Shows
The Tutor PodcastPlus and Minus TrackingJoin Neil as he shares insights on how to effectively manage time in a no-nonsense, practical way. He emphasises the importance of tracking activities to increase productivity and happiness in both business and personal life. Tune in to learn how to make the most of your time and improve your tutoring, teaching, or coaching business. KEY TAKEAWAYS Neil talks about the importance of tracking daily activities to assess their effectiveness and impact on the business. Activities are categorised into plus one, zero, minus one, and minus two ratings based on their long-term benefits...
2024-03-1818 min
The Tutor PodcastSix Years, No ParoleJoin Neil Cowmeadow in episode 312 of The Tutor Podcast as he celebrates six years of consistent podcasting without missing a show. Neil shares insights and ideas from his 25 years in the tutoring business, offering tips on starting, growing, and loving your own tutoring, teaching, or coaching business. Tune in for no-nonsense advice on making your life run more smoothly, adding more fun, and increasing profitability in your business! KEY TAKEAWAYS It's been six years and Neil has never missed a show! from business fundamentals to why we have to have fun Neil has covered a vast...
2024-02-2607 min
The Tutor PodcastThe Business EcosystemNeil Cowmeadow explores the idea of expanding our perspective as tutors, teachers, and coaches. He encourages listeners to see themselves as business people who happen to teach, rather than being confined to a narrow definition of their profession. Neil shares his own journey of branching out into various fields, such as writing books, collaborating on music, and mentoring others in property investment. He emphasises the importance of thinking beyond the boundaries of teaching and considering how one's skills and expertise can fit into a broader business ecosystem. By doing so, Neil believes that individuals can unlock new opportunities and...
2024-01-0110 min
The Tutor PodcastHealth and WellbeingNeil Cowmeadow discusses the importance of taking care of our health and well-being on a daily basis. He emphasises that our health is the foundation upon which everything we do is built, and neglecting it can have consequences in our personal and professional lives. Neil challenges the notion that it is normal to experience a gradual decline in health as we age, and instead advocates for investing in our health every day to delay and minimise the impact of chronic diseases. He shares his own experiences with different diets and fasting and encourages listeners to do their own research...
2023-12-2512 min
The Tutor PodcastThe Comfort TrapIn this episode of The Tutor Podcast, Neil Cowmeadow discusses the danger of falling into the comfort trap. He highlights how success can lead to complacency and a loss of drive, energy, and ambition. Neil emphasizes the importance of staying motivated and avoiding the temptation to relax when things are going well. He shares personal experiences and offers practical advice, such as setting bigger goals and embracing discomfort to maintain growth and success. Neil's no-nonsense approach and insights provide valuable guidance for tutors, teachers, and coaches looking to avoid the pitfalls of comfort and continue thriving in their businesses.
2023-11-2014 min
The Tutor PodcastBranding For BeginnersA ‘brand’ is a product, service, business or even person that is easily identified and widely known. But what is it that makes a brand and how do you become one? Neil takes a look at how you can get started on the road to being well known for the services that you offer.KEY TAKEAWAYS A brand is not simply a logo or a slogan. These are all just signifiers, signposts for the potential customer to follow. A strong and unified idea of what the business or product is about is the brand. If you can provok...
2022-09-2717 min
The Tutor PodcastThe RemedialsThis week, Neil discusses a very special sub-group of his very own students – a group he likes to refer to as “The Remedials”. All tutors will have come across students like this in their tutoring journey. In this episode Neil shares his thoughts on how to get the best out of them. KEY TAKEAWAYS A remedial is a long-time practitioner of their craft, who has become stuck in their ways. Sometimes it takes an external perspective for them to move forward. It doesn’t matter where you come from in life or how skilled you are in you...
2021-10-1812 min
The Tutor PodcastCopyright and YouThe internet is very useful but has many pitfalls, traps and risks, and perhaps surprisingly Neil was recently caught out by one of these – copyright law bots. If Neil with his wealth of experience can be caught out, so can you, so listen in to this episode to find out more and the dos and don’ts of using images! KEY TAKEAWAYS Neil’s top suggestions for you if you use images on your website, blog or social media: Don’t use images at all – simple policy, but it will affect readership...
2021-10-1109 min
The Tutor PodcastTalking to Parts - Unlocking Deep Resistance“Working with parts” is the NLP idea of unlocking deep resistance and talking with different parts of the brain. Neil discusses how to introduce “working with parts” into your tutoring business, how to uncover what drives your student’s behaviors and why WWP can help you remove the resistances in a students mind to help them learn more efficiently. KEY TAKEAWAYS ‘Working with parts’ is a very useful tool for working with adults and is great at getting past students’ sticking points and separating their egos. Often WWP uncovers driver behaviours and you’ll learn why...
2021-10-0412 min
The Tutor PodcastBuilding a Killer Work EthicDiscover the importance of having a killer work ethic and how having one, can create amazing things for you and your business. Neil discusses the importance of removing all distractions when you sit down to work, why a strong work ethic is so rare and therefore valuable and why sticking to a routine is so beneficial. KEY TAKEAWAYS The definition of ‘work’ is a physical or mental activity undertaken to produce results. The definition of ‘ethic’ is the study of moral principles that govern a person's behaviour or the conduct of an activity. When you work...
2021-09-2015 min
The Tutor PodcastIrrational BeliefsYour students are most likely going to have entrenched beliefs that may affect their confidence levels, it is your job as a tutor to defeat these beliefs to help them thrive! Join Neil as he discusses how throwaway comments made by others can affect your students, why you should give your students time to ‘gather data and the importance of instilling optimism within your students. KEY TAKEAWAYS Your Students are likely to have entrenched beliefs and you must discover them and defeat them. This is one of the toughest obstacles to overcome in teaching. Your students ma...
2021-09-1309 min
The Tutor PodcastThe Wrench - When Students LeaveDESCRIPTION As September rolls around, so does the start of the new school year and you may find that some of your students are fleeing the nest to university. Today Neil discusses the emotional wrench of students leaving you, why after years of working together, a strong bond has been formed and why you should always be grateful to have been a part of their journey. KEY TAKEAWAYS An unexpected aspect of teaching guitar and helping students is the emotional wrench of students heading off to university, you may be unprepared for t...
2021-09-0609 min
The Tutor PodcastHow to GrowToo many people continuously chase the next shiny penny, which usually leaves them burnt out and frustrated. Join Neil as he shares how you can escape this vicious cycle and grow your business empire. Discover the importance of focusing on your core idea, how to create passive income and the ways to invest your money. KEY TAKEAWAYS Too many people chase the next bright penny rather than learning and focusing on how to grow their business. What then happens is that people become distracted, lose focus and become burned out and frustrated as nothing see...
2021-08-3013 min
The Tutor PodcastLimited CompaniesJoin Neil today as he discusses everything you need to know about Limited Companies to help you decide if this business structure is the one for you. Neil discusses the setting up process, tax benefits and the legalities of limited companies. KEY TAKEAWAYS Limited companies are separate legal entities which mean there is a total separation of business and person. The company can own assets and gives the shareholders of the business limited liability. You have to register your company on Companies House, chose your name and pay your fee and then you have c...
2021-08-2307 min
The Tutor PodcastPartnership BusinessesIf you have a start-up business or have drifted into tutoring without much of a plan, then today's podcast is the one for you. Join Neil and discover the three business partnership structures which can help keep you safe and alert to pitfalls, allow you to stay on the right side of the law and most importantly, help you to keep the taxman happy. KEY TAKEAWAYS An ordinary partnership is a basic business structure. It is owned by two or more partners, you share the profits and have joint liability for the business. There is no...
2021-08-1614 min
The Tutor PodcastSole Trader Business Structure - Do’s and Don’ts.Discover today how you can ever so simply register as a sole trader and get your tutoring business up and running. Join Neil as he discusses the importance of registering and paying your taxes, what business expenses you can claim back and the importance of having a separate business bank account. KEY TAKEAWAYS Becoming a Sole Trader is a simple process. There is no separation between you and your venture. You are fully liable, the business is an extension of you. Therefore, the business liabilities are yours and the profits are all yours to kee...
2021-08-0913 min
The Tutor PodcastThe Comfort TrapThe comfort zone can be alluring and comfortable, however staying within your comfort zone comes with many limitations. Join Neil today as how you can flourish, so long as you escape the comfort trap. Discover how you can be an example of possibility to your students, how to escape your comfort zone and why you should not waste your energy on menial things. KEY TAKEAWAYS The comfort zone is popular and alluring. However, it is distracting and impoverishing. Staying in your comfort zone will do nothing for you, it doesn’t serve you and it...
2021-08-0207 min
The Tutor PodcastDesigning FailureDiscover today how you can design your own failure, which can help you spot your route to success. Join Neil as he shares a fool proof way to stop yourself from feeling overworked and underpaid. By identifying areas in your life you are failing in such as time management, passive income streams and lack of students you can flip your life around and get back on the road to success. KEY TAKEAWAYS It is great to plan things ahead whether that be daily, monthly, yearly or five yearly. Planning gives you a mindset of po...
2021-07-2610 min
The Tutor PodcastAn Alternative To WindowsDiscover the sleeker, faster, less demanding and free operating system ready to rival Windows. Join Neil as he discusses the advantages Linux, the open source operating system that outperforms Windows in more ways than one from its cost efficiency to its reliability is Linux beginning to take over? KEY TAKEAWAYS Linux is the open source OS that outperforms Windows, runs on low-spec machines, and never ruins your day with another infuriating auto-update.The most obvious advantage is that Linux is free whereas Windows is not. Windows license cost is different for both desktop and se...
2021-07-1921 min
The Tutor PodcastPlay PretendDiscover today a simple yet effective tutoring tool that is really important in ensuring your students are comfortable, relaxed and successful in their field, whatever it is you teach, this technique will help you. Neil discusses how ‘playing pretend’ can encourage your students to relax, how eliminating their fears of failure can help with their confidence and why imagination can become reality. KEY TAKEAWAYS A simple yet effective way of helping to teach your students is by playing ‘play pretend’. It gets the need to be right out of the way, along with their ego and a...
2021-07-0509 min
The Tutor PodcastWho Is Your Ideal Student?Knowing and understanding your ideal student is vital to your business’ success, find out today how you can identify your ideal client and how you can strategically market your business to be the leading service provider for that demographic. Neil discusses the benefits of knowing your client, why testing is important and what qualities to look for to discover them. KEY TAKEAWAYS There are many reasons why choosing your ideal customer is important. By choosing who your ideal student is you will get more pleasure and purpose from your work. You can offer a bet...
2021-06-2814 min
The Tutor PodcastTruer than True, Realer than RealHave you ever looked back on your tutoring or teaching journey and thought about what it has taught you rather than what you have taught others? Join Neil in today’s episode as he does exactly that. Neil talks through how he stumbled into the world of tutoring, how teaching often has a habit of producing unexpected consequences and how it can allow you to become more self-aware. KEY TAKEAWAYS Teaching has a habit of producing unexpected consequences, usually out of leftfield, emerging from our blindpsots where they’ve been hiding for ages, waiting for t...
2021-06-2111 min
The Tutor PodcastNever Be PerfectHave you waited to be perfect, and watched someone with less ability and worse skills step in and take the prize that was yours? Join Neil today to discover why you should never aim to be perfect, only gloriously imperfect. Neil discusses why perfection is a toxic myth, why waiting for perfection may mean you miss out on achieving your dreams and why imperfection acts as a springboard to better. KEY TAKEAWAYS A toxic myth – affecting you as tutors and teachers, in your lives as entrepreneurs and in the ordinary world is to aim for perfection. Pe...
2021-06-1410 min
The Tutor PodcastListen For The Helicopters.Have you ever suffered from imposter syndrome, and thought that someday, someone is going to think that you do not know what you are doing? Join Neil today as he discusses how feelings of self-doubt are normal and how to overcome them. Discover why experiencing imposter syndrome is usually because you cannot quite believe the life you are living is yours, how reprogramming yourself can help overcome self sabotage and why you should never lower your expectations or standards. KEY TAKEAWAYS No matter how long you have been tutoring or mentoring for, from time to...
2021-06-0708 min
The Tutor PodcastJournaling and GratitudeDo you keep a daily journal? A journal can help to keep you focused throughout the day, give you a structured routine in your life and help you to achieve your business and personal goals. Listen in to another episode of The Tutor Podcast to discover Neils daily routine, his own daily lessons and why keeping a journal can give you a sense of purpose.KEY TAKEAWAYS Keeping a journal gives you a sense of purpose throughout the day and by writing things down you’re activating your brain and it’s reproc...
