How to Create and Sell Online Courses in 2024: A Step-by-Step Guide
Are you looking for a way to make some extra money online? Good news, online course market is predicted to reach $167,5 billion by 2026 so there’s a lot of money to be made.
You’re probably now thinking about how to hop on to this training and start to create an online course. Well, that’s where I can help you!
Selling online courses is a great way to generate passive income, and it’s easier than you might think! In this article, I will walk you through the process of creating and selling online courses. I will also share my top pick from the endless pool of the best online course platforms. I’ll cover everything from picking a topic to marketing your course. So whether you’re just getting started or you’re ready to take your business to the next level, read on for all the details!
Why Create an Online Course?
Creating an online course can be a very lucrative endeavor. However, it’s not just about the money. For many course creators, it’s about making a difference in the world by sharing their knowledge and expertise with others.
When it comes to creating an online course, there are a few things you need to consider. First, what topic or topics do you want to cover? Are you an expert in a particular field? If so, there is likely a market for an online course on that topic.
Second, what format will your course take? Will it be a video tutorial series? A written course with accompanying audio files? Or maybe a combination of both? The format you choose will largely depend on your own strengths and preferences.
Finally, you’ll need to create a landing page and market your course. This can be as simple as creating a free teaser course to attract potential students, or as complex as launching an entire marketing campaign. However, you choose to do it, be sure to put your best foot forward and make a good impression.
So, if you’re thinking of creating an online course, these are some things to keep in mind. But don’t worry, you don’t have to go it alone. There are plenty of people who have created successful courses and would be happy to share their tips with you.
Pick a Topic for Your Online Course
When creating an online course, it’s important to pick a topic that you’re passionate about. That way, you’ll be able to create content that is both engaging and informative.
Fortunately, there are a variety of topics that you can choose from when creating an online course. If you’re interested in business, you could create a course on how to start a business or how to market your products. If you’re interested in cooking, you could create a course on how to make delicious meals with minimal effort. The possibilities are endless!
When selecting a topic for your online course, it’s important to keep your target audience in mind. If you’re targeting business owners, your course should be geared towards teaching them specific skills or strategies. If you’re targeting home cooks, your course should be focused on teaching them new recipes or cooking techniques.
Of course, the best way to determine which topic is right for you is to see what other online course creators are already selling. They can give you firsthand advice on what works and what doesn’t when creating an online course. So don’t hesitate to reach out to them for help!
Validate Your Idea
Once you’ve picked a topic, it’s important to validate your idea. This means doing some research to see if there’s actually a market for your course. One way to do this is by checking out Google AdWords Keyword Planner. This tool will help you see how many people are searching for information on your topic each month. If there are enough people interested in what you have to offer, then it’s time to move on to the next step!
Another great option is to create a YouTube, Tiktok, or similar account and share pieces of your knowledge for free. If people love your free content, they are more likely to purchase your premium course.
Before launching your social media channels, find your niche. When it comes to online courses, specificity is key. If you can find a specific topic or industry that you’re passionate about and knowledgeable about, your course will be much more successful. Remember, people are paying for your course because they want to learn something new, so make sure your lessons are packed with useful information.
Choose the Right Equipment (And Do It With Time!)
When it comes to online courses, content is king! And king content can only be done with proper equipment. Different course creators may have different preferences for equipment and software depending on their individual needs and preferences. However, there are a few pieces of equipment that are commonly used by online course creators.
One common piece of equipment is a video camera. Many online course creators choose to create video lessons, and a good video camera can help create high-quality videos. You may get away with low video quality on social media, but if they purchase a premium course, they are seeking premium video quality!
Another common piece of equipment is a microphone. If you plan on recording audio lessons or interviews, a high-quality microphone will be essential.
Another important piece of equipment for online course creators is a computer. Most course creators will use a webcam and some type of software to create their courses. A good computer will be necessary to run that software smoothly.
Create Your Course Content
The first step after choosing the right equipment is to create an outline for your course. This includes coming up with a topic, writing your lessons, and creating any supporting materials. It helps you to navigate through your course in a simple way. It may seem like a hard task, but feel free to see what other people are already selling in services like Udemy and Skillshare. They have great examples of a perfect online course outline on their classes.
