Are you looking for a way to make extra money online but feel overwhelmed by all the “expert advice” out there? Do you think creating and selling an online course is only for those with years of experience or specialized degrees? Good news—it’s not! You don’t need to be a certified expert to teach what you already know.
In fact, many successful online courses are built by people just like you—beginners, students, stay-at-home moms, or anyone with knowledge to share. If you’ve ever thought, “But I’m not an expert,” this article is for you. You can turn your everyday skills and hobbies into valuable lessons, help others, and make money while doing it!
Let’s dive into how you can create and sell your own online course—even if you’re just starting out.
Step 1: Choose a Topic You’re Comfortable With
You don’t need to be a genius or have decades of experience to teach something. All you need is a topic you’re comfortable with—something you know a little more about than the average person. Think about your hobbies, skills, or even daily routines that others may find valuable.
Here are some examples:
- Cooking or baking tips for beginners
- Basic graphic design using free tools like Canva
- Simple home organization strategies
- Crafting, knitting, or sewing techniques
- Language skills like basic French or Spanish
Still not sure what to teach? Think about questions people often ask you. Maybe you’re the go-to person for organizing family events, or you’ve helped friends create resumes. These everyday skills could easily become a course. And remember, you don’t need to know everything—just focus on teaching the basics.
Step 2: Plan Your Course Content
Once you’ve chosen your topic, the next step is planning what you’re going to teach. Don’t worry, this is easier than it sounds! Just break your topic into small, manageable lessons. Think of it like teaching a friend step by step.
For example, if you’re creating a course on beginner baking, your lessons could look like this:
- Introduction to baking tools
- How to measure ingredients properly
- Basic dough recipes (e.g., bread, cookies)
- Easy decorating techniques
Each lesson should focus on one main idea to avoid overwhelming your students. You can create slides, video tutorials, or even simple PDFs—whatever format you’re comfortable with.
Step 3: Record Your Course (It Doesn’t Have to Be Fancy!)
Many beginners worry about making their course “perfect” or having high-end equipment. But here’s the truth: Your audience is looking for helpful, easy-to-follow content, not Hollywood-level production.
- Use your smartphone or webcam to record videos.
- Keep videos short and to the point (5-10 minutes each).
- If you’re camera-shy, you can record your screen while explaining concepts (for example, a Canva tutorial or a cooking demo).
- Focus on clear audio—even if the visuals aren’t perfect, people need to hear you clearly.
Don’t worry about getting it perfect on the first try. Your students are more interested in learning from you than judging your video quality.
Step 4: Choose a Platform to Sell Your Course
Now that your course is ready, it’s time to share it with the world! Luckily, you don’t need to build a website from scratch or spend a fortune to get started. There are several beginner-friendly platforms that make it easy to upload, price, and sell your course:
- Udemy: One of the most popular platforms for course creators, Udemy allows you to upload your course and reach a wide audience.
- Teachable: Offers more control over your branding and pricing, perfect for beginners who want to create a customized experience.
- Skillshare: Great for creative courses like design, photography, and DIY projects, and you get paid based on how many students watch your content.
Once you’ve chosen a platform, follow their step-by-step guides to upload your content. Most platforms will handle the tech stuff for you, so all you have to do is focus on marketing.
Step 5: Market Your Course to Start Earning
This is where the fun begins! Now that your course is live, it’s time to start promoting it. You don’t need a huge social media following to get noticed—just a bit of effort and consistency.
- Share on social media: Post about your course on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. You can even create short preview videos to grab attention.
- Reach out to friends and family: Ask them to share your course with their network. Word of mouth can be a powerful tool.
- Join online communities: Look for Facebook groups, Reddit threads, or forums where people are interested in your topic. Offer helpful advice and include a link to your course when it’s relevant.
With a bit of marketing, you can start earning passive income. Once your course is up, you can continue to sell it without needing to create new content every time. It’s a great way to make money online while helping others learn something new!
Conclusion: Start Creating Your Course Today!
You don’t need to be an expert to teach what you know. Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom, a student, or someone just starting out, your unique skills and experiences can help others—and earn you passive income along the way.
Ready to get started? Think about the skills you can share, plan your course content, and record simple, helpful lessons. Before you know it, your course will be live and helping people all around the world.
If you want to explore more ideas for earning passive income, check out our 7 Passive Income Ideas. Or, if you’re still developing your skills, take a look at 5 Skills You Can Learn Online. You’ve got everything you need to succeed—so why not start today?
Take the first step now and begin creating your course!