| Want to make money while you're building your | | | | exposure in the catalog which can be valuable. Leisure |
| credibility and being exposed to hundreds of | | | | Learning sends out hundreds of thousands of |
| thousands of potential clients? Teach continuing | | | | catalogs a year, and my classes and bio information |
| education classes and seminars. You don't need a | | | | are in every one of them. I meet people who already |
| degree or teacher certification, just helpful knowledge | | | | know who I am, because they've read about me in |
| to share with others. | | | | the LLU catalog. |
| There are thousands of continuing education and | | | | Two, many of my clients come from the classes I |
| lifetime learning programs out there, and they are | | | | teach, or from seeing me in the catalog. If someone |
| looking for you. You have expertise that you can | | | | likes your class, but they need more help, they will |
| share for pay. And, because the person at the front | | | | turn to you. |
| of the room is viewed as an expert, you will also | | | | Three, I sell manuals and other materials through my |
| boost your expert reputation. | | | | courses, either as required texts or as optional |
| Look around for course catalogs from local | | | | back-of-the-room sales. In a typical class, I make |
| universities and community colleges. Also watch for | | | | more on these sales than on teaching fees. My |
| announcements of classes offered by other | | | | after-expenses profit for a class has ranged from a |
| organizations. In Houston, I teach at Leisure Learning | | | | low of $75 (for three hours) to a high of more than |
| Unlimited a private company that presents hundreds | | | | $1,500 (also for three hours). |
| of interesting classes in cooking, business, computers, | | | | Many people turn away from these opportunities |
| travel, relationships, crafts, and just about anything | | | | because it seems like you make more money when |
| else you could name. Similar companies around the | | | | you self-sponsor your classes and seminars. |
| country include Fun Ed, Learning Annex, Open | | | | However, if you put the class on by yourself, you |
| University, et al. | | | | have to absorb the cost (in time, money or both) of |
| Review their course listings. Think of something that | | | | marketing and registration, as well as the cost of |
| they are not currently offering that seems to be a | | | | booking a room. And, if the class doesn't make |
| good fit with their other classes. Sketch out an | | | | (which happens), you are out that money with no |
| outline, then call and ask how you can propose a | | | | offsetting income. When I teach for someone else, |
| course. Usually, they will want a course description | | | | they take all the risk, and I just show up to teach. |
| for the catalog, an outline, and some information | | | | In addition to teaching classes through colleges and |
| about your qualifications. | | | | such, look for someone to sponsor your class as a |
| Now, for the bad news: You won't get rich teaching | | | | seminar. I do a marketing class which has been |
| these classes. You may get paid a set hourly rate | | | | sponsored by chambers of commerce as a benefit |
| (typical at colleges) as low as $15 - $20 per class | | | | for their members. A professional association may be |
| hour, or you may receive a percentage of the class | | | | willing to sponsor your seminar as a fundraiser, where |
| fees. These rates may be negotiable, so go in | | | | you share revenues. |
| prepared to ask for what you want. By the way, all | | | | Teaching gives you an expert reputation, increases |
| of my classes are just one session each, usually | | | | your income, and it's fun. I love to teach because I |
| three hours long. | | | | love to learn--and I always learn new things from my |
| There are a few very good reasons to teach, even | | | | students! |
| if you don't get paid a lot for it. One, you get | | | | |