Question
I'm very interested in the idea that anyone can teach anyone else in the world anything they have knowledge of.
I know, Google Helpouts had this idea and failed, but honestly I dreamt of this concept 2 years ago! I want to create a platform where subject experts can sign up and charge time-based fees for online video instruction, complete with video, screenshare, and blackboard software. As mentioned, I know of 2 companies with almost same ideas that have launched and folded, Google Helpouts and Liveninja. Should I take this as an opportunity to enter the marketplace or as a lesson learnt of it not being a good idea?
I see other companies who take this concept and focus on niches, such as Clarity itself for business, codementor for coding and Doctors on demand for medical.
What challenges and possible solutions do you forecast with live web video instruction site that welcomes all subject matters? How about pairing the idea of setting up your publishing online learning materials ( like Udemy, Skillshare) with 1 on 1 video tutoring with instructor that students can additionally purchase?
Answer
An acquaintance of mine works full time doing 1-on-1 video instruction for a very small niche topic.
If an individual can succeed with that business model, even after reinventing every wheel, and do well enough to give up an engineer's salary, then surely a broader platform could succeed. Economies of scale should save individual instructors time, energy, and money as far as marketing and infrastructure are concerned.
Just depends on implementation ...
