Continual learning is something I am a huge advocate of. But not just the kind of learning that goes on via courses, coaching and workshops. Don’t get me wrong, I do all three of these, but I’m also a big advocate of learning when you have zero budget. The great thing is that there are lots of ways to learn on a budget. Even if that budget is zero. And by putting in the work and learning, you’ll not only be able to deepen your understanding and increase your knowledge, you’ll be up-skilling to make yourself a more ‘valuable’ addition to anyone’s team. Even if you’re the only one on that team.
Learning on a budget – how to learn on a budget and why you should look into it!
I’ve actually written a blog about how to learn on a budget before… and I produce a lot of content to help people learn for free. This podcast is just one example. Of course, this podcast isn’t about what I do that you can use, but the variety of resources available to help you learn on a budget. Even if your budget is non existent! Show notes for episode 18 – Learning on a budget…
- We talk about the variety of learning options out there- from resources that are free to thousands of pounds.
- I talk about when I learn (walking the dog, in the car, etc!)
- We discuss overwhelm and how it’s important to pick the people you want to learn from and focus in on them.
- How you need to pick a few people you really rate and trust, so you don’t get overwhelmed and procrastinate.
- We talk about podcasts and the value that these can bring. I also recommend Jenna Kutcher’s Goal Digger Podcast and Amy Porterfield’s Online Marketing Made Easy Podcast. And I also talk about the problems I had when I listened to too many.
- Moving through to a low cost paid for option, I talk about the value of audiobooks and how I use Audible. I really do like Audible – I wrote a blog about my Audible obsession a little while ago.
- We talk about books and a little hack I have on Amazon where you can pick up books for much less than the new price. I’ve actually picked up books for a penny (I have to add postage, obviously!), but these can still be a lot less than the new price.
- I talk about blogs and how these can provide a great free resource of tips and information. You can subscribe to people’s mailing lists too, so you get that information into your inbox.
- Video – there’s a surprise – yes, video is a great way to learn. YouTube is a fountain of free how to videos (and, you know, baby monkeys riding on pigs). I use YouTube a lot actually, especially for more visual things.
- How membership groups can be really, really useful. I also talk about the Small & Supercharged Mastermind group and how group coaching can work and deliver really good results for a good price.
- We discuss paid for online courses. I talk about the courses I’ve done online, particularly with Fiona Humberstone, and how these go a lot deeper into subjects and are usually better produced and more structured than free content.
- ‘Live’ events, like workshops, talks and seminars, can vary hugely in price, but are a great way to learn. Websites like EventBrite can be a good way to find workshops and events near you.
- We talk about low cost courses, like the ones provided by providers like Udemy. These are generally much lower value and run by people who aren’t brands in their own right. But if you have something specific to learn, Udemy might be perfect for you.
- And we finish by talking about the main differences between free and paid for content. Not just the cost…
