How I Built a $57,000 Online Course Teaching Coin Collectors to Slash Dealer Markups

From Coin Nerd to Course Creator: How I Built a $57k Course Teaching Collectors to Beat Dealer Prices

Want to turn your expertise into income while you sleep? I’ll show you exactly how I packaged my coin negotiation skills into a profitable online course. What started as a hobby became a $57,000 income stream teaching collectors to dodge dealer markups. Let me walk you through my real-world blueprint—no fluff, just what actually worked.

The “Aha!” Moment That Created My Course

While hunting rare coins, I kept scoring $600+ discounts by bypassing major platforms. It hit me: most collectors were overpaying by thousands! Why? Sites like APMEX often slap 20-30% markups on coins you could buy cheaper direct. That discovery became ‘Coin Buying Mastery’—my course that teaches students to:

• Find the real dealers behind marketplace listings
• Track coin histories using certification numbers
• Get 10-25% off with simple negotiation scripts
• Use platform fees to their advantage (turn the tables!)

Step 1: Testing If Anyone Would Actually Buy

Before filming a single lesson, I validated demand:

My $2,500 Reality Check

I ran Facebook ads to collector groups offering my free guide: “5 Ways to Avoid Dealer Markups.” 387 downloads in 3 days told me I was onto something.

What the Numbers Revealed

A quick SEMrush dig showed:

• 1,200+ monthly searches for “negotiate coin prices”
• Only 3 competing courses—all outdated PowerPoint slogs
• Untapped phrases like “buy coins below dealer cost”

Step 2: Building the Course Collectors Actually Finished

Most courses gather digital dust. Here’s how I kept students engaged:

My 6-Module Money-Maker Framework

• Module 1: Cracking the Dealer Code
• Module 3: Certification Number Sleuthing
• Module 5: The Discount Playbook (with real email templates)

Interactive Goodies That Boosted Completion

Students love these:

• My APMEX markup calculator (try it below!)
• Live price comparison database
• Role-playing dealer negotiation sim

<div class="calculator">
<input id="apmexPrice" placeholder="APMEX price">
<button onclick="calculateSavings()">Reveal True Dealer Cost</button>
<div id="result"></div>
</div>
<script>
function calculateSavings() {
const markup = 0.27; // APMEX average markup
const price = document.getElementById('apmexPrice').value;
document.getElementById('result').innerHTML =
`Estimated dealer cost: $${(price/(1+markup)).toFixed(2)}`;
}
</script>

Step 3: Platform Showdown – Teachable vs Udemy

After testing both:

Teachable won because I keep control—and my students’ emails. Crucial for selling advanced courses later.

Step 4: The Launch That Made $21k in 30 Days

My 3-phase launch strategy:

Becoming the Go-To Expert

Created content that ranked:

• “How Dealers Really Price Coins” (2,100-word deep guide)
• Side-by-side eBay vs dealer cost comparisons
• YouTube teardowns of APMEX listings

My 8.3%-Converting Email Sequence

• Day 1: How I saved $1,200 on a single coin
• Day 3: Behind-the-scenes APMEX markup expose
• Day 5: Limited offer with bonus negotiation scripts

Turning Launches into Passive Income

After the initial rush, I automated everything:

Set-and-Forget Student Nurturing

Zapier handles:

• New enrollments → Welcome emails
• Finished modules → Discord invites
• Price drops → Win-back campaigns

Upsells That Add Value

Added premium options:

• $497/mo mastermind group
• $97/mo “Deal Alerts” service
• $297 grading consultation

Your Action Plan to Create a Course That Sells

Here’s the blueprint that worked for me:

1. Spot a specific pain point (like hidden markups)
2. Test demand before building
3. Create interactive, practical content
4. Pick platforms that keep you in control
5. Automate marketing to keep sales flowing

Whether you’re into coins, vintage toys, or rare books—your knowledge has value. Start documenting your processes today. Your future students (and bank account) will thank you.

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