Online Tutoring or Coaching via Smartphone
What it involves: Teaching or tutoring students through video calls, or offering coaching/consulting sessions, all using your phone’s camera and microphone. Subjects can range widely: teaching English as a second language (ESL) to international students, tutoring high school math, giving fitness coaching sessions, etc.
Why you can do it on a phone: Modern video chat apps work well on smartphones. You can conduct a Zoom, Skype, or WhatsApp video call from your phone just as you would on a laptop. For many forms of tutoring, the visual aid might be minimal (teaching conversation, for example, just needs faces). And for things like fitness coaching, having the mobility of a phone (which you can prop up in a small home gym or even outdoors) is useful.
Language tutoring is a huge market – numerous platforms (VIPKid, iTalki, Preply) allow you to connect with students globally. Many tutors conduct sessions on their phone using earphones for clear audio. As long as you have a stable internet connection, you’re good to go.
Tools: You’ll need a reliable video calling app (Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, or the platform’s own app). If you want to demonstrate things, apps like Microsoft Whiteboard or even the drawing feature in Zoom let you sketch on screen – a bit tricky on a small touch screen but possible with a stylus or just a finger. Communication apps like WhatsApp or WeChat can be essential if you tutor students in other countries (for scheduling and follow-ups).
Additionally, a good headset or earbuds with a microphone will improve audio quality significantly – important for language lessons so your student can hear you clearly. If demonstrating something physically (fitness, dance, etc.), a tripod stand to hold your phone at a good angle is helpful.
Earnings: Online tutoring rates vary by subject and your experience. ESL tutors might earn $10-$25/hour depending on platform and qualifications. Academic tutors (say math or science) often charge $20-$40/hour or more if specialized (test prep like SAT/ACT can be higher). Coaches or consultants (e.g., life coaching, business coaching) can set higher fees, often session-based – $50+ per session easily, with experienced coaches in the hundreds. The Indeed data suggests ESL teachers can earn around £28k (~$35k) per year without needing physical classrooms, showing it’s a viable income source. With smartphone tutoring, you cut overhead and can work with clients worldwide.
Tips to succeed: Ensure a quiet, well-lit environment when tutoring via phone. Use a stand so you aren’t shakily holding the phone the whole session. Test your internet speed on mobile; if possible, connect to Wi-Fi for stability or ensure a strong cell signal. For teaching, prepare materials that are phone-friendly – perhaps you email a PDF or have a shared Google Doc the student can also see, instead of trying to screen-share a complex presentation on a small screen. Lastly, be mindful of time zones when scheduling via your phone’s calendar app, especially if traveling; your phone might auto-adjust times which can be helpful or confusing, so double-check appointment times.