Online Learning & Community

Our view at Stack - Podia shines with its all-in-one platform for digital commerce, offering zero transaction fees, email marketing, affiliate marketing, and live chat support. It’s known for unlimited courses and products, embeddable checkouts, and a community feature to engage users. It now has blog functionality also.

If you love music, building a career around it can feel like the ultimate dream. Teaching is one of the most rewarding ways to share that passion, and for many people, in-person lessons are the natural place to start. You get to share what you know, connect with students, and make a real impact.

But over time, the reality of teaching face-to-face can be challenging. You’re often stuck repeating the same lessons with each client, your income is tied to your time, and your student base is limited to people nearby. 

Teaching music online can offer a unique opportunity to keep sharing the work you love, minus the less-fun stuff. (No more long commutes!)

If you’ve ever wondered how to take your music business online — and actually make it work — you’re not alone. The good news? It’s totally doable, and it’s easier than you might think.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• Why starting an online music teaching business can get tricky, and how to keep it simple

• The three things you need to start teaching music online

• Examples and advice from successful online music teachers who have been in your shoes

By the end, you’ll be ready to teach music online and grow a business that gives you more freedom, more income, and more impact.

Teaching music online doesn’t have to be complicated

Once upon a time, the only way to teach music was to meet students in a classroom, studio, or private home. You could only teach so many hours in a week, and your income was forever tied to your availability. Take a week off for vacation, and your earnings dry up. 

On top of that, you were limited to your local area, and you or your students might face long commutes to get to lessons. 

That’s why teaching music online has become so popular. Now, more than ever, it’s possible to teach from anywhere, reach more students, and even earn money while you sleep.

But here’s the thing, most guides to online music teaching just tell you to get a Zoom account and start, without addressing important questions like:

• How will students find my music classes?

• How do I accept payments securely?

• How do I avoid double bookings?

• How do I stay in touch with students?

Some music teachers turn to platforms that list them in directories, which can simplify a few things. But those platforms often take a big cut, offer little customization, and don’t give you a reliable way to stay in touch with your students, which could be a problem down the road. 

You want to grow something that’s truly yours, not just rent space on someone else’s platform.

That’s why I recommend building your online music business on a platform you own. You’ll have more control and flexibility to grow in the ways that make sense for you.

And it’s easier than you might think.

The 3 things you really need to teach music lessons online: website, digital products, and email marketing

Yep, just those three!

You need a website so people can find you, products so people can book and pay for your programs, and email marketing so you can stay in touch with everyone. 

Here’s how to set everything up.

#1 Your website is how people find you

First, you need to set up a website that tells people who you are and what you offer. This is how new and existing customers will find you, book music lessons, and buy your other programs. 

Your website can be as simple or involved as you want. I’ve seen beautiful single-page business websites, and equally beautiful full-size websites with product pages, blog posts, and special landing pages for offers and promotions. 

(If you’re just starting, go simple and add more pages and design elements as your business grows.)

Your website is a powerful tool for organic discovery because when someone searches for the type of music classes you offer, there’s a chance your site will show up in the search results. And you can improve those odds by adding blog posts that answer common questions your audience has.

That’s exactly how classical piano instructor Joseph D’Amico grew his business, Flex Lessons. He set up a great website and wrote blog posts on topics his ideal students were searching for. He added helpful information to his product pages and used search-friendly keywords in his titles and URLs.

Now, when someone searches for online classical piano lessons, there’s a good chance they’ll find Joseph’s site and sign up. This gives him a steady stream of customers who are actively looking for what he offers.

In addition to helping you get discovered naturally by search engines, your website also keeps you connected with your existing audience. 

If you mainly post on social media or YouTube, for example, your website is a home base that you control. You can show your products and share your story, all in a space that’s free from distractions and competing content.

But how does someone go from website visitor to paying customer? That’s where your products come in.

#2 Your online lessons, courses, and products are how people learn from you

Once you’ve got your music website, the next step is to decide what kinds of lessons, products, and offers you want to make. 

Selling 1:1 online music lessons on Podia

The most straightforward option is 1:1 online music lessons. Your customer can book a virtual session, pay for their class, and you’ll meet using a video platform like Zoom, FaceTime, or Google Hangouts.

