Should You Show Your Face in a Skillshare Course?

When creating content on Skillshare, a question often arises: Do you have to show your face in your course? While Udemy encourages the inclusion of face videos, this is not a strict requirement on Skillshare. In fact, the choice to show your face should be based on the content and how well it complements the learning experience.

Udemy vs Skillshare

Udemy has a strong recommendation for including video talking head segments. This is to keep students engaged and personalize the learning experience. However, for Skillshare, while there is no hard requirement, it is still beneficial to show the instructor, especially during the intro and outro sections of major course segments.

The Challenges of FaceVideos

Creating high-quality face videos can be quite challenging. I attempted to record webcams with green screens and used teleprompters, but the results were often disappointing. These attempts were generally of lower quality compared to screen capture tutorials or PowerPoint presentations. This issue highlights the importance of producing high-quality visual content on Skillshare.

Why Show Your Face?

Udemy's encouragement of showing your face is rooted in the idea that it can help establish a personal connection with the students. It adds a human element to the course, making it more relatable and engaging. However, for Skillshare, while not mandatory, showing your face can still be valuable in building a strong personal brand and establishing credibility with your audience.

Best Practices for Course Videos

1. High-Quality Visuals: Use clear, well-lit video equipment to ensure the visuals are of the highest quality. Avoid grainy or blurry images that can detract from the learning experience. 2. Introduction and Conclusion: Include short intros and outros in your major sections. These brief videos can serve as a guide for students, helping them understand what to expect and reinforcing key points. 3. Engagement Elements: Incorporate personal anecdotes, tips, and personal insights to make the course more engaging and relatable. This can help keep students interested and involved in the learning process. 4. Professional Sound Quality: Invest in a good microphone to ensure clear audio. Poor sound quality can detract from the overall learning experience.

Optimizing Your Skillshare Course for SEO

To optimize your Skillshare course for search engines and potential students, follow these SEO best practices: 1. Keyword Optimization: Use relevant keywords in your course titles, descriptions, and tags. This will make it easier for students to find your courses through search queries. 2. High-Quality Content: Ensure that your course content is well-structured, informative, and engaging. High-quality content ranks better in search results. 3. User Engagement: Encourage students to leave reviews and provide feedback. Positive reviews can significantly improve your course visibility and credibility.

Conclusion

While showing your face is not a strict requirement on Skillshare, it can be a valuable part of your course, especially when delivering introductions and conclusions. The key is to produce high-quality content that complements the learning experience, whether you choose to show your face or not. By investing in quality visuals, clear audio, and engaging content, you can create a course that resonates with your audience and helps them achieve their learning goals.