60: The Easiest Way to Start Teaching What You Know
Ever caught yourself thinking, "I wish I could teach others about my hobby, but I wouldn't know where to start"? Well, get ready to have your mind blown! 🤯
In our latest podcast episode, we're unveiling the surprisingly simple path from hobbyist to teacher. Whether you're a knitting ninja, a sourdough savant, or a gardening guru, this episode is your golden ticket to sharing your skills with the world.
Here's a sneak peek of what you'll discover:
The #1 misconception that's holding you back from teaching (hint: you're more qualified than you think!)
A fool-proof 3-step process to plan your first workshop
The secret to finding your ideal students (they're closer than you realize!)
How to price your classes without undervaluing yourself
Plus, we'll share some real-life success stories that'll have you thinking, "If they can do it, so can I!"
🎧 Don't miss out on this game-changing episode. It might just be the push you need to turn your passion into a fulfilling side gig or even a full-time adventure!
Remember, every expert was once a beginner. Your journey to becoming a teacher starts with this episode. Tune in and take that first exciting step!
Key points with timestamps:
[00:00:54] Self-assessment: Are you ready to teach?
[04:20] Identifying your ideal students and their needs
[06:59] Choosing your teaching style: workshops vs. ongoing classes
[10:23] Planning your curriculum and breaking down skills
[18:01] Marketing strategies to promote your classes
Mentioned In This Episode
Don't forget to join our wait list for the next HobbyScool online learning summit. Our summits are free to attend and you can be the first to know when the next summit launches by joining our newsletter here.
Learn more about creating online courses: https://destinicopp.com/newsletter
Turn Your Hobby into a Workshop: A Guide to Sharing Your Passion
Have you ever thought about taking your favorite hobby to the next level? Maybe you're a knitting wizard, a sourdough expert, or a green-thumbed gardener. Whatever your passion, there's a good chance you could turn that knowledge into an engaging workshop or class. But where do you start? Let's dive into the process of transforming your hobby into a teaching opportunity.
Are You Ready to Teach?
Before you jump into the world of teaching, it's important to take a step back and assess your readiness. Don't worry – you don't need to be a world-renowned expert to start teaching. What you do need is a solid grasp of your subject and enthusiasm for sharing it with others.
Start by making a list of the things you excel at in your hobby. Are you great at mixing colors for painting? Can you whip up a perfect loaf of bread? Write it all down. Then, think about what makes your approach unique. Do you have any special techniques or shortcuts? These could be your secret weapons in teaching.
Consider your ability to explain things clearly. Think back to times when you've shown friends or family how to do something related to your hobby. Did they understand your instructions? If so, you're already on the right track to being a great teacher.
Know Your Future Students
Understanding who you want to teach is crucial for creating classes that people actually want to take. Think about the skill level you want to focus on. Are you more excited about introducing beginners to your hobby, or do you prefer helping intermediate practitioners up their game?
Consider who might be interested in learning your hobby. Are they likely to be retirees looking for a new pastime, or young professionals seeking a creative outlet? Understanding their motivations will help you tailor your classes and marketing efforts.
Don't forget to think about practical considerations like your potential students' schedules. If you're targeting working adults, evening or weekend classes might be best. For retirees or stay-at-home parents, weekday classes could work well.
Choosing Your Teaching Style
Now that you know who you want to teach, it's time to think about how you want to teach them. There are several options to consider:
One-time workshops vs. ongoing classes: Workshops are great for teaching a specific skill or technique, while ongoing classes allow you to dive deeper and build a community around your hobby.
In-person vs. online classes: In-person classes are fantastic for hobbies that need hands-on guidance, but online classes offer convenience and the ability to reach a wider audience.
Group classes vs. one-on-one sessions: Group classes can be fun and time-efficient, while one-on-one sessions offer personalized attention.
Remember, you don't have to stick to just one format. You could offer a mix of online tutorials and in-person workshops, or start with group classes and offer one-on-one sessions for students who want extra help.
Planning Your Curriculum
This is where you get to break down your hobby into digestible lessons that will take your students from "I have no idea what I'm doing" to "Look what I made!"
Start by listing all the skills that make up your hobby. For example, if you're teaching painting, you might include color mixing, brush techniques, and composition. Group these into categories and arrange them in a logical order, usually starting with the basics and working up to more advanced techniques.
Remember, people learn best by doing. Plan plenty of hands-on activities and demonstrations where you show techniques and then give students time to practice. Consider creating handouts or digital resources like step-by-step guides or supply lists to help your students.
Be prepared to be flexible with your plan. Some groups might breeze through certain topics while others need more time. Build in some flexibility so you can adjust as you go.
Getting the Word Out
You've got your classes planned – now it's time to let people know about them! Here are some ideas to get the word out:
Use social media: Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest are great for showcasing your work and promoting your classes. Share behind-the-scenes content, highlight student success stories, and post teasers of what people will learn.