You can set this up in Podia by adding a “Coaching” product type, pasting a link to your calendar booking software (like Calendly, SavvyCal, and YouCanBookMe), setting a price, and pressing publish. 

Podia automatically generates a sales page for each product you make, and you can customize this to add more details about your offer. Then, after a prospective customer visits your sales page and signs up for a class, they’ll see your calendar to grab a time slot and instructions for how to prepare.

Offering online courses, digital downloads, and memberships for your music students

Beyond music lessons, you can also expand your music business to include online courses, memberships, and other digital products. Your students can buy these evergreen products any time (hello, making money while on vacation, lounging poolside), and you can sell them as many times as you want without having to do the work again.

Online courses, for instance, are a great fit for students who don’t have compatibility with your schedule or just want to learn on their own time. If you live in Australia and have an interested customer in Canada, an online course allows them to learn from you without having to stay up all night.

Mr. Henry from Mr. Henry’s Music World sells elementary music education content for educators, parents, and students. His music resources are organized into value-packed courses that teachers can sign up for and use in their classrooms. That allows teachers to buy what works with their curriculum and use it when it suits them and their students, all while saving time.

Online courses can also make great free lead magnets. Joseph D’Amico from Flex Lessons offers a free Piano Essentials course that students must take before booking their first lesson together. 

He says, “I attract a lot of adult beginners, and I realized that I was saying the same thing to all of my students, almost verbatim. They all have almost the same questions. They are all making almost the exact same mistakes. Surely there’s a way to automate this.” 

Now, new students go through the Essentials course first so they have a strong foundation before their live lesson, which saves everyone time.

In addition to online courses, we see a lot of successful music creators sell other products like sheet music, practice resources, music journals, and collaborative memberships. 

Anne Crosby Gaudet from Music Discovers, for instance, sells harp sheet music along with online lessons and video courses. She also provides free resources like a downloadable weekly practice planner and harp tutorial videos, so prospective students can see her teaching style before committing to a paid program. 

Another option is to set up a membership or community where new content is added on a regular schedule. This allows you to generate recurring subscription revenue, plus it gives your students an opportunity to collaborate. Your membership community can have live programming, exclusive videos, feedback areas — anything that makes sense for your business.  

The beauty of doing this with an all-in-one tool like Podia is that you can launch a new product, see what resonates with your audience, and adjust as you go.

#3 Your email marketing is how you stay in touch with everyone

Once you’ve set up your website and products, the last piece of the puzzle is having a reliable way to communicate with students and potential customers. Nothing beats email for this.

Your email list lets you share newsletters, content, and new products with all the people who are part of your business. Anyone who buys a product or lesson from you is automatically added so you can keep in touch, and you can also use this list to build connections with newcomers. 

Here’s a quick system that tons of Podia creators successfully use to grow their email list. 

First, create a free introductory product and list it on your website. This can be a mini course, a piece of sheet music, a 15-minute get-to-know-you call, a printable practice journal, or any other freebie that makes sense for your business. 

Then, when someone signs up for this free offer, automatically enter them into your email welcome campaign. 

A campaign is a series of emails that are sent automatically, so you aren’t tied to your inbox 24/7. Your welcome campaign should have three emails that run over the next three days. (You can always add more to this, but if you’re just starting out, three works great!)

• Day 1: Tell the new subscriber about your business and your brand, and share some info about your musical background.

• Day 2: Share free resources they might enjoy, like your top blog post or a YouTube video that can get them closer to their music goals.

• Day 3: Tell them about a paid product they might be interested in, like a private music lesson, online course, or membership to your music community. Ideally, this paid product should connect to your free product at the beginning.

It can be tough to get someone to spend money with your business when you’re still strangers. But by giving lots of value first, your paid offers feel like a natural next step instead of a hard sell.

And the best part is that even if someone doesn’t buy from that Day 3 email, they’re still on your email list. You can still keep them updated with new products and offers, and continue building that connection through newsletters and more helpful content. 

Even if students aren’t actively learning with you right now, your email newsletter keeps you top of mind. That way, when they are ready, you’ll be the first person they think of.

And as you make new products, courses, and offers, you won’t have to pitch to an empty room because you’ll already have an email list of people who are ready to hear from you and interested in what you do.

