5 Reasons Why I Chose Wyzant
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Introduction:
When I first started online tutoring, I considered (and used) multiple tutoring platforms but ultimately landed on using Wyzant exclusively. There are many reasons for this choice, and some of the crucial factors for making this decision have been documented below.
1. Ability to Set My Own Rate:
One of the biggest differentiators of Wyzant is that the platform allows tutors to set their own rates. This feature alone allows for substantially higher income potential, whereas many other platforms dictate a set rate for tutors (typically in the $20-$25 per hour range). By having the flexibility to set your rate, Wyzant allows tutors to teach according to their pricing requirements. Over time, I have been able to increase my hourly rate (and have also needed to due to demand spikes) and having the ability to have this upward potential has been invaluable.
For those who are using Wyzant and online tutoring as a side hustle rather than a full-time endeavor, having the ability to easily scale rates up or down adds critical flexibility because it allows you to match demand to your available hours and maximize revenue per unit of time. For example, if you only have 10 hours available to tutor one week, setting your rate at a level that provides 20 hours of demand does not optimize earnings. You would be better off increasing your price to a level that only drives 10 hours of demand because you are still maxing out your available hours but are able to earn more per hour. For me personally, this was a huge driving factor in me choosing Wyzant as the go-to platform for my tutoring business.
2. Huge Student Base:
Being a good tutor and serving your clients well is obviously key to one’s success. Another critical element to success that may not be so obvious is choosing the best tutoring platform with a large customer base. Consider a neighborhood analogy. The way you take care of and renovate your home certainly impacts your property value, but the neighborhood where your home is located is also a major factor in property value. Wyzant is a great “neighborhood” in which to buy your “home” (your tutoring business). Wyzant has a huge client network of more than 3 million students and this customer base continues to grow rapidly over time.
Besides having more potential clients, the large number of students already on Wyzant is also helpful because tutors do not have to perform marketing or advertising. Of course, if you want to conduct your own advertising efforts, that can certainly be helpful for growing your business and connecting with new clients. However, from my experience, performing your own advertising as a Wyzant tutor is not necessary. I have never performed supplemental advertising during my time on Wyzant, and I have never felt that it was necessary given the demand I receive from students.
3. Strong Technology and Great Mobile App:
From a technology perspective, Wyzant is the best tutoring platform I’ve seen in the market. One key technology offering of Wyzant is the digital whiteboard that makes online lessons much more effective. It allows for easy collaboration with students when working through practice problems, notetaking, and studying. I will write extensively about the features and benefits of the Wyzant whiteboard in an upcoming blog post but suffice it to say that this tool makes online lessons a breeze.
The platform’s mobile application is another core element of its technology. Having access to respond to lesson requests, communicate with existing students, schedule lessons, submit lessons, and apply to jobs all from the convenience of your phone is incredibly convenient. I know firsthand that the mobile application has been a huge source of revenue for me as it enables me to reply to students much faster and lock down additional business.
4. Wide Range of Subjects:
Wyzant offers nearly 300 subjects for students and tutors, so the opportunity to grow your business is expanded greatly by this diversity of subjects. Having a wider range of subjects also provides additional momentum to increasing the reach and size of the Wyzant student base. In other words, the more subjects offered, the more students that can be served (and therefore, the more students that will join the platform). Wyzant also adds more subject offerings over time, which ensures that the platform remains relevant and continues to grow even as the educational landscape changes and adapts to the development of new technology. View an updated subject list here.
The wider array of subjects further benefits tutors because it creates an opportunity to provide more offerings to students. For example, if you have a strong mathematics background but also know how to play guitar, Wyzant’s vast subject list includes many specific math topics but also musical skills as well. Increasing the number of subjects and skills that you are able to tutor means more clients and more revenue for your business.
5. Simplicity (Taxes, Startup Costs, etc.):
Wyzant also makes running a tutoring business as simple as it can be from a startup and administrative perspective. Operating as a tutor on Wyzant’s existing platform means that you already have access to a huge student base without having to conduct your own marketing or advertising efforts. Wyzant also classifies its tutors as 1099 independent contractors, meaning that startup activities are minimal and taxes are simplified. From a tax standpoint, this categorization eases compliance because it allows your business income and expenses to both be run through your personal tax return. If you are interested in more details surrounding the tax implications of tutoring, please check out the tax module of our Platinum Masterclass.
Conclusion:
Wyzant’s wide range of features and functionality makes it the best online tutoring platform in my opinion. Wyzant combines effective technology with uncapped earning potential due to flexible hourly rates and large amounts of students.