As a course creator, the journey to sharing your knowledge and expertise with the world can be both exciting and challenging. In the digital age, there are various platforms like Udemy and Skillshare that promise exposure to a vast audience.

However, in this video and blog post, I want to share four compelling reasons why new course creators should steer clear of these platforms and consider alternative strategies for success.

• Unfavorable Revenue Split:

One of the primary drawbacks of platforms like Udemy and Skillshare is the revenue split they impose on course creators. Typically, these platforms charge anywhere from 50% to 70% in commission, and in some cases, an additional 30% tax charge. This means that even if you create a high-quality course, a significant portion of your earnings goes to the platform, leaving you with less revenue for your hard work.

In comparison, selling courses directly allows you to set your own pricing structure. For instance, in the niche of Google Ads, top-rated courses on these platforms sell for $10 to $40, whereas selling directly allows you to price your courses based on their value. This flexibility can be crucial for maximizing your income as a course creator.

• Limited Visibility and Exposure:

While platforms like Udemy boast impressive user numbers (Udemy with 64 million users and Skillshare with 13 million users), the sheer volume of courses available on these platforms poses a significant challenge for new and small course creators. With Udemy hosting 210,000 courses and Skillshare with 40,000 courses, the competition for visibility is fierce.

Moreover, these platforms tend to favor and promote courses from creators with established audiences. This creates a paradox where new or small creators struggle to gain visibility because platforms prioritize those who already have a large following. As a result, the promised exposure to a massive user base may not translate into significant sales for new creators.

• Ineffective Promotion for New Creators:

The third major drawback of relying on platforms like Udemy and Skillshare is their promotion strategy. These platforms tend to feature courses from creators with the highest profiles and largest audiences. This approach inadvertently excludes new or small creators, as the focus remains on advertising courses from already established educators.

For course creators without a substantial existing audience, this becomes a Catch-22 situation. To achieve significant sales on these platforms, a large audience is required. However, without being featured or gaining visibility, new creators struggle to build an audience and generate sales. This cycle can be discouraging for those hoping to kickstart their course creation journey.

In conclusion, while the allure of accessing a massive user base on platforms like Udemy and Skillshare may seem tempting, new course creators should carefully consider the significant drawbacks associated with these platforms. The unfavorable revenue split, limited visibility, and ineffective promotion for new creators make these platforms less appealing for those seeking financial success and recognition in the competitive world of online education. Instead, exploring alternative strategies such as selling courses directly can provide greater control over pricing, visibility, and ultimately lead to a more rewarding and successful course creation journey.