Category: Passive Income

Creating an Online Course

Published on by Sandy Davis

If you’re currently a content creator or thinking about becoming a content creator, it’s my opinion that teachers and writers are most suited to creating online courses. I’ve also found that online courses are not only fun to create (I always learn something every time), but they are also the most potentially lucrative. Creating an online course can offer numerous benefits for content creators and their audience. Here are some key advantages to working with this medium:

  1. Share expertise and knowledge: Online courses allow content creators to package their expertise and knowledge in a structured format. They can share their unique insights, skills, and experiences with their audience, providing valuable learning opportunities.

  2. Reach a wider audience: By offering an online course, content creators can reach a global audience. Unlike traditional in-person workshops or seminars, online courses can be accessed by anyone with an internet connection, breaking down geographical barriers and increasing the potential reach of their content.

  3. Monetization opportunities: Online courses can be a source of income for content creators. They can charge a fee for access to the course, creating a revenue stream that complements other content creation efforts. Courses can also be offered as part of a subscription or membership model, providing ongoing revenue.

  4. Establish authority and credibility: Developing and delivering high-quality online courses can enhance a content creator’s reputation as an authority in their field. By sharing in-depth knowledge and providing valuable educational content, they can build credibility and trust among their audience, potentially leading to additional opportunities such as speaking engagements or collaborations.

  5. Fostering deeper engagement: Online courses often provide a more immersive and interactive learning experience compared to other forms of content. They allow content creators to engage with their audience on a deeper level, facilitating active participation, discussions, and feedback. This can strengthen the relationship between the content creator and their audience.

  6. Flexible learning options: Online courses offer flexibility in terms of timing and accessibility. Learners can access the course material at their own pace and convenience, fitting their education into their schedule. This flexibility accommodates diverse learning styles and allows individuals to tailor their learning experience to their specific needs.

  7. Addressing specific needs: Online courses enable content creators to address specific pain points or needs of their audience. They can develop courses that provide practical solutions, step-by-step guides, or specialized knowledge in a particular niche. This targeted approach enhances the value of the course and increases its relevance to the learners.

  8. Evergreen content and scalability: Once created, online courses can be available indefinitely, making them evergreen resources. Content creators can continue to generate revenue and provide value over time without constantly creating new content. Additionally, online courses can be scaled easily to accommodate a growing audience without significant additional resources.

By creating online courses, content creators can leverage their expertise, reach a wider audience, generate income, establish authority, foster engagement, provide flexible learning options, address specific needs, and scale their offerings. It can be a win-win situation for both content creators and their audience, providing valuable educational experiences while creating new opportunities for growth.

Becoming a Content Creator

Published on by Sandy Davis

My posts on Side-Hustles for Educators and Getting Started on Teachers Pay Teachers were so popular and have generated so much feedback from my readers that I started thinking about the role that content creation can play in the lives of teachers, writers, and educators.

Let’s face it, in this economy, almost everyone is thinking about how to make more money. But I think content creation is about SO MUCH MORE, especially for educators and writers. It’s about the act of CREATION, finding an audience, and building a community.

Teachers are not lauded and respected for their expertise in teaching, learning, and creating engaging content and lessons for their students. Reaching out to the larger internet community can boost your sense of self as an educator, generate a little self-respect, and even earn a little pocket money.

What is a content creator? Basically, anyone who creates CONTENT that people want to CONSUME. This includes stories, writing of any kind, articles, blog posts, photography, artwork, comics, podcasts, educational videos, vlogs, online courses, etc.

Here are the BENEFITS of becoming a content creator.

  1. Creative expression: Content creation allows individuals to express their creativity and share their unique perspectives with the world. Whether through writing, photography, video production, podcasting, or other mediums, content creation provides a platform for artistic and creative self-expression.

  2. Sharing knowledge and expertise: Content creators have the opportunity to share their knowledge, skills, and experiences with others. By creating informative and educational content, they can contribute to the learning and growth of their audience. It can be immensely fulfilling to see the positive impact of sharing valuable information and insights.

  3. Building a personal brand: Content creation enables individuals to build their personal brand and establish themselves as experts or thought leaders in their respective fields. By consistently creating high-quality content, they can gain visibility, credibility, and recognition among their target audience and industry peers.

  4. Connecting with like-minded individuals: Content creation provides a platform for connecting with like-minded individuals who share similar interests or passions. It can foster a sense of community and belonging, where creators and their audience can engage in meaningful discussions, collaborations, and support one another’s creative endeavors.

  5. Opportunity for monetization: Content creation can offer various avenues for monetization.
    Through advertising, sponsorships, brand partnerships, affiliate marketing, or even selling products or services related to their content, creators can generate income and potentially turn their passion into a sustainable career.

  6. Professional and personal growth: Engaging in content creation can be a journey of continuous learning and personal growth. Creators often acquire new skills, stay up-to-date with industry trends, and refine their craft through consistent practice and feedback. It can also provide opportunities for networking and professional development within their niche or industry.