And that’s how you give yourself security long into the future.

You can run your entire online music business all in one place

With a website, a few products, and your email list, you have everything you need to turn your passion for music into an online teaching business. 

You’re no longer limited by your schedule, your location, or how many hours are in a day. You can teach students around the world, sell courses and resources that generate income even when you’re not offering lessons, and grow a community of learners who love what you do.

And hey, if you’re looking for a home base to build your music business, we’d love to have you at Podia. Podia brings your website, products, email list, payments, and customer info all into one hub so you can spend more time teaching and less time on tech. Try Podia free for 30 days to see where your music can take you.

If Podia is of interest and you'd like more information, please do make contact or take a look in more detail here.

Credit: Original article published here.

Our view at Stack - Podia shines with its all-in-one platform for digital commerce, offering zero transaction fees, email marketing, affiliate marketing, and live chat support. It’s known for unlimited courses and products, embeddable checkouts, and a community feature to engage users. It now has blog functionality also.

A few weeks ago, I got a sewing machine and started learning how to sew. As a beginner, printable sewing patterns have been a game-changer. I’ve picked up a handful of patterns from small creators online, and it’s been so easy. I find a pattern I like, buy it, print it at home, and start creating within minutes. (Okay, the actual sewing part takes longer, but you get the idea.)

Selling a printable product might not sound as flashy as launching your signature course or high-ticket membership program, but it can be one of the easiest and most effective ways to grow your business. Printables are relatively quick to create, easy to sell again and again, and often come at a lower price point, making them a perfect entry point for new customers.

And even if your printables are simple, they can still have a big impact. Whether your product helps someone stay organized, learn something new, reach a personal goal, or finally sew that fun tote bag from Pinterest, there’s probably an audience out there who will be glad you made it.

But you may be wondering, what printable should I make?

In this article, we’ll share 10 examples and ideas for printable products you can create once, sell online, and use to grow your audience and your business for the long haul.

10 ideas for printables you can sell online (+ real creator examples)

To help you make the best printables possible, here are a few quick tips to keep in mind:

• As you put your printable together, remember to always include clear printing instructions so your customers can use the product without needing to email you for help.

• If you’re making a product that your customer will write on, remember to leave enough space for your buyer to fill in their information by hand after printing.

• Design your files in a few common print sizes (like 8.5” x 11” and A4) to make printing easy for buyers around the world.

• With Podia, you can upload multiple versions of your printable to the same product listing, so your customers can download the one that works best for them.

Each of the ideas below can be customized to fit your audience and niche, so think of this list as your starting point.

#1 Planners and trackers

Printable planners and trackers help people stay organized, reach their goals, or simply keep track of something important in their lives. These can be daily, weekly, or monthly planning pages, or more specific tools tailored to your niche, like a content planner for creators, a chore tracker for families, or a habit tracker for clients working on personal development.

For example, Starla from Coffee with Starla has a mood tracker printable that buyers can use to monitor their emotions. It spans 30 days, and customers can customize the tracker with their own mood categories and color palette.

And Jennifer Dobson sells a weekly habit tracker printable designed for coaches and their clients. The printable includes reflection sections and space for notes, making it a useful tool for anyone who wants to stay consistent in their habits.

How to use this idea in your business:

Planners and trackers are an obvious fit if your business centers on organization, personal development, or productivity, but they’re also super adaptable.

Think about what your audience needs to plan or track (like workouts, meals, finances, content, travel, study time, etc.) and create a printable that simplifies that process for them. If you sell other digital products, courses, or services, you can also make a planner or tracker that goes along with your main offer.

For example, if you sell a strength-training program, offer a matching workout log. If you run a travel consultation service, you could design a trip planner. You can sell these products as standalone options or bundle them together to give more value.

You can build your planner or tracker using graphic design tools like Canva or Adobe, or programs like Google Docs, Word, or Google Sheets. When you’ve got your design looking the way you want, export it as a PDF file and add it to Podia as a digital download product to start making sales.

Step-by-step guide: You can see how to set up a digital download product in Podia in this help doc.

#2 Classroom activities

Printable classroom activities are educational resources designed for teachers, homeschoolers, parents, or caretakers to use with children. Think worksheets, activity books, reward charts, or themed learning packs that can cover everything from school subjects to real-world skill-building.

