WebBizIdeas Questions:
1. Why do you want to focus on your SAT & ACT prep instead of regular tutoring?
Why less focus on regular tutoring:
I) In Person Tutoring:[/b][/b] Over the past few years, in person ‘regular tutoring’ has become much more competitive because public as well as private school teachers now actively seek private tutoring as an additional source of income . (In the past, it was mainly private school teachers who sought out private / after school tutoring. But in the last 4 – 5 yrs public school teachers have gotten into the game). School teachers have a captive audience and they have taken up a significant share of the available market.
II) Online Tutoring: Many (if not most) of the online “regular” tutoring companies use tutors from 1/3 world countries. We simply can’t compete with them on price (how can you beat “unlimited tutoring for $55/mo” or “$10.00 - $15.00/hr tutoring”)?
Bottom line, I find the competition in the “regular tutoring” field overwhelming.
Why more focus on SAT/ACT Prep?
I) In Person Tutoring: To date, the competition from private & public school teachers has been manageable. Standardized tests are a unique sort of animal and the majority of math or English litt teachers haven’t designed SAT or ACT prep programs. For the most part, I’m only competing with the national & local test prep companies.
II) Online Tutoring: The field of one-on-one live online tutoring is still (relatively speaking) a “new frontier.” I was wrong in stating that we’re the only one’s in the field… I found out that Princeton Review (a publicly traded co) also offers live one-on-one online SAT / ACT test prep.
Moreover, competition from 1/3 world countries is not a factor we need to contend with.
III) State of the Economy: During lean economic times, people tend to cut back on “luxuries.” Regular private tutoring tends to be one of the casualties. On the other hand, a college education is more highly sought after (one benefit: it defers exposure to the lackluster mktplace)… Hence, good SAT / ACT scores are even more critical… (SAT / ACT prep is viewed as a bit more of a ‘necessity’ than regular tutoring).
2. You listed many competitors, what parts of their website & services do you admire?
Test Prep: GMAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT, SAT, ACT, and More
they offer “free practice tools,” “free practice test,” (great idea bcse parents & students will keep going back to the site to view the “free stuff” even if they don’t use their services)
“SAT Reports” section: provides a review of previous yr’s SAT’s
“Download a College Admissions Brochure” … love it!!
They target international students… that’s a mkt I would love to go after…
Sylvan Learning | Tutors and Tutoring Services
They have a video on their website to demo online tutoring… fab idea… Really want to do one…
Free materials provided online (but user’s have to “register 1st”)
They have an excellent FAQ for SAT’s & ACT’s
ULRN Tutoring Services
I like the flash on their website
Test Masters Official Website - Testmasters
Again, the free test prep resources they have are a good way of keeping people coming back…
ePrep: Online SAT and PSAT Preparation
User friendly website
They have a ‘blog’ (few SAT prep sites have that)
Free 7 day trial… excellent idea (but, of course, they’re completely automated)
Multitude of pages
Brightstorm - Online Courses for Students in Math, SAT, AP, and other subjects
Automated online video program
The picture quality of their video’s is amazing
Size of their video screen is fabulous
www.kaptest.com
they have a “my page” which provides free extra practice online + the ability to connect via msg board with other students going thru the college app’s process
Free college admissions planner
Why choose Kaplan tab
Huntington Learning Center :: Tutors, Tutoring in Math, Reading, Writing, SAT and ACT prep
Nothing that special
FAPII - Online SAT Test Preparation
Sample quiz q’s is a good idea
Prep for the SAT - Peterson's
good video demo of their (automated) online course
detailed explanation of their program
A “Pay for School” tab… incl scholarship info & state & fed financial aid… excellent idea…
3. Why doesn't anyone offer "live one-on-one online SAT & ACT prep?"
I was mistaken… in saying that we are the only one’s who offer live one-on-one online SAT / ACT test prep… Seems Princeton Review (a publicly traded co)… however, they’re the only one’s I’ve been able to find to date who offer ‘live one-on-one online’ SAT/ACT prep
We’re the only co who offers live one-on-one SAT / ACT prep using the test maker’s own materials (this is the best way to prep for any standardized test… always use as much of the test maker’s own materials as possible)
Our student’s complete and review over 28 real College Board tests (all other companies offer anywhere from 1 – 7 practice tests)
Proprietary reading comp technique (developed this technique myself)
WebBizIdeas Planning Goals:
1. School Referrals. Since you don't like telemarketing we need to create a plan that to accomplish this without having you call.
Any idea you can come up with to help me avoid cold calling would be most appreciated. Of course I’ll do it, if there’s no other way… but, truly, I avoid it like the plaque…
2. Google Webmaster Tools. Make sure this is set up properly.
How can I make sure that the set up has been done right.
3. Link Development Strategy.
Plse elaborate.
4. Content Development Strategy.
Plse elaborate.
5. Purchasing Cycle. We know Parents, Students, and Schools & Teachers are part of the cycle. Identifying each part of the cycle and order will be critical.
Plse elaborate.