Hi Everyone, From an Old Timer

Hello Everyone,

My online business life has been a rocket ride.

After retiring from Cisco Systems at the age of 48, I started writing and self-publishing cozy mysteries with my wife. Five years later we had published over 100 books on Amazon and made $500k. Completely burned out on writing, I switched to Udemy course creation. Five years later (this June) and I've already made another $120k.

There are so many opportunities to make good money online. Publishing online training courses is one of the easiest and funnest -- and there's no boss or having to commute to work.

I wish all my fellow instructors the best in achieving their Udemy dreams.

---Brian

Comments

  • That's a great story, thank you. I have been trying to get my business online for 9 years and just been going around in circles. I've evaluated endless platforms, started, stopped, made excuses, lost hope, gave up, started again, I eventually published one book last year. I have got to get my act together and do some courses. I want to be free to live and work from anywhere!

  • Thor
    Thor Posts: 2,321 rolemodel rank

    I completely agree @

    There are an unending option of places you can make money online, find the one that works for you, is fun, and that you are good at.

    I have done so many different random things online as a serial solopreneur it is not even funny, most of them because "That sounds fun to try".
    Udemy was no different initially.

    Then it became different from all the others because they were just providing a product and making money where Udemy does that and it helps people get ahead in life (which is VERY important to me).

    Also 100 books in 5 years, that is a book every 2-3 weeks, that is insane man. No wonder you burned out on that.

  • @VeroniquePalmer

    I've started and stopped and started again. Just keep at it.

    As far as Udemy, just plug your mic in and go for it. See what happens. When I started Udemy I recorded my first 10 courses in 10 weeks. At some point you need to decide you want to do Udemy (which I recommend) then put your head down and start recording. Don't allow yourself to be distracted or frustrated into quiting. It will happen for you.

    Best of luck and keep in touch,

    ---Brian

  • @Thor

    Yes, my wife and I were writing, but it was a lot of books that kept getting shorter (part of our demise).

    Yes, the opportunities are boundless. While still keeping the books going I'm recording on Udemy and porting to SkillShare, StackCommerce and iStudy. I tried doing voice over and it just didn't work out (I need to meet with a VO expert with a study in a nearby town). I've dabbled in affiliate sales and considered drop shipping.

    Love being my own boss of a burgeoning online empire :-).

    ---Brian

  • Thor
    Thor Posts: 2,321 rolemodel rank

    Exactly @

    I did PhotoShop tutorials ehhh 15 years ago, sold MMOs in-game currency, custom flies for fishing, drop-shipping, website design, logo design, security consulting, paintball stuff, 20 things I am sure I forgot.

  • You win ;-). ---Brian

  • Thor
    Thor Posts: 2,321 rolemodel rank

    I think you did with the 100 books, that still blows my mind.