Set up a simple website or landing page: Create a place where people can learn about your classes and sign up. Include information about you, class descriptions, schedules, and pricing.
Start an email list: Build a list of people interested in learning from you. Send them updates about new classes, tips related to your hobby, and special offers.
Partner with local businesses: Look for businesses or organizations related to your hobby. For example, if you teach knitting, you could partner with local yarn shops.
Encourage word-of-mouth: Your students are your best advertisers. Encourage them to spread the word about your classes. You could even offer discounts for people who bring a friend or for returning students who recommend your class to others.
Remember, becoming a teacher is a journey. Be patient with yourself when you're just starting out, and don't be afraid to learn from your students along the way. Your passion for your hobby will shine through and inspire your students.
So why not give it a shot? Start planning your first workshop, reach out to potential students, and take that exciting first step towards teaching your hobby. Who knows? You might just inspire a whole new generation of enthusiasts. After all, every expert was once a beginner, and by sharing your knowledge, you're not just teaching a skill – you're passing on your passion and potentially changing someone's life. How cool is that?
Follow Us On Social:
Keep Listening:
Pin this and save for later
Transcript:
Hey there, DestinI here. And today I want to talk to you about how to turn your hobby into a workshop. So if you have ever thought about taking your passion to really that next level and teaching others what you know, you are in the right place. This podcast episode is going to be all about turning your hobby into an awesome workshop or class.
00:01:26
So I'm going to walk you through everything about figuring out if you are ready to teach what you know to marketing your class like a pro. If you're ready, let's dive right in. Now, the first thing that I want to kind of walk you through and it's going to take a little bit of self assessment. And the question you need to ask yourself is, are you ready to teach?
00:01:54
So before you jump into teaching, it's a good idea to really just take a step back and think about whether you are ready to share your knowledge. Now, I don't want you to worry about this because you don't need to be a world renowned expert. You really just need to know your stuff. But more importantly too, also be excited about sharing it with others.
00:02:23
I want you to think about what are you really good at? Start by think by making a list of the things that you are great at in your hobby. So if you're a wiz at knitting, write that down. Can you make a great sourdough bread?
00:02:42
Write it down. Whatever it is, just think about anything that you can teach that you are good at. The next thing I want you to do is think about what makes you special. Think about what sets you apart.
00:02:57
Do you have a unique way of doing things? Maybe you've come up with some really cool shortcuts or hacks. Those could be your secret weapons and teaching. Also think about can you explain things clearly?
00:03:15
A good teacher isn't just about knowing you know, knowing the stuff. It's about explaining it in a way that makes sense to others. So I want you to think back to times when you have shown friends or family how to do something. Did they get it?
00:03:37
Did they understand it? Were you clear in your instructions? If so, then you are a perfect teacher. The other thing I would ask you is, are you okay with kind of speaking in front of other people?
00:03:53
It might be speaking, you know, behind a computer screen, right. You might be recording your presentation. You might be speaking in front of a small group. And even if it kind of, you know, makes you panic a little bit, if the thought of speaking in front of group really just makes you nervous, you don't have to be a pro public speaker to teach.
00:04:19
If you're a little bit shy like me, you can start with small groups or even one on one sessions to build your confidence. The other thing I would ask you is, what is your patience level when you're a teacher? That often involves working with beginners who might struggle with things that seem probably pretty simple to you because you're the expert. If you are okay with explaining things either multiple times or.
00:04:54
Or maybe in different ways, then I would say you would be a great teacher because patience is key when you're teaching. Then the next thing I would ask you is I want you to think about who are your future students? Knowing who you want to teach is super important. That's going to help you create classes that people actually want to take.
00:05:24
So let's take a second figure out who your ideal students might be. The first thing I want you to think about is the skill level that you want to focus on. Is it a beginner? Is it somebody who might be like intermediate?
00:05:43
Is it more of an advanced type learner? So teaching beginners can be really rewarding. But as we talked about, you might have to explain things multiple times to them. So you got to have really, you know, strong patience there.
00:06:01
Or maybe you are more excited about helping somebody who's at the intermediate level to up their game. There really isn't a wrong answer here. It's all about who you are comfortable working with. I also want you to think about who would be interested.
00:06:21
Like, think about the kinds of people who might want to learn your hobby. Are they likely to be retirees looking for a new pastime? Are they young professionals wanting a creative outlet? So knowing this can help you tailor your classes and your marketing.
00:06:41
When you're ready to start marketing it, also think about why do they want to learn? So try to understand why people might want to pick up your hobby. Are they looking to de stress? Do they want to make handmade gifts?
00:06:59
Maybe they're hoping to start a side hustle with that information. So understanding their motivations are going to help you create classes that really resonate with them. Also, think about what their schedule is like. So consider when your potential students might be available.
