Useful Tips For Instructors To Create And Sell Their Online Courses

Steps To Create And Sell Online Courses

Many experts believe that global course consumption is expected to increase more with time. Here are some valuable tips on how you can successfully create and sell online courses:

The demand for online courses has significantly increased in recent years. Especially since the whole world came to a halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic and attending physical classes wasn’t a possibility, therefore, people shifted to e-learning. If you’re thinking of entering this market, you’re in the right direction, since it is an outstanding business opportunity.

If you have the knowledge and ability to teach a subject, you can easily create and sell your online course, and it takes very little time and money. To establish your customer base, you need to first strengthen your relationships and prove how you’re better than the other competitors in the market.

Moreover, apart from educating your students, it is also very important to build a strong bond with them and motivate them to work hard on their personal as well as professional development, and stay positive in life.


1. Create Quality Content

The first step is to select a specific course subject that you have expertise in and is highly valued (most high-selling subjects are career-related like business, computers, or writing). After you’ve chosen a niche topic and have done your research on the sub-topics, you need to create valuable and quality course content.

For that, you need to identify your target audience and ensure that your material offers value to them. Moreover, to attract your target audience, be careful while labeling your course and create a structured course outline to help students easily navigate the topics and categories.


2. Get the Right Tools and Gear

Get the Right Tools and Gear

After deciding the subject and topics, the second step involves making the course. Although you have an option of hiring instructional designers who could make the course for you, it’s more affordable to make it yourself. For this, you need to purchase tools that will help you produce quality content.

Thus, to properly convey the information, design a course that has quality graphics and images and appropriate formatting. Additionally, to achieve maximum clarity in a video, invest in high-standard gear like a good camera, professional lighting, and video editing software.


3. Decide Where You Want to Host and Sell Courses

Decide Where You Want to Host and Sell Courses

In order to make your course easily accessible, you’ll need to select a professional channel through which you can sell your online course while also getting control over branding and user experience. If you wish to learn more about these topics, click here for more valuable information and tips on how to establish your brand.

There are three ways in which you can host and sell your e-learning courses:

  • Online Course Marketplaces

An online course marketplace should not be your primary channel to host your course since these have restrictive rules and may demand a huge share in your revenue.

  • Online Course Platform

This hosting solution is designed in a way that can meet your needs (video editing or marketing) as an instructor who is looking to grow their business. Most platforms like Teachables offer various plans that include multiple features which can prove to be helpful for you.

However, depending upon your needs and budget, you can choose from different Teachable pricing plans that are essentially the same and offer training for novice course creators. Aside from course hosting, these platforms may offer features like marketing automation or website building.

Moreover, some platforms offer free services, but you might need to upgrade your plan to access more advanced options.

  • Learning Management Systems

Another simple and easy option is to self-host, which means setting up a system to host and sell your courses on your website while giving you complete freedom for branding.


4. Decide Your Charges

Decide Your Charges

When selling online courses, instructors or course creators commonly wonder how much they should charge for their courses. The price you set will communicate the value you’re offering, so it’s important to determine the perfect charges by considering your production expenses, market prices, and the amount your customers will be willing to spend.

Even though you’re not providing your product or services in a physical form, they’re still highly valued. Thus, while keeping your revenue goals in mind, there are different models you can use to structure payments.

  • One-Off Payments

The most straightforward pricing method is to give students complete access to the course upon making an upfront payment since that can make it easier for instructors to propose their value.

  • Subscriptions

Subscriptions allow you to offer customers multiple payment options. This way, your students can access offers and deals in exchange for recurring membership fees (e.g., weekly or monthly payments).

  • Premium

In a premium course, your students can either make a lump-sum payment or pay through installments. Thus, your premium plan can include an extended version of your course, consisting of exclusive content or certifications.

To decide which pricing strategy you want to adopt, you’ll need to evaluate your target market by taking their income and needs into consideration. Additionally, an e-commerce platform will allow your students to make payments through debit or credit cards.


5. Seed Launch Your Course

Open to booking

Before you can officially launch your course, you should test it by pre-selling. This way, you can find out and resolve any issues that may arise. By selling your course before launching it, you’ll get an idea of the audience who are interested in buying your product.

Thus, you can offer discounts or free trials for students who enroll first. Subsequently, this seed launch will help you gauge the profitability of the market and learn strategies that you can incorporate into your overall plan.


6. Use Social Media as a Marketing Tool

Social Media

Social media can act as an essential tool for marketing your online course. Create posts on platforms like Facebook or Instagram to promote new classes and engage with your target audience. By having a social media presence and uploading consistent relevant posts, you’ll be able to connect with collaborators as well.

However, you don’t have to constantly advertise your product, instead share interesting content and opinions related to your niche industry. Try to engage with your audience on all accounts to build your image and convert possible clients into customers.


Conclusion

Creating an online course can help you build your brand and act as an additional source of passive income. The world is shifting towards online education, now, more than ever, which makes this the perfect time to step into this industry for good returns.

However, to make your course profitable, you need to develop a marketing strategy to promote your online course, which will result in increased sales.

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