Olesia Vlasova
Revenue growth & marketing · 9 MIN · 18.12.2024
What can I teach online to make money? Guide to profitable courses
The online education market is growing fast, and it’s expected to reach $279.30 billion by 2029. Whether you’re an expert, have a special skill, or just love teaching, there’s a massive demand for online learning, giving you many ways to make money online.
If you’re unsure where to begin and wondering, “What can I teach online?”, this guide will help you find your strengths, explore profitable course ideas, and get started.
If you’re unsure where to begin and wondering, “What can I teach online?”, this guide will help you find your strengths, explore profitable course ideas, and get started.
What can I teach people online for money? Top profitable ideas
You can create helpful and lucrative courses by sharing your expertise or helping people achieve specific goals. Here are some of the most profitable and popular ideas for online teaching:
🌱 Health and wellness
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Some ideas: yoga, meditation, nutrition coaching, mental health and wellness programs, first aid and CPR, physical fitness, improving sleep, core strength, Pilates, plant-based diets, detox plans, high-metabolism eating, weight loss.
The health and wellness industry is proliferating, and analysts project the market will reach $8.99 trillion by 2028. Because of its broad impact on daily life, health and wellness offer numerous opportunities to create valuable courses. However, it’s best to focus on a specific niche to succeed.
💡 Personal development
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Some ideas: time management, mindfulness, productivity hacks, networking, handling work stress, positive thinking, public speaking, confidence building, emotional intelligence.
Personal development helps people overcome challenges and improve their lives. With the market valued at $43.77 billion in 2022 and growing at 5.5% annually through 2030, creating courses in this field is an excellent opportunity.
Source: Carl Heyerdahl, unsplash.com
🏈 Sports and fitness
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Some ideas: snooker, warm-up exercises for martial artists, figure skating, throwing curveballs, bowling, swimming training, beginner golf.
Sports and fitness are great course topics if you have the skills. The online fitness industry will surpass $59 billion by 2027, growing 30% to 33% yearly. This rising demand for virtual fitness programs and personal training creates excellent opportunities for course creators.
🙏 Coaching
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Some ideas: life coaching, career advice, relationships, spirituality, productivity, l leadership, personal finance, business coaching, work/life balance.
Coaching is an excellent area for course creators, as people often seek personal, professional, or spiritual support. Choosing the right niche is crucial for success. Clients invest in coaching when they face urgent problems, not minor issues they can overlook. To stand out and attract clients, focus on solving these pressing needs. You can offer personalised plans or lead group sessions to help them meet their goals.
Source: coachranks.com
👔 Career growth
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Some ideas: resume building, job interview tips, networking strategies, career planning, leadership skills, personal branding, salary negotiation, transferable skills, career changes, adding value at work, or becoming a manager.
Career growth is a popular course topic, as many people want to advance but don’t know how. A course can help individuals understand what employers look for, improve their skills, and achieve their career goals.
📈 Sales and marketing
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Some ideas: digital marketing, SEO, graphic design, sales funnels, advertising, marketing automation, social media marketing, email marketing, analytics.
Online marketing and sales are key areas for course creation, as all businesses aim to boost profits. Sales training is essential for driving growth, and analytics skills are increasingly in demand as companies rely on data to optimise their marketing efforts. You can create courses on these topics and earn extra income through affiliate commissions by recommending tools.
💻 Technology skills
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Some ideas: coding (e.g., Python, JavaScript, C++), web design, Excel, data analysis, data science, cybersecurity, online research, artificial intelligence, internet safety and etiquette.
The online course market highly seeks programming and tech skills. As businesses and individuals increasingly rely on technology, there is a growing demand for skills like coding, web design, data science, and data analysis. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is also in high demand, with its impact spanning industries like healthcare and finance. Offering courses in these fields can be highly profitable, helping learners enhance their digital skills for career growth or personal development.
Source: businessresearchinsights.com
📷 Other Professional Skills
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Some ideas: video editing, design, carpentry, writing, project management, event planning, public speaking, digital art, photography, videography.
Professional skills are always in demand as businesses and individuals seek expertise to improve their work. Photography and videography courses are great options for creating high-quality social media content. You could teach basics like camera settings, framing, and angles to help learners enhance their skills. Additionally, you can create courses on video editing using tools like Adobe Premiere, photography techniques, writing skills, or even carpentry.
🗣️ Languages
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Some ideas: English, Spanish, French, ESL (English as a Second Language), or other languages.
Teaching foreign languages online is effective because students learn them best through immersion. Chatting or video calling with a teacher anywhere in the world makes learning easier. As globalisation grows, the need for language teachers is rising.
English is especially popular for teaching online. It’s widely spoken and studied worldwide, and the British Council reports that 750 million people speak it as a foreign language, creating a large pool of students for English teachers.
English is especially popular for teaching online. It’s widely spoken and studied worldwide, and the British Council reports that 750 million people speak it as a foreign language, creating a large pool of students for English teachers.
🎨 Art and music
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Some ideas: music theory and composition techniques, instrument lessons, painting, drawing, creative writing, singing, dance, musical instruments.
Art and music courses are great ways to teach highly demanded creative skills. You can offer lessons on painting, drawing, music theory, or playing musical instruments. Other popular topics include singing, composition, dance, and creative writing. These courses help students express themselves and develop new talents.
