The COVID era opened up many opportunities for teachers to create and sell online training programs. However, the trend became so saturated that it was a challenge for tutors to stand out from the crowd and attract students. With countless educational videos available on platforms like YouTube, many struggled to gain visibility and make a living from their courses.
However, one math teacher from Taiwan, Chang Hsu, found an unconventional way to rise above the noise and achieve financial success: by posting his mathematics lessons on the adult website Pornhub.
In this article, we'll take an in-depth look at Chang's journey, the lessons we can learn from his experience, the revenue he generated, and the implications of his success for the future of online education.
Chang Hsu
The struggles of a math teacher
Chang Hsu, known on Pornhub as "changhsumath666," wasn't always a successful online tutor. In fact, his journey began with a series of setbacks and challenges that nearly drove him to despair. Chang started out running his own tutoring center in Hsinchu, a city in northern Taiwan. Initially, his business was doing well, and he was able to hire co-workers to help him teach. However, things took a turn for the worse when his staff betrayed him and opened a rival tutoring center above his own.
"They took all my students upstairs, so my cram school suddenly lost all its income and could no longer operate," Chang explained in an interview. Left with a failing business and $35,000 in debt, Chang found himself in a desperate situation. The stress and financial strain were so severe that he even contemplated suicide at one point. "The problem got so serious that at one point, I contemplated suicide," he recalled. "I was simply in too much debt, and I wasn't confident that I could repay it quickly."
Despite the overwhelming challenges he faced, Chang refused to give up. He decided to pivot to online teaching and set up a website to offer educational resources for students. However, even with various gimmicks like live-streaming himself solving 100 calculus problems in 10 hours and visiting universities across Taiwan to help students prepare for exams, he still struggled to make ends meet.
The solution
It wasn't until March 2020 that Chang's fortunes began to change. He started recording himself teaching math and uploading the videos online, often sleeping in his abandoned tuition center to maximize his filming time. But even then, he found it difficult to compete with the barrage of tutorial videos on platforms like YouTube. That's when he had the idea that would change his life: posting his lessons on Pornhub.
"I asked myself where to find my target students, say college boys, and the answer popped out: adult video platforms," Chang said. By putting his videos in "the most jarring place," he hoped to attract unlikely students and drive traffic to his teaching material.
The contrast principle in action
Chang's strategy of posting educational content on an adult website was a clever application of the contrast principle. The contrast principle states that when two items are presented in succession, the difference between them is magnified. In other words, by placing his fully-clothed math lessons amidst the sea of explicit content on Pornhub, Chang created a stark contrast that grabbed viewers' attention.
"On an adult website, everyone else is naked, but I'm all wrapped up in thick clothing. There's a clash," he explained. This clash not only made his videos stand out but also generated buzz in the media. News coverage of his unique approach brought even more attention to his channel, with features in international publications and an appearance on Pornhub's official Instagram account.
The power of clickbait
In addition to leveraging the contrast principle, Chang also employed another effective marketing tactic: clickbait titles. To ensure that his videos would appear in search results and recommended videos, he used titles containing porn-related keywords such as "naked," "giant breasts," "masturbation," "threesome," and "oral sex."
While some might argue that using such titles is misleading or unethical, it's hard to deny the effectiveness of Chang's strategy. By leveraging the power of clickbait, he managed to attract nearly 3 million views and over 13,000 subscribers on Pornhub. As a result, more students discovered his videos and purchased courses on his website, leading to a substantial increase in his income.
The road to financial success
Chang's approach to online teaching paid off in a big way. By posting his calculus lessons on Pornhub and using clickbait titles strategically, he was able to attract a large audience and drive traffic to his educational content. As more students discovered his videos and purchased courses on his website, his income began to soar.
In the end, Chang was earning almost $270,000 a year through paid calculus classes on various platforms. This income allowed him to pay off his debts and sustain a more comfortable living.
However, he realized that even on Pornhub, he couldn't rely solely on his calculus lessons to keep viewers engaged forever.
To maintain his popularity and continue growing his channel, Chang began inviting women in revealing clothes to appear in his videos as eye candy. While he kept the content non-sexual and non-pornographic, this addition helped to keep viewers interested and engaged.
Moving on and giving back
As his popularity grew, Chang started to move away from Pornhub.
"The original intention behind putting my videos on Pornhub was to get everyone's attention," he explained. "And now that I have what I need to take off, I can manage to teacher without being on Pornhub."
In addition to transitioning away from the adult platform, Chang also plans to give back to the community that supported him. He announced his intention to auction off his famous grey hoodie, which he wore in hundreds of videos without washing, to raise money for students in rural areas who have difficulty accessing his online material. This generous gesture demonstrates his commitment to helping others and making education more accessible to those in need.
Lessons learned from Chang Hsu
Chang Hsu's remarkable case study offers several valuable lessons for entrepreneurs, marketers, and educators alike. Here are some of the key takeaways:
1. Think outside the box: In a crowded market, sometimes the most effective way to stand out is by doing something unconventional. By posting his math lessons on an adult website, Chang differentiated himself from the countless other tutorial videos available online.
2. Leverage the power of contrast: The contrast principle can be a powerful tool for grabbing attention and making your product or service more appealing. By presenting his educational content in a context that emphasized its unique qualities, Chang made his videos more memorable and engaging.
3. Use clickbait responsibly: While clickbait titles can be effective in driving traffic, it's important to use them ethically and ensure that your content delivers on its promises. Chang's videos, while marketed with provocative titles, still provided valuable educational content to his viewers.
4. Adapt to challenges and setbacks: Chang's journey was far from smooth, but he persevered through financial struggles, betrayal, and even thoughts of suicide. By pivoting his strategy and trying new approaches, he was able to overcome these obstacles and find success.
5. Give back to your community: As Chang's success grew, he recognized the importance of giving back to those who supported him. By auctioning off his iconic hoodie to raise money for students in need, he demonstrated the value of using one's platform for good.
The future of online education
Chang Hsu's success on Pornhub raises interesting opinions about the future of online education. As the demand for accessible, high-quality educational content continues to grow, educators may need to think creatively about how to reach new audiences and stand out in a crowded market.
While posting educational videos on adult websites may not be the right approach for everyone, Chang's story highlights the importance of being willing to experiment with unconventional strategies. By leveraging the power of contrast, using attention-grabbing titles, and adapting to challenges, educators can find new ways to engage students and build successful online teaching businesses.
Conclusion
Chang Hsu's journey from struggling math teacher to Pornhub sensation is a remarkable tale of perseverance, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit. By posting his calculus lessons on an adult website and using clickbait titles strategically, he was able to attract millions of views, earn a substantial income, and pay off his debts.
While his approach may be unconventional, Chang's story offers valuable lessons for anyone looking to succeed in the competitive online education space. By thinking outside the box, leveraging the power of contrast, adapting to challenges, and giving back to one's community, educators can find new ways to engage students and build successful online teaching businesses.
