Cheap marketing ideas I have used to grow Clara James Tutoring

August 12, 2026•2 min read

Over the years I have paid for mentors, attended numerous courses and read hundreds of books about how to market my business. Some of the ideas have been gold dust. Some have just been just been wrong for my personality type and the business I want to build.

I've done things which have worked: I have a website, created fliers, written a book (or two), but have cost time and money.

Square Pegs and Round holes looks at learning styles, where as Become a Tutor answers the questions I had when I first started tutoring — Become a Tutor answers the questions I had when I first started tutoring. If you would like a copy send me an email at [email protected]

I have also done other things which were easier and it is those I talk about in this podcast and this post:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1231634/episodes/19319032

Some of them I have spoken about before but I hope you still find your nugget of gold in here.

I talk about how I use Facebook to offer help and write stories/memories from my experience as a mum, tutor, student (rather than just shouting that I am here to help).

I mention the car magnets that I had on the side of my car that must be responsible for leads which have generated thousands over the years. But I've been stopped in garages and carparks and they have led to conversations between people when I haven't even been aware of it. But because I wasn't aware of it the result was so much more credible than it would have been from me telling people about what we do and how we go about it.

Tutoring for charity gave be credibility and got me on the local radio.

Tutoring for Charity (Clara James Tutoring)

Then finally our starter packs that we give in our first lesson with each child) and how we offer the first lesson free. At the beginning of each new face-to-face lesson, I give the child a stationery pack. Partly so that we are organised for the first lesson, but also because by doing so there is a high chance that pen, pencil case, etc will be seen by others and start a conversation which could lead to a cheap referral or at least a conversation starter that might eventually lead somewhere.

I should have also mentioned your Google Business Profile which is the map with the suggested links that come up when you do a search for something in Google. It's completely free and gets your business in front of anyone local that might happen to be looking for a tutor.

There is such many ideas some of them you might jump at, others you would avoid like the plague because it just doesn't suit you and although we have to push yourself out of your comfort zone, that would just be a push too far too quickly

The book I wrote: Become a Tutor: Build Confidence. Change lives offers answers to the questions that I had when I first started tutoring. If you would like a copy (completely free, a gift from me to you). Let me know and I will pop a copy in the post for you ([email protected])

I wish you loads of luck on your journey as a tutor

Dawn Strachan

For the past 20+ years I have been a firm believer that learning should be an enjoyable experience. I appreciate that traditionally education has revolved around worksheets, textbooks, listening to teachers. But a grounding in early years and working with children who had a variety of learning styles from I learned that it is an individual activity that is personal to all of us. We don’t all learn in the same way. Our influences, our experiences, our capabilities all influence how we retain information. But through it all, I believe that if we can make it enjoyable and engaging, they will want to participate. With participation comes practice which in turn boosts skill and confidence. With an increase in skill and confidence comes a willingness to have a go. This in turn leads to more practice which leads to a positive spiral of success. The moral, we need to make learning fun, engaging, use a range of techniques.

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