How to Make Money Teaching What You Know Online

Have you ever wondered why some people make big money selling online courses while others struggle for even one sale? The key isn't just being an expert. You need the right plan. In this guide, I'll show you step-by-step how to create, sell, and profit from your own online course.

Understanding Online Courses

The online learning world is exploding and not slowing down any time soon. People want to learn, and they'll pay for it if you give real value.

What Makes Courses Profitable?

Online courses make money for one reason: you create it once but can sell it over and over. Unlike trading your time for money at a job, your course keeps working while you sleep!
I'll never forget when I made my first course sale while grocery shopping. Someone had paid me $97 while I was just grabbing apples! It was so eye-opening.
But not all courses make money. The profitable ones solve real problems for specific people. They give clear results that students can point to and say "This changed my situation."
Think about what problems you can solve. Can you teach meal planning for weight loss? Guitar lessons? Home organization systems? Turn your skills into profitable courses.

Online Course Trends to Know

The online course world changes fast. You need to stay on top of what learners want today.
Short, focused courses are beating long, comprehensive ones. People want quick wins and specific solutions, not information overload. They look for courses they can finish in days or weeks, not months.
Mobile learning is essential. Most people now take courses on phones and tablets, so your content must work on small screens.
Community features are becoming must-haves. Students want to connect with each other and with you. Courses with active communities get better results and fewer refunds.
Video quality expectations are way up. You don't need Hollywood-level production, but shaky phone videos won't cut it anymore. Clear audio matters even more than perfect video.
The good news? Course platforms have made creating and selling easier than ever. Tools like Teachable, Thinkific, and Kajabi handle the tech stuff for you.

Finding Your Niche

The worst advice I ever got was "teach your passion." That's only half right. You need to teach the intersection between:

• What you know well
• What you enjoy teaching
• What people will pay to learn

The money is in niches. The more specific your course, the less competition and easier to market. A general "dog training" course faces brutal competition. But "training puppies to stop biting" speaks to a specific audience with a clear need.
To find your niche, ask yourself:

• What do people ask me for help with?
• What solutions have I created that others might need?
• Where do my skills and others' needs overlap?

Don't panic if you find competing courses. Competition shows there's a market that will pay. No competition often means no market.
Study those competing courses. Read reviews. What do students love? Wish was included? Use this to make your course better.

Laying the Groundwork

Before you hit record on lesson one, build a solid base. This prep will save you countless hours and increase success.

Define Your Target Audience

Biggest mistake? Trying to create a course "for everyone." Your course isn't for everyone—and that's good!
Get super clear on exactly who you're teaching. Create a detailed picture of your ideal student. What's their age? Income? Biggest problems and desires?
For example, instead of "people who want to learn photography," target "busy parents who want better photos of their kids with the phones they already own."
The clearer you describe your student, the more your course will speak directly to them. When someone feels like you're reading their mind, they'll buy.
Talk to real people who match your target student profile. Ask about their challenges, goals, and what would make a course valuable. Their answers will improve your course.

Conduct Market Research

Market research confirms people will pay for what you're making.
Here are simple ways to research:

• Read Amazon reviews of books on your topic. What do readers love or wish was included? Clues for your course.
• Join Facebook groups where your audience hangs out. Notice questions asked repeatedly—those are problems your course can solve.
• Use Google Trends to see if interest in your topic is growing or declining. A downward trend doesn't mean give up, but you may need to reposition it.
• Create a simple survey and share it with potential students. Ask what struggles they face and goals they'd want to achieve.
• Consider a free mini-course or webinar to test interest. Sign-up rates show demand, and you'll get valuable feedback to improve your paid course.

Create a Unique Value Proposition

With thousands of courses available, why should someone choose yours? Your unique value proposition (UVP) answers this.
A strong UVP combines what you offer with what makes it different from alternatives. It should promise a specific benefit in a specific timeframe.
For example: "Learn to create Facebook ads that actually convert—even if you're tech-challenged—in just 7 days."
This UVP specifies:

• The skill (Facebook ads that convert)
• The unique approach (designed for non-tech people)
• The timeframe (7 days)

Your UVP should be prominent on your sales page and course description.
To develop your UVP, answer these questions:

• What specific result does your course deliver?
• How quickly can students expect results?
• What makes your teaching approach different?
• Who is your course specifically designed for?
• What objection or obstacle does your course overcome?

The more specific your UVP, the more it will resonate with ideal students.

Planning Your Course Content

Content planning is where great courses are made or doomed to mediocrity. Take time to get this right.

