How I Turned My Knowledge of Coin Shows into a $50,000 Online Course

I love teaching what I know — it’s how I turned my passion for coin shows into a $50,000 online course. No fancy studio, no big marketing budget. Just real knowledge, shared the right way. If you’ve got expertise in a niche like numismatics or collector events, this path is absolutely for you.

Identifying the Niche: Coin Shows and Their Future

I’ve spent years attending, observing, and even helping organize coin shows. I noticed something: people care — deeply. Collectors want to know when the next PCGS Irvine CA Show is happening. Dealers want to learn how to stand out at Long Beach Expo. And beginners? They’re overwhelmed by where to start.

That’s when it hit me: this community is passionate, but underserved. While big platforms talk about investing or grading, few address the real-life experience of numismatic events — the planning, the networking, the future of live shows in a digital world.

Validating Market Demand

Before I wrote a single lesson, I needed to know: is anyone actually searching for this?

• I popped into Reddit’s r/coins, Facebook coin groups, and forums like CoinTalk. Spoiler: people are constantly asking about show updates and tips.
• I checked how many active collectors there are — over 2 million in the U.S. alone, with thousands attending shows every year.
• Then I looked for gaps: most content was either too basic or buried in jargon. No one was teaching the whole picture.

Google Trends confirmed it: searches like “coin show updates” and “future of numismatic events” stayed high year-round. Not just a seasonal thing. This was a real, lasting interest.

Course Creation: From Idea to Digital Product

I’ll be honest — building the course wasn’t instant. But every step felt purposeful. Here’s how it came together.

1. Defining the Course Outline

I started with what students actually needed, not what I assumed they wanted. After polling collectors and dealers, I built a curriculum around real pain points:

• What makes a coin show successful — and what’s killing them?
• How to plan your trip, booth, or weekend like a pro
• Hidden opportunities: networking, media appearances, exclusive auctions
• What’s changing — and what’s staying the same — in 2025 and beyond
• How to turn a show visit into a business growth moment

This wasn’t just a “history of coin shows” class. It was a practical guide to thriving in the numismatic world.

2. Content Creation Tools and Techniques

I kept it simple and authentic. No overproduced fluff. Just clear, valuable content.

• Video Lectures: I used my old webcam and a good mic (the Blue Yeti). OBS Studio for screen recording, then Adobe Premiere Pro to cut rough edges. Kept it real — mistakes and all.
• Audio Content: For deep dives, I recorded short audio segments using Audacity. Think: “The 5 questions every dealer gets — and how to answer them.”
• Written Materials: PDFs with show checklists, planning templates, and interview notes. Did it in Google Docs, then LaTeX for polish. Worth it.

One of my favorite video scripts?


"In this module, we're going back to the Long Beach Expo — the rise, the fall, and what it means for the future. You’ll see how one show can shape an entire community. And why the 2025 PCGS show in Irvine could be the new gold standard..."


3. Platform Selection: Teachable vs. Udemy

This was a big decision — and I used both.

• Teachable: Perfect for my main course. I branded it, priced it higher for serious collectors, and used it to build my email list. This became my premium channel.
• Udemy: I published a shorter version here. Lower price, wider reach. It helped me land early reviews, which boosted credibility and visibility.

The combo worked. Teachable for authority. Udemy for discoverability.

Building a Passive Income Stream

I wanted this course to pay me — even when I was sleeping. Here’s how I made it happen.

1. Pricing Strategy

I didn’t charge $20 and hope for volume. I offered value tiers:

• Basic Tier ($99): Core lessons, show planning templates, and the full video library. Great for casual collectors.
• Premium Tier ($199): Added monthly live Q&As, exclusive interviews with show organizers, and downloadable resources.
• Lifetime Access ($299): All content, plus my personal feedback on your show strategy. This was the best seller.

People paid more because they felt they were getting more — not just information, but results.

2. Automating Marketing and Sales

I built systems so I could step back — and still see sales.

• Email Campaigns: Used Mailchimp to send a 5-day “Show Pro” series. Each email shared a free tip, then tied it to the course. Open rate? 62%.
• Social Media Ads: Ran simple Facebook and Instagram ads targeting coin groups and forums. Focused on curiosity: “What do top dealers know about coin shows that you don’t?”
• Webinars: Hosted a free 45-minute “How to Rock Your Next Show” event. Recorded it, sent the replay — and 38% of attendees bought the course.

3. Leveraging Affiliate Marketing

I reached out to trusted coin dealers, grading services, and numismatic newsletters. I offered them 25% commission — and they started promoting it because they believed in it. One newsletter sent a feature, and I got $4,000 in sales in 48 hours.

Marketing the Course: Reaching the Right Audience

You can have the best course in the world — but if no one sees it, it’s a secret.

1. Content Marketing

I gave away value first. No begging for sales.

• Wrote blog posts like “Why the 2025 PCGS Show Could Change Everything”
• Posted YouTube videos showing behind-the-scenes at a real coin show
• Launched a podcast interviewing collectors who built businesses through events

Each piece ended with a simple CTA: “Want the full guide? Check out the course.”

2. Community Engagement

I didn’t just post and run. I showed up.

• Answered questions in forums like CoinTalk and Facebook coin groups
• Offered a free “Mini-Course: How to Network at Coin Shows” — it became my best lead magnet
• Asked students to share their show photos and stories. We featured them — and built real trust

3. SEO Optimization

I wanted people to find me when they searched. So I made it easy.

• Used keywords like “coin show strategies”, “numismatic event planning”, and “future of coin collecting” naturally in titles, descriptions, and blog posts
• Optimized video transcripts and blog tags
• Got backlinks by collaborating with numismatic blogs and local show websites

Within six months, my course page ranked on Google’s first page for “how to succeed at coin shows.”

Scaling and Expanding

Once the first course paid off, I didn’t stop.

1. Creating Complementary Courses

I asked: what else do my students need?

• “Advanced Coin Grading Techniques” — for dealers stepping into appraisal
• “Building a Profitable Coin Collection” — for serious investors
• “Marketing Your Numismatic Business Online” — for dealers going digital

Each course fed into the next. One student bought all three.

2. Offering Coaching and Consulting

Some students wanted more. So I started 1:1 calls. Helped a dealer redesign their booth. Coached a collector on launching a show newsletter. Charged $150/hour — and it was worth every minute.

3. Building a Membership Site

I created a private membership: monthly webinars, exclusive interviews, a community forum, and early access to new content. At $49/month, it added steady recurring income.

Conclusion: Your Path to Success

Look — you don’t need to be an expert in AI or crypto to make a great course. You just need real experience, a niche that matters, and the willingness to share it.

I didn’t start with a big audience. I started with a stack of knowledge, a webcam, and a belief that coin show lovers deserve better guidance.

Now, my course runs on its own. Students leave reviews like: “I used your planning checklist at the NYINC show and landed three new clients.” That feels incredible.

So if you’ve got expertise — whether it’s coin shows, antiques, or any niche — start small. Test your ideas. Talk to your audience. Create something that helps real people.

And who knows? In a year, you might be writing about how you turned your passion into a $50,000 course too.

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