Jul 223 min read

3 Annoying Misconceptions That Every Online Course Creator Knows

Online courses have become enormously popular in recent years. They offer a flexible way to earn money wherever you are. Anyone with specific knowledge, skills, and methods can share this knowledge in an online course. Whether it is programming, creative arts, or personal development, a suitable online course can be created for almost any area of interest.

However, despite the growing acceptance and success of online courses, online course creators are still subject to many misconceptions and prejudices. Anyone involved in this field will be only too familiar with the many annoying statements made by family members, colleagues, and friends.

In this blog post, I have listed three of the most common annoying statements that anyone involved in online courses will recognize.

Online Course Creator Misconception 1: "You can't make any money with this!"

This statement is not only frustrating but often simply wrong. Online courses have become a significant market in which many people successfully earn a living. The online course industry is expected to be worth 374 billion dollars by 2026. Platforms such as Udemy, Teachable, and Coursera enable professionals from all fields to share their knowledge and generate income. Specialized courses can be very profitable, especially in niche markets.

The idea that only traditional professions offer financial stability is therefore simply outdated and ignores the opportunities offered by the digital age.

Online Course Creator Misconception 2: "Wouldn't you rather have a real job?"

Many people who become self-employed, especially in the location-independent digital sector, are often told that they don't have a real job. This statement is evidence of a misunderstanding of what a "real job" is. Creating and running an online course requires planning, expertise, marketing, and customer service - all aspects that are also important in a traditional job. The flexibility and independence that this profession offers is a great advantage for many. In addition, the success of many course providers shows that this work can not only be fulfilling but also financially rewarding. Many online course creators earn way more than a full-time salary with just one online course.

The perception that only traditional 9-5 jobs are "right" is therefore a very outdated view.

Online Course Creator Misconception 3: "You're not a teacher!"

Many people always follow the outdated thinking that you can only teach if you are a trained teacher. Otherwise, they can't call themselves that.

This may be the case in many institutions, but not in the online course market. Here, anyone with sound knowledge and the ability to communicate clearly can teach effectively. Online courses do not necessarily require a formal teaching qualification. Rather, it is about presenting knowledge in a structured and understandable way. Many successful online course providers are experts in their field who pass on their knowledge in a creative and accessible way. The demand for hands-on, real-world learning is growing, and often people from the field can provide more valuable insights than traditional teachers.

The statement that you need to be officially a teacher to teach your knowledge and skills online is, therefore, not true for this market.

Summary

To summarise, online courses are a modern and flexible way of imparting and acquiring knowledge. The above statements often reflect outdated ideas and underestimate the opportunities and importance of this growing market. Instead of being discouraged by such statements, potential course providers should be proud of their work and recognize the numerous benefits of this form of knowledge transfer.

If you're ready to counter these statements and want to learn how to get started with your online course, I've put together a FREE eBook for you.