How to Get Students as an Online Tutor or Tutoring Company: A Practical Guide for 2025

By Yan Weng (CEO & Cofounder of Funclass | Harvard M.Ed | 9+ years of online education experience)

Getting students as an online tutor is the hardest — and most important — part of your business.

But here’s the truth: students (and their parents) don’t just buy lessons. They buy results, engagement, and experience.

The good news? There are proven strategies to consistently get students — whether you're a solo tutor or running an online academy.

1. Pick a Niche — Be Specific!

Generalists struggle. Specialists win.

Don’t just say:

"I teach English."

Instead:

"I help Chinese primary students master creative writing for international school entrance exams."

Specific offers are easier to market — and easier for parents to remember.

2. Build a Mini Brand Online

Students want to see who you are before they book.

Start with:

A simple landing page or bio site with your self-intro video (videos are much better than photos to show your personality!)
Short teaching videos or clips of your lesson recordings to showcase your teaching style (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube)
Tips for parents in local language groups (WeChat, Facebook)
Parent testimonials

3. Use a Student-Centric Tutoring Platform Like Funclass

Most online tutoring happens on boring video calls. But parents are now looking for engaging and interactive learning experiences that keep their kids motivated.

That’s where Funclass comes in — an all-in-one gamified tutoring platform designed for online tutors and academies.

Why does Funclass help tutors double their student base?

Built-in gamification (points, badges, leaderboards) keeps students excited to come back
Customizable virtual classrooms feel like an educational game — not a Zoom call
Homework tracking, rewards, and interactive activities increase student retention
Parents LOVE seeing their kids engaged and motivated — leading to more referrals and word-of-mouth growth

Tutors using Funclass have reported up to 2x higher student retention and faster word-of-mouth growth compared to Zoom-based lessons.

In 2025, teaching online is no longer enough — you need to create an experience students love.

Check out: https://www.getfunclass.com/

4. Start With Your Network

Every tutor's first students come from people they already know.

Local parent groups
School communities
Your friends and ex-colleagues

Make an irresistible first offer:

"3 free speaking assessments for Primary 5 students preparing for interview exams."

5. Leverage Tutoring Marketplaces (Strategically)

Use platforms like Preply, Italki, or AmazingTalker to build your portfolio — but treat them as lead generation, not your forever home.

Move your best students to your private classes (on platforms like Funclass) for better margins and control.

6. Offer Programs, Not Single Lessons

Programs sound more professional.

Instead of:

"$20/hour tutoring"

Say:

"8-Week Essay Writing Bootcamp — $160 — Includes gamified progress tracking, feedback, and parent reports."

7. Create a Referral Engine

Parents trust other parents more than ads.

Create a simple referral system:

"Refer a friend, both get 1 free class."
"Bring a sibling, get 20% off your next program."

Getting students as an online tutor in 2025 is about more than teaching well — it’s about creating a modern, engaging learning experience that students (and parents) talk about.

Platforms like Funclass make that easy for you — so you can focus on teaching while your students stay motivated and keep coming back.

Ready to Level Up Your Tutoring Business?

Check out Funclass — the gamified teaching platform helping tutors and academies turn boring online lessons into unforgettable learning adventures.