Make Money on What You Know

Knowledge is power. And online? Knowledge is a great business model! I can guarantee that you know how to do something really well. Maybe more than one something! And there are thousands of people who are willing to pay to learn from you. This article will show you how to find your niche in the online teaching community.

Teach Your Passion

Often when people think about teaching online, they assume it has to be a large-scale, big topic type “school”. But we’ve learned two things from the pandemic: there is a hunger for learning of all things and people want to learn online from the comfort of their homes. 

Of course, you can also go big (like I did) and create an entire business around a teaching a bigger topic. As you know, I’ve had an online physical products business for many years (Back from Bali) where I design beautiful clothing and have it made in Bali. I bring these pieces back to the US and sell them on Amazon and on my website. I am a true entrepreneur and decided to start another business sharing those skills with other women wanting to start and run their own businesses. 

I started with the simple question: what am I good at? What am I passionate about? Ask yourself those same questions. Can you hand-knit with large yarn? Can you bake an awesome cake or pastry? Do you know how to paint, play guitar, raise chickens, train dogs, or clean like a boss? Do you have specialty business knowledge such as how to use Excel or Facebook ads or social media? This is your niche and if you know it well and it seems so natural to you, you can teach it to others! 

Is It Time to Start Your Own Business?

I am convinced now is the best time in years for women to dive into entrepreneurship through teaching online. We are at the forefront of a worldwide shift and people are searching for knowledge. You can help them with what you know! 

Not only will you be serving others but you will be creating my favorite kind of business! The business that makes money for you while you’re sleeping, while you’re shopping, while you’re on vacation. An online teaching/knowledge business is very close to pure passive income and I know that you’ll love the feeling of making money while you’re not actually “working”.

You’ll also be building your brand and a “brand” is the most successful business you can grow. When your focus is on people (i.e., your students) and not a product, you have infinite opportunities for scale. You have a multitude of ways to expand not only what you offer but who your customer is. And your current students will be lifetime, loyal customers and be happy to spread the word for you.

Imposter Syndrome Warning!

I know exactly what you’re thinking right now! You’re trying to talk yourself out of it, aren’t you? (Does it sound like this: “I only bake (knit, sing, paint) for my friends, no way am I good enough to teach it.”). So let me tell you a story:

Years ago, one of my teachers asked me to start teaching meditation. 

My instant imposter piped up and said: “I'm not a meditation expert. I can meditate, but it doesn't make me an expert.” 

He responded with something truly profound! He said: “Somebody who knows five things can teach somebody who knows four things.”

So what five things do you know? And who are the “four thing” people that want to learn from you? (Don’t worry, in future blogs I’ll share how to find and connect with your people!) Take a little time right now while your creative juices are flowing – what do you know, what can you teach? Write these in your journal, put them on your sticky notes or whiteboard. Start thinking about it. You can make your dreams come true and start living your authentic success through online. 

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Who is Leslie Kuster?

I became a 7-figure woman entrepreneur in my 50s -- with my successful Back from Bali clothing brand! It took some getting real with myself to finally say, “Damn it, I want money!” Now I am here to ignite women entrepreneurs -- like you -- to experience the empowerment, independence and joy of creating a business that brings you both money and freedom. Read more about my story here.