What I love about my specialized market is that customers are hungry for knowledge. Many seek me out because of the articles I’ve written and the local training I give. My newsletters, blogs, website, and social networking posts all point to the different methods I use for helping others understand our industry. For example, when I teach my classes at night school, I post the topic to my blog.
For the sake of clarification, I will refer to online classes as information that you provide for customers to download or subscribe to. I use both methods. These are not generally live, interactive events, but just great downloadable information. Online classes can be presentations with a script read by a narrator or simply something the student will read or lead on their own.
I have used website development tools to create my own classes at BennettInstitute.com. I used my book material to develop classes and create content. I record my classes using Zoom, upload them to video hosting site like Vimeo and assemble into classes on my website. In fact, one of the appealing and common features is the ability to sue PowerPoint presentations and make videos of myself presenting the information.
I also offer PowerPoint presentations of required security training. In my niche, there is a requirement for employees to take mandatory training. Organizations are inspected on whether or not the training is conducted. People who are new to the business desire education material that they can use to formulate their training.
I like to provide training in three methods. The first is training that my audience can download and brief to their clients. The script is already written and I give them the option of tailoring the script to meet their needs. The second option is to provide the presentations for their clients to study on their own. This self paced training still meets the requirements and frees my customer’s time. Again, these reflect the work I’ve already created in my writings. The third method is to provide the training in email form. I send the presentation to the customer and they broadcast it through their email. This presentation cannot be tailored or altered. It is designed to provide a quiz, print a certificate, and notify my customer that the training was conducted.
Going back to my passion to teach security professionals how to study for the security certification, I am happy to offer a course in exam preparation. I give students an idea of how the test is conducted and how they can focus their study time to pass the test. The great thing with the certification is that it is based on an open book exam. The certification owner requires that students meet certain prerequisites. Certification candidates must have worked in the industry for five years and should perform at least 10% of their work time on the test topic. This is important because I can design a test preparation training that I know only experts will take. Absolute beginners are disqualified from taking the exam.
What does that mean to me? I can design a study aid that helps build my customers’ confidence. I am not teaching them something that they don’t know, I’m just reinforcing their knowledge. I do this by showing them how to find answers in the resources available to them. The test is challenging, however I build their confidence and make them more apt to take the exam. I’ve helped many get certified who may have not otherwise taken the exam.
Additionally I started a new website called BennettInstitute.com. I’ve recorded classes for both the security and book based business niches. I get to provide best-selling training that helps students get ahead in their security careers. I also teach authors and publishers about starting book based businesses. I notify my newsletter subscribers when I launch new training. Visit BennettInstitute.com to see an example of courses.
Some of you have other writing talents. At any rate, find the work you love, while helping someone else deliver a great product. There is a lot you can do with your writing. If you need assistance with book ideas or business ideas, check out book based business incubator or our book Get Rich in a Niche.