How to sell online courses in 2022 [Ultimate guide] -
Making online courses available it is cost-effective and straightforward. What you choose to publish is your choice - we're only here to assist your efforts and make it as easy as possible.
And in that spirit in that spirit, here's the complete step-by-step guide to guide you on the right path. Also, you will find details about free software that you can use to create and sell an online course with a profit.
Links to quick-find items we'll discuss:
- Pick a course topic
- Research Market Demand
- Outline Course Content and Learning Outcomes
- Define the Formats of the Course
- Make a Film, Write Scripts and Edit
- Select a Platform to Sell On
- Add Your Online Class
- Set Pricing
- Promoting and Launch
- Find feedback, improve and Enhance
What You'll Need to Create Online Courses
People equate production values with expertise and quality. Therefore, it's worthwhile to invest in some kit to make your course appear professional. However, before we dive into the various tools that will be required to make your online courses, remember to prioritize the quality of your content before the recording quality of your course online.
In that regard, here are some suggestions that can assist you in creating an effective online course.
1. Camera
Most smartphones nowadays can record very decent quality videos. The quality of your videos by making sure that your smartphone is standing on a solid base, such as the tripod, or the stack of books! It's also a good option to invest in a basic lighting kit or make your video in a location with a lot of consistent natural light.
If you're looking to make an investment that will be worthwhile as a course designer, we suggest investing in DSLR cameras, as well as a quality lighting setup.
2. Green Screen
You might want to consider purchasing an green screen could be used to create different backgrounds onto your videos. The result is that your videos will appear more professional. The most important thing is that you could choose to shoot your online courses over several days. Therefore, a green screen would ensure that your background is consistent across the videos.
3. Microphone
Be sure your students hear you clear. You can start with an audio clip or lapel mic that usually costs around $25. There are also some great audio-streaming USB microphones available on the market, that don't break the budget.
4. Video Editing Software
Editing software is likely to appear on your checklist. If you're not planning something too complex, you can use an editing software that is free, like iMovie (for Mac users) and OpenShot, VSDC, and ShotCut (for Windows users).
5. Screen Recording Software
If you are required to show slide shows or perform tasks on your computer it is possible that you require the software to record your screen. There are free programs as well as online tools that could perform the task, such as QuickTime or Loom. Be aware that these programs will only allow recording up to the resolution of 720p, not 1080p or greater.
How to create and market profitable online courses
1. Choose a Topic for a Course
The subject matter of your course must be a blend of your passions and expertise, and your prospective customers' needs and expectations.
No matter what your field of experience, tailoring your course content to the needs of an audience in particular can pay off. Consider the main reasons people would search for classes on the internet that are related to your field of expertise: are they looking to change something in their life, learn how to do something else, fix problems or boost the prospects of their careers?
Try to be specific with the course concept. Course topics such as 'How to Photograph wedding Photos for Beginners are likely to be the benefit of a clearly defined audience and a better chance to convert new customers "How to improve your photography'.
2. Research Market Demand
Your students are excited about the course theme and are eager to begin filming. However, you need to wait! You must know your audience before you even begin writing the scripts and filming the online courses. In the end, who would want to work for hours on an online course to discover it isn't demanded by the people you want to reach? No one, that's who!
Data-driven decision making is essential for building your online course business. There are several methods to carry out market study:
- Interest in reviewing. Using Google Trends it is possible to input the keywords for your subject and assess the interest level globally and by specific countries, or time-frame.
- Find out what your ideal audience might be asking about. Using Answer The Public to find out various questions that individuals are asking regarding specific topics.
- Join communities on Reddit and Quora. Identify various questions and issues that users are facing within your niche. Ask your questions on the forums to inspire others to post their questions on your thread. It could even help you with more content could be included in the course content.
- Talk to your target market. There's nothing better than hearing from potential customers in person. Reach out and set up one-on-one calls with them to learn about the needs of your customers and their pain points. Remember to do enough phone calls to make sure that the results you get aren't influenced by.
- Research your competitors. Determine who your rivals are, as well as what services they're offering. Be assured that there are others that have written about the same topics, this proves that there's a market to your chosen topic. Consider ways to provide a unique selling point within your course. Consider:
- Does anyone know a more efficient way to explain the subject matter to the audience?
- Do I have the option of tailoring the subject for a specific audience group?
3. Outline Instructional Learning Outcomes and Content
Based on your findings Determine the learning objectives of your online course. You and your students comprehend the intended outcome of your course. Setting ambiguous or inaccurate expectations will not only make your students frustrated, but it will also cause the creation of your course to be very frustrating for you.
An excellent practice is to add this line: "By the end of this course you will be able to"
Here are some examples of learning outcomes:
- At the conclusion of this course, you will be able to learn how to shoot wedding photographs inside in a setting
- At the conclusion of this class you'll be able to learn how to cook tasty recipes using leftover food
- At the conclusion of this course, you will be able to learn how to cook vegan dishes with no the use of processed ingredients.
Making sure you have concise results from your course will make it easier for you to market your online course towards a particular market down the line.
After you've written down the learning objectives, begin piecing together all the information into smaller lessons within every section. Divide your online course into clear sections so that students are able to move naturally between sections to move on to the next section.