2021-05-3113 min
The Tutor PodcastLong-Range Planning"A vision without motion is only a dream” and today, Neil is here to help you take action to ensure that you can make your dreams come true and avoid letting life pass you by. Neil discusses why it is important to think deeply about what you want out of life in the next 10-15 years, why the key to action and movement is to start at the end goal and work backwards and why the comfort zone is where your dreams will diminish. KEY TAKEAWAYS Most people overestimate what they can do in a ye...
2021-05-0312 min
The Tutor PodcastEssential Mind-gamesEverything in life is a mind-game and that includes the simple act of guitar teaching. Join Neil as he discusses the illusion that guitar playing is incredibly difficult and how you can manage your students’ expectations by making things simple. Learn how believing things will be difficult will get in the way of your students, how to demonstrate simplicity to your student and why it is important to create simple teaching techniques to demonstrate to your students. KEY TAKEAWAYS Everything is a mind-game, absolutely everything. Where the mind goes, the body follows. You can play...
2021-04-2612 min
The Tutor PodcastASSUME NOTHINGAll musicians have got to start out somewhere right? Many of them started out teaching themselves and skipped learning the basics. Join Neil as he discusses how you can never assume a player knows the basics, no matter how long they’ve been playing, the importance of understanding the foundations of music and how to change a students life long bad habits. KEY TAKEAWAYS There’s an old saying that goes “when you assume you make an ass of you and me”. There are many good guitar players out there and it is often surprisin...
2021-04-1213 min
The Tutor PodcastEntrepreneurial Trials and TribulationsBeing an entrepreneur is different to what most people do for work and it allows you to break from the norm and do what you love every single day, sometimes it may not even feel like work. Join Neil as he discusses the trials and tribulations faced by many entrepreneurs when it comes to the work/life balance and what it really means. Neil discusses the responsibilities of a business owner, the strains it can take on relationships and how to accept the change and transcend social expectations. KEY TAKEAWAYS Being an entrepreneur is f...
2021-04-0524 min
The Tutor PodcastComing Out of LockdownWith the Lockdown restrictions promised to soon be easing, it is very important for you and your tutoring business are fully prepared to get back up and running in line with the law. Join Neil today as he details how you can practice face to face whilst maintaining ‘Covid safe’, how to adapt your pre-existing teaching style and how much you and your students are going to love getting back to doing what you both enjoy. KEY TAKEAWAYS Many students are eager to get back into the classroom to learn and your tutoring business is re...
2021-03-2911 min
The Tutor PodcastDDWTIn today's podcast Neil shares with you his second golden rule to ensure you run a happy and successful tutoring business. DDWT stands for “Don’t Deal With Tossers’ a powerful statement that can rid you of any negative people in your life. Today, Neil discusses the benefits of this approach to life such as the ability to pre-frame all of your client interactions, not having people steal your valuable time and how this approach could actually earn you more clients, and more money. KEY TAKEAWAYS DDWT stands for ‘Don’t Deal With To...
2021-03-0811 min
The Tutor PodcastIF IT AIN'T FUNAre you stuck in a rut, not enjoying what you do? Join Neil today as he encourages the mantra ‘If it ain’t fun, don’t do it!’. Today, Neil discusses one of life's golden rules “Don’t do stuff that makes you miserable”, how no amount of money can solve your misery and how your joy in what you do will infect your students and get better results. KEY TAKEAWAYS One of life's golden rules is “Don’t do stuff that makes you miserable”. There’s no amount of money, prestige or self-sacrifice that can compensate you...
2021-03-0110 min
The Tutor PodcastTOTAL SPECIALISATION V. POLYMATHYIf Lockdown has taught us anything it is that you need to diversify your life. Join Neil today as he discusses the importance of polymathy and why learning new skills and jobs can make us become more interesting. Neil discusses famous polymaths and their impact on the world, how learning new skills can be fun and how to split your time to meet all of your drivers. KEY TAKEAWAYS Polymathy means “knowing a lot about many things”. We seem to be encouraged to become totally focused on “our thing”, and that specialisation is good. However...
2021-02-2216 min
The Tutor PodcastKeep on GrowingIf there was ever a time in life where you could spend time discovering, growing and learning new skills and talents, it is now. Join Neil today as he explains the importance of continually growing and learning, no matter how qualified you already are. Learn why investing in yourself is the best investment there is, how the past year has proven that nothing ever stays the same and why learning new skills can open you and your business up to more and more opportunities. KEY TAKEAWAYS Commit yourself to continual learning and growth. Lockdown is an o...
2021-02-1513 min
The Tutor PodcastYes, and...The only constant in life is change and all that you can do to embrace it is by saying “yes, and...” Listen in to another insightful episode of The Tutor Podcast as Neil discusses the principle of how “yes, and...” can adapt to any given situation, why you must accept change and continue to grow and develop and when “yes, and...” can be utilised as a gift and a presupposed positive. KEY TAKEAWAYS Improvisation says “yes, and...” accepts what’s given, utilises it as a gift, doesn’t fight to control the situation, presupposes...
2021-02-0807 min
The Tutor PodcastThe Mastermind AllianceLearn today how to create your own Mastermind Alliance. Discover the simple process of assembling a group of experts around you that can help solve some of your toughest problems. Neil discusses how to choose your alliances, the insights you can learn and how a difference of perspective can help solve your dilemmas. KEY TAKEAWAYS The Mastermind Alliance is a simple process of assembling a group of experts around you. The best part is, they don’t need to be there. As long as you can read and learn as much as you can abo...
2021-02-0107 min
The Tutor PodcastPause for ThoughtToday marks Neil’s 150th episode of The Tutor Podcast. Join Neil as he reflects on what he can be grateful for and what he can improve on in his tutoring business. He discusses why it is important to aim to create a change amongst your students, why it is your duty as a tutor to help your students reach their desired success and how to infect them with your enthusiasm. KEY TAKEAWAYS Create change. If they’re the same at the end of a lesson then you have failed. This is what teaching is re...
