What can you do to earn additional passive income from online courses?

Jun 13, 2024

     Reader Disclosure

You might be interested to know that you could gain more income passively from the online courses you offer using self-hosted platforms that host your online course?

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Third Party LMS Platforms: Myths and misconceptions about LMS Platforms

You might agree with this statistic it shows 57% of course creators assess their courses' success based on the level of student satisfaction in their classes. 23 percent consider student participation as a factor, and 21% are determined by income.

That's why that a large majority of designers consider it better to choose third-party LMS platforms such as Udemy, Teachable, and Kajabi for the following reasons:

  • They hope it will cut their marketing costs which will reduce the requirement to make huge upfront investment in software and hardware.
  • They believe it can help in launching their company into the global market in a faster way.
  • They assume it's user-friendly and requires minimal technical knowledge which makes it simple for the course creators to design their course, launch the course and supervise the course.

However, these benefits have a high price and include:

  1. The cost of revenue sharing has been rising.
  2. 75 75 The majority of course developers make less than $1,000 annually. Only 1 percent of instructors earn greater than $50,000 a year.
  3. It is possible to be overlooked by the masses, and requires extra marketing costs to get your message out to the right target audience.
  4. There aren't many chances to build relationships with the students who are not on the portal.
  5. Your page cannot be personalized or your brand's profile using these platforms.
  6. It's hard to track the students' progress along the funnel.
  7. The limited engagement possibilities result from the lack of community-oriented and gamification integrations or the use of gamification.

The Introduction to Courses hosted self-hosted

If you're an instructor online dissatisfied with the expensive prices and limitations of SaaS LMS platforms You're not alone. A lot of instructors are faced with the same issues.

It is also possible to use self-hosted course platforms.

If you decide to create your own online class, you'll be in control of your course content, in addition to reducing the expense of revenue sharing and generating innovative ways to earn profits.

Take a look at the thought...

Imagine being able to design your classes in your own way while also retaining more than you've earned in hard-earned profit.

The move to self-hosted service does not only mean you'll save money It's also all about unleashing the full potential of your business in order to create the most successful and long-lasting business.

Still doubtful? Check out this overview below.

HTML0The Cost of High-Quality Profit Sharing

If you are using one of the most popular SaaS LMS platforms to sell and manage your online courses you must be aware of the revenue sharing models they utilize.

The majority of them charge a significant percentage of profits and quickly build up and lower the amount the profit you can earn.

Here is a brief list of the most commonly used revenue sharing programs provided by some of the most popular SaaS LMS platforms:

     1. Teachable

Teachable offers a range of pricing options. The plan for revenue sharing is distinct based on the plans you pick. Below is their typical annual price is like:

  • Free Plan: costs $1 plus 10% per transaction.
  • Base Plans ($39/month): 5 percent transaction cost.
  • Professional Plan ($119/month) and Business Plan ($499/month) The Professional Plan does not charge a fee to conduct transactions, however there is a the limit on publication for courses is limited.

     2. Thinkific

Thinkific has a range of price levels that come with diverse revenue sharing implications.

  • Free Plan: There are absolutely no transaction charges but it does have only a few features.
  • A Basis Plan ($49/month) A Basic Plan has no fee to make transactions, however it is only available as digital downloads.
  • Premier Plan ($99/month) as well as the Premier Plan ($499/month): There are no transaction fees However, there are a few on-line community services.

     3. Udemy

Udemy has a distinct income sharing system than Teachable or Thinkific:

  • Organic Sales: Udemy receives 50 percent of its revenue through purchasesmade through on the Udemy marketplace.
  • Promotions for Teachers: Instructors keep 97% of the profits of sales resulting from the promotions they run themselves (using coupons that are offered to instructors) With Udemy charging a three percent administration fee.
  • Paid User Acquisition: In relation to sales that are paid through the Pay-per-Click initiatives, instructors only receive 25% of the profits.