Examples:
The topic of the course: How to Take Wedding Pictures for beginners
- Section 1: Introduction to the wedding photography equipment
- What are the tools you need to buy to make
- How to adjust your camera settings like professionals do
- Section 2: Understanding how to model your models
- How to frame your models outside
- How to frame models inside
When you've got a crystal clear course outline, you should be able for building your course content, taking each lesson one at a time. Each lesson needs to have its own detailed guide as well as a range of activities for students to work through. In each lesson, try to set clear learning goals which students leave with.
4. Choose the Formats for Courses
Most online course creators focus on video-based lessons, but there are many ways to create different types of lessons, including:
- Video
- Text
- Quiz
- Assignment
- Survey
- Downloadable
- Embed
Utilize a range of lesson types to make your online course fun. Remember that every student learns in a different way. Certain students are better off with the use of visuals, while others do better when they have the opportunity active participation in assessments and quizzes.
5. Write Script, Film, and Edit
You should now have a clear idea of your course plan. Now is the time to put your content together and begin creating your lesson plans!
If you are teaching using video, begin by writing a script. With careful writing, you can ensure that your lesson is logically organized, simple to follow, and concise. It is possible to use a teleprompter app to display your script in a tablet display that is mounted next to your camera. It's much more efficient than trying to remember it all!
If you're lucky, you'll get a perfect take on the first attempt. It's rare to be this lucky - not even in Hollywood. Most course creators need several sessions. Rehearse your script and expect it to take at most three attempts to create the course's content in a way you're happy with.
Make sure to edit your video to improve its quality. video production. Make sure your audio is in good shape, and add text and pop-ups whenever you need to.
6. Pick a platform to sell on
Here are a few of the top features available at
- Contrary to many other online courses platforms out there, is completely free! Yes, this isn't simply a trial offer It's totally free. You can access every single feature without spending anything. Charges a 5% transaction fee when you make a sale. This is a great option especially if you're just starting out and don't have a huge amount of sales right now.
- It offers a range of options that online course creators can use, including the ability to host videos in-house, custom branding, drip courses and an array of intriguing lesson types such as texts, videos and quizzes, downloads, survey, assignment, and embeds.
- It is an eCommerce platform therefore you are able to create the perfect landing page that is fully customized. It is also possible to create a complete website with its powerful store builders. You'll be in control of the course you sell on your own website.
- There are a myriad of pricing options including one-time fees or subscriptions as well as installment plans.
- Access to your Store's analytics as well as Marketing tools to run successful campaigns.
7. Upload Your Online Course on
Within your account, navigate there to click the Products tab, then click on the "Add new product" button. Next, select "Course", and you'll be taken to the screen in which you'll be able to include your course's online item information.
Be sure to keep:
- Customize the sales pages of your website. This is where you'll provide an extensive description of what your online course is about to your potential customers. Information you provide on your sales page can greatly affect the amount of traffic that comes from search engines , as well as the conversion from your site users into customers. You can modify your customer's checkout and thank-you pages as well.
- You can create a certificate for completion. At you can instantly issue a certificate of completion for proof that a student has finished your online course. They can provide a sense of satisfaction for your students and as a bonus they may be enticed by them to brag about their achievements on social media and, in turn, be a free promotion for the instructor!
- Make a drip schedule (if required). You can make certain course content available for students to access over a certain duration of time.
8. Set Pricing
It's a challenge for those who are trying to market online courses for the first time. You can research the going cost for similar content, however you'll likely have to evaluate the market and be prepared for some trial and failure. You may have to start at a lower price in order to gain a foothold and get some reviews, before charging a greater cost later.
There are various pricing options available on the platform. These include a one-time fee per course, payment plans as well as subscriptions.
Extra content like downloadable guidebooks, live classes and even coaching are excellent methods to increase sales opportunities.
9. Promoting and Launching
After you've completed the creation of your course content It's the time to go live with it and start driving visitors to your site!
Join relevant Facebook Groups and engage with the community by providing professional advice and guidance for free. The growth of your social media presence is an effective strategy to expand your audience.
Then, you can use emails to advertise the course you are offering to your subscribers via email. Email marketing will be more successful if you have established a baseline of trust and confidence with potential customers.
Create a blog to grow your email list. Develop your blog's content and social media posts around the goals your students want to accomplish and provide a glimpse of answers that can be found in your course.
Testimonials are like gold dust. Try everything to obtain them, and then do all you can to use them. If someone has had a positive impression of one of your online courses they're likely to be happy to talk about it - but they typically need to ask. Therefore, don't be shy. Testimonials are among the most effective marketing to achieve.
10. Find feedback, refine, and Enhance
The most well-known subjects, designing online courses is a highly competitive enterprise. Getting feedback from participants will assist you in improving the value of the content. Get specific feedback about things that people think are the most useful and less helpful elements of the program as well as how they believe it could be improved.
The feeling isn't always pleasant even after you've invested a lot of effort into the course's creation. This isn't the right time to be slack in your skin. Be open to feedback , and then use it to make your courses further improved.
Hopefully, these tips will aid you in planning how to sell profitable online courses. The mechanics of doing it through remain, in all likelihood, straightforward. There's always someone to help you if you get stuck.
Have a great time!