2021-01-1811 min
The Tutor PodcastMy Big Tick-list!Being locked down for the majority of the year has taken its toll on many people. In today’s episode, Neil discusses how lockdown helped him to create his Big Ticklist. The tick list enables him to perform a series of tasks throughout the day which can help improve his health, relationships and skills. Find out today how you too can create your tick list to reach both your short and long term goals. KEY TAKEAWAY When lockdown started, it began to get to a lot of people. Many people struggled with the lack of c...
2021-01-0409 min
The Tutor PodcastGoals and Planning for 2021Nobody could have predicted what would happen to the world in 2020 and nobody can predict what is yet to come. Join Neil today as he discusses why it is vital to have goals which can guide you on the path to your future self, why you should plan across multiple scenarios in the next year and why having any plan is better than having no plan at all. KEY TAKEAWAYS As always at this time of year, it is a good time to sit down and take a look at making goals and planning f...
2020-12-2809 min
The Tutor PodcastLook Back and Learn from 2020Join your host Neil as he reflects on the year and the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. Neil discusses how we no longer live in a free society, why it is vital to ensure that you have more than one revenue stream and how this year should serve as a reminder that nobody is coming to your rescue. KEY TAKEAWAYS These are not unprecedented times. Totalitarian states have created chaos like this time and time again as a way to increase control and suppress the population. It seems to be the media driving the agenda, however...
2020-12-2110 min
The Tutor PodcastIs This Truely Obsession?!Do you wake up with a smile on your face and count the hours until your Vortex opens? Do you, like host Neil, also have a love affair with your job? In today’s episode, Neil describes his love for tutoring, why spending your days doing what you love fills you with drive and energy and why getting paid is just a by-product of what your job really means to you. KEY TAKEAWAYS Christmas is approaching and many tutors are back giving in-person covid safe tutoring to their students. In-person tutoring often offers the exp...
2020-12-1407 min
The Tutor PodcastWho’s doing better than I am?Have you ever asked yourself who’s doing better than I am? There are people out there that have better answers than you do and you can learn from them. In this episode of The Tutor Podcast, Neil shares his advice on how you can improve your business, stay optimistic and stand of the shoulders of giants when you copy, follow and innovate your business based on the best practices of those who are doing better than you. Contact Neil (info@neilcowmeadow.com) KEY TAKEAWAYS Find people that are d...
2020-11-1609 min
The Tutor PodcastKeep Calm and Tutor OnHow will the new lockdown restrictions affect your tutoring business? In today’s episode, Neil shares his advice on how you can adapt and scale your business, continue to serve your tribe online and how you can set and achieve new goals both for your personal development and your business during the lockdown. Listen in and learn and why it’s important to stay positive, why you need to remain a leader to your students and how you and your business can thrive under new restrictions. Contact Neil (info@neilcowmeadow.com) KEY TA...
2020-11-0916 min
The Tutor PodcastAssume the PositionHow are you perceived by your students and in your marketplace? Listen in as Neil shares his tips on how to figure out how you are positioned and how you can align your view with your students. Discover why consistency is key to success, how to position yourself as an authority in your field and how to identify your lane and stay in it. Contact Neil (info@neilcowmeadow.com) KEY TAKEAWAYS Be true to yourself. Integrity is honesty and it will give your students a sense of certainty. Wha...
2020-11-0215 min
The Tutor PodcastEverything is on YouTubeIs the amount of free video content online a problem or an opportunity for your coaching, tutoring or teaching business? Today, Neil shares his thoughts on the opportunity YouTube presents and how you can use it to created structured and sequenced lessons online but also validate your own one to one tutoring with feedback, accountability and tailored content. Listen in to find out more! Contact Neil (info@neilcowmeadow.com) KEY TAKEAWAYS Students learning on YouTube suffer from the same issue of ‘monkey see, money do’ and as a result, t...
2020-10-2613 min
The Tutor Podcast‘What’s good about this?’‘What’s good about this?’ By asking this question you can turn anything into something good and when you’re facing a situation at first glance, looking for the good is all that really matters. Tune in to hear Neil’s all-time favourite question and how you too, can benefit from a change in mindset, perception and fortunes when simply looking for the good and turning a negative into a positive. Contact Neil (info@neilcowmeadow.com) with how you get on asking ‘What’s good about this’ in your business. KEY TAKEAWAYS ...
2020-10-1910 min
The Tutor PodcastBattling The Inner MoronHabits define who we are and who we believe ourselves to be but can also lead to our depression and our happiness and overtime habits will determine who we become. In today’s episode, Neil discusses the power of habits and routines and why they really matter to the success of your business, your tutoring and your wider life. Listen in to hear how to battle your inner moron and build better habits. KEY TAKEAWAYS Habits give you an evolutionary advantage, they speed up shortcuts, save energy and speed up actions. ...
2020-10-1214 min
The Tutor PodcastUtilisation - Everything CountsCommunication is vitally important as a teacher because it is through communication skills that a teacher can utilise a students belief system and life experience to better tailor teachings to the student. In today’s episode, discover the art of utilisation and how you can use it as a successful teaching method to better educate and evolve your tutoring, teaching and coaching business. KEY TAKEAWAYS As a teacher you cannot focus on anything more vital than communications skills, it’s the conduit that all communication is delivered to your students. A more flexi...
2020-10-0515 min
The Tutor PodcastWinning The Morning BattleWin the first battle of the day and you won’t end up chasing the rest of the day. Every day is a battle and the morning is the first fight of the day. If you can master morning routine and develop an organised plan your chances of a successful day/week will drastically improve. Listen in today to hear Neil share his thoughts on winning the morning battle and how you too can create a plan and see better results and a huge payoff every day. KEY TAKEAWAYS If you can win the mor...
2020-08-0320 min
The Tutor PodcastThe Course, Module, or Lesson PitchLearn today how to structure your course module or lesson pitch which will outline to your students why they are learning and what they are there for. Learn why it is important to tell your participants the relevance of the content they are learning, the consequences of not completing the course to the best of their ability along with the benefits they will reap when completing the material. Key Takeaways Whether you are starting a model to give the overview or whether you are in the detail of a lesson, it is important to...
2020-07-1307 min
The Tutor PodcastStructure Your Courseabout how to structure your course. The structure is as important as the content. No matter how rich the knowledge you offer, if the structure itself that will take them from A to B is not solid, then you have nothing. The transformation that you (and the student) want can happen if you set a formidable structure for learning. You don’t need to be a licensed teacher or educator to be able to do this. There are no specific rules. Let Neil help you. Listen in to this latest episode of The Tutor Podcast now to le...
