Earn Extra Cash: Teach Basic Computer Skills to Senior Citizens

Not long ago a friend said to me, "I wish I knew more about Parkinson's disease. My cousin was just diagnosed with it." "Why don't you look it up on the computer?" I asked. "You could probably learn everything you want to know."

This friend and I had often exchanged e-mails, and I knew that she had had her computer for a long time, so I was really surprised when she said, "I'd like to, but I don't know how." We were at the mall having coffee and she told me that she only used her computer for e-mail, but everything else about it scared her.

Now I don't pretend to be any kind of computer whiz, but can't imagine investing in a computer simply for sending and receiving e-mail. A telephone is much cheaper. I suggested that we head for her house so I could show her how to find information on the internet.

A couple of hours later, she was acting like a pro. I had her use Google to look up different things, and she beamed like she had discovered a magic kingdom. And, in a way, she had. The internet can provide Senior Citizens with a connection to the rest of the world even if they are physically unable to spend a lot of time outside their homes.

There are hundreds, maybe thousands, of people like my friend. A relative has given them a computer so they can keep in touch by e-mail, but hasn't bothered to show them what else they can do with it.

If you are looking for a way to increase your cash flow during these belt-tightening days, and are at all computer-literate, why not consider setting up a basic computer instruction class for the senior citizens in your area?

Does this appeal to you? If so, here are a few suggestions that may help you in setting up your new side business. Who knows, you may enjoy it so much that you will go into it full time.

1. Decide what form your classes will take and where they will meet.

If you feel comfortable in front of a group, contact your local community college or Senior Center and ask about conducting a class through them. Both of these sites would have computers available for as many people as you could interest in signing up. A course like this would probably run for two hours, one night a week, for 8 or 10 weeks. The college or Senior Center would collect the fees and pay you according to the number of students you have.

If you prefer working one on one, plan to meet in your client's home or your own home. At your first meeting, go over the basics things a computer can do, and let the student try some things you suggest online. Later, the student should bring questions about problems he or she may be having and your class time would be spent ironing out these individual problems. You would introduce new things only when you felt your student was ready for them.

If you have several computers in your home, you might enjoy having several people in at once. They could each share things they are learning, and ask questions about things they are having difficulty with. The advantage of having several people at once is that you can charge each one a little less than if you were giving individual lessons.

2. Getting the word out about your new business.

You may need to put some flyers up on the bulletin board at your local grocery store or even take out a small ad in the newspaper to get started, but, after a while, word of mouth may be all the advertising you need.

Mention to your friends, your co-workers if you still work at a regular job, to fellow church members, and even to your family what you are planning to do. Some of them may be interested in giving your class a whirl, or know someone else who would.

My friend, who I mentioned before, has told at least a dozen people how I helped her learn all about using the computer. One lady called and asked me how to get her screen unfrozen. I asked why she had called me of all people, and she said the other lady told her I was a computer expert.

That was as far from the truth as the east is from the west, but if I got that much free advertising from helping one person go online and look up information about Parkinson's disease, just think how fast the word will spread when you start teaching your students a lot more than that.

3. Charge enough to make it worth your time.

A lot of people who give private lessons make the mistake of charging too little. If you are giving private computer lessons on a full time basis, you have to charge a fair hourly wage. Don't forget to add the time you spend preparing for the lesson ahead of time or the cost of driving to the client's home or to wherever the lesson is to be given.

If you are doing this just to earn a little extra cash, you can afford to be a little more generous, but remember, if these people were to sign up for any other kind of lesson, they would expect to pay a fair price for it so don't go overboard in trying to be a good guy. (Or gal.) If you feel the person really can't afford to pay the price you are charging, see if they are willing to barter with you. Some Senior Citizens love to garden and will happily work in your garden in exchange for computer lessons, or maybe they bake the best cookies in town and will fill your cookie jar for a lesson or two.

4. Try to keep your lessons focused on things every beginning computer operator should know.

From your own experience, list the things you think are most important for a beginner to know. If a student wants to get more advanced computer learning, you could schedule private lessons later on, but the beginners course should stick with the basic knowledge all students need. (Turning the computer on and off; keeping dust out of the computer; sending and receiving e-mails; forwarding an e-mail; researching something online; downloading documents and pictures; printing a document; choosing fonts; copying and pasting, etc.)

If questions come up that are outside the scope of a beginner's class, ask the person to talk to you after class unless you think the question will be of interest to the whole group.

5. Finally, start gathering students for advanced classes.

While you are teaching your basic beginning students, you will come across people who will want to know more-a lot more. Ask if they would be interested in an advanced class.

Advanced classes are a little more difficult to teach, but usually more fun because the student is really motivated to learn a particular program or how to complete a project like making a web page for himself.

Instead of charging a per lesson fee for advanced classes, you may be able to work out a lump sum for the entire course or charge an hourly fee. Getting a website up and running may take quite a while, depending on the student's motivation and the time he has to devote to it so make sure he understands that it may be more expensive than the basic course.

That's about all you need to know to get started in the business of teaching Senior Citizens how to get the most out of their computers. Before you know it, you will not only start seeing some cash flow from your side business, but you will also have the satisfaction of knowing you have helped to make life more enjoyable for some Senior Citizens in your area.