Online courses: the sector is on the rise, but how much can you earn by selling your knowledge over the internet?

The online course market is booming and is expected to reach 1.55 trillion reais by 2029. Even after the pandemic-induced boom, the demand for online education and training continues to grow, as most people prefer the flexibility and comfort of learning from their own homes, avoiding the expenses and complications of commuting to in-person classes.

"Selling online courses is an excellent opportunity to monetize your knowledge. The key is to understand that, with the right strategy, you can turn this activity into a significant source of income," says Thassia Piezzaroli, an expert in info-products, digital marketing, digital positioning, and partner of Natalia Beauty in the educational sector. 

According to Piezzaroli, earnings from online courses can vary widely and depend on several factors. "As an online instructor, also called an expert, it is possible to earn from a few thousand reais per year up to a six or seven-figure income. Creating the course is only one part of the process. The work in marketing and sales, along with building your personal brand, can make all the difference," she says.

Some factors that affect your potential revenue, according to the expert:

Course price: a course can be sold for 25 reais or 2,500 reais, for example; this factor directly influences the number of sales needed to achieve your revenue goals. It is important to align the price charged with what is offered, taking into account time in the market, experience, results, and influence.

Target audience: having an email list, social media followers, or a YouTube channel can increase your chances of success. The larger and more engaged your network, the more customers you can expect. Therefore, a large part of an expert's work is to create content for social networks to grow their influence and community.

Marketing and sales experience: those with prior experience in online sales tend to have higher conversion rates. "Of course, it's not impossible to learn; when I started, I knew nothing about these subjects and dedicated myself to learning, so it is possible to excel even without prior knowledge."

Customer loyalty: loyal customers who buy repeatedly can improve your revenue over time; we call this customer recurrence.

Is it worth investing? Do the math!

According to Piezzaroli, to determine your potential revenue, the best formula is: revenue = audience size x average conversion rate x course price. "For example, if you have 1,000 subscribers and a conversion rate of 5% for a 500 reais course, your revenue would be: 1,000 x 0.05 x 500 = 25 thousand reais. Remember that the course price can be increased through brand recognition, expertise, quality content, and a profitable and relevant subject," she states.

To calculate your profits, consider your fixed and variable expenses. "Fortunately, the additional costs per customer for online courses are low, so whether you sell one or 100 courses, the costs are the same, but you may have extra expenses with ads and paid traffic. The formula is simple: profit = revenue - production costs - marketing expenses - other costs," teaches the expert.

Selling courses online can not only generate substantial income but also bring several significant benefits. One of the main ones is the improvement of your personal brand, as having sufficient knowledge to be transmitted as a reliable source increases credibility in the market. Furthermore, selling online courses allows for the development of a base of loyal customers, creating an audience that continuously seeks new products.

"Another advantage is the opening of new business opportunities, enabling partnerships and commercial expansions. With dedication and the right strategies, it is possible to turn selling online courses into a profitable and sustainable career. The market is more receptive than ever to digital education, and those who know how to take advantage of this opportunity can achieve incredible results," concludes Thassia Piezzaroli.