Set Clear Learning Objectives

Learning objectives define what students will be able to do after completing your course. They're the promises you're making.
Great objectives are:

• Specific and measurable
• Focused on skills, not just info
• Achievable within your course timeframe

Instead of vague objectives like "understand social media marketing," use specific ones like "create an Instagram content calendar that generates consistent engagement."
Start by writing your main course objective—the big result students will achieve. Then break this down into smaller objectives for each section.
These objectives:

1. Keep your content focused on results, not just info
2. Help students track progress and stay motivated

When someone finishes your course, they should be able to point to specific new abilities they didn't have before. Those tangible results drive great reviews and referrals.

Structure Your Course

A well-structured course takes students from where they are now to their desired outcome. The path should feel logical and progressive.
Think of your course structure as a staircase, not a firehose. Each step builds on the previous one. Students should never feel lost or overwhelmed.
Here's a proven structure that works for most courses:

1. Quick win module: Start with something simple that gives students an immediate result. This builds confidence and momentum.
2. Foundation modules: Cover the essential concepts and skills students need before tackling more advanced topics.
3. Implementation modules: Show how to apply what they've learned to achieve specific outcomes.
4. Advanced modules: Explore deeper topics for those who want to continue developing their skills.
5. Troubleshooting module: Address common problems and questions students might encounter.

Within each module, keep lessons focused on a single concept or skill. Break complex topics into digestible chunks. A good rule of thumb: if you can't explain the main point of a lesson in one sentence, it's trying to cover too much.

Module Type	Purpose	Ideal Length	Example Content
Quick Win	Build confidence	5-15 minutes	Setting up a basic account
Foundation	Teach core concepts	15-30 minutes per lesson	Understanding key principles
Implementation	Show practical application	20-40 minutes per lesson	Step-by-step demonstrations
Advanced	Deepen knowledge	15-30 minutes per lesson	Advanced strategies and techniques
Troubleshooting	Solve common problems	10-20 minutes per problem	FAQ and problem-solving

Should you pre-record your course or teach it live? Both approaches have pros and cons.

Pre-recorded courses:

• Create once, sell forever
• Students learn at their own pace
• You can edit out mistakes
• Easier to maintain quality
• Allows you to scale without more time

Live courses:

• Create deeper student engagement
• Allow real-time Q&A and feedback
• Often command higher prices
• Build stronger community connections
• Provide accountability for students

Many successful course creators use a hybrid approach. They pre-record core content for consistency, then add live Q&A sessions or coaching calls for personalization.
Consider:

• Your teaching style (do you thrive with live interaction?)
• Your availability (can you commit to regular live sessions?)
• Your topic (does it require real-time feedback?)
• Your audience (what format do they prefer?)

For beginners, I recommend starting with pre-recorded. You can always add live elements later as you grow your student base and get more comfortable teaching.

Developing Your Course Content

Now for the fun part—creating content that keeps students engaged and gets real results.

Create Engaging Course Materials

Quality teaching matters more than fancy production. Focus on clarity, engagement, and results.
Break complex topics into smaller, manageable parts. The brain learns better in chunks. A series of 10-minute videos is more effective than one 60-minute lecture.
Use the "what, why, how" framework for each lesson:

• WHAT you're teaching (define it clearly)
• WHY it matters (motivation)
• HOW to do it (step-by-step instruction)

Include plenty of examples that show real-world applications. The more students can relate concepts to familiar situations, the better they'll understand.
Combine different teaching methods like videos, text summaries, checklists, and practical exercises. This serves different learning preferences.
End each lesson with an action step. Give students something specific to apply what they just learned. This cements the knowledge and builds momentum.
Keep language simple. Avoid jargon unless teaching it specifically. Explain complex ideas with analogies and metaphors that connect to everyday experiences.
Remember attention spans are short. Change something on screen every 30-60 seconds—switch between your face, slides, demos, or other visuals.

Use Multimedia

Multimedia improves learning by engaging different parts of the brain—not just about being interesting.
Videos are the backbone of most online courses. They create personal connection and are perfect for demos. Keep them concise—5-15 minutes per lesson is ideal.
Screen recordings are essential for software or digital skills. Students need to see exactly what you're doing. Use a tool like Camtasia that lets you zoom in on key areas.
Text materials complement videos by providing quick reference guides. Include downloadable PDFs of key concepts, checklists, and summaries.
Quizzes help students check understanding and retain info. Even simple multiple choice questions make learning more active.
Worksheets and templates give students practical tools to apply what they're learning. These are often the most valuable part of a course because they save time and provide structure.
Audio options like downloadable MP3s of your lessons allow students to learn while commuting or exercising. This increases course completion.
Interactive elements like polls and discussions dramatically boost engagement. Platforms like Thinkific and Teachable make these easy to add.
The best courses thoughtfully layer these elements. For each lesson, ask: "What's the most effective way to teach this concept?"

