The Teach, Touch, Thrive Guide
Become an Unretired Teacher Online
Source: Google Gemini AI image
Welcome to this week's Silver Solopreneur's Journey, your guide to creating an online business at 55+ that respects your retirement lifestyle.
"Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn." ~Benjamin Franklin
My teaching journey reads like a winding road map. I started as a corporate trainer, moved into broadcasting, then circled back to media training before landing at The Wharton School of Business as a part-time lecturer in Business Communication until my retirement in 2023.
Through every twist and turn, one thing remained constant—I absolutely love teaching! Whether I was standing in front of a room full of executives or connecting with students through a computer screen, that spark of watching someone's face light up when they "get it" never gets old.
Now, as a semi-retiree creating online content, I've realized something powerful. All my years of experience weren't just building my career. I was stacking up teachable moments I didn't even realize I was collecting. You've probably been collecting your own stack too.
Your Living Room University: How to Turn Your Knowledge into Cash Through Online Teaching
Picture this: You're sitting in your favorite armchair, coffee mug in hand, sharing something you know like the back of your hand with someone eager to learn. They're grateful, you're gratified, and your bank account is a little happier. Sounds too good to be true, right?
Welcome to the world of online teaching. It's like running your own personal university, except the campus is wherever you choose to set up your laptop.
The trap many of us fall into is that we assume that because what we know feels easy, it must be obvious to everyone. However, what's second nature to you might be a lifeline to someone else.
You don't need a Ph.D., a podcast, or a massive following. You just need the courage to share what you know in a way that helps others, and with online tools, it's easier than you might think.
What to Teach?
Think of a skill, a story, or a lesson someone else would love to learn.
If you can talk about it for 30 minutes without looking at your notes, you can teach it!
For example, you spent 30 years organizing chaos at work. You could teach your time-saving strategies to overwhelmed entrepreneurs.
Or maybe you taught yourself to cook for one after a lifetime of feeding a family. Turn that into a class on solo meal planning.
Three Simple Ways to Start
Don't try to boil the ocean. Start small. You don't need to write a 12-week curriculum or film a documentary.
Here are three beginner-friendly formats:
🟣 The Workshop Leader's Stage: Interactive Learning
Think of workshops as throwing a dinner party where everyone learns something delicious. You're the chef, they're your eager guests, and everyone leaves satisfied.
Perfect for: Hands-on skills or topics where people need to ask questions
Format: Live, 60–90-minute sessions on Zoom
Pricing sweet spot: $27-$97 per person
Your workshop recipe:
• Choose one problem you can solve in 90 minutes.
• Create a simple workbook they can reference later.
• Test it with a few friends before going public.
🟣 The Webinar Host: Your Free Sample Strategy
Webinars are like offering samples at the farmer's market. You give away something valuable for free, knowing some folks will want to buy the whole basket.
The magic formula: 80% solid teaching + 20% invitation to work with you further
Length: 45-60 minutes—long enough to deliver real value, short enough that people don't start drifting away
Strategy: Solve one specific problem while hinting at the bigger transformation you can provide.
🟣 The Course Creator's Path: Build a Knowledge Library
Creating an online course is like writing a cookbook for your expertise. Once it's done, people can "cook" from your recipes anytime they want.
Best for: Knowledge you can break into bite-sized lessons—a learning sandwich where each small lesson builds on the last
Pricing range: $47-$297 for most successful courses
Choose your format based on your comfort level: Scared of live teaching? Start with a pre-recorded course. Love interaction? Try giving a workshop.
Tools That Make Online Teaching Easier
• Zoom – For workshops and webinars. If you've ever FaceTimed, you can Zoom
• Canva – Make slides or handouts that look pro without a design degree
• Google Docs – Perfect for drafting outlines or sharing checklists
• Teachable or Thinkific – User-friendly sites for hosting simple online courses
• Udemy – Course hosting with built-in audience (but you'll compete on price)
• Kajabi – The Swiss Army knife of all-in-one platforms (premium price)
Make It Engaging
Think about the best teachers you ever had. They didn't just lecture. They made you laugh, asked your opinion, and made you feel welcome. Online teaching is no different.
Some ideas:
• Open each session with a question or story
• Mix things up: share a video, printable checklist, or do a live demonstration
• Use polls or chat to invite participation—think of it as passing the talking stick around a circle
Finding Your First Students (Without Being Salesy)
Start with the people who already know, like, and trust you.
• Send a warm email to friends or former coworkers
• Post on social media: "I'm teaching a small workshop on ___, and I'd love to have you there"
• Offer a beta version for free or low fee and ask for feedback
Once you start teaching, be prepared for a few bumps. You may face tech gremlins, feel nervous, or have the odd class where your cat or dog decides to join the lesson.
Laugh, learn from it, and keep going. It doesn't have to be perfect. It just has to be honest and helpful.
Ask Yourself
• What skill or knowledge do people frequently ask me about that I take for granted?
• Which teaching format feels most natural for my personality and lifestyle?
• What's one small step I can take this week to move from thinking about teaching to actually doing it?
This Week's Action Steps
• Jot down three topics you could teach or talk about for an hour without running out of steam
• Pick one online teaching platform and poke around—sign up for a free account or watch a tutorial
• Invite a friend to a "practice class" on Zoom or FaceTime, just for fun—see how it feels to present your knowledge this way
Closing Thoughts
Keep in mind that every expert was once a beginner. Every teacher was once a student.
Don't be afraid to make the connection. Someone out there is waiting for you to show up.
Please be kind to yourself and be kind to animals.
Janet
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