The content outline should include video lectures, written lesson plans, and worksheets or other activities designed to help students learn new skills. When creating your content, make sure it’s easy for students to follow and understand. You don’t want them getting lost or confused along the way!
Creating the actual video content can be a lot of work, but it’s important to make sure it’s high quality. Think about it in a way that your content will be out there for years to come. You want your students to get the most out of your course, so take the time to create great lessons and materials.
When assembling your office for online course creation, it is important to first consider your needs and what type of setup will work best for you. Below are some tips on how to create a space that is both productive and comfortable.
- Choose a quiet space with minimal distractions. This may be a separate room in your home, or an out-of-the-way corner of a room.
- Make sure the space is well-lit. You’ll need plenty of light to film your courses, so avoid filming in dark areas.
- Make sure the space is comfortable. If you’ll be spending many hours in this space, it’s important that it be comfortable and ergonomic. Avoid spaces that are too cramped or too noisy.
- Have all of your necessary supplies close at hand. You’ll want to be able to access everything you need quickly and easily, so place your materials within reach.
Once you’ve assembled your office, it’s time to start filming! Follow these tips to create high-quality video courses:
- Use a tripod to create stable footage. This will help ensure that your videos are smooth and free from shaking.
- Film in a well-lit area. As mentioned before, you’ll need plenty of light to film your courses properly. If filming outdoors, make sure to shoot in a sunny area. If filming indoors, use bright lights or windows to light your set-up.
- Avoid shaky footage by keeping your camera still. Use the tripod mentioned above, as well as any other props or supports you have available to keep your camera still while filming. This will create a more polished final product.
- Edit your footage carefully. Once you’ve filmed all of your videos, it’s important to go through and edit them carefully. Remove any footage that is shaky, dark, or otherwise difficult to watch. This will create a better experience for your students.By following these tips, you can create a great office space for online course video creation.
By taking the time to create a comfortable and well-lit space, you’ll be able to create high-quality videos that your students will love. And by editing your footage carefully, you can ensure that your courses are polished and professional. Create a space that works for you!
Find a Platform for Your Online Course
As we already discussed, creating online courses can be a very profitable venture. But how do you know what platform is best for your course?
Well, the first step is finding the right platform to host your course. There are many different platforms out there, but some are more popular than others. You can actually choose between selling on a dedicated online course platform or on an online course marketplace.
An online course platform like Thinkific is a site where instructors create and sell their courses. They handle all the logistics of hosting and selling the courses, and students purchase and take the courses directly through the platform. An online course marketplace like Skillshare is a site where instructors and students can find each other. Instructors create courses and put them up for sale, and students browse and purchase courses from the marketplace.
The two sites have different purposes: an online course platform is for instructors who want to create and sell their own courses, while an online course marketplace is for instructors who want to find quality courses and students who want to find affordable, high-quality courses.
I’d personally choose an online course platform like Thinkific because there are normally no transaction fees. Online course marketplaces take up to 75% cut! The downside of selling on your own is that you have to do your own marketing.
Related article: Best Online Course Platforms of 2024
Ultimately, it comes down to what you’re looking for in a platform. If you want to reach as many people as possible with zero marketing fees, Skillshare is a good option. If you want to focus on quality over quantity, Thinkific might be a better fit for you.
Price Your Online Course
When pricing your online course, it’s important to consider what value it offers to students. You’ll want to make sure you’re charging enough to cover your costs while also providing a fair price for the students.
Many online course creators start by looking at the cost of their own time and materials, then doubling that to create a price that provides a fair profit. Others use a sliding scale based on how much the student is paying for the course. For example, a lower price might be offered to someone who is willing to sign up for a longer course.
It’s also important to consider what other courses are available in your area of expertise. You don’t want to charge too much or too little in comparison to others. When you find the right price, make sure to communicate it clearly on your landing page and other marketing materials.
Create a Landing Page for Your Course
Creating a landing page for your course is an important step in marketing your online course. It allows potential students to learn more about the course and how it can help them achieve their goals.