  7. Impact and influence: Content creators have the ability to make a positive impact on their audience and influence change. Through thought-provoking content, they can inspire, motivate, educate, and even advocate for causes they care about. The ability to shape opinions, raise awareness, and contribute to positive societal changes can be a driving force for many creators.

  8. Flexibility and independence: Content creation offers a degree of flexibility and independence in terms of working hours, location, and creative direction. Creators have the freedom to work on their own terms, pursue projects they are passionate about, and establish a work-life balance that suits their needs and preferences.

While content creation requires dedication, consistency, and effort, the rewards can be significant. It provides a platform for creative expression, knowledge sharing, personal growth, professional opportunities, and the ability to make a positive impact on others. Ultimately, the decision to become a content creator depends on an individual’s interests, skills, and aspirations.

Tips for Getting Started on Teachers Pay Teachers (TpT)

Published on by Sandy Davis


I’ve been selling on Teachers Pay Teachers (who recently changed their brand and name to TpT) since 2017, but I’ve only recently begun to have a small amount of success. I typically make between $25-50 a month (I made a grand total of $644 last year), but am slowly seeing that number increase as I work to create more products and improve the quality of my resources and product descriptions.

There is a little bit of controversy about TpT in some teaching circles, but in other professions it’s completely normal to sell IP (intellectual property) and consulting services. As an educator, I have found some high-quality resources that have ranged from life-saving to just making my life easier on a Monday morning. That being said, there are some poor-quality resources on TpT, so buyer beware. I never buy or sell anything that doesn’t have a detailed product description and a preview of what I’m buying or selling, but more on that below.

If you’ve never sold on TpT before, here are some tips to help you get started selling lesson plans and curriculum resources.

  1. Research the market: Before you start creating your lesson plans and curriculum resources, take some time to research what is already available on Teachers Pay Teachers. Look for popular topics and themes, as well as gaps in the market where you could provide valuable resources. Pay attention to pricing, too; you don’t want to underprice or overprice your materials.
  2. Identify your niche: Start by identifying your area of expertise and the topics you are most passionate about. Consider the subjects and grade levels you teach, the resources you’ve developed over time, and the areas where you feel you can make the greatest impact.
  3. Create high-quality resources: Once you have a good understanding of the market, it’s time to start creating your lesson plans and curriculum resources. Make sure that your materials are high-quality and well-designed, with clear instructions and engaging activities. Consider adding in some interactive elements, such as games or quizzes, to make your materials even more engaging.
  4. Price your resources strategically: Pricing your resources is an important aspect of selling on Teachers Pay Teachers. Consider the time and effort you put into creating your resources, as well as their quality and value. Check the prices of similar resources on the marketplace and use that as a guide.
  5. Promote your resources: Once you’ve created and listed your resources on Teachers Pay Teachers, you need to promote them to potential buyers. Use social media to share your resources with your network and encourage others to share them as well. You can also use email marketing and other digital marketing strategies to get your resources in front of more people.
  6. Update and improve your resources: It’s important to keep your resources up to date and make improvements based on feedback from buyers. Consider creating a feedback loop with your customers to gather feedback and suggestions for improvement. This will help you create better resources that meet the needs of your target audience.

Selling lesson plans and curriculum resources on Teachers Pay Teachers can be a great way to earn extra income while helping other teachers improve their classroom experience. With these tips, you can get started on the right foot and build a successful business on the platform.

If you’re interested in trying your hand at creating resources, I’ve made a simple product template to help you get started.

5 Side Hustles for Educators

Published on by Sandy Davis

This month I will explore, in-depth, five possible side hustles for educators. These are tried and true ways that educators can establish themselves as a brand, create content, and make a little extra money on the side. All five of these are possible income streams, and I will feature each one in its own post, along with my own experience creating and monetizing content and how much success I’ve had with each method or platform.

  1. Curriculum Development: Use your expertise as a teacher or writer to create and sell curriculum materials on platforms like Teachers Pay Teachers (now TpT) or Teachers Notebook. I’ve been selling on TpT for five years.

  2. Freelance Writing, Copyediting, pr Proofreading. Write articles or blog posts for websites or publications in your area of expertise. You can find freelance writing opportunities on sites like Fiverr or Upwork. I’ve had great success with Fiverr, although it is a LOT of work.

  3. Create Online Courses: Teach online courses or workshops through platforms like Udemy or Skillshare.

  4. Blogging: It’s still possible to make money blogging! The primary ways people make money blogging are through ads and affilate marking.

  5. YouTube: Although this is a very difficult platform to break into, and making videos is very time-consuming, some creators are able to make a living off of YouTube alone. I think with consistency and persistence this can be a valuable income stream.

I have created content and made money, or attempted to make money, on the following platforms:

TEACHERS PAY TEACHERS (TpT)

FIVERR

UDEMY

WORDPRESS

YOUTUBE

This month I will share my experience with each platform, as well as tips and tricks for how to create an audience and make money, as well as my progress on each platform over the next 30 days.