How I Turned My Expertise in Numismatics into a $50,000 Online Course Using Teachable and Udemy

Let me tell you a secret: I never planned to teach. I just loved coins — real, tangible history you can hold in your hand. I spent weekends at coin shows, trading with dealers, building my own collection. Then it hit me: *What if I could share this passion with others?* That’s how my online course on numismatics was born. Fast-forward to today, and it’s pulled in over $50,000 using platforms like Teachable and Udemy. Here’s how I did it — and how you can too.

Discovering the Potential: The Birth of an Idea

For years, I was just another collector, roaming the bourse floors, chatting with dealers, and learning as I went. I started getting questions: “How do I tell if a coin is real?” “Where should I start?” “Is this a good investment?” That’s when I realized my knowledge had value.

Instead of answering the same questions over and over, I decided to create an online course. A real one — not just theory, but practical steps you can use the next time you walk into a coin shop or browse an auction. And yes, it’s now a passive income stream that keeps growing.

Identifying the Target Audience

Who needed this course? I asked myself: Who’s struggling to get started or feels overwhelmed by the jargon and complexity?

• New collectors just starting their journey.

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• Experienced hobbyists who want to focus on a niche — like ancient coins or error coins.

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• People seeing coin collecting as a smart alternative investment.

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• Small dealers who want to price, grade, and sell more confidently.

Once I knew who I was speaking to, the course practically wrote itself.

Choosing the Right Platform

I didn’t pick just one platform — I used two. Each has strengths:

• Teachable: I kept my course here for full control. Custom branding, flexible pricing, and my own student community. It felt like *my* space.

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• Udemy: I uploaded a version here too. The platform does the marketing for me, and I get discovered by their massive audience. Think of it as a foot-in-the-door strategy.

Using both let me reach more people while keeping the core experience intimate.

Creating the Course Content: From Idea to Reality

Now came the fun part: turning decades of experience into a course anyone could follow.

Outlining the Course Structure

I started with a clear path. No fluff. Just what students *need* to know:

1. Introduction to Numismatics: The story of coin collecting, key terms, and the different types — ancient, U.S., bullion, etc.
2. Building a Collection: Where to buy, how to grade, and how to avoid overpaying.
3. Investing in Coins: What makes a coin valuable? How to track market trends and sell at the right time.
4. Attending Coin Shows: My step-by-step guide to walk into a show like a pro — not a lost newbie.
5. Case Studies and Real-Life Examples: My actual experiences at the 2025 Rosemont Great American Coin Show — the wins, the mistakes, the lessons.

Each module built on the last. No confusion. Just clarity.

Engaging Video Content

I didn’t want a boring lecture. I wanted students to *feel* like they were there with me.

• On-site footage: I filmed at coin shows — walking the bourse floor, talking to dealers, showing how deals happen in real time.
• Expert interviews: I sat down with legends like Rick Snow and Robert Julian. Their insights? Gold.
• Educational segments: Clear, close-up shots of grading techniques, authentication tips, and market analysis — all shot with a simple camera and good lighting.

The videos weren’t Hollywood. But they were *real* — and that’s what people wanted.

Interactive Elements

A course shouldn’t be a one-way street. I wanted interaction, not just watching.

• Quizzes and assessments: Short tests after each module to reinforce learning.
• Downloadable resources: Inventory sheets, checklists for coin shows, and a valuation guide I use myself.
• Discussion forums: Students post questions, share finds, and even trade tips. It’s now a thriving community.

One student even found a rare 1913 Liberty Head nickel — and credited the course. That moment? Priceless.

Marketing Your Course: Reaching the Right Audience

The course was ready. Now, how to find the people who needed it?

Building an Email List

I started small. I ran a simple blog and shared free content: “3 Mistakes New Collectors Make” and “How to Spot a Fake Coin.” In return for their email, I gave them a free mini-course — 5 short videos on the basics.

That mini-course became a lead magnet. Hundreds signed up. And when I launched the full course? Many were already hooked.

Leveraging Social Media

Facebook and Instagram became my megaphones. I didn’t post sales pitches. I posted stories — real, behind-the-scenes stuff:

• Behind-the-scenes content: Me filming at a show, editing videos, or testing new quiz questions.
• Testimonials: Students sharing how they bought their first rare coin or started their own business.
• Live Q&A sessions: I went live every Friday to answer questions — no scripts, no filters.

People didn’t just buy the course. They bought *me* — my experience, my voice, my passion.

Utilizing Paid Advertising

I wanted to reach more eyeballs. So I tried targeted ads:

• Facebook Ads: Targeted people interested in coin collecting, investing, and history.
• Google Ads: Keywords like “how to start coin collecting” and “learn about coins” brought in search traffic.
• YouTube Ads: Short clips from the course — like a 30-second grading demo — with a clear call to action.

It wasn’t cheap, but it paid off. One ad brought in 200 sign-ups in a single weekend.