If your audience includes educators or caregivers, creating classroom activities and learning resources is a win-win. Kids get to learn something new, adults save time by not having to create materials from scratch, and everyone can explore and have fun together.

Noni from Love to Play Co does this through her ABC activity books, themed reward charts, how-to-draw worksheets, and feelings bingo cards. All Love to Play Co printables have kid-friendly designs and can help parents and children build positive emotional skills while having fun.

Becky and Jenny from LitWits Workshops sell literature learning resources. They create interactive materials for dozens of books that students, teachers, and parents can use to spark a love for reading. With each book they teach, Becky and Jenny offer an optional set of printable activities that accompany the lesson.

And Kayla O’Neill sells themed printable packs for children to learn about each season, as well as other fun topics like grocery shopping and discovering different bugs. The fall season pack, for example, covers colors, letters, numbers, fall-themed vocabulary words, and fall puzzles. She also sells printable planner pages for parents.

How to use this idea in your business:

If your audience includes teachers, students, or parental figures looking for fun ways to support learning, classroom printables are a strong fit. Start by thinking about what subject or theme your audience would be excited to teach (like emotions, seasons, reading skills, vocabulary, holidays, nature, etc.).

Then you can use a design tool like Canva to create your activity pages, or hand-draw them and scan them as PDFs. You can use Podia to sell your printables as downloadable products, and don’t forget to bundle multiple activities together for added value.

#3 Coloring sheets

Coloring sheets are another fun printable idea to sell to your audience, and they work for adults and kids alike. Coloring sheets are designs that you’ve either created digitally or drawn by hand. They typically start out as black and white line drawings, and your buyer can purchase, print, and color them in as many times as they like.

This idea pairs well with classroom activities, and it also could be a good fit for artists and anyone whose customers are looking for entertainment and relaxation.

For example, designer and illustrator Mackenzie Child offers four different free coloring sheets for adults and kids, as well as a bundle of all his designs. Each coloring sheet comes as an 8.5×11” PDF for easy printing.

And Carol Heady from Creative Nook Designs sells a combination of physical coloring books and digital printable versions, so her audience can choose whatever format works best for them. Her digital “Castles on a Cliff” coloring book, for example, comes as an 8.5” x 11” PDF and includes an instruction page and 20 different castle-themed coloring pages.

How to use this idea in your business:

For coloring sheets, most people either:

• Hand-draw them and digitize them using a tool like Photoshop

• Create them digitally using tools like Illustrator, Canva, or Procreate

No matter which route you go, it’s important to make sure your lines are clean and clear on a white background so buyers can add their own colors. Save your designs in common printing sizes and export them as PDFs. Then, upload the files to your Podia account to sell easily as digital downloads.

#4 Flashcards

If you have an audience of learners, flashcards could be another valuable printable to build. We’ve seen creators make and sell subject matter flashcards for kids (science, social studies, math, etc.), memorization tools for language learners, study aids for exams and certifications, and other resources to help their audience lock in their learning.

Maxine Luzia, for instance, sells a set of 200+ printable astrology flashcards that help her audience deepen their understanding of astrology. The cards come with an instruction sheet and are organized into three levels, making them accessible for beginners and more advanced learners.

And Tiffani from Study with Tiffani includes vocabulary flashcards inside her courses and lessons for English language learners. These printable cards give her students a hands-on way to review and retain what they’re learning, and they add value to her course content.

How to use this idea in your business:

If your audience is learning something that involves memorization, like vocabulary, concepts, symbols, or key facts, flashcards are a great printable to offer. You can use a tool like Canva, Photoshop, or Adobe Illustrator to create your flashcards. Canva has ready-made templates that make it easy to get started.

Typically, you can fit 6–8 cards per page, depending on the size and how much information is on each one. Since flashcards are usually double-sided, include a clear instruction sheet explaining how buyers should print and flip the pages correctly.

Save your cards and instructions as PDFs, then upload them as a Podia product so customers can easily download and print them at home.

#5 Calendars

Printable calendars can be both practical and creative. You can sell blank calendars with beautiful designs that buyers fill in themselves, or pre-filled calendars that include prompts, milestones, or tasks relevant to your niche. They’re great for helping people plan their days, stay organized, work toward a goal, or simply add some stylish decor to their home or office.

