# Can I get some advice on my friend's tutoring business? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 12, 2011, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-some-advice-on-my-friends-tutoring-business/596107 "2011-09-12T23:15:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mr.Slant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2011, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-some-advice-on-my-friends-tutoring-business/596107/1 "2011-09-12T23:15:43Z")
I have a friend of a friend that has notable ability when it comes to tutoring high school and college students in, among other subjects, math. She has started an agency with a business model that involves hiring tutors, advertising for clients, and matching tutors with students that they can give in-home tutoring to. My friend has asked if I can think of any good suggestions for this business. Specific needs at this point in the game would be ideas on promotion and advertising. Thoughts? Thanks in advance! ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2011, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-some-advice-on-my-friends-tutoring-business/596107/2 "2011-09-12T23:23:22Z")
It might get too complicated, but if the “matching” in the rate takes into consideration the distance the tutor has to travel, it could make a big difference in getting good teachers. Or if the two could meet in a central location (library, etc.), she’ll be able to attract a wider array of qualified tutors. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Slant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2011, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-some-advice-on-my-friends-tutoring-business/596107/3 "2011-09-12T23:28:38Z")
Help me out. How does being able to meet in a library provide a wider array of qualified tutors? ---
**Author:** ![Farmer\_Jane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2011, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-some-advice-on-my-friends-tutoring-business/596107/4 "2011-09-12T23:31:13Z")
The only thing I can say right now is good luck - many private agencies have contracts with districts and schools already. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Slant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2011, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-some-advice-on-my-friends-tutoring-business/596107/5 "2011-09-12T23:32:42Z")
Are you referring to ‘No Child Left Behind’ tutoring there, CitizenPained? ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2011, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-some-advice-on-my-friends-tutoring-business/596107/6 "2011-09-12T23:52:38Z")
> [@Mr.Slant](#): > > Help me out. > How does being able to meet in a library provide a wider array of qualified tutors? Well, it depends on the city where this is taking place. In big cities, there are a lot of highly qualified college students without cars who would love to do some tutoring to make a few extra bucks, but they’re not going to take a bus out to the suburbs unless the pay rate is higher to make it worth their while. However, if the students can come to the tutor, it will increase the number of qualified tutors willing to do the work at prices the students like. (They’ll also be less likely to under-book necessary study time, which undermines their scholastic progress just to save money.) The friend of your friend should realize that transportation can skew the “law” of supply and demand significantly. ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2011, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-some-advice-on-my-friends-tutoring-business/596107/7 "2011-09-12T23:57:03Z")
> [@Mr.Slant](#): > > Are you referring to ‘No Child Left Behind’ tutoring there, CitizenPained? You mean SES funding, that goes to students enrolled in schools that are Title I qualified. Is that what the friend of your friend is doing? That wouldn’t include college students. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Slant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2011, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-some-advice-on-my-friends-tutoring-business/596107/8 "2011-09-13T01:31:22Z")
> [@guizot](#): > > You mean SES funding, that goes to students enrolled in schools that are Title I qualified. Is that what the friend of your friend is doing? That wouldn’t include college students. No, I was asking for clarification. My friend is not currently participating in any government programs. That is in the plan for later. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Slant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2011, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-some-advice-on-my-friends-tutoring-business/596107/9 "2011-09-13T01:33:16Z")
> [@guizot](#): > > SNIP > The friend of your friend should realize that transportation can skew the “law” of supply and demand significantly. Thanks for clarifying.