Business
Run, Don’t Walk Away from Outschool: Safeguarding Your Online Teaching Business
In recent years, Outschool has emerged as a marketplace for teachers and business owners seeking financial success through online education. Many have sung praises of the platform, myself included, as I once served as a go-to figure for marketing, enjoyed the spotlight in numerous articles, participated in private group pilot programs, and at one point worked as an employee for the company. However, change in business is inevitable, and I’m here to shed light on why educators must prioritize growing their own business off the platform.
Let’s be clear from the outset: Outschool is undeniably a third-party marketplace. It serves as a gateway for educators to connect with students, promote their classes, and earn a living. While the platform has helped countless independent contractors, recent developments have underscored the importance of not putting all your eggs in one basket (something I’ve been saying for years!).
They’re also responsible for my features in articles published by Forbes and Business Insider.
Last year’s debacle involving the broken search engine rendered numerous classes invisible – a catastrophic blow for both established organizations and individual teachers. This incident, while frustrating, should have served as an eye-opener about the vulnerabilities of relying solely on a single platform for income. Fast forward to the present, the online teaching community is grappling with another significant challenge – the migration to 1:1 classes no longer being in the hands of the educators, but the parents.
"This isn't an attempt to disparage Outschool; they're a business and entitled to make decisions that align with their goals."
Scroll through the Outschool-related Facebook groups, and you’ll be met with a flood of concerns and queries regarding this transition. Teachers, whose livelihoods are intertwined with the platform, are left hanging without concrete solutions. Q&A webinars, emails, and blog updates have done little to quell the rising tide of anxiety. It’s crucial to note that this isn’t an attempt to disparage Outschool; they’re a business and entitled to make decisions that align with their goals.
What Can You Do?
Here are five steps you can take to secure your online teaching business:
- Diversify Your Presence: Listing your classes on multiple platforms can significantly reduce your risk. Explore other educational marketplaces that align with your teaching style and audience.
- Build Your Own Website: Establishing a personal website lends you credibility and control over your brand. It also serves as a hub for potential students to discover your classes, even if platform dynamics change.
- Seek Alternative Earning Opportunities: Leverage your expertise by offering webinars, workshops, or downloadable resources through various platforms or directly from your website.
- Create a Mailing List: Gathering the email addresses of your students allows you to maintain direct contact regardless of any platform shifts. Regular newsletters can keep your audience engaged and informed. While this cannot be done through the platform, make sure you have you own means of communicating with potential clients. (Check out this mini Marketing Course).
- Collaborate and Network: Forge connections with fellow educators and organizations in your niche. Collaborative projects, joint ventures, and cross-promotions can broaden your reach and create additional income streams.
The tone is not intended to be alarmist, but rather a call to action. Outschool has showcased the potential of online education, but recent events should serve as a reminder to secure your future independently. By following these steps, you can fortify your business and be prepared for uncertainties in this digital landscape. Remember, your expertise deserves a safety net, and it’s in your hands to build your business and that net!
Do You Need Help Building Your Online Teaching ?Business
Thanks so much for your points! I will be implementing them all!
Thank You for sharing your experience. It can be hard to break the mold and go out on your own. Your courage is inspiring.
How do you gather student emails if that’s not allowed through Outschool?
Hi Jess,
If you currently offer classes on Outschool and plan to keep your business there, then you have to follow their policies. However, if you plan on moving off their platform, when you do marketing, you can gather emails/contact information. You just can’t direct them to Outschool.