10 Steps to Create an Online Course Teaching Your Trade Skills

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Skilled trades like plumbing, welding, carpentry, and auto repair are more in demand than ever. But as a tradesperson, there’s another way to leverage your expertise: teaching your skills online. Creating an online course lets you:

Diversify your income without extra physical labor.

Help others start careers, master DIY projects, or gain new skills.

Build authority as an expert in your trade.

With platforms like Skool, it’s easier than ever to turn your knowledge into a successful online course. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the 10 steps to create an online course that shares your trade skills and generates income.

Step 1: Identify Your Niche

Start by deciding what specific skill or trade you want to teach. Think about:

Your Expertise: What are you most skilled at?

Your Audience: Who do you want to teach—beginners, DIYers, or aspiring professionals?

The Transformation: What will your students achieve by taking your course?

Example Niches:

Welding basics for beginners.

DIY carpentry projects for homeowners.

Auto repair for beginners.

Step 2: Define Your Course Objectives

Every great course starts with clear objectives. Ask yourself:

What skills will students learn?

What problems will you solve?

What will students be able to do by the end?

Example Objective:

“Teach beginners how to build a custom wooden table using basic carpentry tools and techniques.”

Step 3: Outline Your Course Content

Break your course into modules and lessons that flow logically.

Structure Example:

Introduction

Overview of tools and materials.

What students will achieve.

Skill Modules

Step-by-step tutorials (e.g., “Cutting and Shaping Wood” or “Welding Basics”).

Add practice assignments.

Advanced Lessons

Troubleshooting, tips, and real-world applications.

Wrap-Up

Final project or assessment.

Next steps or career opportunities.

Step 4: Choose Your Format

Decide how you’ll deliver your content:

Video Tutorials: Ideal for hands-on demonstrations.

Written Guides: Supplement videos with PDFs, checklists, or diagrams.

Quizzes and Assessments: Test students’ knowledge.

Pro Tip: Use Skool to upload your videos, PDFs, and quizzes in one place for a seamless learning experience.

Step 5: Price Your Course

Your pricing should reflect the value of the skills you’re teaching.

Pricing Tips:

One-Time Fee: Charge $97–$997 for lifetime access.

Subscription Model: Offer ongoing access for $20–$100/month.

Tiered Pricing: Add premium options like 1-on-1 coaching or advanced modules.

Step 6: Film and Create Your Content

Set aside time to record your lessons and create supporting materials.

Tips for Filming:

Use a smartphone or DSLR camera for quality visuals.

Film in a well-lit area with clear audio.

Demonstrate skills step by step, and explain as you go.

Step 7: Use Skool to Host Your Course

Skool simplifies everything you need to run your online course. Here’s why it’s perfect for tradespeople:

✅ Course Hosting: Upload videos, PDFs, and practice quizzes.

✅ Community Forums: Build a space for students to ask questions and share progress.

✅ Gamification: Use points and leaderboards to keep students motivated.

Step 8: Add a Community Element

Learning is better when it’s collaborative. Create a community where students can:

Ask Questions: Troubleshoot problems or clarify lessons.

Share Progress: Post photos of their projects for feedback.

Encourage Each Other: Build motivation and camaraderie.

With Skool, your community is seamlessly integrated into your course platform.

Step 9: Market Your Course

Now that your course is ready, it’s time to attract students.

Marketing Tips:

Share Free Content: Post short tips or mini-tutorials on YouTube or Instagram.

Create a Landing Page: Use compelling visuals, testimonials, and a clear call-to-action.

Leverage Email Marketing: Offer a free resource (e.g., a checklist) to capture leads and promote your course.

Offer Discounts: Launch with a limited-time discount to drive early sign-ups.

Step 10: Launch and Iterate

Once your course is live, gather feedback to improve.

Ask Students for Reviews: Testimonials build credibility.

Monitor Progress: Use Skool’s analytics to see where students struggle or drop off.

Update Content Regularly: Add lessons or refine tutorials to keep your course fresh.

Success Story: A Welder Turned Educator

Alex, a professional welder, turned his trade skills into a profitable online course. He created a beginner’s guide to MIG welding, with video lessons and step-by-step instructions, hosted entirely on Skool.

The Results:

Priced at $497, Alex sold 150 courses in his first year, earning over $74,000.
His Skool community now has 500+ members sharing their projects and learning from each other.

Why Skool is the Perfect Platform for Your Trade Course

Skool combines everything you need to teach your trade skills online:

✅ All-in-One Solution: Host your course, community, and engagement tools in one place.

✅ User-Friendly: No tech headaches—just focus on teaching.

✅ Built for Engagement: Gamification and forums keep students active and motivated.

Start Your Online Course Today

Teaching your trade skills online is an incredible way to share your expertise, help others succeed, and build a new income stream. Whether you’re a carpenter, welder, or auto mechanic, Skool makes it simple to: