In today’s world, there are a variety of ways in which you can make money. Sometimes, it’s just through simple word-of-mouth referrals. Other times, it takes a little bit of talent and creativity.
Though there is plenty of money to be made, there are also risks associated with certain types of online teaching. Before you dive in, make sure you understand what those risks are and whether or not they are something you are willing to take on.
Risk Versus Reward
One of the biggest questions you will have to face as an online teacher is how much you should be willing to charge. When you are deciding on a selling price, you have to weigh the risk of low income against the potential reward of greater income. Though it is not always the case, in most situations, the risk of low income is greater than the potential reward of high income. When it comes to the question of whether or not to teach online, you need to ask yourself, “Will this potentially bring in greater earnings than I currently experience?”
No Protection From Law Enforcement
Another issue you need to consider when deciding whether or not to teach online is whether or not you will be protected by law enforcement in the event of a lawsuit or controversy. In most states, public figures like teachers and journalists are not afforded the same level of protection as celebrities and corporate officers. In the event that you are questioned by legal authorities or sued for defamation, you could be at risk of losing your professional license or being forced to pay out-of-court settlements. Though it is not always the case, in today’s world, legal threats and lawsuits are more common than they have ever been. If teaching online is something you are contemplating, make sure you are aware of your state’s laws concerning online teaching and defamation as it applies to your profession. If you are unsure of what those laws are, ask your legal counsel or seek out resources online explaining your rights and responsibilities as a teacher. You can also find out how much you can earn and how to maximize your earnings potential by taking a free webinar offered by Teach Online International.
Increased Student Motivation
One of the biggest perks of teaching online is that it can be much more personalized than traditional forms of teaching. This means that you can tailor lessons to each student’s strengths and weaknesses, which in turn, increases their enjoyment of the subject matter and improves their overall performance. As a highly personalized educator, you will also be able to identify students’ areas of strength and weakness and design lessons to best capitalize on their capabilities. Though this may increase your workload, it is also one of the primary reasons why you should consider teaching online.
The increased student motivation that comes with personalized teaching carries over into other areas of your life as well. If you are worried about your current workload, one way to reduce that pressure is by increasing your income. The more you earn, the more you can reduce your workload. This is assuming, of course, that you are not already making a perfectly adequate living.
The Greater The Potential Audience, The Greater The Income
Though it is not always the case, in most situations, the greater the potential audience, the greater the income. If you are teaching a class with only one student, it can be difficult to justify the large amount of time you have to invest in the project. On the other hand, if you are teaching a class with hundreds or thousands of students, the amount of money you can potentially earn off of the project makes the large amount of time investment worth it. The key is to find the sweet spot where you can maximize your income while minimizing your risk. In most situations, this means investing in online degrees that will allow you to teach as much as you can and still make a profit. With that in mind, here are some ways in which you can make money teaching online:
Sell Your Own Bootstrapped Product
Though it is not always the case, in most situations, the greater the interest, the greater the income. For example, if you are teaching a photography class online and somebody asks you for your opinion on a certain camera, you can give them your honest opinion and earn a few bucks. In other situations, you can use your reputation as a photographer to sell your own products like photo editing software or kits that you have used to edit photos yourself. In either case, you are selling something that you have created and can point to as a reason for the question or comment. In some cases, you can be commissioned to take photos for business purposes or connect with potential sponsors for marketing campaigns. If you are a small business owner, you can also take advantage of your network to find customers for your products and services.
Become A Private Tutor
Though it is not always the case, in most situations, the greater the need, the greater the income. If somebody wants to learn French and you are a native speaker, it makes sense for you to tutor them. In exchange for your help, they will pay you either per session or per hour. Make sure you set up a high-quality portfolio of your previous work, which you can use to attract potential clients. In addition to French, you can also tutor students in computer science, accounting, and a variety of other subjects. Once again, setting up your portfolio is key because it shows potential clients that you are a skilled professional who is well-versed in a variety of subjects.
Create A Blog
Though it is not always the case, in most situations, the greater the need, the greater the income. If you are a skilled writer and can crank out a blog post in a hurry, you can generate some income from online tutoring or blogging. Make sure you put yourself in the right mindset by preparing a list of topics you are most familiar with. In addition, you should create a separate bank account solely for this purpose. To start, you can try to monetize your personal blog, which will then allow you to gradually move into professional blogging and eventually, become a full-time freelance writer. If you decide to go the blogging route, you can also try to find affiliate marketing partners to help you earn a commission from people who click a monetized link or buy a product that is promoted on your blog. Though it is not always the case, in most situations, the greater the need, the greater the income.
Many people can’t imagine getting paid to do what they love. However, with the exception of perhaps being a dentist or physician, most jobs offer some type of compensation. Though it may not always seem like it, there are plenty of ways to make money online; you just have to find them. With that in mind, here are some ways in which you can make money teaching online: