Online tutoring, teaching and selling courses
If you can explain something well (a language, maths, coding, music, Excel, exam preparation), people will pay you to teach them. You can tutor live, one to one, teach classes, or record a course once and sell it many times.
Live tutoring and language platforms
| Platform | What you teach | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Preply | Languages and school subjects, one to one | You set your price; the platform takes a commission (higher on trial lessons). Kiswahili tutors are in demand. |
| italki | Languages (community tutor or professional teacher) | Teach English, Kiswahili or other languages you speak well. |
| Cambly | English conversation practice | Requirements for tutors change; check the tutor page. |
| Wyzant | School and university subjects | Mainly US students; check eligibility. |
| Superprof | Any subject, online or in person | Students contact you through your profile. |
| Outschool | Small live classes for children | Check teacher requirements for your country. |
| Local (WhatsApp, Google Meet) | KCSE/CBC revision, computer classes, coding for kids | Often the fastest start: parents pay by M-Pesa. |
Teach Kiswahili to the world: diplomats, NGO staff, missionaries, tourists and the diaspora's children all want lessons. A good Kiswahili tutor profile with a friendly video can fill a schedule.
Sell recorded courses
| Platform | How it works |
|---|---|
| Udemy | Upload video courses; Udemy markets them and shares revenue. Big audience, but prices are often discounted. |
| Teachable | Your own course website; you keep more of the price and do your own marketing. |
| Thinkific | Similar to Teachable, with a free plan. |
| Gumroad | Sell courses, e-books and downloads simply. |
| Skillshare | Paid by minutes watched by members. |
| YouTube | Free lessons build an audience; earn from ads and sell a full course. |
| Your own website with M-Pesa | Best for Kenyan buyers who prefer M-Pesa over cards. |
What makes a good online teacher
- Clear audio matters more than video quality (use a cheap clip-on microphone).
- Short lessons (5 to 15 minutes per video) with one goal each.
- Practice: exercises, quizzes and real examples (like this hub).
- A friendly intro video on your profile: who you are, who you help, how lessons work.
- Reviews: ask your first students to leave one.
Course idea checklist
- Is it a skill people pay for? (Search the topic on Udemy and YouTube: lots of content = demand.)
- Can you teach it better for a specific audience? ("Excel for Kenyan SACCO accountants", "Kiswahili for medical volunteers")
- Can you show a result? ("Build your first website in a weekend")
Selling photos, videos and music (stock media)
If you take good photos or videos, or make music, you can license them to businesses, bloggers and video makers worldwide through stock agencies. Every download earns you a royalty. Authentic African photos and videos (everyday life, business, farming, cities, nature) are in demand because there are too few of them.
| Platform | Sell | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shutterstock Contributor | Photos, vectors, videos, music | Huge buyer base; review for quality. |
| Adobe Stock Contributor | Photos, vectors, videos, 3D | Built into Adobe apps, so many designers buy here. |
| Alamy | Photos | Good share of each sale. |
| Getty Images / iStock | Photos and videos | Contributor app for submissions. |
| Pond5 | Stock video, music, sound effects | Video footage of Africa sells well. |
| Envato (AudioJungle, VideoHive) | Music, video templates | Large creator marketplace. |
Rules to know:
- Model releases: if a person can be recognised, you need their signed permission for commercial use.
- No logos or brands in commercial images (blur or avoid them).
- Keywords matter: describe what's in the image (who, what, where, mood) so buyers find it.
- Upload consistently: portfolios with hundreds of good images earn steadily; a few images earn little.
Check yourself
Which platform lets you teach languages one to one and set your own price?
Show answer
Preply
Which platform shares revenue from recorded video courses and markets them for you?
Show answer
Udemy
What do you need from a recognisable person in a stock photo?
Show answer
a model release
Which platform is known for stock video, music and sound effects?
Show answer
Pond5
About how long should each lesson video be, in minutes? Give a number from 5 to 15.
Show answer
5