38. Masterclasses

What It Is

A masterclass is a focused, in-depth learning session for people who already know the basics in a particular area. Unlike introductory courses, masterclasses help advanced learners refine their skills or gain specialized knowledge through concentrated instruction from an expert. These sessions typically last a few hours to a full day.

How the Monetization Works

You create premium learning experiences that typically include:

• Interactive teaching sessions (virtual or in-person)
• Hands-on demonstrations of advanced techniques
• Personalized feedback on participants' work or questions
• Advanced resource materials for continued learning

Because masterclasses offer specialized knowledge to smaller groups, participants are willing to pay higher fees, usually between $200 and $2,000 depending on your expertise and the topic.

Example

Tiago Forte teaches advanced sessions on personal knowledge management (called Building a Second Brain) for people who want better ways to organize information and projects. By keeping class sizes small and providing personalized guidance, he creates real value for participants working to improve their specific information workflows.

Practical Steps to Get Started

• Select a Specialized Focus: Choose advanced topics you're uniquely qualified to teach.
• Create Interactive Components: Develop exercises and activities that give participants hands-on practice.
• Limit Participant Numbers: Keep groups small enough for meaningful interaction and personalized attention.
• Highlight Practical Benefits: Show how your masterclass offers valuable skills that participants can apply immediately.

Key Takeaways

Masterclasses let you share advanced knowledge in a focused, impactful format. If you have specialized expertise in an area where people want to deepen their skills, this approach can provide significant value to your participants while creating a worthwhile income stream.

Further Reading & Resources

• Airschool – Online platform for hosting live or recorded specialized workshops
• Podia – Service for creating, marketing, and selling premium educational experiences
• Disco.co – Tool for managing cohort-based learning in small, interactive groups