My Side Business Journey:
Hi everyone! I’m from Switzerland, and I’ve built an e-learning platform specifically for students. The platform offers explainer videos on topics like accounting, economics, and law—basically, the essential knowledge needed for apprenticeships or studies in these fields. Since launching in early 2020, it’s been running successfully. While it hasn’t been a life-changing venture, it has provided me with enough income to reduce my workload at my main job.
Even though it’s an online course, the scalability is somewhat limited due to the size of the Swiss market (just 8.7 million people, with four different languages!). The content is tailored specifically for this market, so expanding beyond Switzerland would require significant adjustments.
I’ve invested a considerable amount of time in creating and promoting this platform. When I think about the financial return on those hours, it’s clear that the pay-off isn’t great. In the meanwhile I moved the plattform from LearnDash to Skool, just because of the mobile app and the minimalistic interface. Now, I’m at a crossroads and need to decide on my next step.
Skills I’ve Gained:
- Deepened my understanding of education
- Gained experience in online marketing (ads, copywriting, funnel building, etc.)
- Community-building
- Created animated videos using Vyond
- Set up websites with WordPress
- Developed e-learning content with LearnDash
- Skool-Plattform knowledge
My Options Moving Forward:
Option 1: Expand My Current Business with further topics
Pros:
- The product already fits the market
- Almost no competition
Cons:
- The videos are relatively easy to replicate
- Students are increasingly turning to AI for study help
- Video creation could soon be automated by AI
- Expanding content would require a significant time investment
- Scalability is still a challenge
- Main target-customers are students -> Not really strong buy-power
Option 2: Create Animated Ads for Lead Generation
This idea has been on my mind for a while. Companies and freelancer that offer animated education / explanation videos are already quite a thing. But most of them don't really concentrate on the lead-gen side of these videos. They don't consult the customer how they can implement these videos for getting customers. The market for SMMA (Social Media Marketing Agency) services is are also quite saturated, but maybe there’s an opportunity in offering animated videos as a unique selling proposition for lead generation.
Option 3: Build a Personal Brand Around One-Person Businesses and Community Building
I’m not looking to become a “guru,” but I’m intrigued by the idea of building a personal brand focused on one-person businesses and community building. In the meanwhile I think I gained enough "skin in the game" to be enough experienced to talk about these things. Over time, I could monetize this by offering consulting services on how to establish a one-person business or grow a community.
Now what would you guys think? Any recommendations, thoughts?
Would help me a lot to hear some opinions!
Hi everyone! I’m from Switzerland, and I’ve built an e-learning platform specifically for students. The platform offers explainer videos on topics like accounting, economics, and law—basically, the essential knowledge needed for apprenticeships or studies in these fields. Since launching in early 2020, it’s been running successfully. While it hasn’t been a life-changing venture, it has provided me with enough income to reduce my workload at my main job.
Even though it’s an online course, the scalability is somewhat limited due to the size of the Swiss market (just 8.7 million people, with four different languages!). The content is tailored specifically for this market, so expanding beyond Switzerland would require significant adjustments.
I’ve invested a considerable amount of time in creating and promoting this platform. When I think about the financial return on those hours, it’s clear that the pay-off isn’t great. In the meanwhile I moved the plattform from LearnDash to Skool, just because of the mobile app and the minimalistic interface. Now, I’m at a crossroads and need to decide on my next step.
Skills I’ve Gained:
- Deepened my understanding of education
- Gained experience in online marketing (ads, copywriting, funnel building, etc.)
- Community-building
- Created animated videos using Vyond
- Set up websites with WordPress
- Developed e-learning content with LearnDash
- Skool-Plattform knowledge
My Options Moving Forward:
Option 1: Expand My Current Business with further topics
Pros:
- The product already fits the market
- Almost no competition
Cons:
- The videos are relatively easy to replicate
- Students are increasingly turning to AI for study help
- Video creation could soon be automated by AI
- Expanding content would require a significant time investment
- Scalability is still a challenge
- Main target-customers are students -> Not really strong buy-power
Option 2: Create Animated Ads for Lead Generation
This idea has been on my mind for a while. Companies and freelancer that offer animated education / explanation videos are already quite a thing. But most of them don't really concentrate on the lead-gen side of these videos. They don't consult the customer how they can implement these videos for getting customers. The market for SMMA (Social Media Marketing Agency) services is are also quite saturated, but maybe there’s an opportunity in offering animated videos as a unique selling proposition for lead generation.
Option 3: Build a Personal Brand Around One-Person Businesses and Community Building
I’m not looking to become a “guru,” but I’m intrigued by the idea of building a personal brand focused on one-person businesses and community building. In the meanwhile I think I gained enough "skin in the game" to be enough experienced to talk about these things. Over time, I could monetize this by offering consulting services on how to establish a one-person business or grow a community.
Now what would you guys think? Any recommendations, thoughts?
Would help me a lot to hear some opinions!
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