Making Money from Online Course Creation

Creating and selling online courses is a powerful side hustle that allows you to teach what you already know and earn money while helping others.
Whether it’s budgeting, DIY, photography, or a trade skill, if you can explain it clearly, you can teach it online.
Once your course is created, it can sell repeatedly with very little ongoing effort, becoming a long-term digital asset that works for you 24/7.

Why Create an Online Course?

Online course creation lets you package your experience into video lessons, tutorials, or downloadable materials that help others learn faster. It’s a great mix of creativity, education, and passive income potential.

Pros of Creating Online Courses

Passive Income Potential: Once recorded, your course can sell over and over.
No Physical Product or Stock: Everything is delivered digitally.
Low Start-Up Costs: Just a camera, mic, and presentation software.
Builds Authority: Sharing your expertise builds trust and credibility.
Scalable: You can create more courses or bundle them over time.
Rewarding: You’re genuinely helping people learn practical, life-changing skills.

Cons of Creating Online Courses

Takes Time to Create: Recording and editing can take effort.
Marketing Is Key: Even great courses need consistent promotion.
High Competition: Standing out requires personality and real value.
Confidence on Camera Helps: Though not essential, it builds connection.
Learner Support: Some students may need follow-up or updates.

How to Start Creating an Online Course

Choose a Topic You Know and Enjoy

Start with a topic you’re confident explaining: something that solves a real problem for others.
Examples:
Trade & Practical Skills: Home Maintenance for Homeowners
Digital Skills: Intro to Canva, Start Affiliate Marketing for Free
Lifestyle & Productivity: Meal Planning on a Budget, Productivity for Busy Parents
Finance & Budgeting: How to Build a Monthly Budget That Works, Debt-Free Living 101
A strong course helps people save time, save money, or improve their life.

Outline Your Course

Keep it structured but simple.
A great beginner course might include:
4–8 modules
20–40 minutes of total content
Downloadable materials (checklists, templates, or workbooks)

Example Structure:
Introduction & Overview
Step-by-Step Lessons
Practical Demonstrations or Case Studies
Recap and Next Steps
Don’t over-script it as natural, conversational teaching connects best.

Record Your Lessons

You don’t need expensive gear as clarity and good sound matter more.
Tools for Beginners:
Camera: Smartphone or webcam
Microphone: USB mic (like Blue Snowball or Fifine)
Screen Recording: Loom, OBS Studio, or Camtasia
Slides: Canva or PowerPoint
Audio Editing: Audacity
Record in a quiet space with good lighting and keep lessons short, 5–10 minutes each.

Choose Where to Host Your Course

You have two main options:
Course Marketplaces (Beginner-Friendly)
These platforms bring an existing audience and handle payments for you:
Udemy Free to publish, large global audience.
Skillshare Subscription-based, pays by watch time.
Teachable Popular hybrid option, good for growing creators.
Easier exposure but lower profit per sale.

Self-Hosted (More Control)
You upload your course to your own platform and set the price:
Teachable
Thinkific
Gumroad
More control, higher profit margins, and stronger brand building, perfect if you already have website traffic.

Set Your Pricing

Prices vary depending on your audience and topic depth:
Mini Course / Short Guide: £10–£30
Full Beginner Course: £30–£100
Advanced or Niche Course: £100–£500+
If your audience is budget-conscious (like those paying off debt), consider a budget-friendly price or a “Pay What You Can” option.

Promote Your Course

Promotion is where most creators succeed or struggle. Try these methods:
Write a blog post about the problem your course solves.
Share short video clips or previews on social media.
Offer early-bird discounts or bundle deals.
Ask students for reviews, testimonials are powerful for building trust.
Even selling a few courses a month can snowball as your audience and reputation grow.

Helpful Tools & Platforms

Teachable or Skillshare for hosting.
Gumroad / Payhip for simple, direct sales.
ChatGPT AI tool to outline, script, or polish lessons.
Loom for recording lessons.
Canva / PowerPoint for slides and visuals.
Audacity to edit voiceovers.

Earning Potential From online course creation

Your income depends on topic demand, pricing, and audience size.
Beginner: £0-£100 per month (First Course)
Intermediate: £200-£1,000 per month (steady traffic)
Established Teacher: £1,000-£5,000+ per month (multiple courses)
Once created, your course can continue earning with minimal updates, making it one of the best long-term passive income sources online.

Creating online courses is more than just a side hustle, it’s a way to share your experience, help others, and build lasting income.
Start small, stay consistent, and focus on providing real value.
Every great online teacher started with just one lesson and a desire to make a difference.

Disclaimer

The side hustle ideas shared on this page are for general information and inspiration only.
We have no affiliation with the platforms or companies mentioned, and results can vary.
Earning money online carries some risk. Income is never guaranteed, and success often depends on time, effort, and personal circumstances.
Always research each opportunity carefully before getting involved.