Want to earn money on Skillshare? It’s definitely possible by creating and selling engaging online courses. Focus on teaching a skill you love, promoting your classes effectively, and building a dedicated student base to unlock your earning potential.
Are you curious about how to turn your knowledge and passions into a source of income? Many creative individuals dream of sharing what they know with others and getting paid for it. platforms like Skillshare offer a fantastic opportunity to do just that! But sometimes, the idea of actually making money from it can feel a bit… mysterious. It’s totally normal to wonder, “Can I really make money on Skillshare, and how?” You’re not alone in feeling this way, and thankfully, it’s a lot more accessible than you might think. We’re going to break down exactly how to make money on Skillshare, step by step, so you can start building your teaching income and sharing your talents with the world.
Understanding Skillshare’s Earning Model
Before we dive into the “how,” it’s helpful to understand how Skillshare pays its instructors. It’s not quite like selling a product where you set a price and get paid directly. Instead, Skillshare operates on a subscription model.
When someone subscribes to Skillshare, they get access to all the courses on the platform. As an instructor, you earn royalties based on the number of minutes students spend watching your classes. This means the more engaged your students are and the more they watch your content, the more you can potentially earn. It’s a system that rewards quality content and genuine student engagement.
Here’s a simplified breakdown:
Membership Fees: Skillshare members pay a monthly or annual fee.
Royalty Pool: A portion of these membership fees goes into a monthly royalty pool.
Teacher Payouts: This pool is then distributed among instructors based on the total minutes watched across all classes each month.
So, your earnings are directly tied to how much of your course content your students consume.
The Core of Skillshare Earnings: Creating a Fantastic Course
The absolute best way to make money on Skillshare starts with creating a course that students want to watch. This isn’t just about uploading a few videos; it’s about crafting a valuable learning experience.
1. Choose a Profitable and Passionate Niche
What do you love? What are you good at? And is there an audience for it? These are the crucial questions.
Passion First: Teaching what you love will shine through and make the process enjoyable for both you and your students.
Skill Demand: Look for popular categories on Skillshare. Think about creative skills like graphic design, illustration, photography, video editing, writing, and even business and freelancing skills.
Beginner-Friendly Topics: Many students come to Skillshare to learn something new. Courses that break down complex topics into easy-to-understand steps are often very popular.
Unique Angle: Can you offer a fresh perspective on a common topic? This can help you stand out.
Tip: Browse Skillshare! See what courses are trending, what students are requesting, and what gaps you might be able to fill.
2. Plan YourCourse Content Meticulously
A well-structured course is key to student engagement and satisfaction.
Define Your Learning Objectives: What will students be able to do or understand after completing your class? Be specific.
Outline Your Lessons: Break your course down into logical, bite-sized lessons. Aim for a good flow.
Script Your Videos: Even if you’re comfortable improvising, having a script or at least detailed talking points ensures you cover everything clearly and concisely.
Visual Aids: Think about what visuals will enhance your teaching. This could include screen recordings, slides, animations, or real-world demonstrations.
Example Course Structure:
| Module | Lesson Title | Key Focus | Estimated Duration |
| :———— | :———————————— | :—————————————- | :—————– |
| Module 1 | Welcome & What You’ll Learn | Course overview, learning outcomes | 2-3 minutes |
| | Setting Up Your Workspace | Essential tools and software | 5-7 minutes |
| Module 2 | Introduction to [Skill] Basics | Fundamental concepts and terminology | 8-10 minutes |
| | Core Techniques: Step-by-Step | Demonstrating a foundational technique | 10-15 minutes |
| Module 3 | Project: [Applying the Skill] | Guiding students through a hands-on project | 15-20 minutes |
| Module 4 | Tips & Next Steps | Advanced tips, resources, and future learning | 5-7 minutes |
| | Conclusion & Thank You | Recap and encouragement | 1-2 minutes |
3. High-Quality Production Matters
While you don’t need a Hollywood studio, good production quality separates successful courses from mediocre ones.
Clear Audio: This is NON-NEGOTIABLE. Invest in a decent external microphone. Background noise or muffled audio is a major turn-off. A USB microphone like the Blue Yeti or Rode NT-USB Mini is a great starting point.
Good Lighting: Natural light is often best. If you’re filming yourself, ensure your face is well-lit and there aren’t distracting shadows.
Stable Video: Use a tripod for your camera or webcam. Shaky footage is hard to watch.
Editing: Edit out mistakes, long pauses, and unnecessary rambling. Keep the pace engaging. Software like DaVinci Resolve (free) or Adobe Premiere Pro can be used.
Visual Clarity: If you’re doing screen recordings, ensure the resolution is high enough for students to see details clearly.
Pro Tip: Start simple! You can use your smartphone for video if it has a good camera, and a basic lavalier microphone that plugs into your phone.
4. The “Class Project” is Key
Skillshare encourages hands-on learning. Most popular classes include a “class project” that students can complete to practice what they’ve learned.
Make it Achievable: The project should align with the skills taught in the course and be something a beginner can reasonably complete.
Inspire Creativity: Encourage students to share their completed projects in the class discussion area. This fosters a community and provides social proof for your course.
Provide Examples: Show your own example of the completed project to give students a clear target.
Promoting Your Skillshare Courses: The Secret Sauce
Creating an amazing course is only half the battle. To maximize your earnings, you need to get people to watch it.
1. Leverage Skillshare’s Platform Features
Optimized Titles & Descriptions: Use keywords that students are searching for.
Title: Be clear, concise, and include the main skill or benefit. Example: “Procreate Illustration: Master Digital Art for Beginners”
Description: Elaborate on what students will learn, who the course is for, and include relevant keywords.
Eye-Catching Thumbnail: Your thumbnail is the first visual impression. Make it professional, relevant to your course, and easy to understand at a glance.
Tags: Use relevant tags to help students find your course when they search on Skillshare.
Promote to Your Followers: Skillshare allows you to notify your followers when you publish a new class.
2. Utilize Referral Links (Premium Free Class Promotions)
This is a powerful tool for attracting new students, especially if you’re just starting and want to build reviews and watch time.
How it Works: When you become a Skillshare teacher, you get access to referral links. If someone signs up for a Skillshare Premium membership through your link, you earn a bonus, and they get a free trial.
Strategy: Share these links on your website, social media, email newsletters, and in relevant online communities (where permitted). This is a fantastic way to get people to experience Skillshare and discover your courses.
Important Note: Skillshare’s rules around promoting referral links can evolve. Always check their latest Teacher Handbook for the most up-to-date guidelines.
3. Build Your External Audience
Don’t rely solely on Skillshare to find your students.
Social Media: Share behind-the-scenes of your course creation, tips related to your niche, and direct links to your classes. Platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and LinkedIn can be very effective depending on your topic.
Email List: If you have an email list, notify your subscribers about your new classes. This is one of the most effective ways to drive traffic.
Blog/Website: Embed your Skillshare class or link to it from your relevant blog posts.
YouTube Channel: Create free introductory content related to your Skillshare course on YouTube and direct viewers to your full class for more in-depth learning.
Online Communities: Participate in relevant forums, Facebook groups, or subreddits. Share your expertise and, where appropriate and allowed, mention your Skillshare courses.
4. Encourage Reviews and Engagement
Positive reviews and active students are critical for earning potential.
Ask for Reviews: Gently encourage students to leave a review after they’ve completed your course.
Be Active in Discussions: Respond to student questions and comments promptly in your class discussion area. This shows you’re engaged and care about their learning.
Engage with Projects: Comment on student projects. This is incredibly motivating for them and shows others the positive learning environment you foster.
Understanding Your Earnings: What to Expect
Let’s get realistic about Skillshare money. It’s rare for new instructors to earn a significant income overnight. It’s a journey that requires consistency and effort.
Factors Influencing Earnings:
Watch Time: As mentioned, this is the primary driver. Longer, more engaging classes that students watch fully will generate more royalties.
Number of Students: More students watching your classes means more potential watch time.
Overall Platform Activity: The total royalty pool fluctuates each month based on overall subscription revenue and the number of active instructors.
Course Popularity: Highly popular courses with consistent watch time will earn more than niche courses with fewer viewers.
Number of Courses: Many successful instructors have multiple classes on Skillshare, diversifying their earning potential across different topics.
Typical Earning Ranges (Averages):
It’s hard to give exact figures as they vary so much, but here’s a general idea you might find from other instructors:
Beginner Instructor (few classes, low watch time): $0 – $50 per month
Intermediate Instructor (several popular classes, good watch time): $100 – $500+ per month
Top Instructor (many popular classes, high engagement, consistent promotion): $1,000 – $10,000+ per month
Remember: These are broad averages. Some instructors earn very little, while others have turned Skillshare into a substantial part of their income. The key is sustained quality and effective promotion.
When Do You Get Paid?
