For the past five years, I’ve been a member of Skillshare, although it wasn’t originally my idea.
It was actually my wife’s suggestion. She was studying to become a graphic designer and noticed that many top designers offered courses on Skillshare.
What is Skillshare?
Skillshare is an online platform offering a wide array of classes covering various topics. It operates on a subscription model, requiring an annual fee for access to all classes.
Professionals, including celebrities, renowned YouTubers, and industry experts, teach many courses. While most classes are designed for beginners and tend to be short, there are also longer and advanced-level courses available.
I first learned about Skillshare through YouTube, where numerous YouTubers endorsed the platform.
Later, I started seeing Skillshare ads on Google, prompting me to visit their website. Seeing the diverse range of classes taught by well-known individuals convinced me to give Skillshare a try.
What classes are on Skillshare?
Skillshare offers over 39,000 classes covering a wide range of topics. You can explore classes in animation, creative writing, film and video, fine art, graphic design, illustration, music, photography, UI/UX design, web development, business analytics, freelance and entrepreneurship, leadership and management, marketing, lifestyle, and productivity.
In addition to these categories, Skillshare provides classes on even more topics, such as artificial intelligence, personal development, copywriting, data science, woodworking, SEO, and industrial design. The platform’s full list of categories is extensive, offering something for everyone’s interests.
You can preview the first lecture of premium classes for free and access many free classes without any cost. I recommend browsing through Skillshare’s categories to find classes that interest you. Take your time to review the available classes before making any purchase decisions.
Skillshare features
Learning Paths:
The Learning Paths page on Skillshare offers a structured approach to learning a specific skill. It presents a sequential list of classes curated by Skillshare staff members to guide you in mastering a new skill.
Discussion section:
Skillshare’s Discussion section is a valuable feature that allows you to engage with others taking the same class. Here, you can initiate conversations about the class, ask the instructor and fellow learners questions, and share practice projects to receive feedback, which is essential for skill development. You can also read what other learners are discussing and view the projects they’ve created.
Projects and Resources:
Some instructors provide practice projects for the learners to try out. Some even provide resources like PDFs, templates, and source codes. The Projects and Resources section contains these things.
Skillshare Perks:
With a Skillshare premium subscription, you gain access to perks that offer discounts on various third-party services. These perks include discounts on Adobe Creative Cloud, Squarespace, Adobe Photography, Todoist, Canva, and more. You can view the full list of perks on Skillshare’s website.
How are Skillshare classes?
Experts teach most classes on Skillshare, which are of high quality and have impressive production standards. However, some classes may not meet this standard and are average in quality.
While many instructors include projects in their classes, not all do. Classes on Skillshare are generally short and cover basic concepts, typically lasting between 1 to 2 hours. They are designed to be beginner-friendly and provide a quick start in a particular skill.
Despite this, there are longer and more advanced classes available, some lasting 6-8 hours or even more. For example, there are in-depth classes like one on data science that spans over 8 hours. Overall, the classes I’ve taken on Skillshare have been of good quality and have met my expectations.
My experience with Skillshare:
Since I started using Skillshare on August 12th, 2022, I’ve completed four classes. The first class I took was on copywriting, which I took to enhance my skills for crafting effective sales pages and website content.
The “Copywriting For Beginners” class exceeded my expectations. It was taught by Jesse Forrest, a renowned copywriter, and offered practical advice that I found highly actionable. I gained valuable insights into how professional copywriters create compelling sales pages. Additionally, the instructor provided a downloadable PDF containing numerous exercises and techniques to practice.
Another class I enrolled in was woodworking, instructed by Brittany Joyner. This class was concise and beginner-friendly, with clear instructions. The instructor’s engaging teaching style made learning woodworking both enjoyable and informative.
How much does Skillshare Cost?
Skillshare operates on a subscription model, requiring an annual payment to access its entire class library. The annual subscription fee is $165, equivalent to approximately $13.75 per month.
Skillshare offers a 7-day free trial for users to explore the platform before committing to a subscription. Additionally, they provide a 30-day money-back guarantee, ensuring customer satisfaction.
Interestingly, Skillshare’s pricing in India is considerably lower. I paid Rs.1923, equivalent to $24, for a one-year subscription, which is nearly seven times less than the original price. Currently, Skillshare costs Rs.1,800 per year in India.
At this price, Skillshare offers excellent value, granting access to over 39,000 classes for only Rs.1800 or $22 per year.
Is YouTube better than Skillshare?
When compared to Skillshare, YouTube offers a vast array of free ‘how-to’ videos and courses on various topics, albeit with ads. While YouTube has more content and variety, it also includes poorly produced and sometimes misleading educational videos.
On the other hand, Skillshare provides fewer courses but ensures higher quality content due to strict guidelines for instructors. Even Skillshare’s basic classes often surpass the quality of average YouTube videos. Additionally, Skillshare’s platform is designed for learning, minimizing distractions.
Ultimately, YouTube offers more value due to its extensive content, but Skillshare stands out for its focus on high-quality educational material. Skillshare becomes a worthwhile investment if you prioritize quality content and have the means to pay for it.
Is Skillshare better than Udemy?
Skillshare operates on a subscription model, while Udemy uses a ‘pay for individual course’ model. Udemy’s courses tend to be more in-depth and longer, and it offers a broader range of courses and categories compared to Skillshare.
Udemy often offers significant discounts on courses, making them more affordable for learners. If you’re focused on mastering a specific skill, Udemy is a better option, as you only pay for the course you’re interested in and have lifetime access to it.
On the other hand, if you’re interested in learning multiple skills or improving various aspects of yourself, such as communication, time management, writing, public speaking, art, and more, Skillshare is a better choice due to its subscription model and diverse range of classes.
Is Skillshare better than college?
Skillshare isn’t superior to college for practical reasons. While it offers short classes covering basic subjects, longer classes don’t match college-level courses in depth or rigor.
College courses are more rigorous and feedback-intensive, with accountability and constant assessment. Regular assignments and tests reinforce learning, providing valuable feedback on student performance.
Rather than comparing Skillshare to college, it’s better to see it as a supplement to education. It’s a tool for improving creative and general skills alongside college studies.