     4. Kajabi

Kajabi offers subscriptions that combine additional fees, which are determined by the plan

  • Kickstarter ($69/month) and the Basic Plan ($149/month) Basis Plan No transaction fees but there are few possibilities and features.
  • Plan for Growth Plan ($199/month) and the Pro Plan ($399/month) It is worth noting that there is no costs for transactions. However, only this plan has a limit on students enrolled within the plan.

Modells that are based on revenue share reveal the costs of use for third party LMS platforms. Although these platforms can be useful and offer a range of functions however their regular expenses and cut in earnings will significantly reduce your profits.

Self-hosted solutions will enable you to make more money from your earnings and offer greater flexibility when it comes to how you manage and deliver your classes.

This review covers the two platforms.

Analyzing Earnings Comparatively potential: LMS SaaS vs. Self-hosted courses platforms.

An example: Imagine that you can give an online class for $100.

     HTML1 LMS SaaS Platform Example    

  • Teachable (Basic plan): If you charge a commission for each transaction that are five times the average, then the seller would be losing $5 on each sale.
  • The profits are $195
  • Monthly subscriptions - Monthly for $39
  • If you sell 20 courses per month, the following figure is: $20 divided by 20 equals $39 which is $1.861.
  • Udemy (Organic sales): If you had to make a 50 percent profit of the time, you'd be losing 50 cents on each sale.
  • The profit per sale is 50 dollars.
  • If you're selling 20 classes every month, the formula will be used the formula is: 20x50 = $1,000

     Self-Hosted Services Example    

  • The monthly fee is $33 to (Most Popular Plan) The price is $33.
  • Per sale, earnings of $100.
  • If you are able to offer at least 20 classes per month, this formula applies 100 x 20$$ = $1,967

Comparison:

  1. Teachable (Basic Plan):
  • SaaS LMS Earnings: $1,861/month
  • Self-Hosted Earnings: $1,967/month
  • There is a difference of $106 for self-hosted
  1. Udemy (Organic Sale):
  • SaaS LMS Earnings: $1,000/month
  • Self-Hosted Earnings: $1,967/month
  • The difference is $967 more with self-hosted

Through the course of one year this variation can add up to a significant sum. That's about $11,604 over all of the year!

Self-hosted course like Courses can assist you in saving hundreds or even thousands of dollars, contingent on the volume of the sales you generate.

It's now apparent what you can do to benefit and save by using a self-hosted course solution We'll review a few of the advantages from switching to this service.

The advantages of self-hosted Course Platforms

Self-hosted courses can be a great alternatives to SaaS LMS services since they provide you with total control over the content of your courses and their operation.

It stands out as a solid selection, particularly when

Utilizing the potential of WordPress The platform offers unparalleled flexibility as well as possibilities to personalize your experience. You can create a learning experience that perfectly is in line with the brand's personality and business goals.

If you choose to utilize self-hosted courses like those provided by e-learning.com You will enjoy a variety of advantages. The most notable is the reduction of expenses, a better management, as well as the capability to employ various methods of monetization to maximize your earnings. Discover >>> View an overview of the feature

We'll look into these benefits deeply.

Control and the Control of the Ownership of Content

Control is among the strongest attributes of a creator and is a crucial element in successful branding and marketing.

If you're hosting your own courses like the ones are available, you'll have the ability to personalize every aspect of the course to the unique design of your company and.

Design and layout as well as the inclusion of multimedia components, controlling the content you create lets you create consistent and professional education experience that reflects your values and the aesthetics of your organization.

Being the owner of your content implies that you have the ability to employ a variety of methods for promoting your business without constraints.

It's possible to make and disperse promotions, bundle classes give discounts, and employ a wide range of tools for advertising and plug-ins for WordPress.

This lets you reach your audience more effectively and adjust your plan according to real-time information as well as feedback.

Direct Customer Relationships

One of the major benefits that self-hosted learning platforms offer is the chance to create immediate, unmediated connections with your students.

In the absence of any restrictions from an intermediary system, you are able to talk directly to your students and send them personal messages in addition to guidance as well as feedback.

As a administrator on your own platform, you are granted access to a wealth of information regarding the actions of your pupils, the habits they have and the results they achieve.