00:07:20
If you're targeting working adults, even evening or weekend classes might be best for retirees or maybe even stay at home parents, you can consider like weekday classes that might work well for them. Then the next thing I want you to think about is your teaching style, and you may be thinking destiny. I have no idea what my teaching style is. Well, I'm going to walk you through some options here, and this really comes down to how you want to run your classes.
00:07:55
And there are a few different ways you can go about this. And the best choice depends on what you're teaching and who you're teaching it to. Now, the first option is one time workshops or ongoing classes. So one time workshops are great for teaching a skill or a technique.
00:08:21
They're also perfect for people who cannot commit to a longer type course or program. On the other hand, ongoing classes let you dive deeper, build a real community around your hobby. So think about if you are signing up for an art class in your local, you know, local town, local city, you can sign up for a series of classes related to that and really dive a little bit deeper. Or you can sign up for kind of a one and done type class.
00:08:56
So that kind of gives you some options there. The other thing I want you to consider is do you want to do in person or online classes? So teaching in person is fantastic for hobbies that need that hands on type guidance. And I know a lot of people that I have worked with in the past, they start out teaching in person, right this.
00:09:21
I've been working with a garden coach and she started her business and started teaching like local type gardening classes face to face, where she would go to like a local, you know, a group or committee or, you know, group that was doing that and she would go there, teach them directly. And then she kind of eventually moved that teaching online, was doing workshops online and then did an online course. Don't rule out online teaching because it's super convenient and lets you reach people from over the world. The other thing I want you to think about is do you want to do group classes or one on one type sessions?
00:10:05
You can work with a group, right? You can. Group classes can be really fun and allow students to learn from each other, too. They're also more time efficient for you.
00:10:17
But if you prefer given personalized attention, one on one sessions might be more your style. And the other thing is you can mix and match because you don't have to stick to just one format. You could offer a mix of online tutorials, in person workshops, or start with group classes and offer one on one sessions for students who want extra help. So when you're deciding about all of this, I want you to think about what works best for your hobby.
00:10:51
Does it need that hands on guidance? What your potential students might prefer? Think about your own schedule and resources and the specific skills you want to teach because you can always just start with one format and then you can switch things up later if it's not working for you. All right, now we're going to move into the fun part and that is planning what you're going to teach.
00:11:21
And this is where you get to break down your hobby into lessons that'll take your students from I have no idea what I'm doing to look what I made. Okay, so you're going to, first of all, you're going to break it down. So you're going to start by listing all of the skills that make up your hobby. For example, if you're teaching painting, you might have things like color mixing, brush techniques, composition, and so on.
00:11:52
So you're going to group these into categories that make sense and then you're going to put them in order. So you're going to arrange your topics in a way that makes sense for your students. Usually you're going to want to start with the basics. Then you're going to work up to the more advanced stuff.
00:12:13
So think about what skills build on each other here. And then I want you to think about hands on activities because people learn best by doing. Make sure that you have plenty of practical exercises for them. So plan demonstrations where you're going to show techniques, then give your students time to practice them.
00:12:39
The other thing I want you to consider here is think about what handouts or digital resources that might help your students. This could be step by step guides, it could be list of supplies, it could be templates. All of these are super helpful for your students and it gives them an opportunity to refer back to those materials after class. The other thing I would say is just be flexible.
00:13:11
While it's good to have a plan, I want you to be prepared to go with the flow just a little bit because some groups that you're teaching might breeze through certain topics while others need more time. It really just depends on the students and the people in your class. So be prepared to build in some flexibility so that you can adjust as you go. And then I want you to check on on their progress.
00:13:42
So think about how you will know if your students are really understanding it and getting the material. This doesn't have to be a formal test. Nobody wants that. We're not in school anymore.
00:13:55
But it could be as simple as having them complete a project or demonstrate a technique. Okay, now I really want to get down to the nitty gritty practical details here. And this might not be the most exciting part for you, but getting these things right can make a huge difference to how small smoothly your classes run. So one of the things you're going to have to think about is finding a place to teach.
00:14:27
And these are for the in person classes. You're going to really want to find a good spot. Here are some things to think about. So the size you want to make sure there's enough room for everyone, plus any equipment you will need the location.
00:14:43
So you want to pick a place that's a easy for people to get to. Facilities make sure there's the basics out there like bathrooms, parking, maybe even like a little kitchen area for longer workshops and the cost. So make sure you factor in any rental fees when you're pricing your classes because you want to make sure you're making a profit on this. And then the vibe the space needs to really fill feel right for learning and suit your hobby.
00:15:15
So you can look at like community centers, art studios, co working spaces, or even outdoor locations for nature based hobbies. Maybe you're teaching a photography class that's all about nature. I'm positive you could find a great place for that. Now, if you're teaching online or something virtual, here's some things that you'll need to consider from a tech standpoint.
