Teaching
Lots of artists generate income by teaching their skills to students via workshops, online courses, speaking engagements, books, etc…
How It Works
There are a lot of ways to start teaching, and you definitely don’t need to be an “expert” at something to share what you know! Once you identify a subject that you want to teach (and verify that there's an audience interested in learning that subject!), you’ll need to develop a curriculum, find students, and decide where, when, and how you’ll make the information available.Helpful Articles
The Pros
- You can use the skills and knowledge you already have to generate income
- Teaching positions you as a leader in your field
- You can use the same curriculum over and over for different students
- Evergreen teaching platforms like certain online courses and books can become passive income
The Cons
- Not everyone feels comfortable or has a knack for teaching
- Creating content to teach can be time consuming
- In the beginning, you'll have to do a lot of work finding students and gaining trust
- Depending on where/how you're teaching, you may also have to do your own promotion, manage own logistics, etc.
Other Stuff to Note
If you’ve never tried teaching before, you may be in for a surprise about how natural (or unnatural) it feels. Teaching in person and responding to student questions and pressure in real time can be scary for some folks. Even having to explain things into a camera can be a really odd experience! Test out a few methods to see what feels best to you—but remember that experience and practice will always make you better.
Teaching could be right for you if…
• You’re analytical and good at breaking down complex ideas or multiple steps
• You’re confident, passionate, and good with people
• The thought of monologuing for an hour doesn’t make you want to throw up
• You want to be viewed as an authority and leader
How to Get Started
If you’re thinking about getting into teaching, start with something small. Think of it as a test, or “proof of concept.” This way, you can see how people respond or if you even like it!
Some ideas for small teaching steps might be:
1. A short tutorial – Make a 1-5 minute tutorial and post it on Instagram.
2. An email series mini-course – Create a sequence of opt-in emails that teaches a bit about a subject (this is a great way to start building your email list).
3. A PDF guide - Try writing a 1-5 page guide on a subject of your choice and make it available for download on your website.
Not sure what to teach?
Check out the free Workshop Workshop from Lauren Hom to unlock your teaching potential.
