Today is "Platform Comparison Day" and I have some useful information for you about two popular online course platforms! Shall we find out right away which platform might be damaging your brand? 😊
🔍 Understanding Platform Differences
When it comes to sharing your knowledge online, choosing the right platform can make or break your brand's reputation. Teachable and Udemy represent two fundamentally different approaches to course creation and distribution.
Teachable gives you complete control over your course pricing, branding, and student communication. This level of autonomy means you can build a distinctive brand presence that aligns with your vision.
On the other hand, Udemy operates as a marketplace where your courses compete with thousands of others, often at heavily discounted prices. While this offers exposure, it may significantly impact how your brand is perceived in the long run.
| Platform Type | Pricing Control |
| Teachable: Course creation platform | Teachable: Full control |
| Udemy: Marketplace | Udemy: Limited control |
| Brand Impact | Student Relationship |
| Teachable: Enhances brand | Teachable: Direct access |
| Udemy: Can dilute brand | Udemy: Limited access |
💰 Revenue Models and Financial Impact
Understanding how each platform handles revenue is crucial for your business sustainability. Teachable offers a straightforward model where you keep most of your earnings (minus their platform fee).
With Udemy, the revenue split can be dramatically different depending on how students discover your course. If students come through Udemy's marketing channels, you'll receive only 37.5% of the sale. And remember, Udemy frequently runs aggressive promotions where your $200 course might sell for just $9.99! 😮
This constant discounting can create a perception that your knowledge isn't valuable at full price, potentially damaging your brand's positioning in the market.
Go to LinkedIn Go to Indeed Go to Interactive Brokers🏢 Building Your Brand Identity
When you use Teachable, you're building your own brand. Students come to YOUR website, with YOUR branding, and they become YOUR students. You control the entire experience from enrollment to completion.
On Udemy, students are Udemy's customers first and foremost. The platform restricts your communication with students and places your content alongside competitors who might be offering similar courses at much lower prices.
Think of it this way: Teachable is like owning your own boutique store where you set the rules, while Udemy is like placing your premium products in a discount warehouse where they're constantly on sale. Which one better represents the brand image you want to cultivate? 🤔
📊 Long-term Business Strategy
A sustainable online course business requires building a loyal community around your expertise. Teachable facilitates this by giving you direct access to student data and communication channels.
You can send updates, offer additional resources, and even launch new courses directly to your existing student base. This creates ongoing revenue opportunities and deepens your relationship with learners.
Udemy's restrictions on student communication mean you're essentially starting from scratch with each course launch. The platform owns the customer relationship, not you, which can severely limit your growth potential and brand development.
| Own Platform | Brand Control | Premium Pricing |
| Student Data | Marketing Freedom | Revenue Share |
| Course Ownership | Customization | Audience Building |
| Payment Processing | Student Engagement | Platform Dependence |
🔄 Student Experience and Perception
How students experience your course directly impacts their perception of your expertise and brand value. Teachable allows you to create a cohesive learning environment that reflects your teaching style and professional standards.
You can integrate additional resources, create community forums, and design a course structure that perfectly suits your content. This level of customization enhances the student experience and strengthens their connection to your brand.
Udemy's standardized format limits your creative control, forcing your content into their template regardless of whether it's the best presentation method for your specific material. Additionally, the heavily discounted pricing can attract students who are less committed to completing the course, potentially resulting in lower completion rates and satisfaction scores.
Go to LinkedIn Go to Indeed Go to Interactive Brokers❓ Common Questions About Platform Choice
Let's address some common questions about choosing between these platforms:
Which platform is better for beginners with no existing audience?
While Udemy offers immediate visibility, building your brand on Teachable with targeted marketing will create more sustainable growth and higher-quality student relationships. Starting with your own platform means you own your audience from day one.
Can I use both platforms simultaneously?
Some creators use Udemy for shorter, introductory courses at lower price points, directing those students to their Teachable platform for premium, in-depth courses. This strategy can work but requires careful positioning to avoid brand confusion.
Which platform offers better support for course creators?
Teachable has built its business around supporting course creators, offering more comprehensive resources, tutorials, and direct support. Udemy focuses more on attracting students to the marketplace rather than supporting individual instructors.
When it comes to protecting and enhancing your brand, Teachable clearly offers the advantage of control and customization that helps establish you as a premium authority in your field. Udemy, while providing exposure, may ultimately dilute your brand value through discounting and marketplace competition. 🎓
Remember that your course platform choice reflects directly on your brand positioning, so choose the option that aligns with your long-term vision and value proposition.
See you next time with a better topic about growing your online education business! 🚀