Have you ever wondered how to hone your personal brand online, but don’t know who to ask? Curious about the best way to tap into your networks to find the ultimate dream job, but don’t know what steps to take first? After watching Food Network, are you ready to dust off your pots and pans to take a bite out of the culinary world, but can’t quite fly off to Le Cordon Bleu?
Let’s face it: there are just some skills they don’t teach in a traditional classroom. Enter Skillshare, a recently launched start-up turning the learning model on its head by making the whole world a classroom and everyone in it a potential teacher. Skillshare is disrupting traditional education by taking learning to the next level, creating classes that are up-to-the-minute, engaged and fun: a community marketplace to learn anything from anyone.
After a highly successful launch this spring in New York, Skillshare is now testing the national waters by rolling out in six cities across the country, including New Orleans beginning in August. You might be saying to yourself, “A start-up working to changing the game of traditional education? Sounds like a perfect fit in a city full the most creative and forward-thinking folks around!”
Bingo! That’s why Skillshare co-founder and CEO (and former New Orleans resident) Michael Karnjanaprakorn has enlisted the help of “Special Ops” here on the ground in New Orleans to kick-start the most diverse, interesting collection of classes possible for Skillshare’s official launch. Whether your passions lie in raising start-up capital or knitting scarves, consider this your official invitation to become a part of the learning revolution by teaching a Skillshare class.
Want to get involved or learn more? Just follow these three easy steps:
One
Visit the Skillshare website to brush up on Skillshare’s mission, what classes are hot in other cities and (as if you’re not already convinced) why teaching is such a fantastic opportunity. If you’re in the market for other light reading, Skillshare has also been featured in national publications for its revolutionary approach to education, including Mashable, Forbes, GOOD & TechCrunch.
Two
Classes in New Orleans will start August 15 and are currently being booked any time through October 15. A typical Skillshare class is held Monday-Thursday, after work, with the prime time being between 7-8:30 p.m. However, if you have a class that requires a full day of learning—say, a city-wide boudin tasting tour—feel free to take plenty of creative license.
Here’s the trick: while August, much less October, may seem light years away right now, in order to make sure the launch is fantastic, Skillshare is trying to get as many classes as possible signed up by July 15. This way, the Special Ops team can ensure there’s ample time for to promote your class and help sell out tickets. The equation is simple: the sooner your class posted, the sooner the Special Ops team can work to make your class the toast of the town. If you need help refining your class idea, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Skillshare will also be hosting a Show-and-Tell Kick-Off Party right before the official start of classes in August, so put it on your calendar for a night of skill sharing and general merry-making.
Three
It’s time to officially list your class! Skillshare: New Orleans Special Ops can assist in finding an event space for your class, as well as provide ample resources on how to plan, list and market your class so tickets sell like hot cakes. However, feel free use any of the fun, fresh spaces and strategies that pop into your head.
Skillshare is a win-win for everyone: for every skill you have, there are hundreds of people who want to learn about it. Students all over New Orleans gain valuable new skills, and you get recognized for your expertise. Plus, you can make a little bit of extra cash for your scholarly-and-fun pursuits. See that? It’s as simple as one, two, three to get in on the ground floor of the hottest thing to hit education since the chalkboard (at least, the Special Ops team would like to think so).
This was a guest post by Sarah Baird, New Orleans Special Ops for Skillshare. Questions? Concerns? Compliments? Drop Sarah Baird, a line!