2020-07-0611 min
The Tutor PodcastTransformation & The Purpose of the CourseHow’s your tutoring business doing during this time? We are now in the fourth week of our Building Online Course Special, and Neil hopes that you’ve been jotting down everything since the beginning because he has more to share. Today, he wants you to focus on the WHY of things rather than the HOW. Why start this course? It’s easy to plan and deliver when we know the reason and the purpose. If we want to help our students effectively, then revisit our approach. What should be changed in your approach to really...
2020-06-2910 min
The Tutor PodcastWho Are They? (Know Your Punters)In the third week of our mini-series on building online courses, we focus on knowing who your customers are. This is another important matter if you want to really make sales. Neil gives the low-down on how to scrutinise the demographic aspects. Who comprises your target audience? What do they really want? There are a few questions that you can use as a the backbone when building your online course. They’re very easy to follow, just be open-minded and imaginative. If you’ve missed the first and second episodes of this mini-series on The Tuto...
2020-06-2218 min
The Tutor PodcastCourse Planning Week 2: Who Am I?Welcome back to the second part of our discussion on building your online course! This special focuses on how to construct your course design templates. But first, Neil discusses the most important thing before making any drafts—self-identity. Neil wants you to look inwards, and ask yourself: Who am I? This may seem useless for some, but it isn’t! You don’t want to be offering an online course that you don’t whole-heartedly know and want. He’ll be discussing this thoroughly, leaving no rocks unturned, so that you can also gain students even amid a crisis...
2020-06-1515 min
The Tutor PodcastBuild Your Online CourseSow the seeds today, then harvest the fruits of your labour tomorrow! In this episode of The Tutor Podcast, Neil gives a step-by-step process on how you can build your online courses. People right now are looking for ways to cope amid the coronavirus pandemic. Why don’t you offer them your knowledge and expertise on guitar playing (or whatever you want!) instead? Start laying out your courses now. Learn some useful strategies from Neil when you listen in today. You’ll be helping someone in no time! KEY TAKEAWAYS Start building and producing your...
2020-06-0820 min
The Tutor PodcastAccountability Partners and Invisible FriendsWhich of your definitive goals have you not yet achieved? It’s difficult to keep track of deadlines or give your high performance for every single task when there’s a lot on your plate. Sometimes, you’ll need to sound the alarm and just ask for help. In this episode of The Tutor Podcast, Neil talks about the benefits of having accountability partners and invisible friends. Yes, that’s right. Even amid the lockdown caused by the coronavirus, you can still find someone who can help you keep on track. You’ll just have to do meet...
2020-06-0130 min
The Tutor PodcastSteal From EveryoneWell, not literally! What we mean by ‘steal from everyone’ is get ideas and learn from EVERYONE. (Emphasis on the word everyone!) In this episode of The Tutor Podcast, we learn about the importance of learning in and out of a classroom. Sometimes, when we set our goals and lay down our paths we’ll walk on, we refuse to see the benefits of having to explore other paths. The truth is, there are many things you can learn from other fields, from everyone. Don’t be a snub. Diversions are fine, as long as we gain recent k...
2020-05-2524 min
The Tutor PodcastHard Truths and RelationshipsLive your life YOUR way. It is only you who holds the wheel, and not anyone else. If you are controlled by others, then most likely, you’ll be confused where you should go. In this episode of The Tutor Podcast, Neil gives some useful survival tips for aspiring entrepreneurs, not just applicable for those in the tutoring business but also for those in different industries. It’s always the same problem that entrepreneurs face at the beginning—it’s having no time anymore for nurturing their relationships. The truth is… you have to accept that there...
2020-05-1828 min
The Tutor PodcastHow to manage your time and income streams effectivelyAre you having a tough time managing your schedule lately? If some of you are having a eureka moment about money-making ideas, and not knowing when to do it and where to fit it in your schedule, then you need to know about the 70:20:10 model. In this episode of The Tutor Podcast, Neil shares how he uses this model to his advantage as a teacher, a property investor, and a music creator. It’s a matter of organisation and discipline. Easy-peasy, right? According to Neil, the only trick after learning about this concept is to JU...
2020-05-1120 min
The Tutor PodcastSurviving Lockdown TipsWe all know how stressful life has become during this coronavirus pandemic, so in this episode of The Tutor Podcast, Neil lets you have a peek on his own list of surviving lockdown tips! The top priority is to keep your (physical and mental) health always in check. For Neil, having a routine helps. But since movement is very limited, Neil suggests ways on how you can tweak it. If you think there is no other way around how you can get yourself to sweat, well, let Neil prove otherwise! Neil also gives tips on...
2020-05-0422 min
The Tutor PodcastCovid-19 Government Support and AdviceThe UK government is giving out financial aid to small businesses, but do tutors who manage their businesses from their own homes get some? It depends. If you pay business rates, then you can receive from the Small Business Relief Fund. In this episode, Neil discusses more on what sole proprietors like him are facing amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The government has forgotten about hardworking educators. But not only them, several workers too are getting furloughed because of the current situation. Start learning on what does this mean for you, when you tune in. KEY T...
2020-04-1319 min
The Tutor PodcastChange or Die“It’s a catalyst to action. That’s what we have now.” More than half of the world right now are feeling the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak. The pandemic has caused delay in our businesses, our daily routines, and most definitely, the help we give to other people. There are a thousand ways you can help. (And they really weren’t kidding when they said that.) Surely, we can find alternatives, even at the middle of the quarantine situation. For educators, teachers, and tutors, maybe now is the time that we create or repurpose our conten...
2020-03-3034 min
The Tutor PodcastInteresting Times...This time on The Property Tutor Podcast, Neil gives his take on Covid-19. He discusses how it has affected businesses, with some already going into administration and others hanging on by the skin of their teeth. Neil gives sound advice on how to deal with your mental health and business problems, as well as giving ideas on how your business can survive Covid-19 through digital distribution. Above all, Neil looks for the ‘Opportunity in the Crisis’, to capitalise on Covid-19 to come up with creative solutions that benefit us all. He talks about his own personal near-death expe...
