Self-Paced online course school

Adults learning a skill for work or a hobby, and small businesses training staff.

One-off course fees, bundles of related courses, or a monthly membership for ongoing access and new lessons.

• Deep knowledge of one subject
• Explaining things clearly
• Basic video and writing skills
• Online marketing

• Check your state's rules on selling vocational training or certificates, as some states require approval from a postsecondary education agency
• Be careful not to promise jobs, licenses or accredited qualifications you cannot deliver
• Check you own or have permission to use all materials, images and music in your lessons
• Check sales tax rules for digital products in your state
• Course platforms take fees and marketing takes time, so plan for slow early sales

Startup costs are typically around $300 to $1,500, depending on your recording equipment, software and the platform you choose. These are estimates, and platforms take fees, so check what each one charges.

Monthly revenue is typically around $400 to $2,000, depending on your topic, pricing and how well you market. Marketing takes time, so plan for slow early sales.

Check your state's rules on selling vocational training or certificates, as some states require approval from a postsecondary education agency. Don't promise jobs, licenses or accredited qualifications you can't deliver, and check sales tax rules for digital products in your state.