Our industry is currently experiencing a tremendous period of growth for becoming an industry educator. Coming out of a global pandemic where the majority of our world went virtual provided an enticing entryway into the world of online education for many stylists and salon owners.
But let us be the first to tell you that making the leap into being an industry educator is a BIG one! It’s important to determine what being a successful industry educator looks like and things to avoid altogether.
So whether you are looking to be an educator yourself or just want to make a good investment in your next industry educator, these insights are just for you!
It’s important to remember that we are currently experiencing a second wave of an industry educator boom. The first wave began in 2015-2016 due to the increased popularity of live streaming video. We were a part of that expansion.
Then, we noticed a sad reality: SO many educators who started out then are not educating at all today. There are a couple of theories as to why this happened that I will break down later.
What we are focused on now is the fact that I do not want that to happen again. Unfortunately, we are currently seeing the industry being on the trajectory for history to repeat itself. The best way to prevent this is to prepare, prepare, prepare!
So, here are some important questions and things to think about before going all in on being an educator.
What am I going to bring to market that is not being offered already?
Ask yourself: what is no one doing that I am GREAT at? What does everyone stay away from because they think it’s too hard?
Then you say, I’m going to do that.
Like so many other aspects of this industry, digital education success is found in the gaps, meaning you teach something that either no one else is or no one else is teaching it the way you are.
A problem we are seeing is people thinking they can get into education by banking on trying out these ideas, tips & tricks, and concepts without any real strategy for long term success.
What factors determine what topics I will teach on?
You won’t find success as an educator if you are not 110% passionate about the topic you want to teach, or it is not a unique idea. When we start to find our topics based on outside sources instead of our true passions, we can start to play the “better” game. “Oh, they teach this? Pfft, I can just do that too, but I’ll do it better.” Good luck, friend. This is a very hard and challenging game to win.
However, you CAN find success by finding the gap where n-o-b-o-d-y is talking about your topic in the same way you do. This will help you capture the entire marketplace as a unique educator of this specific, nuanced idea that you could speak on for days.
Where we sometimes get it wrong is looking externally for our unique perspective that can only be found internally. Look at what comes naturally to you and do that, instead of teaching something that is totally left field for you that someone else is probably already covering (&, guess what? They’re probably doing it better if it is their true passion).
Aim for topics that have longevity and that you are truly passionate about.
Am I in this for the long haul or am I looking to make a quick buck?
Before venturing into digital education, you must ask yourself this question.
We’ll tell you right now, digital education is the farthest thing from a quick buck you can make. It will not reward gimmicks. It requires a TON of time, dedication, know-how, and backbone.
Straight up: digital education is harder and more expensive than in-person education AND you’re a small fish in a big ocean of online educators.
We will never say “don’t do it”, but we are advising that you get strategic about sustaining it before going into it so that you can be successful in the long run.
If you’re craving a little more education on this topic, you’re in luck! This blog corresponds to The Thriving Stylist Podcast episode #178-My Advice for New Independent Educators. Tune in for more inspo.