2020-03-2310 min
The Tutor PodcastLarks, Owls, Cows & VampiresThere are four types of people: Larks, Owls, Cows and Vampires. By working out which one you are, you can manage your life in order to fit your natural tendencies. But which one are you? In this week’s show, Neil takes you through each type in his own unique way, and tells you all about how you can achieve a far happier existence by applying a simple rule: To know and understand yourself is to manage and master yourself. KEY TAKEAWAYS Larks - The annoying types who wake up very early, full...
2020-03-1614 min
The Tutor PodcastSelf Sabotage105TTP Self Sabotage & Being Calibrated Perfectly DESCRIPTION ‘It’s all about calibration – we work perfectly, but if we are mis-calibrated we’ll work perfectly in pursuit of the wrong thing’ In this fascinating episode, Neil explains how self-sabotaging behaviours can be conquered if you are aware of the behaviours and take action to change them. The key is our own perception of normal and the story we have for ourselves, the inner voice that always seeks to return us to our own ‘normal’. If you want to bring your stor...
2020-03-0914 min
The Tutor PodcastQuality ProblemsIn this episode Neil explains how you can turn your problems into positives and how a problem can not necessarily be a problem. He discusses how problems can depend on the perspective and mind-set that you have on a particular issue. KEY TAKEAWAYS
Whatever the problem is that you’re facing, ask yourself what is the reality? It’s all malleable and you might find that it’s not a problem.
Where is the opportunity in the problem to find the positives? Some problems are great problems to have because you can choose how you frame the pr...
2020-03-0214 min
The Tutor PodcastSocial Media - Free Mega Marketing Opportunity, or Black Hole of TimeSome very high-profile people have made excellent use of social media to position themselves as experts and to develop a personal brand – and that’s SM being used as a valid strategy and a powerful marketing tool. It helps if you are young, female and good-looking. In this episode Neil discusses how you can use social media to grow your business. KEY TAKEAWAYS We can all learn from their examples if we want to “big ourselves up” and be more visible. SM reaches countless people, so it should be possible to construct a following for yourself, regardle...
2020-02-2411 min
The Tutor PodcastTime & TrustNeil has been thinking about time and its value and explains the importance of punctuality and respect for time in relation to your tutor business and to life in this episode. We all have people in our lives who are punctual and also those who are consistently late and Neil explains how our punctuality or lack of is woven into the respect and the trust we have with others. A lack of punctuality gives permission for others to mess you around whilst punctuality and consistency are the hallmarks of excellence – listen in and find out ho...
2020-02-1016 min
The Tutor PodcastAdult Students, The Fun BunchNeil explains the importance of using humour and fun in your lessons so that your students enjoy coming. Neil emphasises this for adult students even more than younger clients. KEY TAKEAWAYS
Often when a I receive calls it’s from someone who’s looking to book lessons for someone else. Usually when it’s an adult who wants lessons it’s someone who wants to relive the days when they used to play in a band or understand more etc...
Many other people do lessons after their kids have grown up that were on the back burner...
2019-12-2309 min
The Tutor PodcastThe Money Talk‘There are lots of opportunities around for us to make more and more money and the more we do it the easier it gets’ Neil is returning to the subject of money because how you think about money can have huge consequences for your business and your financial well-being. If your belief systems around money aren’t helping you then they are hurting you and if you don’t master what you think about money, success and wealth you’ll go with any ideas from any source. The money talk is a conversat...
2019-11-1126 min
The Tutor PodcastWonderVerbs for Teaching & AdvertisingNeil explain how using WonderVerbs can boost your teaching to another level. In this episode Neil shares how intertwines WonderVerbs into his teaching and how you can too. Listen to this episode to find out more! KEY TAKEAWAYS The best way to include WonderVerbs into your teaching is to download them in PDF form, print them out then weave them into your lessons. You can find them on Neilcowmeadow.com
Always add to your verbs so that you don’t become stagnant. It’s always good to see how your students respond to new power...
2019-11-0411 min
The Tutor PodcastWhen Would Now Be a Good TimeNow is the best time. Now is ALWAYS the best time. Let yourself be seen and heard. How can you offer your service to the right people if they don’t know who to approach? You got to find your clients if you want to be big as a private tutor. Neil says that since the school summer holiday is coming up, make the best out of this break to market your services. Holidays are a perfect time to talk to parents about how you can give better than what their kids’ school offers. Seize the...
2019-09-0213 min
The Tutor PodcastRunning On RailsThere’s a certain satisfaction in taking the train - safely, confidently delivering you to your destination without the hassles of traffic while generally providing you with a pleasant landscape along the way. In Neil’s opinion, that’s how life should be - we get on at a predetermined destination and move through our day automatically, or “running on rails”. Often in business we find ourselves becoming overwhelmed by our daily tasks, which gradually encroach upon our lives until we find ourselves overtaken and overwhelmed. This can lead to less free time and a steadily dissatisfied home life...
2019-08-2629 min
The Tutor PodcastTurn The Bloody Thing Off!!In today’s day and age, we can find it difficult to separate ourselves from our mobile phones, some may even suffer from anxiety and withdrawal symptoms, scientists are now referring to this a Nomophobia. In this episode of The Tutor Podcast, Neil shares his helpful tips on how he distances himself away his mobile phone, allowing us to focus on ourselves, our relationships and our business’. ‘This is the most challenging thing and the most rewarding thing you will do’ KEY TAKEAWAYS Text messages and emails can be damaging to business...
2019-08-1222 min
The Tutor PodcastCare Excessively"Well, what do I mean by 'care excessively'?" In this episode of The Tutor Podcast, Neil gets to the point of why we as tutors should not only care, but argues that we should care excessively. Join Neil as he touches on the psychology of the Presenting Problem and why it is important for your tutoring business! KEY TAKEAWAYS I think it’s a great by-product of being a tutor that we are held in very high regard and are trusted by our students. So, what should we, as tutors, do when a stu...
2019-07-1507 min
The Tutor PodcastCreate Your Master PlanThe last thing you want while building your tower of success is to see it crumble down. It’s important that you create and solidify a master plan. It serves as the map while you are on your journey towards your goal. A master plan doesn’t have to be sternly followed; it is flexible depending on the current milestones you’re receiving and the better opportunities that come. Neil also shares today his own master plan for his tutor business. The most important thing is that you contribute value to others along the way. Discover where you sh...