Storyboard Your Course

Before recording anything, create a storyboard—a visual outline of your entire course. This saves tons of time and ensures logical flow.
Start with a simple outline of modules and lessons. For each lesson, note:

• The main learning objective
• Key points to cover
• Examples to include
• Visuals needed (slides, demos, etc.)
• Action steps for students

Then sequence your lessons in the optimal learning order, not the order they came to mind. Ask: What needs to be understood first? What builds on what?
Consider a mind map or flowchart showing how different parts of your course connect. This bird's-eye view helps spot gaps or repetition.
For individual lessons, sketch the flow of information. Will you start with a story? Present a problem? Show a demo? Having a plan prevents rambling and keeps lessons focused.
Don't skip planning! Every hour spent storyboarding saves many hours in production and revision.

Choosing Your Course Platform

You've planned your content. Now you need a home for it. The right platform makes a huge difference in the student experience.

Pick the Right Learning Management System (LMS)

An LMS is the software that hosts your course. There are many options, from simple to sophisticated. The best one depends on your needs and tech comfort level.

Hosted platforms like Teachable, Thinkific, and Kajabi handle all the tech stuff for you. They're the easiest way to start. You pay a monthly fee, but you don't need to worry about websites, hosting, or payment processing. If tech isn't your thing, these platforms are worth every penny.

WordPress plugins like LearnDash and LifterLMS give you more control but require more setup. You'll need your own WordPress site and some technical know-how. The advantage is lower long-term costs and more customization options.

All-in-one platforms like Kajabi and Podia include not just course hosting but email marketing, website building, and sales funnels. They cost more but replace several other tools you might need.

When comparing platforms, consider these key features:

• Student experience is paramount. Can students easily navigate, track progress, and access content on mobile? Even the best content fails if students get frustrated with the platform.
• Payment options matter too. Can you offer payment plans, coupons, bundles, different currencies? These features can significantly increase conversions.
• Look at content delivery options. Can you drip content over time, password protect lessons, or set prerequisites?
• Don't overlook analytics. Good platforms show you which lessons students complete, where they get stuck, and how they engage with content. This data helps improve your course.

For beginners, I recommend starting with Teachable or Thinkific. They're user-friendly, reasonably priced, and have the features most course creators need.

Design an Attractive Course Page

Your course page is your 24/7 salesperson. It needs to clearly communicate the value of your course and overcome objections.
The headline should grab attention by stating the main benefit. "Learn Excel" is weak. "Master Excel in 14 Days (Even if You're a Beginner)" is stronger because it states the benefit and timeframe.
Use a compelling course description that speaks directly to your ideal student's problems and desires. Focus on transformation, not just information. What will change in their life after taking your course?
Include social proof like testimonials from beta testers or past students. If you're just starting out, get quotes from people who've learned from you in other contexts.
Course contents should be clearly listed. Break down what students will learn in each module. This shows the scope of your course and the logical progression.
Address common objections directly. If people might worry about the time commitment, explain how the course fits busy schedules. If they might question the right background, clarify who the course is for.
Add urgency when possible. Limited-time discounts, bonus content for early sign-ups, or cohort-based start dates give people a reason to enroll now rather than "someday."
Use high-quality images that represent your course content or the end result students want. Avoid cheesy stock photos that look fake.
Include a strong instructor bio that establishes your credibility. Why should people learn this from you specifically? Share relevant experience and results you've achieved.
End with a clear call to action. Make the "Enroll Now" or "Join Course" button large, colorful, and impossible to miss.

Make Your Course Accessible

Creating an accessible course isn't just the right thing to do—it expands your potential audience and improves the experience for everyone.
Add captions to all videos. This helps deaf or hard-of-hearing students, people in noisy environments, and those who process written information better than audio. Many platforms offer automatic captioning, though you'll want to review for accuracy.
Provide transcripts of videos. These help students who prefer reading to watching and make your content searchable. They're also great for review.
Use clear, readable fonts in all written materials. Fancy fonts might look cool but can be hard to read. Stick with simple sans-serif fonts like Arial or Verdana at a reasonable size.
Ensure good color contrast in slides and materials. Black text on white background is best for readability. Avoid light on light or dark on dark.
Structure content logically with proper headings. This helps students navigate and understand the organization of material.
Allow students to learn at their own pace. Some platforms let students adjust video speed or mark lessons complete when ready to move on.
Offer content in multiple formats when possible. If you explain a concept in video, also provide it in text. This serves different learning preferences and accessibility needs.
Be mindful of language. Avoid idioms that might confuse non-native speakers. Explain industry jargon when necessary.
Making your course accessible takes more effort upfront but creates a better learning experience for all.

