How Mastering Niche Tech Specializations Can Elevate Your Consulting Rates to $200/hr+
September 22, 2025How to Write a Technical Book on Coin Grading: A Published Author’s Guide to Breaking Into O’Reilly, Manning, and Apress
September 22, 2025Teaching What You Know: My Blueprint for Creating a Profitable Online Course
Sharing your expertise can be a fantastic way to earn income. Let me walk you through how I turned my rare coin grading skills into a $50,000 online course on Teachable.
Identifying a Lucrative Niche
I spent years grading rare coins, like the 1834 Capped Bust Half Dollar. One day, I re-graded an NGC AU53 coin as AU58+—a POP 1 rarity. Collectors flooded me with questions. That’s when I knew I had something special.
Here’s what I learned about choosing your course topic:
- Passion builds trust – My love for numismatics made people listen
- Niche topics attract buyers – “Grading Capped Bust Halves” drew serious collectors
- Debate sparks interest – The NGC vs PCGS debate became a key part of my lessons
Validating Market Demand
Before building anything, I:
- Checked Google Trends for “coin grading course” (3,600 searches a month)
- Joined forum conversations about grading disagreements
- Asked collectors what frustrated them most
Building the Course Framework
My course, “Mastering Capped Bust Coin Grading,” is built like this:
Module 1: Grading Fundamentals
I share my 5-point luster system, using that AU58+ coin as the star example.
Module 2: Service Comparisons
Real case studies comparing NGC and PCGS, including the coin that started heated debates.
Module 3: Marketplace Strategies
Tips on using CAC stickers and TrueView photos to boost coin values.
Creating High-Value Content
These formats kept students hooked, with a 72% completion rate:
- Close-up 4K video tutorials
- Side-by-side grading examples
- Hands-on grading practice
That AU58+ Capped Bust became my “hero coin”—it’s in over half the course materials as the perfect case study.
Launching on Teachable vs Udemy
I tried both platforms:
| Platform | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Teachable | Better earnings, full brand control | More marketing needed |
| Udemy | Ready-made audience | Less say in pricing |
My solution? Use Udemy to attract students, then offer deeper content on Teachable.
Marketing That Converted Collectors
These strategies made $12,000 in the first month alone:
Forum Teaser Campaign
I shared before-and-after grading shots with a simple question: “Want to learn how I caught this undergrade?”
YouTube Breakdowns
Short videos zooming in on coin details, always ending with a course invite.
Limited Certification
Students who finish advanced modules earn a “Certified Capped Bust Grader” title.
Scaling to Passive Income
Now, after 18 months, the course mostly runs itself:
- Automated welcome emails for new students
- A lively community forum for support
- Fresh case studies added every few months
It brings in around $3,500 monthly. Even niche skills like coin grading can create steady passive income.
Key Takeaways
1. Your knowledge is valuable—my rare coin experience became my unique edge
2. Healthy debate drives interest—grading disagreements fueled my content
3. Using multiple platforms expands reach and revenue
4. Certification makes your course more appealing
5. Automation lets you earn while you sleep
Whether you grade coins or build apps, the recipe is similar: Find an eager audience, share what you’ve learned, and set up systems that grow. My AU58+ Capped Bust was the start—yours could be next.
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