2019-06-2427 min
The Tutor PodcastPrice Whores & Special RequestsIn this episode of The Tutor Podcast Neil discusses the best ways to deal with customers who are price whores or special request clients. These two types of clients are often ones that are best avoided. Neil also covers alternative routes that you could take if you don’t necessarily want to turn the opportunity of a new client down. Listen in to find out more! KEY TAKEAWAYS In my experience there are only 2 types of customers. Your dream type of customers (which we looked at in episode 10) who are you’re looking to aim your...
2019-06-1714 min
The Tutor PodcastCheck Your EgoLosing your big ego can make a difference in how you handle your business and how you can influence people. So, in this episode of The Tutor Podcast, Neil teaches you how to keep your ego at a healthy level. As a guitar teacher himself, he’s had experience handling rowdy students. Even though all you want is to make sure they put their best foot forward, you can’t compel them to do everything. So, what you should do is focus on how you can attract their interest and engage them to learn at their own will. Discover more...
2019-05-2711 min
The Tutor PodcastGet Happy and Grin Like a Maniac!“There are some people out there who just won’t get it. Frankly, I am not talking to them; They’re a bunch of miserable sods!” In this episode of The Tutor Podcast, your host Neil Cowmeadow is going to be sharing his two top tips for staying positive – both as an entrepreneur and as a human being. Recognise how lucky you are to get up each day! Neil lets you know a few strange but positive movements and methods to further amplify good vibrations and positivity each morning (which will start your day right!) KEY TAKEAWA...
2019-04-1510 min
The Tutor PodcastStories to Tell and CompelThe best way to make the eyes and the ears of your students glued to you is to confidently tell the best story you could ever make. In this episode of The Tutor Podcast, Neil talks about the importance of storytelling in teaching. As educators, teachers, and coaches, we want that, as much as possible, we provide the most fun and productive learning experience for our students. Discover why creating stories produces the instant magic of attracting and engaging your target audience. Neil also talks about the generic structure of the world’s greatest novels, his own te...
2019-04-0814 min
The Tutor PodcastThe Importance of FramesWhat happens when we reach the end of our tutoring career? Today on The Tutor Podcast, Neil discusses the exit strategies you can take when it’s already time. Neil realised that the clock is ticking and soon, there will come a time that he’ll be very old to teach. So, what do we do when the music stops? What do we do when we don’t want to teach anymore? Learn today where you can get more opportunities and more options outside tutoring when you tune in. KEY TAKEAWAYS Exit Strategies: Ha...
2019-04-0114 min
The Tutor PodcastI'm a Guitar Teacher - Get Me Out of Here!!!Welcome to The Tutor Podcast! Today, your host Neil Cowmeadow talks about what happens when we reach the end of our tutoring career; • Am I Too old?• Am I Bored?• Changes to my Economics?• Changes in my Circumstances? Traditionally, pensions were the way to go, but Neil explains why he thinks it’s a model that isn’t worth pursuing. In episode #040, Neil goes on a deep dive on pensions so go back and listen for more Pension Info! KEY TAKEAWAYS: What we do need to look at though are E...
2019-03-2511 min
The Tutor Podcast#044 Interview With NLP Master John Cassidy-RiceTo ensure that your student gets the best learning experience, the educators – tutors, teachers, lecturers, etc. – should be able to communicate effectively and efficiently. So, in today’s episode of The Tutor Podcast, I talk to a good friend of mine, John Cassidy-Rice, about the Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and how it can improve the way we communicate and teach our students. NLP techniques can help enhance every student’s performance. Even John himself, who has dyslexia, shares that he benefitted from NLP. Aside from personal stories, John also shares the top 3 NLP-based key strategies that tutors c...
2019-01-0821 min
The Tutor Podcast#040 Pensions and Life After WorkIn this episode, Neil dives into Retirement and Pensions for Tutors, and how you too can look at the alternative ways of creating your own personal pension scheme. Securing your financial future and figuring out where your cashflow will come from after retirement can be daunting, but if you invest in property, create evergreen products and venture into long-term asset growth potential, you can beat the pension trap and live a comfortable retirement. Pension payouts are in decline but opportunities for cashflow are everywhere and today, Neil shares with you his own retirement plan and money pot...
2018-12-0324 min
The Tutor Podcast#035 Entrenched Student BeliefsWelcome back to another edition of The Tutor Podcast. Today, Neil dives into entrenched student beliefs, how you can discover them and why you need to defeat them. Your student's belief system is one of the toughest obstacles to learning and you need to overcome this in your teaching room. Learn how to harness, redirect and subvert or eliminate your student’s beliefs, so that you can become a better tutor and they can become a better student. Tune in to hear Neil explain how to identify them, how to elicit them and how to deal with, yo...
2018-10-2917 min
The Tutor Podcast#034 Your Elevator PitchToday, Neil discusses YOUR elevator pitch. Learn how to express what you do and attract Interest, people and sales to your business by nailing your very own powerful pitch. Discover what an elevator pitch really is, why you must have one and what it can do for your business. Having the right pitch allows you to completely change the perception of your audience about what you do, how you do it and how it can benefit them. Tune in today to answer one of the most common questions you’ll ever be asked: “What do you do?” KEY TA...
2018-10-2215 min
The Tutor Podcast#033 Holidays...The Upsides of DowntimeIn today’s episode, Neil discusses holidays and dives into the upsides and downsides of taking a break and the effects it can have on your tutoring business. Discover how to remain productive and effective throughout the holiday periods and how you too, can use this downtime to your advantage and leverage the free pockets of time to think about the future and strategically plan ahead. Tune in today to hear Neil talk holidays and what the positives and negatives can mean for your businesses. KEY TAKEAWAYS Toughest Tutoring Times: Voids Cashflow is...
2018-10-1513 min
The Tutor Podcast#031 Shiny Penny SyndromeIn today’s edition, your host Neil Cowmeadow discusses the trap of Shiny Penny Syndrome. No matter how happy and successful you are, we can all be sucked into the vortex of new ideas and schemes that look so tempting. Shiny Penny Syndrome is the constant jumping of attention and focus, from one new thing to the next, leading to distraction and loss of direction, and in today’s episode, Neil shares with you an eight-point checklist to stay on track, and on the road to success. KEY TAKEAWAYS It’s a human characteristic to be c...
