How I Turned My Passion for Early Commemorative Coins into a $50k+ Online Course on Udemy

Ever thought about turning what you love into a paycheck? I did—by transforming my passion for early commemorative coins into a thriving online course that now earns over $50,000 a year on Udemy. If you have a specialized skill or knowledge, you can do the same. Let me walk you through exactly how I turned my niche expertise into a scalable, passive income stream.

Why Teach Something So Specific?

Niche topics like early commemorative type sets often have small but passionate communities. I noticed a big gap: no one was offering a clear, step-by-step course for new collectors. By filling that void, I attracted dedicated students who were hungry to learn. It turns out, when people care deeply about a subject, they’re willing to invest in it.

Digital Products: Your Ticket to Earning While You Sleep

Unlike physical goods, online courses don’t need inventory or shipping. Once you create the content, it can sell again and again. Platforms like Teachable and Udemy handle the tech stuff—hosting, payments, even customer questions—so you can focus on what you do best.

Step 1: Test Your Idea Before You Build

Don’t guess—validate. I spent time in coin forums, Facebook groups, and checked search trends. When I saw people asking the same questions over and over about commemorative coins, I knew I had a real audience. Tools like Udemy’s Marketplace Insights or Google Keyword Planner can help you spot demand too.

Try This Today:

Join a few online communities related to your topic. See what questions keep popping up. If folks are asking, they’re probably ready to buy a good answer.

Step 2: Map Out Your Course Step by Step

Break your knowledge into bite-sized pieces. For my coin course, I organized it into clear sections:

• Getting Started with Commemorative Coins
• Key Historical Issues (like the 1928 Hawaii or 1935 Spanish Trail coins)
• How to Grade and Value Your Collection
• Building a Collection That Lasts

Each module mixes video lessons, quick quizzes, and handy downloads. Keep it visual and practical.

Quick Tech Tip:

<video width="600" controls><source src="course_video.mp4" type="video/mp4"></video>

Use simple HTML like this to drop videos right into your course on Teachable or other platforms.

Step 3: Pick Your Platform: Udemy or Teachable?

Udemy brings the students to you, but they take a bigger cut. Teachable lets you keep more profit, but you’ll need to do your own marketing. I started on Udemy to tap into their audience, then moved to Teachable later to boost my earnings. Think about what matters more to you: visibility or revenue.

At a Glance:

• Udemy: Huge built-in audience, helpful promotions, but 50% or more in fees.
• Teachable: You control everything—pricing, branding, student data—but you drive the traffic.

Step 4: Create Content That Connects

You don’t need Hollywood gear, but a good microphone and basic editing software make a difference. I use OBS Studio (free!) for recording and DaVinci Resolve for edits. Write a loose script so you stay on track—your students will thank you.

Keep lessons short: 5 to 10 minutes is the sweet spot for attention spans.

Step 5: Get the Word Out

Marketing doesn’t have to be complicated. I offered a free guide—”Top 10 Rare Commemorative Coins”—to grow my email list. Then I ran simple ads targeting phrases like “coin collecting course” or “learn about commemorative sets.”

Grow Your List:

Use built-in tools on Udemy or connect Teachable to an email service like Mailchimp to stay in touch with students.

Step 6: Grow Your Income Over Time

Once your course gains momentum, think about what’s next. I added an advanced grading module, which boosted my revenue by nearly a third. You could offer one-on-one coaching, eBooks, or bonus content.

Ready to Share What You Know?

Building an online course changed my life—and it can change yours too. Start with a solid idea, structure it clearly, and connect with people who want to learn. Your expertise is valuable. There’s someone out there waiting to learn from you.

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