How to Create an Online Course: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
How to Create an Online Course: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
Are you ready to turn your expertise into a profitable online course? Creating an online course may sound daunting, but with the right steps and tools, you can craft a professional course that resonates with your audience and brings value to your business. In this guide, we’ll walk you through every stage of the process, from planning your course to launching it online.
As a Course Creator and Facilitator of over 30 years, I have enjoyed not only the creation process, but the pleasure I see on my students faces when they have achieved something I taught them that they didn't think was possible. Particularly when it comes to the technical aspect of business.
Why Create an Online Course?
The e-learning industry is booming, with a projected market size of over $400 billion by 2026. Online courses allow you to:
- Share your unique expertise.
- Build a passive income stream.
- Establish yourself as an authority in your field.
If you’re wondering, "Can I really make money making online courses?", the answer is a resounding yes. Many educators, coaches, and entrepreneurs are turning their knowledge into six-figure incomes through well-designed courses. Particularly in the health and wellness, spiritual and therapy niches.
Step 1: Identify Your Niche and Audience
Before you create anything, determine:
- Your Expertise: What topic can you confidently teach others? This could be anything from cooking to programming and everything in between. The most important part of this is that you choose a topic that you will ENJOY teaching
- Your Target Audience: Who will benefit from your course? Understand their challenges, goals, and what they’re searching for.
Use tools like AnswerThePublic to find common questions about your topic, or search forums like Quora for pain points in your niche
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Step 2: Ascertain Demand
To ensure there’s demand for your course:
- Conduct Surveys: Ask your existing audience what they need. If you don't have an audience yet, you can ask your friends, family or colleagues. Alternatively find groups of people in your niche and ask if they would be willing to do a survey with you.
- Research Competitors: Explore successful courses on platforms like Udemy, System.io, or Thinkific.
- Run a Pre-Sale: Gauge interest by selling your course before it’s fully created. This also helps you fund the development process!
Step 3: Outline Your Course
Creating a clear course structure is crucial. Break your content into:
- Modules: These are the larger themes or sections of your course.
- Lessons: Bite-sized, actionable steps under each module.
- Assignments: Include exercises or quizzes to reinforce learning.
Example Outline for a Course on Time Management:
Module 1: Understanding Productivity
- Lesson 1: Common Time-Wasters
- Lesson 2: Setting Realistic Goals
Module 2: Tools and Techniques
- Lesson 1: Using Time-Blocking
- Lesson 2: Digital Productivity Tools
Step 4: Choose the Right Tools
To create and host your course, you’ll need:
- Course Creation Tools: Tools like Canva for slide design and Loom or my favourite is Zoom for screen recordings.
- Hosting Platforms: Use platforms like Teachable or System.io to deliver your course.
- Marketing Tools: Email platforms like Mailchimp or ConvertKit can help you promote your course to your audience.
Step 5: Record and Edit Your Content
Your course content can include:
- Video Lectures: Use a good-quality webcam or smartphone.
- Slides with Voiceovers: Pair visuals with audio explanations.
- Downloadable Resources: Worksheets, PDFs, or templates.
- Utilise AI: You can collapse the time it takes, by using AI tools and resources
Don’t worry if you’re not tech-savvy. User-friendly tools like iMovie, Camtasia, or Descript make editing simple.
Step 6: Price Your Course
Pricing your course depends on:
- The depth of content. This could be a simple Starter course, a Mid-Range course or a Signature Course.
- Your target audience’s budget is a factor to consider when creating courses.
- Industry standards. Whilst you would need to research your niche, typically prices range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.
Start with competitive research to find what similar courses charge. A well-structured, value-packed course can command higher prices.
Step 7: Launch and Promote Your Course
No course will succeed without marketing. Here's how to get started:
- Build a Landing Page: Highlight benefits of purchasing your course, testimonials if you have them, and a clear call to action.
- Grow Your Email List: Offer free lead magnets like e-books to attract subscribers. This is something that you can be doing before your course is even created.
- Leverage Social Media: Use Instagram, TikTok, or Pinterest to generate interest. Go where your people flow and my tip is NOT to spread yourself to thin. You do not have to be on ALL of the social media platforms to be successful.
Check out HubSpot's Guide to Landing Pages for tips on creating high-converting course pages.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping Market Research: This leads to courses nobody wants. I cannot implore you enough to not only check if people want what you will offer, that you also carry out extensive Keyword and SEO research, to ensure that when you do launch. You will be found.
- Overloading Content: Keep it actionable and concise. Gone are the days, of long pre-ambles prior to the meaty part of the course starts. Get it started quickly and in bite size pieces.
- Neglecting Marketing: If people can’t find your course, they won’t buy it. If you can afford to, pay someone to do this consistently for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on the depth of content. Many creators complete courses in 4–12 weeks. You may decide to create the entirety of your course, once students have purchased and drp it out to them week by week. This time can also be condensed with the use of AI.
Absolutely! Tools like AI, Teachable and Canva make it easy for beginners.
Start Building Your Course Today
Creating an online course is an excellent way to share your expertise, grow your business, and establish your authority. Whether you're teaching time management, programming, or another skill, the process is achievable with the right tools and strategy.
Whilst you can purchase other peoples courses to sell, there is nothing better than owning your own IP that you can sell over and over again. So if anything happens to a company that you are selling for, you will never be without your OWN product.
Ready to create your first course? Download our free course creation guide using AI
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DISCLAIMER: Affiliate links may have been used in this blog
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