TEACH A CLASS LOCALLY
Teach a class in your own town.How to teach at the library, a community college or a local shop, and get paid for what you know
Not everything has to happen online. Some of the best first steps happen in a room full of neighbors.
THE SHORT ANSWER
To teach a class locally, choose one practical topic you can teach in 60 to 90 minutes, then pitch it to a venue that already runs classes: the public library, a community college’s continuing education program, parks and recreation, a senior center or a local shop related to your topic. Ask how instructors are paid, start with one session, and collect emails from everyone who comes.
Why start in person?
A local class is the fastest way to find out what people want to learn from you. You see faces, hear questions and get feedback in real time. There’s no camera to worry about and no technology to learn first.
It’s also a natural place to build trust. People who learn from you in person often become your most loyal newsletter readers, students and customers later.
And many places in your town are actively looking for people like you. Libraries, colleges and shops need classes to offer, and they rarely have enough instructors with real experience.
Where to teach
| Venue | What they offer | How it usually pays | Who to contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public library | Adult programs, workshops, talks | Often free to attend; some libraries pay presenters a set fee | Adult services or programming librarian |
| Community college | Continuing or community education (non-credit) | Usually pays instructors per class or per hour | Continuing or community education office |
| Parks and recreation | Adult classes and activities | Often a fee per student or a revenue split | Recreation program coordinator |
| Senior centers and lifelong learning programs | Classes for older adults; many universities host Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes | Varies; some are volunteer-led | Program director or curriculum committee |
| Local shops | Yarn, quilt, hardware, garden, kitchen, music or bike shops | Fee per student, a split, or free classes that sell supplies | The owner or manager |
| Makerspaces and community centers | Hands-on workshops and meetups | Fee per student or a split | Workshop or events coordinator |
| Your own event | A room you rent or borrow, promoted yourself | You set the ticket price and keep it | You, with a free ticketing page |
Policies vary a lot from place to place, so always ask how instructors are paid before you plan the class.
Plan your first class
Pick one practical outcome people can walk away with, like “prune your fruit trees with confidence” or “read a nutrition label in two minutes.” Specific beats general every time.
Plan 60 to 90 minutes: a quick welcome, three or four short parts with time to practice, and questions at the end. Hands-on time is what people remember. Bring a one-page handout with the key steps and how to reach you.
Keep the first class small. Eight to twelve people is plenty, and a small group gives you better feedback.
Try this
- Write your class title as an outcome: “By the end, you’ll be able to…”
- Outline three or four parts with a hands-on activity in each
- Make a one-page handout with your contact details
Ask Claude
I want to teach a 90-minute in-person class on [your topic] for [who] at a [library / community college / local shop]. Write a class title, a two-sentence description for their catalog, a minute-by-minute outline with hands-on activities, a list of materials, and a one-page handout.
Paste the prompt into Claude and fill in the [brackets] with your own details.Pitch it
Keep your pitch short and specific. Say who you are and what experience you bring, the class title and outcome, who it’s for, how long it runs and what you need (a room, tables, a screen). Offer a couple of possible dates.
If you don’t hear back in a week or two, follow up once, politely. Programming staff are busy, and timing matters: many colleges and libraries plan their schedules months ahead, so ask when their next catalog closes.
Shops are often quickest to say yes, especially if your class brings customers in to buy supplies.
Try this
- Find the right person by name before you write
- Send a short pitch with a title, outcome, audience, length and two dates
- Follow up once after a week or two
Ask Claude
Write a short, friendly email pitching a class to [venue name]. I’m [your name] and I have [years] of experience in [your field]. The class is called [title], it helps [who] [outcome], and it runs [length]. Keep it under 150 words and end by suggesting two possible dates.
Paste the prompt into Claude and fill in the [brackets] with your own details.What to charge, and how you’ll be paid
At libraries, classes are often free to attend. Some libraries pay presenters a fee; others can’t, in which case a free library class can still be worth it as a way to find students for your paid offers.
Community colleges and recreation departments usually set the student price and pay you per class, per hour or a share of registrations. Shops often split the class fee with you or let you keep it in exchange for students buying supplies.
If you run your own event, look at what similar local classes cost and price for the outcome, not the hour. A free ticketing page like Luma handles sign-ups.
Try this
- Ask every venue how instructors are paid before agreeing
- Check what similar local classes charge
- For your own events, take payment up front to reduce no-shows
Turn one class into something more
Every class is a chance to meet people who want more from you. Pass around a sign-up sheet for your newsletter, or put a sign-up link on your handout. Those names are the start of an audience you own.
Notice what people ask during class. Those questions are your next class, your first guide or the outline of an online course.
Once a class works in person, you can teach it online too, with Zoom, and reach people far beyond your town.
Try this
- Collect emails at every class
- Write down every question people ask
- Run the same class online once it works in person
GO DEEPERHow to run your first paid workshop · How to start a newsletter about what you know · How to teach what you know online
Your town needs what you know.
Libraries, colleges and local shops are looking for people with real experience to teach. One class is a small, low-risk way to start, and it might lead somewhere bigger.
Not sure what to teach? The Business Builder suggests a first thing in about five minutes.
QUESTIONS PEOPLE ASK
Questions people ask.
Do I need a teaching certificate to teach a community class?
Usually not for non-credit community or continuing education classes and library programs, but requirements vary, so ask the venue.
Do I need insurance to teach a class?
Some venues require instructors to carry liability insurance, especially for hands-on classes. Ask the venue, and check with an insurance agent if needed.
Will the library pay me to teach?
Some libraries pay presenters a fee and others rely on volunteers. Ask the programming librarian how they work with presenters.
How many people should be in my first class?
Eight to twelve is a good size: enough energy, and small enough to help everyone and gather feedback.
Can I sell things at my class?
Often yes, but ask the venue first. Shops may prefer you recommend their supplies; libraries may limit sales.
KEEP GOING