Are you booked solid with 1 on 1 clients and thinking how can you leverage your time? Well an online course might be a great place to start!
I have put together 5 steps to ensure your course is planned well, is visually appealing and stands out from the crowd. Let’s dive in!
First we start with the Topic so we can do a Pre-sale!
What is your course going to teach your students? What do your target market want to learn? How can you fill this knowledge gap that they have? Once you have your topic you can start to think about the content you would include. Always remember sell them what they want, give them what they need!
You then need to start to pre market the course, to make sure there is interest! Use this time to create excitement and have a waiting list of interested people so that you can offer a pre-launch special. Think about where your potential students are and focus your marketing in those areas. Use your current mailing list and social media audiences to advertise to them as well, they are obviously already interested in you so they are a great warm market!
Pre selling your course means you won’t waste time creating the course if there is no interest.You also start on the best foot with money coming in! Plus what is better motivation to actually finish creating the course than having students waiting for the first intake!
Once you have a pre sell list / waiting list then it’s time to start on the content side of things.
2. Course Content
Plan your course outline, how many units will you include, how long will the course run for?
Remember at this step that people learn all different ways so consider how you will present your content, audio, video, text, etc. I use and recommend Thinkific, it’s easy to use, hosts all the content for you and is scales with your business – you can grab a FREE month on the business plan through my link here.
The next step is to create/record your lesson content and then Edit! If you are dripping out content you only need to get the first module done before opening the doors.
3. Beta Test
It’s always a great idea if you can, to have a beta group complete your course so that you have testimonials to use straight away in your marketing. Or offer a few spots to those on your wait list at a discount price to be a beta tester. It’s also a great way to get feedback for improvements.
4. Launch
Once you have the course setup ready & content planned it’s time to launch! Set up your sales page, promote your course on your website and social media. Contact your pre sales, contact your marketing list. Guest blogging or joining a podcast are ways to introduce new possible clients to your brand and to your course. Host a webinar, you can also record the webinar and repurpose it for additional marketing.
5. Report
It’s really important that you know your numbers. Know how many people you need in your course intakes to break even and to make a profit. Knowing your numbers gives you knowledge in how to market the course strongly. The first time you launch your course if you break even you have done an awesome job!
So what course are you thinking about launching?
Need help with courses? As Thinkific specialists we are here to help. Get in touch today.