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"I worked as an accountant for 8 years, working with Microsoft Excel each day for several hours" starts Google Sheets as well as AppsScript's seasoned instructor Ben L Collins. "Almost everything I was working on were completed with Excel however it wasn't any thing I had any idea about. I'd coded a couple of applications, but I had not worked on spreadsheets in any way.

"Pretty in the early days of my job, I was instructed by my supervisor to finish several projects with Excel"Combine Tables' and on. However, I completed everything myself!" His supervisor gave him a few formulas that would help him in the course of work. Ben realized that among the most important skills needed by anyone working in a financial profession is the ability to deal with data.

"The people who have the ability to succeed at this game will benefit far more than people who just struggle across," Ben continues. I was thinking "Right now, I'm likely be required to develop my capabilities that I already possess. So, I began searching for websites like mrexcel.com as well as chandoo.org These sites could possess the same abilities to mine currently, however they are using Excel more than 15 years ago."

The more Ben explored calculations and spreadsheets, more enthralled his mind wasthis "It was this tunnel which seemed to get immerse and deeper." Ben realized that some of the data he collected in his university times could be used in various programming languages that work in conjunction with databases, like VBA.

Throughout his professional career, the accountant, he became more fascinated by the advancements in technology instead of the financial or accounting. "After eight years of being employed by a respected accounting firm, I realized I'd accomplished enough to finish the job!. I was unsure of I should do next was, however one of my initial thoughts was to become an engineer." Ben tells me.

Ben L Collins speaking at a private event

He was a student at several classes prior to applying for positions. "It did not go exactly as I imagined, but I launched my own site, and also write articles. My very first pieces that I wrote about were Google Sheets and these are those that were the ones to end up being integrated into Google Search." These pieces led to multiple inquiries from clients in addition to pay-per-hour employment.

"In the period between 2013 and 2014., there was just the smallest percentage of people saying"Hey I need your help to create my dashboard with spreadsheets Are you able to offer any ideas? Furthermore, can you make a the time to look through my corporate spreadsheets and help me with coming up with ways to improve these formulas? '."

The work included Excel, Google Sheets, SQL along with Tableau. "It was not really the actual work, however it served as the basis to believe that there is something there. There is a possibility for an individual contractor to work as an independent contractor, rather than having the option of returning to the job I was employed at . It was never my intention to return to my job as a bookkeeper!" Ben smiles. "I try to keep on top of my game to increase my capabilities and technological skills."

Goodbye accounting, hello education

At first, the website of the Education General Assembly was just a startup and was launching courses specifically targeted at developers and researchers. "They have just launched an online course on database analysis, which includes a half-time program. Since I've been a student at their school as a student in one of their classes designed for developers I had great communication with the staff at the time. The first time they offered the data-related course, they needed instructors. It consisted of Excel, SQL and Tableau," Ben continues. "I realized, 'Hey!' was my exact life since at the age of eight. ! '." He completed the application process and was then given the position. He was a teacher several times during the year of 2015.

"That led me to make the decision to go back to the teaching profession," Ben recalls. "I'd been through a few experience as a teacher within the college environment as well as when I was an instructor for students around when I completed my education." Then, he began with corporate training through the internet-based platform, along with teaching workshops as well as classes. "As I started to grow my followers for my courses In 2017, I decided to create my personal online course to assess it."

) The course focuses on Google Query. Google Query is a feature of Sheets

The class Ben gave was successful. The training was sufficient to spur Ben to develop a new course. "I used an online platform referred to as Teachable since I wanted to establish a relationship with my students and keep this connection rather than moving it to the internet like Udemy."

I chose to carry out some studies and one name that interested me was the man who runs the tech-related publication Stratechery, Ben Thompson. He's among those whom they think are"the OG!" Ben is giggling. "I have joined several memberships to check out how other members of Flowing Data and Craig Mod did this." Ben was receiving their newsletter each month, which is free, for a long time, and I was fascinated by the methods they'd used to build their business models on the basis of the subscribers. I replied, "I want mine to look like theirs.'. I was awed by how the whole process was smooth and I was thinking I'd like to go through the same experiences.'

