This months poll got me wondering:
1. Does anyone feel like they are getting a ROI on training courses they design in particular non-traditional or unique training materials (not the likes of generic communication, presentation, delegation skills type programmes)? Seeing so much resources goes into designing it, has anyone got any great ideas to extend the shelf life of the training content, reuse/recycle profitably rather than it gather virtual dust in addition to perhaps using the materials in another course/client (if permissible)?
2. Also, I have considered repackaging and selling my own content perhaps to other trainers/organisations, as off-the-shelf materials. Is this something anyone one has successfully done.
Any ideas to the above would be appreciated.
GF
4 Responses
in answer ot #2
Some people give their material away free rather than try to sell it, or sell it for a nominal sum….I'd be wary of trying to sell it at much of a margin….though I'm sure that there are some people successfully doing so
Re selling your training materials
I can only comment on your point no. 2. I started gaining the confidence to sell my course materials after successfully completing training design projects for the likes of esure and the RAC.
I've learnt that it's not as easy as it sounds:
1. Intricate design. In delivering your own courses, you know the points you want to get across – all you need are a few reminders in your trainer notes. Designing for someone else means vast amounts of time getting your training points down on paper. I've lost count of the number of re-drafts I've done.
2. Product look. I learnt so much from my old mate, Andrew Lawless, who realised that you've got to give purchasers the incentive to pick the materials up in the first place. I learnt that using clipart in my slides was okay for my own course delivery but is a turn off when selling the same materials. Invest in photographs.
3. Profit. Picking up on Russ's point, getting a decent profit margin on your products is tough compared to the amount of work and expertise inputted. There is just so much free/cheap material on amazon/ebay. I know of one company which sells 1 day course materials (inc slides, trainer notes and delegate manaual) for around £500 each! They must have some bloomin good sales staff!
4. Suitability. As a trainer, I have never been 100% happy with other designer's course material. I always want to change it. I learnt early on that you have to offer copyright waiver for buyers to amend your material. Buyers want flexibility not take as sold.
5. Copyright abuse. It's a fact that some purchasers will pass on your material to other organisations despite the 'finger wagging' warnings placed over your materials. Accept it and move on. Especially the buyer in a far away land a few years ago who purchased through paypal and as soon as he downloaded the materials he asked for a refund.
6. Don't give up the day job. I don't believe that you can make a decent living out of the material sales. I deliver training and tutor GCSE Maths (don't ask!) to provide an all-round income. I have half a dozen re-sellers around the world but sometimes the income is a few pounds a quarter. Mind you I do have one reseller who produces up to £3000 per year on 5 ebooks … so there's always hope.
Hope that helps
Bryan
http://www.abctrainingsolutions.biz
Selling your training materials using elearning
Have you considered developing an elearning based solution to create a professional product of your materials which you then sell online? In time; this could be to be a global audience.
It very much depends on what the training is about. If you’re offering a qualification based training; then you may be able to sell it for a good price.
There are a few elearning market places out there which you can use to sell your products. Have a look at the following:
http://www.elearningmarketplace.co.uk/
https://www.opensesame.com/
http://www.virtual-college.co.uk/?adnetwork=af
Hope that helps.
Pam
RE: ROI on training materials
Hi there Russ, Bryan and Pam,
Thank your for responding. You have given me some food for thought in terms of the available options as well as the challenges one could face as Bryan pointed out. Pam, I like the idea of eLearning platforms and will consider that.
All the best
Coachgee