How Engineering Exclusive Auction Tech Can Elevate Your Consulting Rates to $300+/hr
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December 9, 2025From Coin Collector to Course Creator: My Unexpected Journey
Let me ask you something: What if that niche knowledge collecting dust in your head could pay your mortgage? That’s exactly what happened when I turned my rare coin auction expertise into a $50,000 online course. The best part? I created it during naptimes and weekends while working my day job.
Here’s how it started: I’d been studying Apostrophe Auctions for years – those legendary numismatic events from 1979-1991. While collectors struggled to find historical data, I realized my passion could become their solution. Within 10 months, my Teachable course generated more than my annual salary. Let me show you exactly how I did it.
Finding the Goldmine in Forgotten Auction Records
Why Apostrophe Auctions Matter Today
Picture this: Four auction houses. Twelve years. Exactly 500 lots per event. These weren’t just sales – they were collector showdowns where rare coins traded hands for life-changing sums.
The magic? Limited lots meant only the cream of the crop made the cut. I still get chills reading old bids where collectors flew across the country just to outmaneuver rivals by $50.
The Research Problem I Could Solve
One Tuesday night, I stumbled upon a Reddit thread that changed everything. Modern collectors were frustrated about:
- Tracking down yellowed auction catalogs
- Deciphering pre-internet bidding wars
- Spotting value patterns in today’s market
That’s when it hit me: My binder full of auction notes could become someone else’s treasure map.
Building the Course Brick by Brick
How I Structured the Learning
My kitchen table became course headquarters. I developed what students now call the “Auction Blueprint”:
- History Comes Alive: Walking through each Apostrophe event like we’re time travelers
- Bidding Secrets: Exactly how underdogs won rare coins (without going broke)
- Pattern Spotting: Teaching what makes certain coins appreciate 10x
From Paper Catalogs to Digital Gold
Those crumbling auction catalogs? They became my secret weapon. Here’s my simple conversion formula:
1. Scan rare catalog notes → Become animated video backdrops
2. Highlight bidding wars → Transform into case study breakdowns
3. Circle key lots → Develop comparison worksheetsThe Great Platform Debate: Where I Landed
Teachable vs Udemy: The Real Deal
| What Matters | My Teachable Experience | My Udemy Reality |
|---|---|---|
| Setting Prices | Charged $497 for premium | Forced to discount to $49 |
| Student Relationships | Direct email access | Talking through a wall |
| Profit Reality | Kept 95% after fees | Lost half to commissions |
My winning combo: Use Udemy’s traffic to get students hooked, then invite them to my Teachable for the premium content. This doubled my revenue in Month 6.
Marketing That Actually Worked (No BS)
How I Built Trust First
Instead of sales pitches, I served value:
- Gave away my Auction Tracker template (still gets 200 downloads/month)
- Hosted “Coffee Break Auction Stories” on Zoom
- Surprised active forum members with free course access
- Created a collector mastermind group (now has 87 paying members)
Turning 1 Hour of Work into 20 Pieces of Content
My secret to staying visible without burnout:
- Clip key course moments into TikTok/Reels
- Expand case studies into blog posts
- Share war stories on numismatic podcasts
- Tweet auction trivia during collector happy hours (4-6pm EST)
Turning Knowledge into Ongoing Income
My $39/Month Money Machine
The exact tools that keep sales rolling in:
- Teachable ($39 plan handles everything)
- ConvertKit (automates my student nurture序列)
- Canva (creates fresh social posts in 10 minutes)
Real Revenue Milestones
The numbers that made my jaw drop:
- First 90 days: $12,387 (while still working full-time)
- Month 6: Consistent $3,500/month
- By Month 10: Crossed $50,000 total
What I Wish I Knew Earlier
Your Action Plan
If you’re sitting on valuable knowledge:
- Inventory your unique experiences (what seems obvious to you isn’t to others)
- Test demand with a simple PDF before building a full course
- Protect your student relationships – own your platform
- Create content that keeps selling while you sleep
Pricing That Converts
My tiered approach that worked:
- Starter ($197): Core videos
- Collector ($497): + Auction toolkit & community
- Connoisseur ($1,997): + Monthly live Q&A with me
Your Knowledge Is Currency – Start Mining It
That obscure thing you know? It’s someone else’s golden ticket. My coin course still brings in sales while I’m out hunting for new additions to my collection – 3 years after hitting publish.
The Apostrophe Auctions taught me something: Value emerges where passionate people gather. Your niche might be vintage watches, antique dolls, or industrial HVAC systems – the pattern holds. Package what you know into teachable moments. Your future students are already searching for exactly what you have to share.
What auction-worthy knowledge are you sitting on right now?
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