When Rachel Berntsen, an online ESL teacher, first connected with me, she was just starting her online tutoring journey.
She didn’t have a website, felt confused by the many resources and platforms available, and struggled to find a clear path to marketing herself.
Most of her students came from Wyzant, which took a 25% cut of her earnings. Frustrated and eager to gain more control over her business, Rachel joined my Insider Secrets Club and later my Jumpstart Your Online Tutoring Business Masterclass.
What happened next exceeded her expectations.
The Problem
Rachel’s biggest challenge was attracting students directly to her business.
She relied heavily on Wyzant, a platform that not only claimed a significant portion of her income but also felt increasingly unfair to its tutors.
On her own, Rachel tried various marketing efforts, but she lacked direction and wasn’t sure if her actions were effective.
She hoped to land five students of her own, but she needed a clear strategy to achieve even that modest goal.
Big Goals
Rachel wanted to:
- Attract students directly to her business and reduce reliance on Wyzant.
- Learn effective marketing strategies tailored to her tutoring services.
- Focus her efforts on actions that would deliver real results.
The Solution for Rachel Berntsen
Rachel began by joining my free Facebook group, The Ultimate Support Group for Online Tutors, where she found a sense of community and guidance.
Soon after, she enrolled in my Insider Secrets Club, where she gained access to key strategies for building and marketing her tutoring business.
To take her business even further, she joined the Jumpstart Your Online Tutoring Business Masterclass, which provided step-by-step guidance on:
- Choosing the right social media platforms.
- Creating an effective marketing strategy.
- Organizing her efforts for maximum impact.
While the program initially felt overwhelming, Rachel revisited parts of it a second time, which allowed her to fully absorb and implement the strategies that worked best for her business.
Award Winning Results
Rachel’s hard work and persistence paid off in a big way:
- She gained 10 new students, doubling her original goal of 5.
- She began acquiring students directly, allowing her to reduce reliance on Wyzant and keep more of her earnings.
- She felt more confident in her marketing efforts, knowing exactly which steps to take to grow her business.
- She became more organized and focused, turning her vision into a thriving reality.
In Rachel’s words:
“With Joanne’s help and guidance, I am now well on my way to becoming fully booked.”
Watch Rachel's Tutorpreneur Hero Award interview below.
Challenges and Adjustments
Rachel initially found some parts of the program overwhelming, but she didn’t give up.
By revisiting key sections of the masterclass, she was able to hone her skills, clarify her approach, and ultimately achieve more than she thought possible.
Here’s what Rachel had to say about her experience in her own words:
"Joanne is an absolute pleasure to work with as an online tutor business coach. Her YouTube videos geared towards tutors who are in the process of establishing their own online businesses are invaluable, and her passion for helping fellow tutors is unparalleled. Before I met Joanne, I was overwhelmed by my initial attempts to launch my own online tutoring business. I wasn’t sure what content to produce, what audience to target, or how to go about advertising my services. I didn’t know where to start and lacked focus as a result. However, with her help and guidance, I am now well on my way to becoming fully booked. Thank you so much for your encouragement and support, Joanne!"
Final Thoughts
Rachel’s success story highlights what’s possible when tutors invest in their business and follow a proven system.
If you’re ready to take your online tutoring business to the next level—whether you’re starting out or looking to grow—programs like the Jumpstart Your Online Tutoring Business Masterclass can help you achieve your goals.
Want to hear more success stories. Read them here.
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