How You Can Teach Online Photography Classes

Are you ready to get started teaching an online photography class?

Teaching photography online is an excellent way to engage with your audience and build a strong relationship with them. It’s easy to do and very cost effective, but sometimes it’s difficult to know how get started.

1. Clarify Your Goals for Teaching an Online Photography Class

The first step is to clarify your goals for offering a photography class and how it fits into your overall photography business plan. Don't jump in without a solid plan, or you might risk getting off course and not achieving your goals.

Remember, teaching an online photography class can be a valuable asset to your photography business. Have you thought about why you want to teach photography online?

One goal might be to spread awareness about your photography business. You might offer a free course and use it as a way to get people further into your marketing funnel and book more clients indirectly.

For example, I've seen some photographers offer a free photography course during the holidays teaching parents how to take photos of their kids on Christmas morning.

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The purpose of your class might be more general exposure for your photography business.

You could have people sign up for your class vie e-mail and then you can market your photography sessions to them at a later date. Show the best images from your photography portfolio as examples throughout your online course.

If you don't want to use the online class itself as an opt-in for people to join your e-mail list, you can use one of these photography lead magnets and have people sign up to your list. Once they are on your e-mail list you can promote your photography class via e-mail marketing.

2. Establish Yourself as an Expert

Another goal of teaching photography online would be to establish yourself as an expert in your area. If you teach a subject people will automatically view you as an expert and go-to person on that topic. You don't have to go in depth, just start with the basics of photography. You could even teach an online smartphone photography class.

Think about your ideal photography clients. Are they kids, moms, personal branding clients? Create an online photography class that would resonate with them. For example, moms may love an online photography class for kids. Then when they want photos of their children you will be the go-to expert in photography that they will come to and book their photo sessions.

Or if you're a personal brand photographer, maybe you would teach an online smartphone photography class and help brands learn how to take photos using their phone.

3. Earn Extra Income for Your Photography Business

Earning extra income for your photography business is another popular goal of teaching photography online, especially with the recent pandemic. A lot of photographers have had to close their business and may be struggling to get back into the swing of things after a long period of not having sessions.

Or maybe you want to supplement your income during your slow seasons. For example, if you are a wedding photographer, you may want to teach photography online during your non-wedding season.

If you want to earn money directly with your online photography class, you should focus on the promotion side. You can promote your course through content marketing, social media and e-mail marketing.

I hope these tips have been helpful. Remember, the first place to start is by writing down a simple statement that answers the question, “Why do I want to teach an online course?”

Comment below this post and let me know why you want to teach photography online.