It's essential to understand the things that are doing well and the things that aren't working in your research.

When you analyze the data and analyzing it the results, you are able to adjust your curriculum and methods of instruction to satisfy the specific needs of your students. This can lead to higher satisfaction for your customers and a higher retention rates.

Intermediaries' platforms can hinder your ability to provide quick and efficient customer service.

If you own a self-hosted web service can implement an extensive support system which includes forums, live chat and direct messages.

The instant access to help and support can significantly improve the experience of students and help students address issues before they become more serious.

 Members can earn money through participation

One of the most effective ways to earn income for your self-hosted courses is to bundle them in a membership model.

Members encourage continuous engagement which results in higher retention since students always get a benefit from their memberships.

By providing access to an extensive catalogue of information, for a low monthly fee, will provide significant value and will encourage students to join.

Forums, community features and live Q&A session aid in creating a sense belonging to your community. It also increases their devotion to your site.

This method increases the value you offer your students and also provides the potential for constant, consistent revenue.

Base Body Homepage
The base body-loving females

They also offer online as well as personal training in their own fitness studio in Sydney, Australia.

Through the use of , Base Body Babes manages their paywalled content as well as their unique services via their website. They provide members with access to gym or home-based fitness classes and also recipe libraries.

They can earn regular income while providing substantial benefits to their community.

Fixed costs and infinite expansion

The following is a breakdown the expenses:

  •  Web Hosting
  • Domain Registration: Domain Registration
  • LMS Software, or Plugins
  • The company provides four pricing tiers :
  • Basic: $179.50/year, suitable for beginners.
  • Additional costs: $299.50/year This includes other functions and connectivity.
  • Pro: $399.50/year, ideal for firms that require the most advanced technologies.
  • Pricing: Premium $499.50/year Excellent for companies and ambitious creators.
  • Extra charges:
  • SSL certificates to ensure secure transactions ($0 up to $100/year), often included in hosting package).
  • Payment gateway fees (typically around 2.9 percent plus $0.30 (per each transaction).

What are the reasons to select Us ? We'll provide you with our prices along with what you could get out of...

Pricing:

  • Basis Plan $179.50/year
  • Plus Plan: $299.50/year
  • Pro Plan: $399.50/year
  • Elite: $499.50/year

ROI (ROI):

For a better understanding of the ROI, let's assume you choose to opt to the Plus plan that has an annual cost of $299.50/year. If you sell a course bundle or membership priced at $100 and sell 3 memberships per month, the monthly income will be $300.

If you take the whole calendar year into consideration, it's about 3600 dollars. By subtracting hosting costs ($299.50) and the cost of hosting ($240 per month for 20 dollars) which provides you with an annual revenue in the amount of $3,061 net.

The calculation indicates that even with only one or two sales the investment return is quite impressive and is an intelligent choice!

     Evaluation of the Possibilities for Scalability for free for Content or Users    

One of the major benefits to hosting your own classes it's capacity.

In contrast to SaaS platforms, which cost per user or get an percentage of profits, they let you grow your business without any additional expense.

Here's how:

  • unlimitable users Once your website is operational and up and running, you can have any number of users that you'd like to host without incurring any additional charges. It is possible to predict the cost regardless of how your membership grows.
  • Flexible Content It is possible to create and host unlimited classes, which include the lessons as well as membership levels. This lets you expand the scope of your services and increase your income streams without having to worry about increasing costs.

In the end, the fixed cost structure for self-hosted platforms like this one provides an affordable cost structure and the potential to expand.

By having an infrastructure that's scalable and with no extra cost per user, you can to expand the amount of users you are able to have and your content increasing the profits you earn while ensuring steady growth.

There's more.

 Integration with Other Business Tools

Self-hosted platforms like also offer the ability to incorporate a variety of business tools, improving the overall operation and providing insights on student behaviour and efficiency.

