Creating and launching an online course can be an incredibly rewarding venture, whether you’re looking to share your expertise, build a personal brand, or generate income.
But if you’re just starting out, the process might seem overwhelming.
How do you create content? What platform should you use? How do you market your course effectively?
In this beginner’s guide, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of creating and launching your first online course, from content creation to choosing the best platform and setting up for a successful launch.
Why Create an Online Course?
Before diving into the how-to, let’s talk about why creating an online course is worth your time and effort.
1. Share Your Expertise
Online courses allow you to share your unique skills and knowledge with others, whether it’s personal development, technical skills, or niche hobbies.
2. Generate Passive Income
Once you’ve created your course, it can become a source of passive income.
Students can sign up and take the course without you having to actively participate after it’s launched.
3. Expand Your Audience
Offering a course helps you build a community around your brand.
It’s a great way to attract new followers, grow your email list, and establish authority in your niche.
Steps to Creating Your First Online Course
Here are the key steps to successfully create and launch your course:
1. Choose Your Course Topic
Your first step is deciding on a topic. This should be something you’re passionate about and knowledgeable in, but also something people are interested in learning. Consider conducting audience research or asking your current followers what they’d like to learn from you.
2. Define Learning Objectives
Clearly outline what your students will learn by the end of the course. Learning objectives help you structure the course and give your students a clear understanding of what they’ll achieve.
3. Create an Outline
Break your course into manageable sections or modules. Each module should focus on one key learning point and include lessons that build on the previous ones. Start with an introduction, dive into the core content, and finish with a summary or final project.
4. Develop Course Content
This is where the bulk of your work will go. You’ll need to create videos, written content, quizzes, and any other course materials. Keep your audience in mind—use clear language and visuals, and don’t overwhelm students with too much information at once.
5. Choose the Right Platform
Selecting the best platform to host and sell your course is crucial to your success.
Below is a comparison of some of the best platforms for beginners.
| Platform | Ease of Use | Best For | Starting Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teachable | Very beginner-friendly, drag-and-drop editor | Coaches and new course creators | $39/month | Visit Teachable |
| Thinkific | Easy to use, customizable templates | Entrepreneurs and small businesses | $49/month | Visit Thinkific |
| Udemy | Extremely beginner-friendly, large marketplace | New instructors looking for an audience | Free (Revenue share model) | Visit Udemy |
| Podia | All-in-one platform with marketing tools | Content creators and freelancers | $39/month | Visit Podia |
| LearnWorlds | Advanced tools with interactive features | Educators and trainers | $24/month | Visit LearnWorlds |
6. Set Up Pricing
Once you’ve chosen a platform, decide on how you’ll price your course.
You can choose from several pricing models: one-time payments, subscriptions, or memberships.
Offer tiered pricing if possible, where basic access is cheaper and premium content is available for a higher price.
7. Create a Marketing Plan
You’ll need a strategy to promote your course.
Use email marketing, social media, and paid ads to reach potential students.
Building a landing page for your course can help showcase what your students will gain, the course structure, and testimonials (if available).
8. Launch Your Course
Now comes the exciting part—launching your course! Make sure to create buzz around your launch by offering early-bird pricing, free trials, or limited-time discounts.
Engage your audience leading up to the launch through email newsletters and social media posts.
Tools and Resources to Help You Launch Successfully
1. Video Creation Tools
- Camtasia: Great for screen recordings and video tutorials.
- iMovie: An easy-to-use video editing tool for Mac users.
- Loom: Ideal for creating quick video tutorials or overviews.
2. Design Tools
- Canva: Perfect for designing course slides, infographics, and social media graphics.
- Google Slides: A simple, free tool for creating course presentations.
3. Marketing Tools
- Mailchimp: Excellent for email marketing and building a launch email sequence.
- ConvertKit: Built specifically for content creators to engage with their audience.
Final Thoughts: Start Small and Scale Over Time
Creating and launching an online course can seem daunting at first, but remember: you don’t need to get everything perfect from the start.
Focus on delivering valuable content, and refine your course over time based on student feedback.
Start small, stay consistent, and scale as you gain more experience and insight into what works best for your audience.
FAQ: Creating and Launching an Online Course
1. How long should my online course be?
There’s no set length for an online course. Focus on delivering value. Some successful courses are an hour long, while others span several weeks.
2. Do I need professional video equipment?
No, many course creators start with just a smartphone and screen recording tools. As you grow, you can invest in better equipment, but it’s not essential when starting.
3. Can I change my course after launching it?
Yes, one of the benefits of online courses is that they’re easy to update. You can always refine and improve your course based on student feedback.
4. How much should I charge for my course?
Pricing depends on the value and complexity of your course. Beginners typically price courses between $50 to $200, while advanced or professional courses may go higher.
5. What’s the best platform for beginners?
Platforms like Teachable and Udemy are great for beginners due to their ease of use, templates, and support for first-time course creators.
Best online course platforms
Benjamin Shemesh is an ecommerce enthusiast and a digital marketing expert.
He loves surfing the ocean
