If you're thinking about creating and selling an online course, there's no better time than now.
Feeling overwhelmed by the idea of creating an online course? You’re not alone, but don’t worry—we’re here to guide you through it. In this comprehensive step-by-step guide, you'll learn how to successfully develop, promote, and sell your online course. We’ll walk you through everything from brainstorming and researching ideas, defining your target audience, recording and editing, to marketing and selling your course effectively.
With the growing demand for people eager to acquire new skills—whether for a career switch, a side hustle, or just for fun—the need for quality content has never been higher. Launching an online course not only helps you earn additional income but can also generate leads, attract new clients, and establish you as an authority in your field.
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Many entrepreneurs have fantastic ideas for online courses but often get stuck on where to start. This practical guide will help you follow a simple, structured approach to building a successful course you can sell online. Plus, after creating your first course, you’ll likely find the process smoother next time, setting you on the path to building a profitable online business.
How Much Can You Earn by Selling Online Courses?
The amount of money you can make from selling online courses depends on several factors. For example, if you’re just starting and don’t yet have a large audience, you might want to price your first course at a lower rate to encourage feedback and sales. If you have experience in sales or marketing, these skills can significantly impact your revenue.
Do you already have a presence on social media, an email list, or a YouTube channel? Having an established audience will make selling your course easier. Additionally, more in-depth or specialized courses tend to command higher prices.
Imagine you have 1,000 followers and decide to price your course at $20. If 25 people purchase it in the first week, that brings in $500 in passive income. As your audience grows and you refine your approach, you might create another course priced at $50. If 45 people buy this one, you’ll earn $2,250, with an additional 10 buyers still purchasing your first course, adding another $200. At this point, you’ve built a profitable course-based business.
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Steps to Create an Online Course
Now, let’s break down the essential steps to creating an online course:
1. Choose Your Course Subject
Pick a topic you're passionate about and want to teach
There are countless topics you could base an online course on, but it’s crucial to choose one that excites you and that you can confidently discuss on camera.
Make a list of subjects that interest you, then narrow it down to your top choices. Consider which topic aligns best with your goals. Are you aiming to generate extra income, attract more clients, or grow your audience?
Identify a subject with demand—research thoroughly
It’s also essential to ensure there’s demand for the topic you want to teach. Here are some ways to gauge interest:
- If you have a following, create a poll to ask your audience what they’d like to learn from you. Give them several options to choose from if possible.
- Use platforms like Quora and Reddit to conduct research. You can also visit the Answer the Public website, which is great for searching trending topics.
- Share a brief tutorial with your audience to gather feedback.
- Explore online course platforms and see what’s currently trending. Look at the reviews of similar courses to see what students liked or disliked and adjust your course accordingly.
Brainstorm and Research Course Ideas
Proper brainstorming and research are vital to the success of your course. Don’t assume there’s a market for your idea—validate it through thorough research. You might discover the topic you had in mind is already saturated.
Explore various online course platforms and search for similar topics. Are they all alike? What do the reviews and sales numbers look like?
Also, perform a Google keyword search. Are there lots of popular YouTube videos on the subject?
For example, if you're a marketing expert, you'll find thousands of marketing courses online. But don’t get discouraged—narrow your focus by brainstorming subcategories within marketing. Here are some examples:
- Marketing strategies for small business owners with limited time
- A simplified five-step guide to marketing your business
- Marketing tips specifically for dog-walking services
Keep refining your ideas and conducting research until you find a niche that excites you and fills a market gap.
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2. Choose a Platform to Host Your Course
1. Self-hosting
If you decide to host your course on your own platform, WordPress is a popular and cost-effective option. If you’re not familiar with setting up websites, you can hire a professional to help. For example, platforms like Fiverr offer a range of experienced freelancers who can handle WordPress tasks for you.
2. Course marketplaces
Alternatively, you can sell your course on platforms like Teachable, Udemy, Skillshare, Thinkific, and Kajabi. Each learning management system (LMS) offers different features. When choosing a platform, keep these factors in mind:
- What are the costs, including monthly fees and commission on sales?
- Does the platform offer ways for students to interact with you or each other?
- Can you include quizzes and other interactive features?
- What are the payment options for students?
- Are there integrations or plugins you need?
- Are the courses downloadable or only accessible online?
- Does the platform allow you to create discounts or special offers?
- Is the platform well-regarded?
- Can you set up a membership program for students?
Choose a platform based on what’s most important to you. If you’re just starting, opting for a pricier platform might be a risk if sales don’t roll in right away.
3. Create a Personal Brand
Branding is essential to set yourself apart and attract students. Even if you're just starting out, having a strong brand helps build trust and recognition. If you are self-hosting, it’s important to have a professional logo, marketing materials, a well-designed website, and an active social media presence to promote your course effectively.
To get started with branding, you can use professional services such as Fiverr's logo maker, which offers various customizable designs by top-tier designers, making it easy, affordable, and fast to create a unique look for your brand.
4. Establish Clear Course Goals
After selecting your niche, outline the learning objectives for your course. Defining these goals gives students a clear idea of what they’ll achieve by the end of the course. For example, if you are teaching “Marketing for Dog Walking Businesses,” your goals might look like this:
- Help students expand their dog-walking business.