Here's how:

     2. CRM Systems:

     3. Analytics Tools

     4. Calendar/Scheduling Tools:

     5. Form/Survey Builders:

     6. Payment Gateways:

More details are provided on how you can connect your account for business to several tools.                Go to >> Supercharge your memberpess site by including the latest add-ons and integrations

Moving from Self-Hosted Hosting for self-hosted

If you're convinced about the benefits of switching to SaaS LMS platforms to self-hosted platforms, these are the steps to follow:

Move into HTML0!

Transitioning from a SaaS LMS platform to self-hosted course platforms like may seem daunting, however you'll be able to accomplish this by having a plan.

The following step-by-step instructions are provided that will guide people through the process:

First step: Begin with a strategy

  • Examine Your current platform Check your current SaaS LMS platform's features, restrictions, as well as other information.
  • Set goals Create the goals you'd like to accomplish through the process of transition (e.g. lower costs or better control).
  • Create a Migration Plan Within the outline, you should write down dates, deadlines as well as the duties you're required to fulfill. Make sure you've got an all-data backup.

Step 2. Install your Self-Hosted platform which you have built.

  • Install Buy and install the plug-in to your WordPress website.
Check out the video below on how to Install the Plugin

3. Export Data From SaaS Platform

  • Backup information Make sure you've got copies of all course content including user information along with course content as well as additional information that is relevant to your needs.
  • Export Content Make use of the tools for export provided by your LMS based on SaaS to download the required data like information about your user and media files.

     4. Send the information the data

  • load users Use software or manual methods to load information from users in order to provide that students have access to the data in a simple manner.

HTML1Step 5: Step 5: Settingup

  • Membership Levels: Set up the levels of membership that work with your business model.
  • Payment Gateways Install payment gateways, such as Stripe or PayPal for secure transactions.
  • Modification Style and design of your site in accordance with your branding.

     6. Try Everything

  • Test of function Verify that all functions, such as access to classes as well as levels of membership and the payment process work in a proper manner.
  • users experience Test the user journey beginning at registration and concluding the course for a seamless journey.

It's time to act!

 Step 7 - Step 7: Launch and Promote

  • Information users Inform your existing users be aware of the brand new platform, by offering specific instructions and guidance for accessing the new platform.

Five tips for easing the process of transition

  • Plan thoroughly with detailed schedules, timelines and backups.
  • Make HTML0 modifications clearly available to users and give them help.
  • Make sure to check every function thoroughly so there are no interruptions.
  • Use accessible resources and migration guidelines. Beginning by explaining smaller sections of information that help you understand the issues that become.
  • Provide ongoing support through FAQs and Helpdesks to keep the track of effectiveness and make changes in response to feedback.

If you follow these steps and follow these actions, you'll have the ability move seamlessly from a SaaS LMS to a self-hosted system like having total control of the content you publish and maximising profits.

A Quick Overview

We're amazed at how far we've come.

One of the issues we addressed was the disadvantages that come with using third-party LMS platforms to facilitate online course marketing.

Discussion also covered the main advantages that self-hosted courses offer, including total ownership of your content and lower expenses, and greater control of your branding and marketing strategies.

Additionally, we made certain analyses and were able to convince users that investing in self-hosted educational platforms like Courses can be a game changer for your creative company.

In the end, it's crucial to remember that when you eliminate high revenue-sharing fees and utilize tools such as Courses, you are able to establish a highly successful and scalable online education company.

Make sure you examine what the price of the platform is against the benefits. If you're using WordPress you should consider it as an effective solution for growing your business and earning more.

Let us know via the comment section if you plan to switch to a self-hosted service for your classes, such as Courses. We're happy to address any questions that you may ask.

Sarah O Sarah is adamant to simplify the technical details of websites and plug-ins and digital marketing. as a Content Writer for Member Press, she has an eye for composing engaging and fascinating articles. Sarah is an integral contributor to educating people about the potential of Member Press plugins. With a mix of creativity as well as technical know-how Her goal is to make sure that every piece of content does more than inform but be a source of inspiration. In her spare time, she loves exploring latest developments in marketing and technology. She's always seeking innovative ways to enhance the customer experience.

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