Beginners Guide to Sharing Your Skills Online

You’ve spent decades building expertise that could genuinely help others, but you assume teaching requires credentials or a classroom. Meanwhile, people worldwide desperately need the exact knowledge you have – and they’re willing to pay for it online! In this Beginners Guide to Sharing Your Skills Online learn how you can monetize your experience from home or anywhere with the skill-sharing economy. You don’t need degrees or fancy certifications, and you can work on your own schedule….

What You’ll Learn

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A skill-sharing business means getting paid to teach what you know or guide people through challenges you’ve already conquered.

Your expertise becomes the product – no inventory, shipping, or physical goods required.

The process works simply: You identify knowledge others want to learn, package it into lessons or coaching sessions, and deliver it online through video calls or recorded courses.

Students pay you directly for access to your expertise on a schedule you control.

2. Why Is This Perfect for People Over 50?

Your life experience gives you valuable wisdom, a unique perspective, and practical problem-solving skills you’ve developed over the years.

You know, people don’t just want information – they want guidance from someone who’s actually lived through what they’re facing.

Your age and experience are assets, not obstacles.

The online learning market desperately needs mature voices who can teach with patience, relate to adult learners, and provide context.

Plus, this business model requires minimal startup costs and no commute…you can work from anywhere!

There are two popular ways to build a skill-sharing business:

Teaching hobbies and skills
Life coaching

Your choice depends on your expertise and how you prefer helping people…

A) Teach Practical Skills and Hobbies

This path works if you can teach someone to DO something specific, for example, play guitar, bake sourdough, use Excel, speak Spanish, take better photos, or master any hobby you’ve spent years practicing.

Where to teach your skills

a) Established Teaching/Learning Platforms

Skillshare, Udemy and Alison have millions of people actively searching for classes.
With students already waiting, these are the easiest ways to start teaching.
You upload your course once and earn as students enroll.
This is perfect for beginners who want to avoid marketing.

b) Build Your Own Course Platform

Create your own course platform on Kajabi or LearnWorlds.
Gives you more control over pricing, branding, and student experience.
You build your own audience through marketing, email lists and social media.

c) Combine Two Free Platforms

Instead of juggling multiple options, begin with YouTube for content and a Facebook Group for community.

YouTube: Share tutorials, tips, and stories to attract an audience.
Facebook Group: Build a space for discussion, Q&A, and deeper connection.

This combo gives you visibility and engagement without overwhelming tech or marketing tasks.

This ‘Teach Practical Skills and Hobbies’ path suits people who enjoy structured teaching, have demonstrable skills, and like creating step-by-step instruction.

>>Click here to explore all my tips and guides on teaching hobbies

B) Life Coaching and Personal Guidance

This path works if you naturally help people figure out what to do next or navigate difficult transitions.

You’re not teaching specific skills – you’re providing clarity, accountability, and strategic guidance.

Life coaching focuses on helping people through:

career changes
retirement transitions
relationship challenges
health goals
personal development.

You listen deeply, ask powerful questions, and guide people toward their own solutions.

The work happens primarily through one-on-one video conversations, though many coaches also run group programs where multiple clients work together.

Getting started as a coach

You don’t legally need certification, though programs like those offered by the International Coach Federation add credibility and teach proven methodologies.

You can also do courses through Coach Training Alliance and Udemy offer accredited life coach training

Many successful coaches start without formal training. Your own life experience overcoming challenges qualifies you to guide others facing similar situations. (But I recommend your take a course).

The retirement you navigated, the career transition you made – these are also your credentials!

This ‘Life Coaching and Personal Guidance’ path suits natural listeners, problem-solvers, and people who’ve overcome significant challenges they can now help others navigate.

>>Click here to explore all my tips and guides on life coaching

How to Successfully Make Money Online Coaching

4. How Do You Choose Which Path Fits You?

10 Unique Hobbies to Teach Online - pickling

Ask yourself these questions to clarify your direction:

a) What type of expertise do you have?

If you can teach someone to DO something specific, you’re a skills teacher.
If you help people figure out WHAT to do or HOW to navigate transitions, you’re a coach.

b) How do you prefer helping people?

Teaching follows a curriculum and structured process.
Coaching is conversational – you listen, ask questions, and guide discovery.

c) What transformation can you deliver?

Skills teaching gives people specific new abilities like “now you can knit a scarf.”
Coaching delivers clarity and action plans like “now you know your next career move.”

The clearest indicator? If people ask you “how do I do X,” you’re a teacher. If they ask “what should I do about Y,” you’re a coach.

5. What Do You Actually Need to Get Started?

A computer with reliable internet and Zoom for sessions.
Payment processing via PayPal or Stripe.
A clear description of who you help and how – that’s your marketing message.
2–3 hours a week to begin.

Helpful extras: a simple website or social profile, scheduling software like Calendly, and template agreements for best business practice.

Start lean – you’ll learn what you need by doing, not by over-preparing.

Udemy Life Coaching Courses - Beginners Guide to Sharing Your Skills Online — Udemy Life Coaching Courses

Q. Who would actually pay ME to teach or coach them?

People who are where you were 5-10 years ago. You don’t need to be the world’s top expert – just a few steps ahead.

Your experience solving problems makes you valuable to those still struggling with them.

Q. Don’t I need teaching experience or coaching certification?

For skills teaching, no formal requirements exist – just competence and the ability to explain clearly.

For coaching, certification helps but isn’t required. Start helping people for free or low-cost to build experience.

Q. How do I find my first clients or students?

Start with your network – tell friends and family what you’re offering.
Share free tips on social media or a simple blog.
Join online communities where your ideal students gather.
Your first few clients lead to referrals.

Q. What if I’m not tech-savvy enough?

You need video calling, email, and payment processing – that’s it. If you can video chat with grandchildren, you have sufficient skills. Everything else you’ll learn gradually.

Q. Can I really make a living from this?

Yes, but it takes time. Most people start part-time alongside other income, then transition to full-time as their client base grows through results and referrals.

It’s a build-your-reputation business, not a get-rich-quick scheme.