- Teach them how to create a solid marketing plan, attract new clients, and set appropriate pricing for their services.
- Improve their communication skills with clients.
- Boost their confidence in marketing their services.
- Enable them to increase their service rates through more effective marketing strategies.
To create relevant goals, research common problems within your niche. Visit platforms like Answer the Public or run polls to identify your audience’s pain points, and then tailor the course objectives to address those specific challenges.
5. Plan Your Course Outline
Creating a clear and structured course outline is crucial to student satisfaction. Start by listing the course modules (topics) and lessons within each module. A common complaint from students is courses lacking structure or flow. Logically organize your content, decide on assessments, and prepare answers to anticipated FAQs.
Here’s a quick example of what a basic course outline might look like:
Always begin your course with a warm introduction, explaining the objectives and what students can expect to achieve by the end. Conclude with a summary of the student learning outcomes, and consider adding bonus materials like extra resources or links to other relevant courses.
6. Plan the Selling Method
There are several ways to sell your course, and it's important to choose one that suits both you and your students. If you're unsure, research high-quality courses to gather feedback and consider pre-selling your course to gauge interest.
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Here are some common selling options:
Subscription Model: Students pay a monthly fee for access to your course(s). This works best if you have multiple courses. For a single course, students might cancel once they've completed it.
One-Time Payment: Students make a one-off payment to purchase your course. You’ll want to consider how to maintain an ongoing relationship after the sale, possibly by creating a members-only social community.
Payment Plans: For pricier courses, offering a payment plan (e.g., in three or six-month installments) can help attract more buyers.
Previews and Free Trials: Offering a preview, course trailer, or free trial (with a time limit) is an excellent way to encourage students to try your course without commitment, increasing the chance of a sale.
Free Webinars: Hosting a free webinar with a "special discount" for attendees can help generate interest and increase sales.
7. Pricing Your Course
Pricing your course can be tricky, especially if you're new to online education. Here are some tips to help guide you:
Research Competitor Prices: Look at similar courses and their prices, factoring in the instructor’s experience and the platform used.
Time to Create: Consider how long it took to develop your course when deciding on pricing.
Perceived Value: An accredited course or one that could lead to a job may justify a higher price. Likewise, longer courses are typically priced higher than shorter ones.
Pricing Psychology: Avoid setting prices too low—students may associate higher costs with greater value and commitment.
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8. Create Your Course Content
Now it’s time to start creating content. Don’t worry about needing professional-grade equipment—a smartphone, ring light, and a decent microphone can suffice.
Tips for Filming
- Avoid noisy environments.
- Use good lighting and an uncluttered background. If you're using a mobile phone for filming, a ring light creates a more professional look.
- Invest in a quality microphone. While it might appear optional, learners often criticize courses with subpar audio, potentially harming your reputation and sales.
- Edit thoroughly
- Cut out filler words
- Add lesson titles, subtitles
- Add background music if appropriate
You can also hire professional editors on platforms like Fiverr or use free software like Filmora, Capcut, or iMovie.
Develop Supplementary Materials
Create a concise whitepaper highlighting your expertise and course details. Transcribe video lessons into downloadable PDFs for text-based learners. Provide bonus resources including relevant documents, spreadsheets, and helpful links. Ensure all additional materials cater to diverse student needs.
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9. Promote Your Course
Digital Essentials
Implement a diverse marketing strategy to promote your course, boost sales, and cultivate a loyal community. Start by launching an SEO-optimized website, blog, or landing page to drive conversions. If you lack technical expertise, engage a freelancer to handle this crucial task.
Digital Marketing
Email Marketing: Create a campaign with a subscribe button on your website or landing page.
Affiliate Programs: Offer commissions to others who help promote your course.
YouTube: Use this platform to share bite-sized content from your course or testimonials. Growing a new YouTube channel can be difficult. To give yours a boost, consider trying YouTube promotion services from platforms like Fiverr. These services can help increase your channel's visibility and attract more viewers.
SEO: Ensure your website is optimized for search engines, or hire an expert if needed Fiverr provides affordable SEO services for all levels of requirements.
Paid Ads: Consider running paid advertising campaigns on platforms like Google or Facebook.
Content Marketing: Write blog posts that attract your target audience.
Influencer Marketing: Partner with an industry influencer to reach a broader audience.
Social Media: Share engaging content on the social platforms your audience frequents most. Managing social media content can be daunting. If you're uncertain about what and when to post content, then you might want to explore Fiverr's social media management services for assistance.
Webinars: Host live or pre-recorded webinars, offering course discounts for attendees.
Additionally, consider offering coupons or discounts as incentives to encourage sales, collect student feedback to improve the course, and create an online community on platforms like Discord or Slack for students to share experiences and motivate each other.
Conclusion
By now, you should feel confident that creating and selling an online course is achievable. It involves thoughtful planning, execution, and promotion. Whether it takes days or weeks, focus on making a course that provides value and builds a professional reputation. The effort will pay off once students start benefiting from your knowledge and skills.
With research, clear goals, and a quality product, you’ll be ready to launch and sell a successful online course.
Affiliate Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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