Turn What You Know into a Course: Guide to Making Money on Udemy

If you know how to use software, edit videos, work with Excel, design, or a particular skill well, you can turn this knowledge into a structured online training.

Preparing an online course is different from in-person consultancy. The same educational content can be watched by different students at different times. However, this does not mean that the course will automatically sell or generate ongoing income.

On which subjects can courses be prepared?

• Excel and data analysis
• Video editing
• Web design and WordPress
• Graphic design
• Programming
• Use of artificial intelligence tools
• Photography
• Music production
• Business processes and productivity

For a start, it is more logical to prepare training that solves a specific problem rather than dividing a broad topic into hundreds of lessons. For example, instead of “entire Excel”, a scope such as “Preparing an inventory tracking table in Excel for small businesses” can be determined.

How to get started?

1. Identify the target student.
Explain who the course is for, the student's starting level and what skills they will gain at the end of the course.

2. Prepare the curriculum.
Break the topic into small and understandable lessons. Having an application example or task in each chapter makes it easier for the student to use what they have learned.

3. Make technical preparation.
A good microphone, screen recording software and a suitable computer may be sufficient for a start. Appearing on camera is not mandatory for every course; On-screen narration can also be used.

4. Check the course before publishing.
According to Udemy's official guidelines, a standard course should have at least 30 minutes of video content and at least five lessons or learning modules. The course must also undergo quality review.

Platform fees and revenue sharing

Udemy states that it does not charge instructors for course creation and hosting. However, revenue sharing is applied when the sale occurs.

According to the official instructor revenue sharing page:

• For sales made through the instructor's coupon or referral link, the instructor receives 97% of the net amount.
• The instructor's share in sales made through the platform's own marketing activities or the marketplace, without using the instructor's promotional link, is 37% of the net amount.

Net amount less applicable taxes and fees. App store fees may also affect the calculation for sales made through the mobile application.

Therefore, the course price and the amount to be transferred to the instructor's account are not the same. Additionally, due to platform campaigns and student pricing, it should not be assumed that every sale will generate the same amount.

Initial cost and workload

The biggest cost for a first course is often preparation time rather than equipment. It takes time to complete the syllabus, sample files, record, edit, explain, and answer student questions.

Income; depends on the course topic, demand, reviews, competition and sales volume. It is also possible to get no sales from the first course.

Risks and legal issues

• Do not use someone else's videos, music, software or documents without permission.
• Do not over-promote the skills students will acquire.
• Do not provide false or dangerous information in areas that require professional competence.
• Evaluate tax liabilities in Türkiye according to your type of activity.
• Keep course content up to date and monitor student feedback.

Who is it not suitable for? It can be challenging for people who cannot convey their knowledge systematically or who do not want to spend time updating the course and responding to student questions after preparing it.