How to Create & Sell Online Courses as a Side Hustle (2025 Guide)
Introduction
Teachers and influencers are no longer the only people taking online courses. By 2025, anyone with a skill, no matter how small, can make money from it. What's the best part? You don't have to quit your job to pursue it as a side gig.
People are willing to pay for detailed instructions on nearly anything, from fitness, cooking, coding, and social media marketing to Canva design and more, as the demand for online education continues to rise.
Even if you're not an expert, you can learn how to make and market online courses as a side gig from this guide.
People are willing to pay for detailed instructions on nearly anything, from fitness, cooking, coding, and social media marketing to Canva design and more, as the demand for online education continues to rise.
Even if you're not an expert, you can learn how to make and market online courses as a side gig from this guide.
Why Selling Online Courses is a Great Side Hustle
Online courses are among the greatest side business models for the digital age for the following reasons:
• Potential for passive income: Create once, earn forever
• Minimal startup costs—no expensive equipment is needed
• Sell to anyone, anywhere in the world.
• Being one step ahead of your audience doesn't require you to be an expert.
• Scalable: Revenue increases without requiring additional trading time.
• Potential for passive income: Create once, earn forever
• Minimal startup costs—no expensive equipment is needed
• Sell to anyone, anywhere in the world.
• Being one step ahead of your audience doesn't require you to be an expert.
• Scalable: Revenue increases without requiring additional trading time.
Step-by-Step: How to Create & Sell an Online Course
1. Pick a Subject You Understand
You should be able to confidently explain your topic. Experience is all that is required; a degree is not.
Examples of subjects that are appropriate for beginners:
• How to use CapCut for video editing
• Canva design for novices
• The fundamentals of freelancing
• Fitness for busy people at home
• Offering digital goods for sale
• Google Sheets or simple Excel
• Tutorials for creating jewelry or candles
Advice: If someone asks you for assistance, focus on that in your course.
You should be able to confidently explain your topic. Experience is all that is required; a degree is not.
Examples of subjects that are appropriate for beginners:
• How to use CapCut for video editing
• Canva design for novices
• The fundamentals of freelancing
• Fitness for busy people at home
• Offering digital goods for sale
• Google Sheets or simple Excel
• Tutorials for creating jewelry or candles
Advice: If someone asks you for assistance, focus on that in your course.
2. Confirm Your Course Concept
Test demand before producing content.
How to confirm:
• Check YouTube to see if anyone is interested in this subject.
• Look at Google Trends.
• Examine Coursera, Skillshare, and Udemy.
• Ask your friends and followers
It's good if people are already selling courses on it! This indicates that there is a need.
3. Describe Your Path
Break your topic into simple modules and lessons.
Example outline for “Canva Design Beginner Course”:
Test demand before producing content.
How to confirm:
• Check YouTube to see if anyone is interested in this subject.
• Look at Google Trends.
• Examine Coursera, Skillshare, and Udemy.
• Ask your friends and followers
It's good if people are already selling courses on it! This indicates that there is a need.
3. Describe Your Path
Break your topic into simple modules and lessons.
Example outline for “Canva Design Beginner Course”:
| Module | Lessons |
|---|---|
| Intro | Canva basics, account setup |
| Tools | Text, shapes, templates |
| Projects | Social media post, flyer, logo |
| Monetization | How to sell designs |
Lessons should be brief (5–10 minutes each).
People like content that is easy to use and actionable.
4. Keep a Course Record
Expensive equipment is not necessary.
Instruments:
The camera on a laptop or smartphone
Screen recording (Loom, OBS)
Mic (the microphone on your phone is functional)
Advice:
Good illumination (by the window)
Clear background
Talk clearly and slowly.
5. Decide Where to Market Your Course
Expensive equipment is not necessary.
Instruments:
The camera on a laptop or smartphone
Screen recording (Loom, OBS)
Mic (the microphone on your phone is functional)
Advice:
Good illumination (by the window)
Clear background
Talk clearly and slowly.
5. Decide Where to Market Your Course
| Platform | Best For | Pros |
|---|---|---|
| Udemy | Beginners | Free traffic, easy setup |
| Skillshare | Creative topics | Earn per watch time |
| Teachable | Your own website | Full control, branding |
| Gumroad | Simple digital selling | No monthly fee, beginner-friendly |
| Thinkific | Growing brands | Good customization |
Pro Tip: Begin on Gumroad or Udemy and progress to Teachable as you gain experience.
6. Produce Basic Marketing Content
Ads are not necessary. Simply post value on the internet.
Where to advertise:
• Reels on Instagram
• Shorts on YouTube
• TikTok
• Pinterest
• Facebook communities
• LinkedIn (for work-related subjects)
Exchange results, advice, and brief tutorials.
Provide value → Establish credibility → Students purchase
7. Provide Bonuses
Increase conversions by including:
• A checklist or workbook
• Templates
• private community organization
• A completion certificate
Even if your course is inexpensive, these give it a high-end feel.
Ads are not necessary. Simply post value on the internet.
Where to advertise:
• Reels on Instagram
• Shorts on YouTube
• TikTok
• Facebook communities
• LinkedIn (for work-related subjects)
Exchange results, advice, and brief tutorials.
Provide value → Establish credibility → Students purchase
7. Provide Bonuses
Increase conversions by including:
• A checklist or workbook
• Templates
• private community organization
• A completion certificate
Even if your course is inexpensive, these give it a high-end feel.
How Much Can You Earn?
| Students per Month | Price | Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | $10 | $500 |
| 100 | $20 | $2,000 |
| 300 | $30 | $9,000 |
In a matter of months, many creators begin to make between $300 and $2,000 per month.
Being an expert is not necessary.
You're already ahead of millions of people who don't know how to do something correctly.
Teach novices, not pros.
The most advanced course is not purchased by people.
They purchase the one that provides a straightforward explanation.
Extra Success Advice
• Begin sloppy and work on it later.
• Prioritize one platform.
• As a lead magnet, provide a free e-book or mini-course.
• Obtain email subscribers
• Post useful content every week.
You're already ahead of millions of people who don't know how to do something correctly.
Teach novices, not pros.
The most advanced course is not purchased by people.
They purchase the one that provides a straightforward explanation.
Extra Success Advice
• Begin sloppy and work on it later.
• Prioritize one platform.
• As a lead magnet, provide a free e-book or mini-course.
• Obtain email subscribers
• Post useful content every week.
Concluding Remarks
One of the greatest ways to generate passive income online in 2025 is to sell online courses. All you need is knowledge, consistency, and a desire to teach; perfection is not necessary.
You will soon have a scalable source of income if you start small and make improvements as you go.
One of the greatest ways to generate passive income online in 2025 is to sell online courses. All you need is knowledge, consistency, and a desire to teach; perfection is not necessary.
You will soon have a scalable source of income if you start small and make improvements as you go.
Are You All Set to Go?
If you would like, leave a message or comment:
• templates for course outlines
• Workbook template for free
• Ideas for marketing scripts
• Chart of platform comparisons
• Canva templates for course thumbnails
• templates for course outlines
• Workbook template for free
• Ideas for marketing scripts
• Chart of platform comparisons
• Canva templates for course thumbnails