2018-10-0212 min
The Tutor Podcast#030 Stay PlayfulWelcome to another episode of The Tutor Podcast. In today’s episode, your host Neil Cowmeadow explains why staying playful, having fun and enjoying your job, may be the most important factor to achieving success in your tutoring business. If tutoring sessions are fun for you, you’ll never work a day again in your life, you’ll have fun and have a steady stream of income as a by-product. The more fun you have, the more students you will have, and they will become your fans your advocates and the greatest assets in your business. Learn how to...
2018-09-2414 min
The Tutor Podcast029 - Time Management for TutorsWelcome to another episode of The Tutor Podcast. In today’s episode, your host Neil Cowmeadow shares his top time management tips. Learn how to make better use of your time and make your business more consistent, more successful and overall, more profitable. Time does not exist in any substantial sense and therefore we can exert no influence over Time.
Time is a useful illusion invented to allow mankind to make sense of life and our place in the world.
But the truth is that we can only ever live in one instant – the Now.
Discover how t...
2018-09-1712 min
The Tutor Podcast#28 The Talent MythWelcome to another episode of The Tutor Podcast. In today’s episode, your host Neil Cowmeadow discusses Talent, is it a myth or is it a method. Consider how harnessing the idea of talent can help you to grow your tutoring business and increase your student base. It doesn’t matter if you believe in talent or not, you can use it to your advantage. If the natural talent is there, acknowledge it and amplify it. But if it isn’t, erode the myth, minimise it and destroy it. As tutors, you can use the concept, to better...
2018-09-1112 min
The Tutor Podcast#27 Killer Copywriting Part 3- Your VoiceIn Today’s episode of The Tutor Podcast, Neil wraps up the Killer Copywriting mini-series with Part 3 ‘Developing Your Own Voice’ discover how to create your own personal style, write compelling copy and super-charge your tutoring business by communicating with your customers more effectively and more efficiently. Learn the correct techniques to construct your own killer copy and share your story. Tune in to episode #027 to hear Neil discuss Talent - Is it a myth or is it a method? Learn how to start, grow and love your Tutor Business. KEY TAKEAWAYS Active...
2018-09-0308 min
The Tutor Podcast#26 Killer Copywriting Part 2TITLE #026 The Tutor Podcast Killer Copywriting Part 2 DESCRIPTION Welcome to part 2 of The Tutor Podcasts Killer Copywriting three-part mini-series. In today’s episode Neil dives deeper into this valuable skills and shares with you some essential technical tips to writing killer copy. If you’re looking to write more compelling copy, construct a powerful message or simply communicate with your customers better, then this is the episode for you. Learn how to start, grow and love your Tutor Business. KEY TAKEAWAYS ...
2018-08-2712 min
The Tutor Podcast#025 -Killer CopyIn today’s episode, Neil begins the first of a three-part mini-series about copywriting for your business. Discover how to write and create killer copy, that can help market your business and bring in new customers. Neil shares with you his Top 10 Tips For Killer Copy and why you should implement these right away! Learn how to start, grow and love your Tutor Business. KEY TAKEAWAYS Firstly understand that “copy” is any writing used to promote your business or contain your ideas and copy is essential for your businesses marketing, particularly the online. Top 10...
2018-08-2016 min
The Tutor Podcast#024 - Thinking About TaxYour host Neil Cowmeadow explores the subject of tax in your business. Understand how to keep control of your money and out of the hands of the tax man and corrupt governments. Discover the rules of the game what you need to do in order to minimise your tax and maximise your earnings. If you can name it, there is probably a tax or a duty tax put on it so it is essential that you lean the legal ways to avoid it and benefit from it. If we work hard for our money, we should work...
2018-08-1414 min
The Tutor Podcast#023 - Always Be LearningWelcome to another episode of The Tutor Podcast, In today’s episode, Neil urges you to invest in your education and never stop learning. Understand the value in continuous personal development and how you too, can innovate by developing a unique blend of skills and abilities. Discover the secrets to ongoing personal education and how to leverage your time in order to constantly educate ourselves, enhance your USP and protect the future of your business and your livelihood. Learn how to start, grow and love your Tutor Business. KEY TAKEAWAYS By...
2018-08-0613 min
The Tutor Podcast#022 - Testimonials why they are important, how to get them and how to use themWelcome to another episode of The Tutor Podcast, Learn how to start, grow and love your Tutor Business! In today’s episode, Neil dives into testimonials why they are important, how to get them and how to use them. Neil explains why testimonials are killer marketing, add credibility to your business and most of all inspire you to keep faith in your passion, and best of all they’re free. Neil shares testimonials from his own tutoring business and demonstrates the power of social proof and how it can transform your business, instantly make you credible and prov...
2018-08-0121 min
The Tutor Podcast#021 - The Value of TimeWelcome to another episode of The Tutor Podcast, today your host Neil Cowmeadow discusses the value of time, how to use it and how to sell it. Learn how to do what counts with your time and see your hourly rate soar with multiple streams of income. Teachers end up continually trading time for money, a transaction that repeats over and over again. Discover how to add residual income into your life, create cashflowing assets and work on your intellectual property. Neil explains how he has optimised his tutoring business to dynamically manage all voids, free up...
2018-07-3029 min
The Tutor Podcast#017 - The 15 Commandments Pt.1In this episode of The Tutor Podcast, Neil discusses the 15 Commandments to keep you happy, motivated and on track to success. Neil dives into the first 5 commandments and explains that in order to be successful you must know who you are, and who you want to become. Understand that it is important to stay true to yourself and your values in order to know where you want to go in life. Neil touches on why having a sense of direction is imperative in achieving your goals, and why everyone should aim to look 15 years ahead...
2018-06-2520 min
The Tutor Podcast#001 - Neil Cowmeadow, the maverick peripatetic Telford Guitar Teacher, shares his past 19 years experience to a prolific tutoring businessAre you a coach, tutor, or small business owner? Are you driven to improve people's skills and lives, run your business better and make more money? Do you want to skip the seminars, bypass the workshops and avoid years of trial and error? And do you want to accelerate your progress, increase your impact, avoid costly mistakes, save precious time - and make more money? Listen in as Neil Cowmeadow reveals the secrets of building and running a booked-solid tutoring business, and how you can do it, too - right here in this Episode of The Tutor Podcast.
2018-04-0917 min