Should your business teach the teachers?

There are all kinds of business models worth considering when you’re starting an online business.  And if you’re in the process of developing a message-based platform that trains others, I’m sure you’ve already given a lot of thought to one of the models, particularly the teacher-to-student model.

The teacher-to-student model is an excellent model for building an online platform.  It’s one of the most common approaches to covering information online and passing along helpful content to others.

But if you would, I’d like you to take a few moments to consider a related model that I don’t hear people speak about quite as regularly.  The model I’m speaking of is the teacher-to-teacher model, and I’m convinced it’s one of the most effective (and potentially lucrative) models that exist in the online business world.

In my online business, I utilize both the teacher-to-student model and the teacher-to-teacher model.  I love teaching others how to build their online platforms and develop scalable monetization strategies.  Some of the people I work with are primarily looking for information and ideas for themselves.  Others are not only looking to lear helpful information, they’re also looking for tools that will help them prepare to teach and mentor others.  Which category do you fall in?

Have you ever considered some of the benefits of utilizing the teacher-to-teacher model (sometimes called the multiplier or cascading mentorship model)?  When you use a model like this, your business will begin mentoring people who will mentor others, and the outcomes for the people you serve, coupled with the outcomes your business experiences, can be quite impressive.

1. Exponential Impact

For starters, let’s consider the fact that the teacher-to-teacher model is a scalable model.  When you train a mentor, you're not just helping one person—you’re enabling them to help many others.

Then, over time, your business may begin to experience the positive effects that come with networking as each generation of mentors potentially grows your reach and influence.

2. Stronger Community and Ecosystem

The teacher-to-teacher model also contributes to a supportive culture that fosters connection, accountability, and shared growth.  As the culture of your business matures, you’ll notice that the people you’re serving may feel more invested in the mission of your brand because it becomes clear that their connection to your brand actively assists them in their attempts to teach and lift up others.

3. Credibility and Authority

Just a few hours ago, I was having a conversation with another online content creator who is attempting to build her credibility and authority.  I reminded her that the majority of income she makes from her online business will be directly tied to the authority she establishes.

The teacher-to-teacher model can help build your authority.  Having your mentees successfully mentor others showcases the effectiveness of your teachings.

Your reputation can also get a boost when you're seen as a leader of leaders, not just a coach—this elevates your authority in your niche.  Personally speaking, I consider leaders who have the capacity to reproduce additional leaders to be some of the most effective and admirable leaders.  I have a high degree of respect for leaders who replicate themselves and “give leadership away.”  Their ideas outlast them because they’re invested in the lives of so many others.

4. Revenue Opportunities

The teacher-to-teacher model can be rather effective when it comes to increasing the overall revenue you’re earning from your online platform.  Many people, myself included, are often willing to pay more for services that have the potential to earn them additional revenue.  That’s why so many young adults are willing to pay as much as they do for a college education.  They see their tuition as an investment in an eventual career.

If your online business aims to teach teachers, you may want to consider offering various forms of licensing or certification.  This not only gives those you’re serving an opportunity to learn important content, it also gives them a stamp of approval from you or your brand that confirms that they have received the appropriate training for their task of profession.

You can also utilize multiple tracks or tiers for those you’re training.  It’s very common for certification programs to offer tracks for beginners, those who have some experience, and advanced students.  Offering multiple tiers can also help you retain potential clients longer than a solitary purchase might.

Here are a few other revenue options that work well with the teacher / teacher model:

🔁 Mentor Licensing & Franchise Model

•  Licensing Fees: Charge a fee for mentees to use your curriculum, brand, and tools as certified mentors.
•  Territory-Based Franchising: Assign geographic or niche territories to certified mentors who pay for exclusivity.

💼 High-Ticket Mastermind or Leadership Programs

•  Offer exclusive invite-only masterminds for top-performing mentors to collaborate, gain advanced training, and access insider tools.
•  Position as a premium offer ($2K–$25K+) that includes direct access to you, private retreats, or co-branding privileges.

🛠️ Done-For-You (DFY) Business Kits

•  Sell pre-built coaching business starter kits for new mentors:
•  Landing page templates
•  Email copy
•  Lead magnets
•  Client onboarding workflows
•  Marketing scripts

💳 Subscription Models

•  Mentor Network Membership: Ongoing monthly subscription for:
•  Access to private mentor community
•  Weekly expert calls or office hours
•  Resource libraries
•  Ongoing training updates
•  Tiered options (e.g., Basic, Pro, Elite)

🧾 Affiliate and Commission Models

•  Mentors earn commissions for bringing new mentees into your program.
•  You earn a percentage from their sales if they use your system or platform—create an internal affiliate/referral ecosystem.

🧑‍🏫 Train-the-Trainer Workshops

•  Offer live, in-depth workshops that help mentors improve facilitation, communication, or business skills. These can be:
•  Virtual (via Zoom or other cohort-friendly platforms)
•  In-person retreats or intensives

📚 Books, Workbooks, and Toolkits

•  Sell digital or print resources to both mentors and mentees.
•  Examples:
•  "Mentor’s Field Guide"
•  Journals for clients
•  Framework flashcards
•  Niche-specific coaching templates

📈 White-Label Programs

•  Let advanced mentors rebrand your curriculum as their own under a white-label license.
•  You charge an annual or per-use fee, and they keep client profits.

🎓 Corporate Licensing

•  Package your mentorship model for companies, schools, or NGOs to build internal mentor programs.
•  Offer train-the-trainer workshops or employee engagement packages.

🎤 Speaking, Consulting, and Partnerships

•  As the business grows, you become a recognized authority.
•  Charge for keynotes, panel appearances, or consultations with larger networks who want to replicate your model.

This is just a sample of the some of the ways you can maximize revenue from the teacher-to-teacher model.

5. Personal Fulfillment

I was recently having a discussion with my friend, Dave Wiedis, the author of The Spiritually Healthy Leader.  Dave leads a ministry called “Serving Leaders”, and one of his aims is to invest in leaders so they can make investments in the lives of others.  I appreciate his ministry and his mindset.  Having recently spoken with him, I’m certain he would tell you that he finds the work he’s doing particularly fulfilling.

When you’re doing work that effectively serves others, there’s a unique satisfaction that come in creating a ripple effect of positive change.  The teacher-to-teacher business model gives you the opportunity to make that kind of impact.

And the older we get, the more we start thinking about the purpose behind our work as well as the legacy we may leave for those who come after us.  With the teacher-to-teacher model, you aren’t just teaching skills — you’re shaping leaders.

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So, if you’re in the process of building your online, message-based business, give this model some thought.  It might become one of the most rewarding approaches to entrepreneurship you’ve ever experimented with.

© John Stange, 2025