Skillshare is an online learning platform where people can teach or take classes in areas like:
- 🎨 Creative arts (drawing, design, photography)
- 💻 Technology (coding, web development)
- 📈 Business (marketing, freelancing)
- 🧠 Personal growth (productivity, leadership)
✅ Anyone can become a teacher and earn money by uploading pre-recorded classes.
🔗 Website: www.skillshare.com
👨🏫 How Skillshare Works (For Teachers)
Skillshare classes are project-based video courses broken into lessons (5–60 minutes total).
🧩 What You Need to Teach:
- A video class (no live teaching)
- A class project (e.g., design a logo, edit a photo, code a portfolio)
- Clear audio/video quality
- No prior teaching certificate needed
💵 How Much Can You Earn?
Skillshare offers two main earning methods for teachers:
| Income Source | Details |
|---|---|
| 📺 Royalties | Earn monthly based on watch time of Premium users |
| 💬 Referrals | $10–$50 per new Premium user you refer |
💰 Typical Earnings:
| Teacher Type | Monthly Income |
|---|---|
| Beginner (1–2 classes) | $30–$200/month |
| Intermediate (4–6 classes) | $200–$1,000/month |
| Top Teachers (10+ classes) | $1,000–$5,000+/month |
🔥 Some creators earn $50,000+ per year from Skillshare royalties alone.
📹 Class Requirements (Teacher Checklist)
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Class Length | At least 10 minutes total |
| Lessons | Break content into short videos (1–6 min each) |
| Video Quality | 720p or higher |
| Audio | Clear, noise-free |
| Project | Encourage students to complete a hands-on activity |
| Thumbnail & Description | Must be clear and attractive |
🛠️ How to Start Teaching
✅ Step 1: Sign Up as a Teacher
- Visit: https://www.skillshare.com/teach
- Create a free account
✅ Step 2: Plan Your Class
- Choose a specific topic (e.g., “Intro to Watercolor Flowers”)
- Outline your lessons and project
- Write a clear class title and description
✅ Step 3: Record Your Class
- Use tools like:
- Camera + mic
- Screen recorder (OBS, Loom)
- Video editor (iMovie, DaVinci Resolve, Camtasia)
✅ Step 4: Upload & Publish
- Go to your teacher dashboard
- Upload videos
- Add resources (PDFs, templates)
- Publish class for review
🧠 What Can You Teach?
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| 🎨 Creative | Art, illustration, animation, music |
| 💼 Business | Freelancing, marketing, finance |
| 💻 Tech | Web dev, Python, UI/UX design |
| 🎥 Media | Filmmaking, video editing, content creation |
| 🧘♂️ Lifestyle | Productivity, journaling, wellness |
💡 Niches that perform best: Graphic design, illustration, productivity, video editing, and marketing.
📈 Pros & Cons for Teachers
✅ Pros
- No teaching certificate required
- Passive income from old content
- Supportive community
- Built-in student base
- Referrals = extra income
- Great platform for creatives
❌ Cons
- Income depends on watch time
- Lots of competition
- High-quality video production is important
- Payment only via PayPal
- Limited exposure if your topic is too broad or niche
💸 Payment Info
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Payment Method | PayPal only |
| Minimum Payout | $10 |
| Payout Schedule | Monthly (around 16th of each month) |
| Currency | USD |
📚 What if You’re a Learner?
- Skillshare has thousands of classes to learn new skills
- $32/month or ~$168/year for Premium access
- Offers a free trial (usually 1 month)
- Watch on desktop or mobile
- No ads or interruptions
🚀 Skillshare vs Teachable / Udemy
| Feature | Skillshare | Udemy | Teachable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class Type | Short, project-based | One-time purchase | Paid courses or membership |
| Student Access | Subscription | One-time payment | Flexible |
| Teacher Income | Royalties + referrals | % of course sale | Set your own pricing |
| Best For | Creatives, side income | Wide topics, all levels | Full-time instructors |
| Cost to Teach | Free | Free | Paid (Pro plans) |
🧭 Summary
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Signup Cost | Free |
| Who Can Teach | Anyone |
| Course Format | Pre-recorded video |
| Earnings | Royalties + Referrals |
| Tools Needed | Camera, mic, editing software |
| Best For | Creative professionals, freelancers, educators |
🎯 Pro Tips to Succeed as a Teacher
- Focus on a niche (e.g., “Beginner Watercolor” not just “Art”)
- Keep lessons short + engaging
- Create a clear, exciting class project
- Use quality video/audio
- Engage with students via comments
- Promote on YouTube, Instagram, blogs
- Publish multiple classes (more content = more income)
