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How can you earn more passive Earnings from Online Courses |

Jun 6, 2024

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We could inform you that you can earn more passively from your online courses by making use of self-hosted platforms to host your course?

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Third Party LMS Platforms: Misconceptions about LMS Platforms

You might agree with this statistic which shows that the 57% that course designers assess their courses' success based on the level of satisfaction that students have with their courses. 23% consider student enrollment as a factor, and 21% are based on income.

This is the reason a majority design professionals believe that it's better to select the third-party LMS platforms such as Udemy, Teachable, and Kajabi for the following reasons:

  • They hope it will cut their marketing costs and thereby reducing the need to make huge upfront investment in software and hardware.
  • They believe it can help in launching their company into the global market in a more rapid manner.
  • They assume it's user-friendly and requires minimal technical knowledge that makes it easy for course creators to create the course, start the course, and oversee their course.

However, these benefits have a high price and include:

  1. The cost of revenue sharing is increasing.
  2. 75 75% of courses developers make less than $1000 each year. Only 1 percent of instructors earn more than $50,000 per year.
  3. This course could be overlooked in the crowds, requiring extra marketing costs to get your message out to the appropriate audience.
  4. There are few opportunities to establish relationships with students outside the portal.
  5. You cannot personalize your page or brand's profile through these platforms.
  6. It's hard to keep track of the students' progress through the funnel.
  7. The constrained engagement options result from the lack of community-oriented and gamification integrations or gamification.

     The Introduction to Courses hosted self-hosted    

If you're an online instructor frustrated by the high prices and restrictions in SaaS LMS platforms, you're not all alone. A lot of educators are confronted with the same dilemmas.

You can also use self-hosted course platforms.

If you choose to run your own online course, you'll be in control of your content in addition to reducing the cost of revenue sharing, and create new ways to make money.

Consider the idea...

Imagine having the freedom to design your classes in the way you want as well as keeping more of your hard-earned profits.

Moving to self-hosted services doesn't only mean that you will reduce costs, but it's also about unleashing the potential of your business, and making it the most profitable sustainable enterprise.

Still doubtful? Check out this overview below.

     The Cost of High-Quality Revenue Sharing    

If you are using the most well-known SaaS LMS platforms to sell and manage your online courses, it's essential to understand the models of revenue sharing they employ.

They typically charge up to a significant percentage of profits and they can quickly accumulate and reduce the amount of profit you make.

The following is a list of the most common revenue sharing plans offered by a few popular SaaS LMS platforms:

     1. Teachable

Teachable has a variety of pricing options. Their revenue sharing plan is different based on the plans you select. Here is what their annual pricing looks like:

  • Free Plan: charges $1 + 10% on each transaction.
  • Base Plans ($39/month): 5 percent transaction cost.
  • Professional Plan ($119/month) and Business Plan ($499/month) The Professional Plan has no fee to make transactions, but restricted publication limit for courses.

     2. Thinkific

Thinkific has a range of price tiers that have various revenue sharing implications:

  • Free Plan: There are zero transaction fees however, it has limited features.
  • A Basic Plan ($49/month) The Basic Plan has no fee for transactions, but it only offers digital downloads.
  • Pro Plan ($99/month) as well as the Premier Plan ($499/month): There are no transaction fees, however there are some online community services.

     3. Udemy

Udemy operates on a different revenue sharing model than Teachable and Thinkific:

  • Organic Sales: Udemy receives 50% of their revenue from purchasesmade via the Udemy marketplace.
  • Promotions for Instructors: Teachers retain 97% of their profits of sales resulting from the promotions they run themselves (using coupons that are offered to instructors) With Udemy charging a three percent administration cost.
  • Paid User Acquisition: When it comes to the event of sales paid for through Udemy's Pay-per-Click initiatives, instructors only receive 25 percent of the profit.

     4. Kajabi

Kajabi has subscriptions which combine other fees that are determined by the plan

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

Models based on revenue share expose the cost of the use for third party LMS platforms. Even though these platforms are convenient as well as a range of functions however, the regular costs and cuts in income will drastically reduce your profits.

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

This review is comprehensive of both platforms.

     Comparative Analysis of Earnings Potential: SaaS LMS vs. Self-hosted course platforms.    

Example: Let's suppose you are able to offer an online class for $100.

HTML1 SaaS LMS Platform Exemple:

  • Teachable (Basic Plan): If you offer a fee for transactions that is an average of 5 the seller would be losing $5 for each sale.
  • For each sale, the earnings are $195
  • Monthly subscriptions Monthly subscriptions for $39
  • If you are selling 20 courses per month: $195 divided by 20 = $39 = $1.861.
  • Udemy (Organic sale): If you were to earn a 50% profit part, you'd have to lose 50 cents per sale.
  • The profit per sale is $50.
  • If you're selling 20 courses per month, the following formula is used as follows: $20 x 50 = $1,000

Self-Hosted Services Example

  • Monthly membership for (Most Popular Plan) The cost is $33
  • Per sale, earnings of $100.
  • If you can offer 20 courses per month, the following formula is applicable: $100 x 20 $$$ = $1,967

Comparison:

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

In the course of a year, these variations can add up to a significant amount. This is around $11,604 for the course of a year!

