How to Create An Online Course

Published on 3 January 2023

Would you love to create an online course but don’t know how to get started? Don’t worry, you’re not alone!

When it comes to online course creation, many would-be creators feel overwhelmed when thinking about their first online course, and don’t know where to begin, so end up procrastinating and not taking any action.

I don’t want this happening to you, so in this blog post I’ll explore the basics of how to plan and create your first online course and how to get in front of your target audience.

Steps to Creating an Online Course

Without a solid plan, it is so easy to become overwhelmed with questions like “do I need to buy a webcam“, “how do I record my screen“, “how much should I charge“, “what course should I even create?“.

These are all valid questions but certainly not the most important ones! And not the one you need to be asking yourself right now, if you are just starting out. The most important question to answer when you are planning to make an online course, or any other kind of digital product for that matter, is ‘who is it for’. Who is your ideal customer?

Market Research for Online Course Creation

Once you are clear on your ideal customer avatar you can figure out what problems they have and match this with your expertise to figure out how you can support them with a course or other digital product.

Having conversations with your ideal clients, will likely give you lots of ideas for potential courses you can create. You should also do some additional research, to establish which of your ideas likely has most commercial appeal.

Build an Audience

At the same time as you are doing this, you should be thinking, ‘how can I reliably get in front of more of my target audience’. This is crucial for every step of the course creation process from market research to marketing your course once it’s created. There are typically 3 ways to do this:

* Build your own audience
* Borrow someone else’s audience (through collaborations etc)
* Advertise (paid media)

Which option (or options) you choose usually depends on your budget and time-scale for when you’d ideally like to launch your course.

Experienced course creators will typically use a blend of all three methods.

Choose a Learning Management System

Next, I would recommend signing up to a Learning Management System (LMS). I use Thinkific for this (sponsored link) in my business, where you can map out your course outline and create a sales page.

E-Learning platforms like Thinkific are a central place to host your content, manage the learner experience as they go through your course, and enable the sales and marketing functions so the whole customer journey, from discovery to consuming your content, can be put on automated.

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Pre-Sell Your Course

Next you’ll want to pre-sell your course.

This is an essential step and will save you a whole lot of heart-ache and uncertainty. Once you have proven the concept and you have sales for your course, all the other decisions should become more obvious.

Pre-selling is when you receive money for your course in advance of actually making it!

If you want to learn more about the exact process to pre-sell your course, check out ‘The Ultimate Guide to Pre-Selling Your Online Course‘.

Before you can pre-sell your course though, you need to be crystal clear on the transformation or outcome that people will get when they buy your course. If people don’t understand what your course will do for them, or they don’t value the transformation enough to pay for it, your course is unlikely to be successful.

Plan the Content

Once you have your course idea and have pre-sold it, it’s time to start planning the curriculum. Your course outline should be your guide when creating content – think of it as a roadmap that takes them from Point A (where they are now) to Point Z (their desired destination). And your content has to guide them in a logical way, between these points.

When planning your content, it’s also important to think about how you can make it engaging and interactive for your students, so they are more likely to persevere with your course, internalise the learning and therefor achieve their desired result. You can add interactive elements like quizzes, polls and videos.

Incorporating multimedia elements such as images, audio and video can also help to keep your students engaged.

Decide on the Tech

As for the tech you’ll need! If you are just starting out, you don’t need to buy a lot of expensive equipment. In fact I would recommend you start with what you’ve got. You can always upgrade later, as you get course sales!

So with that said, the tech you need will very much depend on the type of content you will be creating in your course. For example if you are sharing your knowledge via talking-head type videos, or sharing your computer screen, a simple webcam, microphone and screen recording software will likely be all you need.

Your computer probably already has a built-in mic and webcam, so you may only need to think about how you are going to record your screen (I use the recording option in Zoom, but there are plenty of other options).

If you want to up-level the quality with this type of content, you could invest in an external mic, webcam, ring-light, green-screen and more specialised screen recording and video editing software.

If on the other hand you are teaching something more practical like cookery, where you need to show what you are physically doing and perhaps explaining what you are doing at the same time, you will likely need a bit more equipment.

You could get started with just your smart phone, but if that’s the case I’d recommend investing in a tripod and an external lapel clip-on mic for better audio.

Again, if you wanted to up the quality from the basic set up, you could invest in something like the Sony ZV1 4K vlogging camera (sponsored link). It’s easy to use and will take your filming to the next level, allowing you to do much more advanced camera work, such as blurring the background of your shots. The Sony ZV1 also has an excellent built-in mic, meaning that you may decide that you don’t need to invest in an additional mic.

If you want to learn more about the tech side of course creation, check out my guide to ‘Mastering the Technical Must-Haves for Stunning Course Videos‘.

Price your course

When it comes to pricing your course, you need to make sure that you are pricing it in a way that reflects the value your course delivers. It’s important to take into consideration the amount of time and effort you have put into creating your course, as well as the amount of value your course can provide for your students.

You should also consider the market you are targeting. If your course is aimed at a high-end market or corporate customer, then you may might consider pricing your course at a higher rate.

However, if you are targeting a more budget conscious consumer, then you may want to consider pricing your course at a lower rate (at least initially). You can always raise your prices later!

This is another reason why pre-selling is a really good idea. When you pre-sell your course it is often priced 50% lower than the ultimate price you are thinking of charging once you have the everything polished, and you can ask your beta testers what price they think the course is worth, as part of your customer research.

Market your course

Once you have your course priced and ready to go, it’s time to start planning the marketing. There are many ways to promote your course, both free and paid, but you don’t want to just publish your course and then start posting about it on social media, or sending a couple of emails to your email list.

To successfully market your course you need to take time and actually plan a proper launch. A “proper launch” involves turning your marketing into an event or occasion, which allows you to create buzz around your course.

It’s important to remember that with any form of marketing, you need to measure the results so that you can make improvements and ensure that you are getting the best return on investment.

Online Course Creation: Final Words

So in conclusion, creating an online course can seem daunting at first, but with the right plan and research, it can be a successful and rewarding experience.

Don’t forget to do your market research up-front and then pre-sell your course. By doing this, you can ensure that your course has the best possible chance of being succesful.

I wish you all the best with your course creation journey!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

Q1: Why create your own online course?

Creating your own online course offers numerous benefits for entrepreneurs and business owners. It allows you to share your expertise and knowledge with a global audience, establish yourself as an authority in your field, and build a passive income stream. Online courses also give you the flexibility to work on your terms, reach a broader audience, and impact more lives.

Q2: How can I create a free online course?

Creating a free online course is an excellent strategy to attract potential customers and demonstrate the value of your expertise.

Here’s how to do it:
a. Choose a specific topic within your niche.
b. Outline the course content and structure.
c. Create video lessons or written materials.
d. Choose a platform to host your course (e.g., Teachable, Thinkific, or Kajabi) – sponsored links.
e. Promote your free course through social media, email lists, and your website.

Q3: How long does it take to create an online course?

The time it takes to create an online course can vary depending on the complexity of the topic and your preparation. Generally, it could take anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Factors like the length of the course, the depth of content, and your familiarity with the subject will all play a role. It’s essential to strike a balance between creating quality content and getting the course out in a reasonable time frame.

Q4: How profitable is creating an online course?

The profitability of an online course can be significant, but it varies widely depending on factors like the course’s quality, target audience, marketing strategies, and pricing. A well-designed course that addresses a specific demand within a lucrative niche can generate substantial revenue over time, especially if you consistently market it to the right audience.

Q5: How do you come up with a course idea?

To generate a course idea, consider the following steps:
a. Identify your expertise: Determine what knowledge or skills you possess that are valuable to others.
b. Research your audience: Understand the pain points, challenges, and needs of your target audience.
c. Validate demand: Check if there is a market for your course idea by conducting surveys or looking at online forums and communities. Facebook groups are good for this purpose.
d. Offer a unique angle: Differentiate your course by providing a unique approach or solving a specific problem within your niche.

Q6. How much money can you earn on Udemy?

Earning potential on Udemy varies widely, and success depends on factors like the quality of your course, marketing efforts, pricing, and demand for the topic. Udemy operates on a revenue-sharing model, so instructors typically earn a percentage of the course sales. While some instructors have made six-figure incomes on Udemy, it’s essential to focus on creating valuable content and building a strong marketing strategy to maximise your earnings.

For more on this check out ‘Cracking The Code: Insider Tips to Maximise profits From Your Udemy Course Sales‘.

Q7: How can I market my online course effectively?

To market your online course effectively, consider these strategies:
a. Build an email list: Collect emails from interested individuals and regularly communicate with them through newsletters and updates.
b. Use social media: Leverage various platforms to promote your course, share valuable content, and engage with your audience.
c. Collaborate with influencers: Partner with influencers or other experts in your niche who can help promote your course to their followers.
d. Offer free content: Provide free resources, such as blog posts or videos, to showcase your expertise and attract potential students.
e. Use paid advertising: Invest in targeted ads on platforms like Facebook, Google, or YouTube to reach a broader audience.

Q8: What equipment do I need to create an online course?

The equipment needed to create an online course depends on the type of content you want to produce. At a minimum, you’ll need a computer or laptop, a good-quality microphone, and a webcam for video-based courses. Additionally, consider investing in screen recording software, video editing tools, and a quiet, well-lit space for recording.

Q9: How can I handle student inquiries and support?

Providing excellent customer support is crucial for the success of your online course. You can set up a dedicated email address for student inquiries, create a private community or forum for course discussions, or use a learning management system that offers built-in support features. Respond promptly to student questions and concerns to ensure a positive learning experience.

Q10: Should I offer lifetime access to my course?

Offering lifetime access to your course can be a compelling selling point for potential students. However, it’s essential to consider the long-term implications and whether it aligns with your business goals. Offering lifetime access means committing to updating and maintaining the course indefinitely, which could be time-consuming and financially challenging.

Alternatively, you can provide access for a specified period, such as one year, and offer students the option to renew their access at a discounted rate.