April 7, 2023
This page contains affiliate links, and we may earn commissions for purchases on other sites.
E-learning is a hot sector projected to reach $300 billion in a few years. That’s not surprising, given the benefits of online learning. For instance, e-learning is efficient, convenient, and flexible, with many courses available for free or at low prices. By contrast, campuses and classrooms are expensive to operate and maintain. Those factors have some colleges eliminating on-campus programs and moving to online-only formats. For example, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign phased out its on-campus MBA and now only offers it online on Coursera.
Skillshare is an online learning community with thousands of classes for curious people. Millions of members come together to find inspiration and take the following steps in their creative journeys. The main course categories include creative, business, technology, and lifestyle to help people create, build, and thrive in whatever they do.
On e-learning websites, there are three types of teachers, i.e., academics, professionals, and a mix of both. Academics teach on websites such as Coursera and edX. Professionals teach on platforms like Linkedin Learning and Udemy. Professionals with strong academic backgrounds can show up anywhere, including Pluralsight and Udacity. Skillshare teachers are working professionals, experts, and subject matter enthusiasts. Also, the top teachers earn six figures plus annually.
Company Profile
- Founded by Michael Karnjanaprakorn and Malcolm Ong in 2010
- CEO: Matt Cooper
- Headquarters: New York City, New York, USA
- 2,000+ free classes
- 40,000+ premium classes
- Free trial available
- Subscription pricing model
Skillshare has an affiliate program. Multiple affiliate networks, including Impact and FlexOffers, host it. Let’s review the benefits, drawbacks, commission rate, cookie duration, and program details. Here’s a snapshot.
- Cost per action (CPA): Cost per sale
- Commission rate: 40%
- Commission type: Single payment, nonrecurring
- Cookie duration: 30 days
- Payout threshold: $10
- Payment options: PayPal and bank account (get free bank account details for USD, EUR, GBP, and other currencies)
- Affiliate software/network: Impact and FlexOffers
Program Benefits
An affiliate sign-up page outlines the program and how it works, and Skillshare hits the mark. It highlights essential details, including the commission rate, cookie duration, payment, and an FAQ. They also provide contact information.
The commission rate is excellent and high-paying. Many e-learning affiliate programs pay variable commission rates based on sales, including Skillshare, which pays 40 percent.
The commission payment threshold is low. Impact issues payments when earnings exceed 10 USD or the local equivalent. Affiliates receive payments to their bank and PayPal accounts.
Skillshare offers a 30-day referral window to get credit for new users. Thirty days is standard for e-learning companies and the affiliate marketing sector.
Deep linking is available, and it’s how an affiliate creates a link to a specific page on the merchant’s site. Instead of using a standard homepage affiliate link, you can link to a product, page, or article related to your content to increase relevance and conversion rates. Skillshare also provides an assortment of banners and creatives in different sizes and styles.
There’s a full-time affiliate marketing manager. When a merchant has the staff to support publishers, it quickens processes and shows commitment. You can contact Skillshare’s affiliate team through Impact or via email.
Affiliate marketing software is top-notch. Impact features a user-friendly and clean UI, real-time reporting, and easy navigation. You can monitor your activities, including clicks, impressions, sales, and commissions.
Skillshare also has a refer-a-friend program. For every new student referral to Skillshare, you will earn an amount equal to 60% of that student’s first subscription payment for a Skillshare membership.
The increasing demand for online classes produces ample conversion opportunities. Online education is affordable, convenient, flexible, and efficient. Those benefits have millions of learners flocking to platforms like Skillshare to take free and premium classes. All those advantages create potentially high conversions and commissions.
Skillshare is among the leaders in e-learning. It has thousands of classes and many well-known teachers on the site. In addition, premium, team, and scholarship plans are available alongside free trials.
Premium members get perks and deals on software, including up to 20 percent off on Canva, Adobe, Moo, BenchTax, and more.
Program Drawbacks
There’s no recurring commission plan. Although Skillshare pays an excellent commission rate, a residual commission of 10 to 30 percent on annual subscription fees would increase the program’s appeal.
While Skillshare offers thousands of classes, it’s up against robust competitors like Coursera, Domestika, and Udemy. Secondly, Skillshare is very selective, uptight, and rigid regarding business and marketing courses. Those are the reasons they lack diversity compared to other platforms.
Making Money
Can you make $1,000 a month as a Skillshare affiliate? It’s possible. Skillshare’s affiliate program offers favorable terms, including a 40 percent commission rate and a 30-day cookie. Secondly, it entices users to sign-up with free trials, coupons, and perks to increase conversions. Finally, deep linking is available, which is excellent for linking to specific courses for your audience.
Where should Skillshare rank in your marketing activities? Skillshare should be low to mid-priority. The e-learning industry is booming, and people constantly seek to develop their skills and learn new things. Skillshare is well-known and positions itself to capitalize on e-learning demand with a satisfactory course catalog. Also, its annual membership fee is affordable at under $100. By contrast, Udemy charges $10 to $200 per course, while Coursera charges $39 to $399 for classes and subscriptions.
I recommend joining Skillshare’s affiliate program because it pays a high commission rate, and I’ve made money. Additionally, you might find digital marketing courses to support your affiliate marketing activities and income goals.