When creating your landing page, be sure to include the following:
- An overview of the course and what students will learn
- The benefits of taking the course
- Testimonials from previous students
- A list of the course’s modules or chapters
- The price of the course
- A registration form or sign-up button
It’s also important to make your landing page look professional and attractive. Use clean fonts and graphics, and make sure all of the information is easy to read. You may also want to consider hiring a professional web designer to create a custom landing page for you.
Attract more students and help them achieve their goals by creating a superb landing page!
Market Your Online Course
When it comes to marketing an online course, many creators take a DIY approach. This often means a lot of hard work, but it can also pay off in a big way. Let’s take a look at some of the ways these creators market their courses.
One common way to market an online course is through social media. This can be done by creating posts about the course on various platforms, or by running ads targeting potential students. Another great way to market your course is through email campaigns. You can reach out to people who have expressed interest in similar courses in the past or create a landing page that encourages people to sign up for your course.
Creating valuable content is another great way to market your online course. This could include blog posts, videos, or even podcasts. By providing helpful content related to your course, you can attract potential students who are looking for information on the topic. You can also create partnerships with other creators in your field to help promote your course.
Whatever marketing strategy you choose, be sure to track your results and optimize your efforts as you go. A successful online course requires a lot of hard work, but with the right marketing plan in place, you can reach more students and create a successful business venture.
Communicate with Your Students
People who purchase your high-end online courses also expect to get a personal experiment with you if they have any questions or need help.
There are many ways to communicate with online course students, but some methods are more effective than others. One of the most important things to remember is to be consistent with your communication.
One way to communicate with students is through email. You can create a course-specific email address and send out weekly or bi-weekly updates. This will keep students informed of what’s going on in the course and remind them of upcoming deadlines.
Another way to communicate with students is through a course forum or discussion board. Many online course platforms include these kinds of features in their paid plans. This can be a great way to get feedback from students and answer any questions they may have. It also allows students to connect with each other and discuss the course material.
You can also use social media (Facebook groups mainly) to communicate with students. This is a great way to share updates, links to resources, and even polls or quizzes. It’s also a great way for students to connect with each other outside of the course.
Create New Courses for Your Existing Students
Ok, so you’ve created your course, made some sales – no what. Did you know that existing customers are the easiest to sell new courses to? And it’s also cheapest as you’ve already done the hard work of marketing to them.
Communicating with your students is important in order to ensure their success and keep the relationship active. Be available to answer questions and provide feedback. And remember, if you continue creating new courses for your existing students, great feedback is the key to new sales.
Conclusion for How to Create and Sell an Online Course: A Step-by-Step Guide
Selling online courses can be a great way to make money while working from home. But it’s not as simple as putting together a course and slapping a price tag on it. We run through the multiple steps there are to consider when creating an online course, from the content itself to marketing and customer service.
That said, there are plenty of online course creators out there who are making a good living doing what they love. So how do they do it?
The first step was choosing a topic for your course. This can be anything from gardening to web development. The important thing is to pick something you’re passionate about and knowledgeable about.
Once you’ve settled on a topic, the next step is validating your idea. This can be done by surveying potential students or doing some market research. Once you have a good idea that there is demand for your course, it’s time to start creating content.
This is where the real work begins. Your course should be well-organized and easy to follow. You’ll also need to create slides, videos, or other multimedia content. And don’t forget the all-important handouts and worksheets!
When your course is finished, it’s time to find a platform to sell it on. There are many options available, from online marketplaces like Thinkific and Skillshare to custom-made websites or even your own blog. Just make sure the platform you choose meets your needs and suits your target audience.
Once you’ve picked a platform, it’s time to set a price for your course. This can be tricky, but there are a few things to keep in mind: the cost of creating the course, the value it provides to students, and the competition in your niche. As always, test different prices until you find one that works best for you.
Finally, create a landing page for your course and start marketing it! This can be done in many ways, from social media posts to paid ads. The most important thing is to create a strong message that speaks directly to potential students.
With hard work and some creativity, you can create and sell online courses that sell like hotcakes!
Comment on this article and share how to create online courses that sell.
Mats-Peter Forss
Mats-Peter Forss is a full-time website tycoon and digital product creator with years of experience in different software products. Along with writing to forssinc.com, Mats-Peter is running multiple different websites and selling digital products (vectors, fonts, and logo templates).