Collaborations and Partnerships

I didn’t do it alone. I reached out to respected collectors and dealers. One popular dealer agreed to co-create a module on advanced valuation. His name? Instant credibility. His audience? Instant leads.

Collaborations aren’t just about exposure — they add real value. And that’s what makes a course stand out.

Monetizing Your Course: Pricing and Sales Strategy

Now, the money part. How to price it? How to sell it?

Setting the Right Price

I looked at similar courses. Most were priced between $150 and $300. I set mine at $199 — a fair price for the depth and real-world content.

But I didn’t launch at full price. For the first 100 students, I offered it for $99. That created urgency. And it worked: 98 students signed up in 48 hours.

Creating a Sales Funnel

I didn’t just drop the course and hope. I built a funnel:

• Free Webinar: A 60-minute session where I shared my top tips and gave a sneak peek of the course.
• Email Sequence: Five emails that built trust, answered objections, and gently nudged people toward buying.
• Upselling and Cross-selling: After purchase, I offered a private coaching call or a bundle with a physical coin valuation guide — a real book, not a PDF.

The funnel wasn’t pushy. It was helpful. And that’s why people said *yes*.

Leveraging Affiliate Marketing

I invited bloggers and influencers in the coin world to promote my course. They got 30% of every sale. Not a tiny cut — a generous one. That motivated them to actually talk about it on their blogs, videos, and newsletters.

One blogger’s review brought in 40 sales in a week. Not bad for a single post.

Scaling and Optimizing: Growing Your Course Business

The launch was great. But I wasn’t done. I wanted to grow — and improve.

Collecting Feedback and Iterating

I asked students what they liked. More importantly, what they *didn’t*. I read every survey, every message.

• Updated content: Added a new module on digital coin auctions, which exploded in 2024.
• Better videos: Invested in a better mic and tripod. The difference? Huge.
• More engagement: Hosted live Q&A sessions every month. Students loved the real-time interaction.

Listening to students kept the course fresh — and kept them coming back.

Expanding the Product Line

One course became a series:

• Advanced courses: A deep dive into error coins and international numismatics.
• Coaching services: One-on-one sessions for serious collectors who want personalized advice.
• Digital bundles: A “Complete Collector” package with the main course, advanced modules, and all my checklists.

People who bought one thing often bought more. The bundle? Our best seller.

Automating Processes

I didn’t want to be stuck answering emails all day. So I automated:

• Email marketing: Tools like Mailchimp send welcome emails and course updates automatically.
• Course hosting: Teachable handles logins, progress tracking, and certifications.
• CRM systems: A simple tool to track who’s interested, who’s bought, and who might need a nudge.

Now, the business runs itself — mostly.

Case Study: The 2025 Rosemont Great American Coin Show

One of the most popular modules? My play-by-play of the 2025 Rosemont Show. Not just *what* happened — but *how* it happened.

Navigating the Bourse Floor

Students don’t just learn theory. They learn to walk the floor like pros:

• Planning your visit: How I map dealers, set goals, and avoid spending all day on one booth.
• Making deals: The exact phrases I use to negotiate — and when to walk away.
• Authenticating coins: Side-by-side comparisons of real vs. fake coins, with zoomed-in details.

One student used my checklist and avoided a $2,000 scam. That alone made the course worth it.

Networking and Building Relationships

Coin collecting isn’t just about coins. It’s about people.

• Approaching dealers: How I introduce myself, ask questions, and build rapport.
• Building trust: Why sending a follow-up email after a show matters — and how I do it.
• Collaborating on deals: How I partnered with another collector to buy a rare batch of 1916-D Mercury dimes.

The connections I made? They’ve led to trades, referrals, and even a few friendships.

Real-Life Examples and Lessons Learned

I don’t hide the mistakes. I share them.

• Selling strategies: How I priced and sold an 1856 Flying Eagle cent — and why I waited six months to do it.
• Customer interactions: The time a customer brought in a counterfeit coin, convinced it was real. How I handled it with respect — and still made a sale.
• Market trends: How demand for certain coins shifted during the show — and what that taught me about timing.

These stories aren’t just entertaining. They’re *teaching moments*.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways and Next Steps

Creating this course changed everything. It wasn’t just about the $50,000. It was about sharing what I love — and helping others do the same.

• Your expertise matters. You don’t need to be the world’s expert. Just be one step ahead of someone else.
• Pick platforms that fit your style. Teachable for control. Udemy for reach. Use both if you can.
• Make it real. Videos, quizzes, downloads — mix it up. Keep it engaging.
• Market with heart. Build an email list. Be active on social media. Tell your story.
• Price it, sell it, repeat. Use a funnel. Offer bundles. Try affiliate marketing.
• Listen and grow. Update content. Add new products. Automate the boring stuff.

If you’re sitting on knowledge — in numismatics, or anything else — don’t keep it to yourself. Package it. Share it. Sell it. The world needs more real education, not more noise. And honestly? There’s no better feeling than getting an email that says, “Your course changed my hobby — and maybe my future.”

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