     Self-hosted course like Courses may assist you in saving hundreds or thousands of dollars, depending on the amount of sales you make.    

It is now clear how much you could save and earn through a self-hosted course solution We'll look at a few advantages of switching to this platform.

     The advantages of self-hosted course Platforms    

Self-hosted courses are alternative to SaaS LMS services, as they give you the complete control of your course content and operation.

It stands out as a solid selection, particularly when

Utilizing the potential of WordPress It offers unrivaled versatility as well as options for personalizing the experience your experience. You can create a learning experience that perfectly is in line with the brand's personality and business goals.

If you decide to use self-hosted course platforms like those offered by e-learning.com You will enjoy a variety of advantages. One of these is reduced costs, better control, and the ability to use a range of strategies for monetization to maximize your earnings.                Learn >>> Watch Overview of the Feature

Let's examine these benefits more in depth.

     Control and Control of Content Ownership    

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

If you host your own courses, similar to the ones that you have, you're able to customize each element of your course according to your brand's unique style and.

From design and layout, and even the addition of multimedia elements Controlling the content you create lets you create consistent and professional education experience that reflects the values and style of your company.

Being the owner of your content means you have the ability to use a wide range of techniques for marketing without constraints.

It is possible to create and distribute promotions, bundle classes offer discounts as well as make use of a variety of advertising tools and plugins for WordPress.

This allows you to reach your target audience better and to adjust your strategy based on live information and feedback.

     Direct Customer Relationships    

One of the biggest advantages of using self-hosted learning platforms is the possibility of establishing direct, unmediated relationships with your students.

With no restrictions of an intermediary system, you are able to communicate directly with your students, messaging them with personalized messages, in addition to advice and feedback.

As an administrator for your platform you gain access to an abundance of data about the behaviour of your pupils, the preferences and their performance.

It is essential in understanding what is working as well as what's not working for your research.

Through analyzing the data and analyzing it, you can adjust your curriculum and methods of teaching to meet the specific needs of your pupils. This could lead to greater satisfaction of your clients and a higher retention rates.

Intermediaries' platforms can hinder your capacity to offer prompt and effective customer service.

If you have an self-hosted web service can implement a comprehensive service of support that incorporates live chat, forums and direct messaging.

Instant access to help and support can significantly enhance the student experience and address problems before they become more serious.

     Members can earn money through membership    

One of the most efficient ways to earn money for your courses using self-hosted systems is to package them into an membership model.

Members encourage continuous engagement and this leads to higher retention because students constantly benefit from their memberships.

In offering access to an extensive catalog of contents with an affordable monthly fee, will provide substantial value and encourage more students to sign up.

Community features like forums and live Q&A session sessions aid in creating a sense being part of your community and boost their loyalty to your platform.

     This approach enhances the benefits you provide your students, in addition to generating the potential for steady, regular revenue.    

Base Body Homepage
The base body-loving girls

They offer online and as person-to-person training sessions at their own fitness studio within Sydney, Australia.

Through the use of , Base Body Babes manages their paywalled content as well as their exclusive services on their website. They provide members with access to home or gym-based fitness classes Instructions and a recipe library.

This permits them to generate recurring income, while also providing substantial benefits to their communities.

     Fixed costs and infinite growth    

This is a breakdown of the expenses:

  •       Web Hosting      
  •       Domain Registration:      
  •       LMS Software or Plugins      
  • The company has four pricing tiers :
  • Basic: $179.50/year, suitable for beginners.
  • Additional: $299.50/year, includes additional functions and connectivity.
  • Pro: $399.50/year, ideal for companies that require advanced technology.
  • Prices: Premium $499.50/year Great for enterprises and ambitious creators.
  • Extra charges:
  • SSL certificates for secure transactions ($0 up to $100/year), often included in hosting package).
  • Payment gateway fees (typically approximately 2.9 percent plus $0.30 (per each transaction).

The reason why you should select Us ? We will provide you with our prices as well as what you can expect to gain from...

Pricing:

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

Return on Investment (ROI):

For a better understanding of the ROI, let's assume you choose to opt to the Plus plan with a price of $299.50/year. If you sell a course bundle or membership at 100 dollars and only sell 3 memberships per month, the monthly income is $300.

In the full calendar year it's about 3600 dollars. By subtracting hosting costs ($299.50) and hosting ($240 per month for $20) that gives you an annual income net of $3,061.

The calculation indicates that even with just a little of sales, the return on investment is quite impressive and is a sensible choice!

