Flower farming · Workshops, books, seeds
Floret
Erin Benzakein
Teaches growers through online workshops and books, and sells the seeds to go with them.
floretflowers.com ↗RUN A PAID WORKSHOP
How to run your first paid workshop.
A workshop is the fastest way to get paid for what you know, and the best way to learn what people really want.
Find your thing →free · about 5 minutes
THE SHORT ANSWER
To run your first paid workshop, pick one specific outcome people can achieve in about 90 minutes, outline it in three or four parts with hands-on practice, set a modest ticket price, and invite people who already know you. Run it live online or in person, ask for feedback, and turn what works into your next offer.
WHY YOUR EXPERIENCE COUNTS
The fastest first paid thing.
A workshop takes days to prepare, not months. You can announce it this week, fill it from people you know, and be paid before you’ve built anything else.
Teaching a live group is also the best research you’ll ever do. You’ll see where people get stuck, what excites them and what they’d pay for next.
Many courses, books and coaching practices start as a single workshop that worked.
IDEAS THAT FIT
Workshop formats to try
| Idea | Format | Effort to start | How it earns |
|---|---|---|---|
| A 90-minute online workshop | Video call | Low | Tickets |
| A hands-on local class | Shop, library or community center | Low | Tickets |
| A weekend intensive | In person | Medium | Higher-priced tickets |
| A workshop for a company team | On site or online | Medium | Flat fee |
| A recurring monthly workshop | Online | Low | Tickets or a membership |
| A recorded replay | Video | Low | Sold after the live session |
PEOPLE WHO DID IT
Real people, real knowledge, real second acts.
Midlife · Workshops & campuses
Modern Elder Academy
Chip Conley
Built a midlife school around workshops, chapters and campuses.
meawisdom.com ↗
Gardening · YouTube, courses, books
Charles Dowding
Charles Dowding
Teaches through free videos, paid courses, books and visits to his garden.
charlesdowding.co.uk ↗
Quilting · Tutorials into a company
Missouri Star Quilt Co.
Jenny Doan
Started teaching quilters on video, then grew into a destination for quilters.
missouriquiltco.com ↗HOW TO START
Five steps, one at a time.
- 01
Know
Pick one outcome someone can achieve by the end of a single session.
- 02
Find
List 20 people who’d want that outcome and where to reach more.
- 03
Tell
Outline 90 minutes: welcome, three or four parts with practice, and questions.
- 04
Build
Set a date, a price and a sign-up page, then invite people personally.
- 05
Grow
Gather feedback, record the session if you can, and plan the next level.
FIND YOUR THING
Get a plan made for what you know.
Answer six quick questions and the free Know + Tell Business Builder suggests your best first thing, who it’s for and which tools to use. Your first answer is already filled in.
TOOLS FOR YOUR FIRST STEP
Start with these.
Zoom ↗Teach the workshop live from home, and record it for a replay.Podia ↗Sell workshop tickets and replays from one storefront.Claude ↗Outline the session, write the invitation and create a handout.
Know + Tell is free. Some tool links pay us a commission; here’s how we choose.
QUESTIONS PEOPLE ASK
Questions people ask.
How much should I charge for a workshop?
Look at similar workshops and the value of the outcome. Many people start modestly for a first session and raise prices once they have feedback and testimonials.
How many people do I need?
Even three to five people make a great first workshop. Small groups give you more feedback and a better experience for everyone.
Online or in person?
Online reaches more people with less setup; in person suits hands-on crafts and local audiences. Choose the one that fits your topic.
How long should a workshop be?
About 90 minutes is a good first length: long enough to deliver a real result, short enough to plan and to fill.
What happens after the workshop?
Ask for feedback, share a recording or handout, and offer the next step, such as a follow-up session, coaching or a course.
KEEP GOING