Creating online courses can be an incredible way to share your expertise, build your personal brand, and earn a passive income. But if you’ve been wondering whether platforms like Skillshare and Udemy are worth it, you’re not alone.
I’ve been teaching online courses since 2017 and have experience with both self-hosted platforms and course marketplaces. Having taught more than 150,000 students I’ve learned what works (and what doesn’t).
So, let’s dive into the key questions:
- Are Skillshare and Udemy worth it for new course creators?
- Can you make a full-time income purely from marketplaces?
- What topics are most profitable?
- Should you self-host your courses instead?
- How can courses help you get more clients as a coach or consultant?
Plus, I’ll share how much time it takes to manage nearly 4,000 new students every month. You can watch the video below or keep reading the rest of the post:
Are Skillshare and Udemy Worth It for Beginners?
Short answer: They can be, but it depends on your goals.
One of the great things about marketplaces like Skillshare and Udemy is that almost any topic can find an audience. (There’s even a course on Udemy about how to perform exorcisms, so the possibilities are endless!)
However, platforms like Skillshare have some restrictions. For example, you can’t teach courses on topics like dating, hacking, or financial advice. Check out Skillshare’s content guidelines for more details.
But will your course actually make money? Let’s talk profitability.
How Payments Work on Skillshare and Udemy
Understanding the payment structures is crucial:
- Udemy: You earn a percentage of the course sale depending on where the student came from. If the sale is from your promotion, you keep 97%. If it’s from Udemy’s promotions, you earn 37%.
- Skillshare: Teachers are paid based on a subscription model. Skillshare pools all membership revenue, keeps 80%, and splits the remaining 20% among teachers based on the number of minutes watched in their courses.
Each platform has its pros and cons, but it’s important to note that Skillshare leans heavily into creative niches, while Udemy sees more success in business and technical categories.
How to Research Course Topics That Sell
Before diving into course creation, it’s smart to research demand for your topic.
- Udemy: Once you’re signed up as a teacher, their back-end lets you see insights like top-performing monthly incomes, average course ratings, and competition levels.
- Skillshare: Unfortunately, Skillshare doesn’t yet offer similar tools, but you can look at the platform’s top courses to gauge trends.
- External Tools: Use tools like Eurekaa to research potential course topics. It helps you analyse search terms, competition, and even potential earnings.
Can You Make a Full-Time Income from Course Marketplaces?
This is the million-dollar question.
While it’s possible, it’s rare without significant effort. My first course on Udemy made $259.92 in its first month back in 2017. When I joined Skillshare in 2020, I earned $940 in my first month, which jumped to $1,321.90 the next.
But here’s the thing: building consistent income takes time, effort, and constant improvement. My two best-selling courses are 8 and 12.5 hours long, and I refilm them every 18 months to keep them relevant.
My Strategy If I Were Starting From Scratch
If I were starting today, here’s how I’d approach course creation:
- Create smaller, high-quality courses (1–2 hours) for marketplaces. These courses should solve one specific problem and be easy for students to complete.
- Use these smaller courses to grow your email list.
- Develop larger, more comprehensive programs for self-hosting. This lets you control pricing, add bonuses, and even run paid ads.
This approach creates a balance: you get the exposure of marketplaces while still building your own platform for long-term growth.
Marketplace vs Self-Hosting: Pros and Cons
Here’s a quick breakdown:
Marketplaces (Skillshare & Udemy)
Pros:
- No upfront costs.
- Platforms promote your courses for you.
- They handle refunds and customer service.
Cons:
- You don’t own your student data.
- Limited control over pricing.
- Tracking conversions from ads or organic marketing is difficult.
Self-Hosting (Thinkific, Teachable, etc.)
Pros:
- Full control over pricing and promotions.
- You own your student data.
- Easier to run ads and track results.
Cons:
- Higher upfront costs.
- Requires more effort to market and maintain.
How Courses Can Get You More Clients
If you’re a coach, consultant, or service provider, online courses aren’t just for passive income—they’re also a fantastic lead-generation tool.
Think of courses as an introduction to your expertise. Students who love your content are more likely to invest in your premium services. For example, at the end of a marketing course, I might say:
“If you’re ready to outsource your marketing but want to ensure success, here’s how you can hire me!”
This works for any niche. Whether you’re a life coach or a fitness instructor, courses can help potential clients build trust in your expertise.
How Much Time Does It Take to Manage Marketplace Courses?
With nearly 4,000 new students enrolling every month, you might think managing courses is a full-time job. But here’s the reality: I spend about 8–9 hours per month on student engagement, answering questions, and reviewing assignments.
Surprisingly, most students don’t ask questions or complete assignments, so the workload is manageable—even with high student volumes.
Final Thoughts
While making a full-time income purely from marketplace courses can be challenging, incorporating them into your overall strategy is absolutely worth considering.
If you’re an aspiring course creator, I also offer affordable mentoring sessions where we can dive deeper into your goals. Check out all the details here.
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