Evaluation of the Possibilities of Scalability, with no charge per User or Content

One of the primary advantages of hosting your own courses that is its capacity.

In contrast to SaaS platforms, which cost per user or get an amount of the profits and let you grow your business at no extra cost.

Here's how:

  • unlimited users: After your site is running and operational, you can have as many users as you would like to host without incurring any additional charges. The costs will be predictable regardless of the extent that your membership grows.
  • Flexibility of Content You can create and host unlimited classes including lessons and membership levels. This allows you to expand the scope of your services and expand your revenue streams without having to worry about rising costs.

In the end, the fixed cost structure for a self-hosted platform like provides predictable costs and huge opportunities for growth.

With an infrastructure that is scalable and with no extra costs per user it's possible to increase the number of members you have as well as the content that you provide, increasing your profits while ensuring steady growth.

There's more.

     Integration with Other Business Tools    

Self-hosted platforms like also offer the flexibility to integrate diverse business tools, improving overall operations and insights into student behavior and course effectiveness.

Here's how:

     2. CRM Systems:

     3. Analytics Tools

     4. Calendar/Scheduling Tools:

     5. Form/Survey Builders:

     6. Payment Gateways:

Additional details are available for how you can connect your business account to various instruments.

check out >> Supercharge your memberpess site by including add-ons or integrations

     Moving from Self-Hosted Hosting to self-hosted    

If you're convinced about the numerous benefits of changing to SaaS LMS platforms to self-hosted platforms, here's what necessary steps to follow:

Move into HTML0!

Transitioning from a SaaS LMS platform to self-hosted course platforms like can seem difficult, but you can accomplish it by having a plan.

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

     First step: Begin with a strategy    

  • Examine Current Platform Examine your present SaaS LMS platform's features, limitations, and information.
  • Set goals Set the goals you'd like to achieve through the process of transition (e.g. reduced costs or greater control).
  • Make a migration Plan In the outline, you should write down dates, deadlines, and the responsibilities you have. Make sure you've got an all-data backup.

     Step 2. Set up your Self-Hosted platform that you built.    

  • Install Install and purchase the plug-in to your WordPress site.
Watch >>> How to Install the Plugin

     Step 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 other pertinent information.
  • Export Content Make use of the export tools offered by your SaaS-based LMS to download any necessary data such as data about your user and media files.

     4. Transfer the data to

  • import users Utilize software or manual methods to load data from users to ensure an easy access for students.

     Step 5 Step 5: Setup    

  • Membership Levels: Set up membership levels that are compatible with your business model.
  • Payment Gateways Install payment gateways such as Stripe or PayPal for secure transactions.
  • Modification Style and design of your website in line with your branding.

     6. Test Everything

  • Testing of functionality Make sure that all functions, such as access to courses as well as membership levels and the payment process, are functioning properly.
  • user experience Test the user journey starting at signup and ending the course for a seamless experience.

The time is now!

     Step 7 Step 7: Launch and Promote    

  • Information Users Let your current users know about the new platform by providing specific directions and assistance for accessing the new platform.

5 tips to ease the transition

  • Plan thoroughly with detailed timelines and data backups.
  • Provide modifications clearly available to users and give them support.
  • Make sure to check all functionalities extensively so that disruptions are not caused.
  • Use available resources and migration guides. Start by explaining small sections of data that will address issues prior to they turn into.
  • Give ongoing support through FAQs and Helpdesks, and keep track of efficiency and making adjustments in response to comments.

Following these steps by following these steps, you'll be able to transition seamlessly from an SaaS LMS to a self-hosted solution like having total control of your contents as well as maximising profits.

     A Quick Review    

We're amazed by how far we've taken us.

The first issue we discussed was the drawbacks of using third-party LMS platforms to facilitate online course commercialization.

The discussion also included the main advantages that self-hosted course hosting offers, including total ownership of your content and lower expenses, and greater control of your branding and marketing strategies.

Additionally, we made certain comparisons and managed to convince you that investing in self-hosted education platforms such as Courses can be a game changer for your creative business.

In the end, it's important to note that when you eliminate high revenue-sharing fees and make use of tools such as Courses, you are able to create a successful and scalable online education company.

Make sure you examine the cost of the platform in relation with the advantages. If you're using WordPress, consider as an effective solution for maximizing your earnings and grow.

Let us know via the comments section if intend to change to a self-hosted platform for your courses, such as Courses. We're eager to answer questions you might have.

Sarah O Sarah is adamant to simplify the technical details of web-based sites and plugins, as well as digital marketing. As a Content Writer for Member Press, she has an eye for creating compelling and interesting articles. Sarah is a major player in educating and enlightening users on the full potential in Member Press plugins. With a mix of creativity as well as technical know-how, her objective is to make sure that every article not only informs but will also motivate. If she is not writing she loves exploring latest developments in technology and marketing. She's always seeking innovative ways to enhance customer experience.

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