Kari Sayers from Gorgeous Mindset does this by offering a calendar for her Manifestation Journal Challenge. The calendar comes with a different writing prompt each day to help customers stay focused and motivated on their manifestation journey.

And take a look at this Summer Family Activity Calendar by The Carnahan Fam, which includes a printable 24″ x 36″ poster and themed activity card stickers. Families can print and cut the cards, then use them to plan fun activities all summer long around themes like “make something,” “around the world,” and “family fun time.”

How to use this idea in your business: First, decide how large your calendar will be. Standard sizes like A4 or 8.5” x 11” are easiest to print, but oversized 24″ x 36″ posters can add that extra wow factor. Then use tools like Canva or Adobe Illustrator to create your calendar grid.

From there, you can customize the calendar based on your niche:

• Add prompts or daily challenges to help your audience take action.

• Include holidays or milestones that are relevant to your industry.

• Add themed stickers or cards that they can cut out and use to customize their calendar.

• Or, keep it simple with a fun design and let your buyers personalize it themselves.

Export your files as PDFs to make printing easy, then upload to Podia to start selling.

#6 Art prints and home decor

Prints, quotes, and beautiful art designs make it easy for your customers to decorate their space. When you sell printable artwork, your buyers can find your work, buy it, print it, and display it, all from the comfort of home. We’ve seen motivational quotes, classroom decorations, and unique digital art prints all sell on Podia, so if your audience wants to add some design flair to their home, nursery, classroom, or office, this could be a good fit.

For instance, Dani Bruflodt from Thyme is Honey offers this printable Virginia Woolf quote in two sizes, 8.5” x 11″ and 24″ x 36″. The black-and-white design makes it easy and inexpensive to print, and it’s available as a free download for anyone looking to add inspiration to their space.

And The Carnahan Fam (who makes the summer calendar printable above) sells printable posters designed for families and children. These include emotional regulation tools and visual guides that help kids identify and talk about their feelings, while doubling as thoughtful, beautiful wall decor for homes, kids’ rooms, or classrooms.

How to use this idea in your business: Printable art is a great fit if you’re a designer, artist, or just someone with an eye for visuals.

Create your artwork or quote design in multiple sizes, such as A4, 8.5” x 11”, and 24” x 36”, so buyers can print what fits their space. Export your designs as high-resolution PDFs to ensure clean, crisp prints, and include tips for printing at home vs. using a professional print service. This helps your customers get frame-worthy prints they’ll be proud to share.

Upload the files and instructions to Podia, and let your buyers download and enjoy their new decor right away.

#7 Greeting cards and invitations

Printable greeting cards and invitations are a fun, low-cost way for your audience to celebrate holidays, milestones, or everyday moments. You can create virtually endless designs, and buyers can download the card file, print it out, fold it, and personalize it with their message. This product works well for audiences who love hosting, DIY projects, or sending personal notes.

Single Girls DIY does this with a fun Thanksgiving greeting card printable. This 3D turkey card can be printed and assembled at home, and there’s blank space for the buyer to add a message.

And Laleo Bilingual Therapy provides a freebie printable greeting card designed for speech-language pathologists to send home with students. The card includes a QR code that links to important parent information at the beginning of the school year.

How to use this idea in your business: A standard greeting card is 5” x 7” when folded, which fits in an A7 envelope. To design it, create a file that’s 10” x 7” with the front design placed on the right half of the page. Leave the left half blank or lightly designed so the buyer can fold the card and write their message inside.

Especially for greeting cards, make sure to include a print guide with clear instructions for printing, folding, and recommended paper types (like cardstock for durability). Then export as a PDF and upload your files to your Podia account to sell or give away.

#8 Crafting supplies

Get your creative juices flowing with crafting printables for your audience. These might include decorative icons, themed images, borders, quotes, or backgrounds that can be used in scrapbooks, journals, planners, greeting cards, and other crafty projects. If your audience enjoys DIY, journaling, or creative expression, this type of printable can be an easy yes.

For example, HeART Space offers crafting printable packs with different themes. Buyers can print the designs on regular paper, sticker paper, vellum, or other crafting materials to use anywhere their creativity takes them.

