Tutoring rates for groups

rabidrabbits

Hi all!

I'm making some spending money by tutoring, but one of my students asked (over email) how much I would charge to tutor her and a friend at the same time. Normally I charge $25 an hour, but I'm not sure what would be a fair price for a 2nd student (or conceivably more), since I haven't really tutored two people at the same time before. I can't decide between $35 and $40. I don't think that $35 is asking too much, but don't know if it's asking for enough since it is considerably more work for me to ensure that two people understand the material. On the other hand, I feel that $40 might be a bit much, because each student is only getting 20% off for me to divide my attention between them.

Any knowledge on how other tutors price group sessions (as experience from tutors or students) would be great, but I'd love to hear thoughts in general. Thanks!

wogi

When it comes to pricing like that, its easy to get lost in the numbers. Its good to keep in mind that it means more to you than it does to them, and the difference of 5 dollars isn't going to amount to much in the long run. Don't sell yourself short, and don't be afraid to ask for more. You don't actually need to offer any discount at all. It amounts to more work for you, even though your really delivering the same product. Each student can, and should, expect the same outcome from their time spent with you.

In short, I would suggest you keep the price the same, $25 per hour, per person. There is no discount necessary. Even though you are dividing your time between them, they chose to come in together.

defreak

I'm going to have to disagree, I give private volleyball lessons, and there is no way I (or any other coach) would have clients come back if we charged the same price for a 1 on 1 and a 1 on 2. The main reason people do private lessons or tutoring on the side is because they need/want the undivided attention of the instructor, splitting that attention in half is a big difference.

My formula is basically $80/hr for one, $120/hr for two, $150/hr for three. With the current number of clients I have per week, I want to encourage people to double up, and discourage people to triple up.

Doubling up is good because currently I can't fit everyone in my weekly schedule, so if someone doubles up, that frees up a time slot for another client, so I earn at least an extra $40 for the same two hours of work.

Tripling up is bad because if too many do it, I end up with time slots I have no clients to fill with, so the same 2 hour period I'll get $150 for the first hour but possibly no one to give lessons to for the second hour.

If you don't care about all that, I think $40 is a good number, definitely don't go under $30 though.

Another thing you can consider doing is give a discount if they agree on booking multiple lessons in advance, of course that's assuming you have more free time than clients. It's always good to know your time slots are all filled next week, even though you're charging less, opposed to charging regular but not knowing if you would be able to fill all time slots, due to the unreliable nature of the business.