It is crucial to work in a fast pace

A brief overview, Ben's Membership Service is composed with high-end (or "gated") details found on WordPress and provides an exclusive newsletter that is sent by email using Kit (formerly ConvertKit). Its main focus is Google Sheets and it includes specific information about the features of the software in addition to updates and other details - and ways to get your most out of this program.

"The next newsletter will include detailed information on new functions Google has released during the months preceding this one." Ben adds. These are extremely useful features which allow for the manipulation of information. They'll also provide instructions in the form of videos for using these capabilities and provide a link for Google Sheet. Google Sheet template that people could download for personal usage. The writer also states that the seminar to be centered around this topic. "I mail out monthly newsletters informing specific information about the dates and time and also a Google Meet link for the live event."

When asked about the future of members, Ben was asked about the prospects for Ben believes that the membership market is set to be the primary source of income for his firm. "I am definitely looking to bring new members into my organization, because I would like membership to be the only choice," he says. "I offer an online library open to the public for no cost, however you can sign up to be an official member to support me in my endeavors and get further information."

Similar to Chess by using Google Sheets

The author also discusses the ways he offered services and added ads to his free newsletter. He is trying to get rid of the practice "if I'm able to expand the subscriber base so that it's nice to get rid of the other things. It's not over yet, but there are some things to work on however, expanding the subscriber base is essential. "

He's capable of coming up with many ways of developing his service. "I've been thinking about it for the moment to see if I'm better at hosting these live events as well as making plans for how I can attract more members to this year's events. Software will be upgraded. There's no reason to alter how it functions, but it's likely to add additional streams."

The person also mentions that he would prefer to devise a method that allows participants to share information about their current projects and the way they'd prefer to conduct themselves in the future "That can be accomplished via "office times', or way to get participants talking and asking questions" so long as it's practical and financially sustainable for all involved.

Ben claims that in the present, his communications with his followers are done via email. "I suggest that you respond via text messages that says "Hey Tell me about your conduct'. This is the method I prefer since it's simple to handle.

He'd offer forum discussions and 'cohort courses', in addition to working on Google Sheets issues online together as a team. "We were able to finish two projects in 2021. Google Sheets were the talk in the the town. The experience was great however, it was stress-inducing over the course of five days students were in class. It was as if you were in a "firehose with questions. This was my first experience in a group like this. However, I'm concerned that after I've turned off the light, I'll not be able to switch off these lights. This is something I'd like investigate however, how do accomplish this without damaging the light?

"I wasn't even thinking about streaming live prior to starting. I thought"Just begin streaming and observe what happens. Check what I'm doing prior to I take on commitments constantly. It's working! The host is thrilled to add live entertainment "They're engaging and viewers benefit plenty from the show. Let's see what else we can achieve!"

Ben runs an online Zoom session that is open to clients of his.

"Right time I'm conducting courses like these In each class, I'll select an area of study and cover the topic during live demonstrations," he continues. Co-taught classes were more of an informal discussion "People were present asking, "Hey, what's my concern. We would discuss it in real-time. The other participants could view. We'll look into hosting similar events in the future. It's a great method for children to become involved."

Then, at the end of the day, Ben considers Discord Q&A forums is an option. However, Ben states that "I am trying to make certain that I'm able to perform my work in a way which doesn't burden me." It's clear that Ben already has an enduring and lasting relationship with his followers. It is our opinion that keeping these connections as time passes is crucial to the long-term sustainability of his involvement "Little actions to be taken We'll slowly increase the effort we put into it!" He smiles.

Additional details

Ben Collins is an educator, writer, developer who is also the co-founder of The Collins School of Data. Ben Collins develops online classes along with blogs that discuss the Google Workspace tools. My main focus is the analysis of data and automating it with Google Sheets and Apps Script.

Ben L Collins' website

He believes in developing light applications which are based on data. They also integrate with the Google's Google stack. There are many such applications: Google Sheets, Looker Studio, Google Apps Script, Forms, Docs, Gmail along with other. For more information visit benlcollins.com.

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