If you’re a creative person or work with a crafty audience, printable art elements can be a great way to share your designs and help customers with their projects.

How to use this idea in your business: Start by thinking about elements you’d enjoy using yourself, like icons, borders, inspirational quotes, or seasonal designs that could work with your crafting projects.

You can design your elements digitally in tools like Canva, Photoshop, or Illustrator, or hand-draw them and convert them into high-quality digital files. If your designs are intended for stickers, transfers, or other specialty uses, be sure to include clear printing and usage instructions so your buyers know exactly how to get great results.

Bundle your designs into themed printable packs, export them as PDFs or PNGs, and upload to Podia for easy delivery and repeat sales.

#9 Quilting, sewing, and pattern-based printables

In addition to crafting resources, printable patterns for sewing, quilting, knitting, crochet, and other handcrafts are a great fit if your audience loves making things. You can make templates for clothing, quilts, embroidery designs, knitting patterns, crochet projects, or any other DIY project that works best with a step-by-step guide.

Bonus points if you pair your printable pattern with a course, tutorial, or community where buyers can learn and create together.

To see this in action, take a look at this Block of the Month quilting program by Rachelle Denneny. Buyers receive a new printable quilting block pattern each month, and the blocks come together to form a large, finished quilt by the end of the year. Along with the printables for each block pattern, Rachelle includes video tutorials to guide customers through every step of the process.

The Craft Table also has beautiful printable patterns, like this pattern for hand embroidering flowers. This embroidery product comes with patterns, diagrams, and tracing templates so buyers of all levels can download, print, and make the finished product.

How to use this idea in your business: If you teach or share content about sewing, knitting, quilting, or crafting, selling patterns is a natural next step that can help your audience enhance their skills.

Creating printable patterns may require specialized tools or software, so if you’re not sure where to start, check forums like Reddit, online crafting communities, or your favorite creators to see what tools they recommend.

Once your pattern is ready, export it in standard print sizes like US Letter or A4, and clearly label each piece. For this one, it’s extra important to include instructions or assembly guides to help buyers use the pattern correctly.

Then you can upload your files to Podia to sell and deliver the product instantly. You can even bundle it with a course or tutorial to offer even more value.

#10 Games

Finally, printable games are a versatile option because they can be customized for any niche. You can make bingo cards, matching games, word searches, scavenger hunts, trivia, and pretty much any other kind of entertaining game you can come up with.

You can even do printable game packs, like Single Girls DIY. They sell a huge Christmas-themed game bundle with tons of printable games, including bingo cards, Scattergories, word scrambles, and trivia. Plus, the bundle comes with printable Christmas-themed decorations, so buyers can get everything they need for a fun party in one spot.

How to use this idea in your business: Design your printable games using Canva, Google Docs, or any design software you’re comfortable with. For bingo, there are even free bingo card generators that randomize the card layout for you.

To make your products even more enticing, consider bundling several games together around a theme, like a holiday, learning goal, or travel destination. Bundles give your buyers more activity options while helping you earn more revenue per sale.

Upload your game bundle to Podia, set your price, and you’re ready to start selling.

How selling printables can be part of your long-term business strategy

The best part about selling printables is that they’re flexible. You can offer them as simple, one-off products or use them as part of a larger system to grow your business over time.

Once you’ve created your printable and added it to a platform like Podia, you can increase its value by offering upsells or bundles with even more resources your audience will love. Then, after someone purchases, you can automatically enroll them into an email campaign that welcomes them, builds a connection, and shares helpful advice related to their purchase.

Over time, these email campaigns can automatically introduce your audience to your other products and programs. And you can continue nurturing that relationship through your email newsletter by sharing helpful tips, new product launches, and other resources for your customers.

The more people who buy your printable, the more people join your email list, and the more people enter this system that builds trust, connections, and long-term sales. Printables can be a starting point, but they can also be a powerful driver that brings you new customers and bigger sales long into the future.

And hey, if you’re still looking for a place to build all this, grab your 30-day free trial of Podia today. You can sell printables and other digital products, create a website, build an email list, run automations, and send your newsletter, all in one place. Your first printable could be the start of something big, and I can’t wait to see where it takes you.

If Podia is of interest and you'd like more information, please do make contact or take a look in more detail here.

Credit: Original article published here.