Beyond Udemy and Skillshare

Udemy and Skillshare aren’t the only options. Several other marketplaces serve different audiences and have different requirements. Here’s a rundown of what’s available and what’s worth pursuing.

Domestika

What it is: A creative learning platform focused on craft, design, illustration, photography, and artistic skills. Originally launched in Spain, now global.

Audience: Creatives, hobbyists, and makers. Strong in illustration, calligraphy, crafting, interior design, and photography.

Revenue model: Revenue share. Domestika produces some courses in-house and also accepts instructor applications. You set the content, they handle production standards.

Worth it if: Your course is in a creative discipline. Domestika’s audience is more targeted than Udemy’s for artistic topics, and the production quality bar is high, which means less low-quality competition.

How to get started: Apply through their instructor portal. They review applications based on topic relevance and instructor credentials. Acceptance isn’t guaranteed.

CreativeLive

What it is: A platform focused on creative and entrepreneurial education. Known for live-streamed classes that become on-demand replays.

Audience: Photographers, designers, entrepreneurs, and small business owners.

Revenue model: Revenue share or licensing deals. CreativeLive often works directly with instructors to produce courses.

Worth it if: You have strong teaching credentials and a course topic in photography, video, design, or business strategy. The bar for entry is high, but the production support is excellent.

How to get started: Pitch through their instructor application. They’re selective. Having an existing following or published work helps.

Coursera

What it is: A massive open online course (MOOC) platform partnered with universities and corporations. Courses range from free to degree programs.

Audience: Professionals seeking credentials, career changers, and university students. Academic and corporate leaning.

Revenue model: Varies. Some courses are free to audit with paid certificates. Others are subscription-based through Coursera Plus. Revenue share with Coursera.

Worth it if: You have academic credentials or corporate training content. Coursera works with institutions more than individual instructors. You’d typically apply through a partner institution or as part of their “Coursera for Campus” program.

How to get started: This is harder for solo creators. You typically need institutional backing or a direct partnership. Not recommended as a first marketplace.

LinkedIn Learning

What it is: The professional development arm of LinkedIn. Courses on business, technology, and creative skills.

Audience: Professionals, corporate employees (many access through employer subscriptions), job seekers building skills.

Revenue model: Instructors are typically paid a royalty based on minutes watched, similar to a book royalty. LinkedIn Learning commissions courses directly — you don’t just upload content.

Worth it if: You’re invited or approved. LinkedIn Learning produces courses in partnership with instructors. They handle production. You deliver expertise.

How to get started: Apply through their instructor portal. They look for established professionals with teaching ability. Not self-serve like Udemy.

Smaller Platforms Worth Noting

SkillSuccess. A smaller marketplace that accepts individual instructors. Revenue share model. Lower traffic than Udemy but less competition.

StackSkills (via StackCommerce). Often bundled into deals (pay $30 for 10 courses). You get a flat fee or small per-course royalty. Low revenue per student but decent for exposure.

Gumroad. Not a marketplace in the traditional sense, but a platform for selling digital products including courses. You keep a larger share (90%+ after fees) and drive your own traffic. Worth mentioning because it bridges the gap between marketplace and hosted.

Mighty Networks. A community platform that supports courses. You bring your own audience, but the community features (discussions, live events, member interactions) add value beyond video content. Monthly subscription model.

Which Ones to Prioritize

For a first course, focus on one marketplace. Don’t spread yourself thin across five platforms. Start with:

1. Udemy — largest audience, easiest to get started, best for learning marketplace optimization
2. Skillshare — if your course is under 2 hours and creative/project-based

Add other platforms after you’ve improved your Udemy listing and understand what’s working. Each platform has its own rules, audience, and optimization strategies. Mastering one is better than being mediocre on five.

Your task: Pick one marketplace to start with based on your course type and current situation. Write it down. That’s your focus platform for the rest of this course.

---