Source: Alina Belous, unsplash.com
🧵 Hobbies and Crafts
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Some ideas: cooking, DIY projects, knitting, gardening, pet care.
Hobbies and crafts are perfect for creating fun and valuable courses. These courses can appeal to many people, whether they’re beginners or want to improve their skills. It’s a great way to share your passion and help others learn new hobbies.
💼 Business and Entrepreneurship
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Some ideas: starting a business, raising funds, writing business plans, managing remote teams, digital transformation, entrepreneurship, brand building, business ethics.
Business and entrepreneurship courses are in high demand as more people start businesses and look for ways to grow, and even successful entrepreneurs need to adapt to the digital world. If you have business or management expertise, you can create profitable courses and expand your offerings by providing online schools, memberships, or coaching.
🏦 Finance and investment
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Some ideas: stock market basics, risk management strategies, and understanding market trends, blockchain, Bitcoin basics, cryptocurrencies.
Investing requires knowledge and focus, and many people are eager to learn about stock markets, mutual funds, Forex, and newer options like cryptocurrency. If you have investing experience, you can create a course that guides others on making informed and safe investments.
📚 Academic subjects
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Some ideas: math, science, history, literature, tutoring services, test preparation (e.g., SAT, GRE).
You can teach school or college-level subjects and offer tutoring in specific areas or multiple academic subjects. Tutors assist students with assignments, answer questions, and monitor progress. Another option is to specialise in test preparation, like SAT, GRE, or IELTS, helping students with exam strategies, practice tests, and improving performance.
How to create a profitable online course: Some tips and insights
Identify your skills and strengths
When you ask yourself, “What can I teach online to make money?” start by evaluating your skills and experience. Consider your professional background, education, hobbies, or personal talents. This will help you determine which subject or age group to focus on. Also, think about what others often ask for your help with. Whether it’s math tutoring, coding, or fitness advice, your expertise can be valuable.
Know your audience
Get to know your students and their needs. Customise your content to match their interests and address their challenges, making your course more valuable and impactful.
Choose a clear topic
Select a specific subject to keep your course focused and valuable.
Source: Corinne Kutz, unsplash.com
Choose your teaching format
Decide how you want to teach based on your topic and audience.
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Pre-recorded courses let students learn at their own pace, and lessons are available for a one-time payment. These courses are ideal for busy creators and students who value flexibility. You can host them on your website for complete control or use a platform like Udemy, Skillshare, or Teachable. -
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Live classes or tutoring offer personalised, interactive lessons through platforms like Zoom, Wyzant, or Preply. -
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Group coaching enables you to teach live sessions to multiple students at once.
Additionally, you can create membership communities using subscription models like Patreon for ongoing learning and engagement. Another great option is starting a YouTube channel or blog to share knowledge on a specific niche. You can monetise through ads, affiliate marketing, sponsorships, or by selling your courses. The key is to focus on a subject you’re passionate about and build a community around it.
Create engaging content for your course
Break content into manageable chunks
Keep lessons short and easy to digest.
Engage your students
Use videos, quizzes, and interactive elements to maintain interest.
Offer practical value
Ensure your course provides actionable, real-world skills.
Share personal insights
Students prefer learning from instructors who have achieved success. Share your own experiences and how you overcame challenges.
You can create your course on the Seturon platform, where you can design lessons, upload videos, and add interactive elements to engage your students. Start with a free trial and decide whether to use the platform on your own or get support from Seturon’s team, who can assist with everything from content creation to publishing, helping you build a successful, profitable course.
Don’t forget about your course after publication
Promote your course: Use social media and email marketing to spread the word.
Update regularly: Keep your course content fresh and relevant. Stay updated with trends, fill gaps in the market, and validate your course idea to ensure long-term success.
Update regularly: Keep your course content fresh and relevant. Stay updated with trends, fill gaps in the market, and validate your course idea to ensure long-term success.
As you can see, there are plenty of options for teaching online. Many teachers specialise in several areas, which allows them to reach a wider audience and earn more. However, the best subjects to teach are those you’re passionate about and have experience in.
Online teaching allows you to turn any skill or passion into a source of income. Start by identifying what you’re good at, choosing a popular topic, and selecting the proper teaching format. Your knowledge can make a difference – and earn you money.
Online teaching allows you to turn any skill or passion into a source of income. Start by identifying what you’re good at, choosing a popular topic, and selecting the proper teaching format. Your knowledge can make a difference – and earn you money.
FAQ
You can teach various topics such as health and wellness, personal development, coding, languages, art, and business. The key is to choose something you’re passionate about and have expertise in.
Yes, many successful online instructors teach multiple subjects. This allows you to attract a broader audience. However, it’s crucial to ensure that you have sufficient expertise in each area.
Start by selecting a precise topic, designing structured lessons, and breaking the content into manageable chunks. Use interactive elements like quizzes and videos to keep students engaged. Platforms like Seturon can help you organise and publish your course.
Focus on offering practical value and actionable skills. Share personal insights and experiences to connect with students. Update your course content regularly to stay relevant and aligned with trends.
- Olesia VlasovaEditor, writer, and journalist all at onceI’ve written and edited many articles and interviews about education, science, and AI. Learning is exciting <3
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