Skillshare typically pays out royalties monthly. You’ll receive your earnings for a given month around the 15th of the following month, provided you meet the minimum payout threshold (which is usually very low or non-existent). You’ll need a PayPal account or another supported payment method to receive your earnings.
Advanced Strategies for Boosting Skillshare Income
Once you’ve got the basics down, you can implement these strategies to potentially increase your earnings.
1. Create “Series” or Complementary Courses
If you have a successful class on a particular topic (e.g., “Introduction to Watercolor Painting”), consider creating follow-up courses:
“Advanced Watercolor Techniques”
“Watercolor Landscapes”
“Figure Drawing in Watercolor”
This keeps students engaged with your teaching and encourages them to explore more of your content, increasing your overall watch time.
2. Offer Bundles or Courses on Related Skills
If you teach graphic design, you might create courses on:
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Illustrator
Canva for Beginners
Logo Design Fundamentals
Students interested in one course might enroll in others.
3. Engage with the Teacher Community
Skillshare has a community for its teachers. Connecting with other instructors, sharing tips, and learning from their experiences can be invaluable. You can find this community through their official website or forums.
4. Look at What’s Trending on Skillshare
Skillshare often highlights trending topics or subject areas. If you have expertise in one of these areas, consider developing a course around it. This can give you a boost in visibility.
5. Analyze Your Performance
Skillshare provides analytics for your classes. Pay attention to:
Watch Time: Which classes are getting the most minutes?
Student Engagement: Where are students dropping off? What questions are they asking?
Reviews: What do students love? What are their suggestions for improvement?
Use this data to refine your existing courses and plan new ones based on what’s resonating with students.
Can You Really Make a Living on Skillshare?
Yes! While it’s not a “get rich quick” scheme, it is absolutely possible to build a significant income stream on Skillshare. Many full-time creatives and entrepreneurs use it as a core part of their business. The key is treating it like a business:
Consistency: Regularly publishing high-quality courses.
Quality: Focusing on delivering exceptional value to your students.
Promotion: Actively marketing your classes both on and off the platform.
Patience: Recognizing that building an audience and income takes time.
It’s a marathon, not a sprint, but the rewards of sharing your skills and earning income from them can be immense.
Frequently Asked Questions About Skillshare Money
Q1: How much money can I expect to make on Skillshare as a beginner?
As a beginner, your initial earnings might be quite low, potentially anywhere from $0 to $50 per month. This is because it takes time to build up watch minutes, attract students, and get positive reviews. Focus on creating a great first course and promoting it consistently.
Q2: Is it better to offer free classes or paid classes for earning money?
Skillshare’s earning model is based on minutes watched from Premium members. While you can offer free classes (often used as an introduction to a paid class or to generate leads), your primary focus for earning money should be on Premium-eligible classes. These are the classes that generate royalties from minutes watched by paying subscribers.
Q3: What is the Skillshare referral program for teachers?
The Skillshare referral program allows you to share a special link. When a new student signs up for a Skillshare Premium membership through your link, you get a bonus, and they get a free trial. This is a great way to incentivize new students to join Skillshare and discover your classes.
Q4: Do I need a specific amount of followers on Skillshare to start earning money?
No, you do not need a specific number of followers to start earning money. As soon as you publish your first Premium-eligible class and students begin watching it, you start accumulating watch time, which contributes to your royalties. Building followers is a great long-term strategy for consistent views, but not a prerequisite for earning.
Q5: How long does it take to get paid by Skillshare?
Skillshare typically processes payments monthly. You will usually receive your earnings for a given month around the 15th of the following month. For example, earnings from January would be paid out around February 15th, assuming you meet their minimum payout requirements (which are generally very accessible).
Q6: What are the most profitable topics to teach on Skillshare?
While “profitability” can vary, topics that are consistently in high demand and attract creative professionals and hobbyists tend to do well. These often include:
Graphic Design (Illustrator, Photoshop, Procreate)
Illustration and Digital Art
Photography and Videography
Writing and Storytelling
Business Skills (Freelancing, Marketing)
* Personal Development & Productivity
The key is to find a niche within these broad categories where you can offer genuine expertise.
Conclusion
Making money on Skillshare is an achievable goal for anyone with a skill or passion to share. It’s not about secrets, but about a smart, consistent approach focused on delivering value. By creating high-quality, engaging courses, understanding how the platform’s royalty system works, and actively promoting your classes, you can build a rewarding income stream and connect with a global community of learners. Remember to be patient, keep learning, and most importantly, enjoy the process of teaching! Your unique voice and expertise are valuable, and Skillshare offers a wonderful avenue to share them with the world.