Course Creators Weekly #9 🗓 August 24th, 2020 - How To Create And Sell Online Courses
Picking a topic, researching it, niching down, structuring your content, hosting, marketing, selling, and more!
How To Create And Sell Online Courses
Before creating your course…
- Pick a topic that you're an expert in
- Research the topic—is there potential, and how can you do better than others
- Niche down and get specific about your promised results—helps you stand out
- Test the waters with a short survey, a simple landing page, or a taster course
When creating your course…
- Start by listing learning objectives and the end results you promise
- Break things down into digestible modules, ideally no more than 12
- Choose your content format—video is popular, but other formats exist too
- Develop your brand's voice—ideally keep it conversational and charming
- Combine storytelling with facts and data, convincing hearts, and heads
Choosing your platform (at a high level)…
- Marketplaces (e.g. Udemy) give you exposure, but take away control
- Course platforms (e.g. Teachable) give you the tools for a DIY approach
Marketing your course…
- Invest in SEO, especially if you decide to DIY
- Engage with your audience on social media—don't sell, just be helpful
- Write blog posts to attract, delight, and engage your audience
- Use an email newsletter to grow your audience and keep them engaged
5 Keys to a Successful Online Course
This is a 5-part article series, summarised here:
- Obsess over the results you promise to deliver, and be specific
- Get ultra specific on your topic and audience—be THE ONE for them
- Sell the shortcut to results, not the long path—no more than 12 modules
- Build anticipation and scarcity, e.g. free video series + a genuine deadline
- Look to someone who's done it before, but stop overthinking it
Selling Online Courses: How To Write To Sell
- Write headlines that intrigue your visitors to keep reading
- Put important stuff at the top
- Keep descriptions short and simple
- Say who you're for and how you'll help them
- Use action words—make them feel engaged
- Use social proof—build trust
- Show, don't tell
- Tap into their emotions