If you have a passion for teaching and tutoring, Preply can be an excellent platform to start an online tutoring career.
Preply is an online platform for language learning that pairs students with tutors around the world, providing individualized lessons, corporate language training, and interactive online one-on-one sessions. With more than 35,000 teachers in 180 countries teaching more than 50 languages, Preply offers students access to a large tutor pool.
In this article, I will explain
- how Preply works,
- how instructors can get paid,
- ways to increase your income,
- lessons learned from my own experience,
and some important things to take note of.
How Preply Works
Getting started as a Preply tutor is quite straightforward. Firstly, you need to register as a tutor on the Preply website and fill out some basic personal information. Next, you need to record an introductory video, compose a headline and description, and upload your profile photo. Once Preply approves your profile, you set up your account to get verified and start receiving inquiries from potential students.
You can check out how I did my videos below.
- My Business English sample video: My Business English intro video – YouTube
- My Malay Language intro video: Let’s learn Malay with Coach Azmy (a.k.a Mike) (youtube.com)
But that’s just the beginning. Next, you should adjust your availability calendar and write your profile. It is essential to create a visually appealing and educational profile that highlights your areas of expertise and teaching style. Since your profile will serve as prospective students’ initial impression of you, it is imperative that it be truthful and transparent.
After your profile is complete, you can prepare for your first session by sending out a lesson plan and messages in the website’s forum.
You can have a look at my profile here: https://preply.com/en/tutor/1092090/
Can you make money on Preply
One of the advantages of being a Preply tutor is that you get to set your own hourly rate. The rates can range from as low as $5 to $50, depending on the subject, experience, reputation, and also the current market demand for the subject.
The average hourly rate is around $18.30, and the midrange is $15-$25. Preply takes a 100% commission for the first lesson with each new student, and then 18-33% commission for subsequent lessons, depending on the total number of lessons you’ve conducted. You will get paid via PayPal, Wise or Payoneer.
According to various sources, the average yearly pay for a Preply tutor based in the United States is around $73,000, which is 95% above the national average. Reputable tutors can potentially earn around $250 to $450 weekly. So, what does this mean? You can too, depending on factors such as your experience, qualifications, and the demand for your subject area.
Tips to grow your Preply career
While the process of becoming a Preply tutor is relatively simple, there are several strategies you can employ to improve your income and visibility on the platform:
Get formal qualifications
Having relevant degrees or certifications in teaching or the language you’re tutoring can increase your credibility and allow you to charge higher rates. For example: I hold a CTBE (Certificate of Teaching Business English) from International TESOL Teacher Training (ITTT)
Leverage offline tutoring or teaching experience
Previous experience as a tutor or teacher can also help you stand out and command higher rates. Prior to being a Preply tutor, I used to do one-on-one physical tutoring at student’s homes.
Specialize in advanced tutoring subject areas
If you specialize in tutoring advanced or niche subjects, you can potentially charge higher rates. I currently teach Business English and Malay language, so students can choose either one.
Have an open calendar
Tutors with more open slots for booking appear higher on the “Find tutors” page, increasing their visibility. Currently I opened up my calendar availability up to 24 hours to attract more students, especially from Europe and the Americas.
Maintain a good profile score
A good profile score, based on favorable reviews and a good attendance record, is attractive to students and can help you secure more bookings. So far, I am thankful for my students who wrote 5-star reviews for me, which is helpful for my visibility in Preply.
Be present for lessons
Being on time and consistently showing up for scheduled lessons can improve your reputation and lead to more bookings.
Provide high-quality lessons
Giving students the best possible learning experience can lead to positive reviews and word-of-mouth recommendations. Always have a lesson plan prepared for your students.
Utilize your trial lesson
Use your trial lesson to convince students to buy a package or subscription, and motivate them to buy larger packages or schedule more lessons [5][6].
Promote your profile
Utilize social media, blogs, forums, and other platforms to promote your Preply profile and attract more students [7]. I used LinkedIn and Facebook to write articles, and then include a CTA at the end to promote my Preply link.
Ask for referrals
Once you’ve built a good relationship with a student, ask them to recommend you to others.
My Experience with Preply
I’ve joined Preply since 2018, when I completed my TESOL training in 2018 via recommendation from a mentor of mine. I teach Business English for working adults and also teach Malay language for foreigners.
While my experience with Preply has been relatively recent, I’ve learned a great deal about navigating the platform and building a decent tutoring business. Initially I started as a side hustle, as I had a 9-5 job back then. But still, I could make around $50-$200 per month despite not making any aggressive effort to promote myself.
In the beginning, I offered a few trial lessons, which were unpaid. However, as I received positive reviews and built my reputation, more students began to book my lessons. I found that being patient, persistent, and continuously improving my teaching methods were key to retaining students and increasing my income.
What I do differently
One strategy that has worked well for me is offering a Needs Analysis form to students, even though Preply does provide an English Placement Test for newly registered students. This not only provides them with customized lessons but also ensures that they start subscribing to sessions. Additionally, I make an effort to be flexible with my schedule, catering to students in different time zones and accommodating their availability.
It is important to note that Preply is a competitive platform, with many tutors vying for students’ attention. However, by consistently delivering high-quality lessons, building strong relationships with students, and actively promoting your services, you can potentially carve out a steady stream of income.
Considerations and potential challenges
While Preply offers a viable opportunity for tutors and freelancers to earn money online, there are a few potential challenges and considerations to keep in mind:
- Quality control issues: Some students have reported inconsistent teaching quality among tutors on Preply. As a tutor, it’s essential to maintain high standards and continuously strive to improve your teaching methods.
- Communication challenges: Language barriers or cultural differences can sometimes lead to misunderstandings or miscommunications between tutors and students.
- Technical issues: Occasional connectivity problems or audio/video glitches can disrupt lessons. It’s important to have a stable internet connection and be prepared to troubleshoot technical issues.
- Limited availability: Some tutors may not be available at the student’s preferred time or schedule, which can limit their earning potential.
- No refund policy: Preply has a strict no-refund policy, which can be frustrating for students who are not satisfied with their lessons. As a tutor, it’s crucial to manage expectations and ensure that you’re providing value to your students.
- Competition: With a vast pool of tutors on Preply, it can be challenging to stand out and attract students, especially when you’re first starting out.
Despite these potential challenges, many tutors have found success on Preply by following best practices, delivering high-quality lessons, and actively promoting their services.
Final thoughts
Preply offers a viable opportunity for tutors and freelancers to earn money online. While it may require effort to establish yourself initially, the platform provides the tools and audience to grow your tutoring business. Remember, success on Preply is a combination of your effective teaching skills, aggressive marketing strategy, and the ability to care for your students on a personal level.
I hereby wish you the best of luck should you choose this online journey, and may your experience be as enriching as mine has been.
This article is authored by Mohamad Azmy, a language tutor and seasoned communication professional. You can connect with Azmy on LinkedIn.