00:15:44
So you'll want something like Zoom for those live video classes. And then if you want to do some type of pre recorded lessons, you might even need like a course platform for that. So there's a lot of options out there for that. I use thrive cart learn, but you could use like teachable, think of it, kajabi.
00:16:05
There's tons and tons of options in the marketplace for that. And then if you want to have like a support group for your students where they can ask questions, you could do like a Facebook group for something like that. So just make sure that you are comfortable with whatever tech that you choose and then have a backup plan in case of tech issues because we always know that those can happen. And then think about how many students and how long.
00:16:34
And this really depends on what you're teaching and how you want to teach it. So for hands on stuff, smaller groups like six to twelve students often work best. If you're doing something that's more lecture style classes, you can handle a larger group there, but then think about offering like a mix of workshops. You could do like two to 3 hours or longer or more in depth type courses.
00:17:03
Now let's talk about pricing, because pricing can be a little tricky. You want to make sure that it's worth your time. But also on the flip side, make sure that it's affordable for your students. So think about your time, including any prep for the class and follow up, any cost for materials.
00:17:24
Or if you're having to rent the space, make sure that that is bundled in there too and you're accounting for that. And then the value that you're providing because your knowledge is worth a good amount of money. Also look at what is out there in the marketplace. What are similar classes in your area, what do they cost?
00:17:45
And then what your target students can afford. The key thing here is I don't want you to sell yourself short, but be also realistic about what people can and will pay. And then I want you to think about what supplies you will need. So make a list of everything you need to run your class smoothly.
00:18:07
This might be any teaching tools like a whiteboard or projector materials for the students to use or have them bring the materials and make sure that you're very clear with them about what they need to do there. Safety gear, if you know, if you need that for your program and then the tech stuff for the online teaching, maybe a good camera, computers, microphone like lighting. And then decide if you're going to provide all the materials or if the student should bring their own. So if you're going to bring the materials for them, make sure that you factor that into your pricing.
00:18:49
Now I want to talk about getting the word out so you have your classes planned. We've kind of walked through what you're going to be teaching, where you might be teaching it, all of the lesson material. Now you need to let people know about them. And here are some ideas to get the word out.
00:19:07
You can use social media. So platforms like Facebook, Instagram, pinterest, all of those are really great for showcasing your work and promoting your classes. You can share some behind the scenes stuff. Here's what I'm doing.
00:19:20
You can highlight student success stories if you've been working with anybody and have that you can share some teasers of what people will learn. There's a lot you can do with social media. You can also set up a very simple website or landing pages. So have a place where people can go to learn about your classes and sign up for them.
00:19:45
So you can have info about you, why you're awesome at what you do, descriptions of your classes, when the classes are happening and how much they cost, and really an easy way for people to sign up or get in touch. And there's a lot of platforms out there and I'll put some links in the show notes for some that you can consider. The other thing you might want to start doing. If this is something that you really are interested in, I would consider starting your email list.
00:20:16
Build a list of people who are interested in learning from you. Send them updates about new classes, tips related to your hobby, and also make some special offers. It's a great way to keep people engaged and interested in what you're doing now when you are just starting out. I would team up with some local businesses, so look for some local businesses or organizations related to your hobby.
00:20:43
Maybe you can go teach for your local city if they have those type of classes for their residents. I know where I live, they do all kinds of different hobby type classes and have people come and teach them. So that is a great place to start. Another example might be if you teach knitting, you could partner with some local yarn shops.
00:21:08
I think there's tons of opportunities out there and then just encourage word of mouth. So your students, if you have been able to teach one of the class, they are your best advertisers, your best marketers out there. Encourage them to spread the word about your classes. You could even offer a discount for people who bring a friend or for returning students who recommend your class to others.
00:21:32
So there you go. I think you have a lot of options here to get started with, some just teaching about what you know. I do think that little workshops are a great way to get started by following the steps that we've talked about today. From figuring out if you're ready to teach, to planning your lessons, to getting the word out.
00:21:58
You are going to be well on your way to creating classes that people people love and learn from. So whether you're teaching painting, woodworking, gardening or any other hobby, the key is to approach it with a genuine desire to help others to learn. So your passion for your hobby will shine through and inspire your students. So my action item for you today is why not just give it a shot.
00:22:28
Start planning your first workshop. Reach out to potential students. Maybe it's just people in your neighborhood. And take that exciting first step to teaching your hottie.
00:22:40
So by sharing your knowledge, you're not just teaching a skill, you are passing on your passion and potentially changing someone's life. How cool is that? So go on. Just take that first step and your future students are out there waiting to learn from you.
00:23:01
If you have any questions whatsoever about how to start teaching what you know, feel free to reach out to me. I'm more than happy to answer any questions that you have, and I hope you enjoyed this episode. Bye for now.