Best Side Hustles for Selling Online Courses
Are you an expert in a specific field or possess unique skills others would love to learn?
Starting an online course side hustle could be the perfect opportunity to generate passive income. With platforms like Udemy, Skillshare, and Teachable, it’s easier than ever to package your expertise and sell it online. This blog post highlights the best online course side hustles in Canada, including descriptions, income potential, tools and resources, and links to get started.
Teachable
Teachable is ideal for those who want full control over branding and pricing. You can create your own online school, market your courses, and set subscription plans. The platform is user-friendly and provides templates to launch courses quickly.
Income Potential:
Potential earnings depend on pricing and marketing efforts. Many instructors earn $2,000–$50,000 annually.
Tools and Resources:
- Teachable course builder tools
- Canva for designing marketing materials
- Stripe/PayPal integration for payments
How to Get Started:
Skillshare
Skillshare is a subscription-based platform focused on creative skills like design, photography, writing, and business. Instructors are paid based on the minutes watched by students in their courses.
Income Potential:
Earn $200–$3,000 per month depending on course popularity and student engagement.
Tools and Resources:
- A compelling course outline
- Video editing software like Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premiere Pro
- Skillshare’s Teacher Handbook
How to Get Started:
Thinkific
Thinkific, a Canadian platform, allows course creators to build and sell courses on their own websites. It’s perfect for niche markets and provides features for community building and marketing.
Income Potential:
Monthly earnings can range from $1,000–$20,000 depending on audience size and course pricing.
Tools and Resources:
- Thinkific’s customizable course templates
- SEO tools to drive organic traffic
- Marketing automation software like Mailchimp
How to Get Started:
Zoom
Zoom is great for hosting live workshops or interactive classes. Whether you’re teaching yoga, coding, or business strategies, the live format offers a personal touch that attracts many students.
Income Potential:
Charge $20–$100 per student per session. Hosting multiple sessions can result in $2,000+ monthly income.
Tools and Resources:
- A Zoom Pro account
- Presentation slides (Google Slides, Canva, or PowerPoint)
- Payment collection platforms like Eventbrite or PayPal
How to Get Started:
YouTube
YouTube offers a free platform to share tutorials and earn through ads, sponsorships, or memberships. You can also use YouTube to promote paid courses hosted elsewhere.
Income Potential:
$500–$10,000 per month through ad revenue, affiliate links, and sponsorships.
Tools and Resources:
- A YouTube channel with niche content
- TubeBuddy for SEO optimization
- Monetization through Google AdSense
Links:
Coursera
Coursera is a platform for professional-level courses in partnership with universities and organizations. If you have advanced credentials or certifications, Coursera can help you reach a global audience.
Income Potential:
Top instructors can earn $10,000–$50,000 per course annually.
Tools and Resources:
- Access to academic resources
- Professional video production tools
- Coursera's Course Creation Guide
Links:
Conclusion
Online course side hustles offer an excellent way to turn your knowledge into income. With the right platform, tools, and marketing strategies, you can build a successful online education business. Start with one of these platforms and scale your efforts as you grow your audience!