Marketing Your Course

Even the best course won't sell itself. You need a solid marketing strategy to reach the right people.

Develop a Pre-Launch Strategy

Start marketing long before launch. Building anticipation creates momentum for a successful release.
Start building an email list ASAP. Offer a free resource related to your course topic in exchange for emails. This "lead magnet" could be a cheat sheet, mini-course, or useful template.
Create teaser content that provides value while hinting at deeper knowledge in your course. Blog posts, YouTube videos, and podcast episodes work well. Each should solve a small problem related to your topic.
Share your course creation journey. Behind-the-scenes content builds connection and shows the care you're putting into the course. Post snippets on social media of you planning or recording lessons.
Gather early interest with a waitlist. Set up a simple page where people can sign up to be notified of your launch date. This creates exclusivity and gives you an audience ready for your announcement.
Consider a beta launch at a discount price. Invite a small group to take your course before official launch. Their feedback improves your content, and their success stories become powerful testimonials.
Create a launch date and talk about it publicly. This deadline creates urgency to finish your course and gives potential students something concrete to look forward to.
Set up a simple pre-launch email sequence to your list:

• Explain the problem your course solves
• Share valuable related content
• Tell student success stories
• Address common objections
• Invite people to join your waitlist

The goal is not just to announce your course, but to establish yourself as a trusted expert before launch day.

Use SEO for Visibility

Search engine optimization helps people find your course when searching for solutions you provide.
Start with keyword research to understand terms people use when searching your topic. Tools like Google's Keyword Planner show search volume and competition for keywords.
Focus on long-tail keywords—specific phrases with less competition. "How to train a puppy to stop biting" will be easier to rank for than just "dog training."
Create content around these keywords. Blog posts, YouTube videos, and podcasts optimized for key terms can drive traffic to your course. Each should provide real value while mentioning your course as a next step.
Optimize your course page for relevant keywords. Naturally include them in your headline, description, and content list. Don't awkwardly overstuff keywords—write for humans first, search engines second.
Use proper heading structure (H1, H2, H3) on your course page and content pages. This helps search engines understand your information architecture.
Add alt text to images describing what they show. This aids accessibility and gives search engines more info about your content.
Get backlinks from relevant sites in your niche, like through guest posts, interviews, or collaborations. High-quality links can significantly improve search rankings.
SEO is a long game that compounds over time. Don't expect instant results, but consistent effort will eventually drive a steady stream of interested students to your course.

Use Social Media

Social media is one of the most powerful course marketing tools if used strategically.
First, don't try to be everywhere. Pick 1-2 platforms where your ideal students already hang out. LinkedIn may be best for business topics. Instagram or Pinterest for creative skills. YouTube for in-depth tutorials.
Create a consistent posting schedule, like 2-3 times per week. Consistency builds trust more than occasional viral posts.
Mix your content types to keep followers engaged:

• Educational posts that teach something valuable
• Behind-the-scenes looks at course creation
• Student success stories and testimonials
• Personal stories related to your course topic
• Questions that spark discussion

Use the 80/20 rule: 80% of content should provide value without asking for anything in return. Only 20% should directly promote your course.

Stories sell better than features. Share your journey learning this topic or student success stories. People connect more with stories than bullet points.

Create shareable content that addresses common questions or problems in your niche, like infographics, short tutorial videos, or myth-busting posts. These tend to get widely shared.
Join relevant groups and communities where you can provide helpful answers without spamming promotions. Your signature can mention your course, but content should stand alone.
Consider running small, targeted ads once you have a proven conversion rate. Test different messages and audiences before scaling up successful campaigns.
Use social proof whenever possible. Share positive feedback, student results, and testimonials (with permission). Nothing sells courses like seeing others' success.

Launching Your Course

After all your hard work, launch day is here! A strategic launch can make the difference between a few sales and an explosion of enrollments.

Create a Launch Plan

A great launch follows a clear timeline leading up to release day.

Two weeks before:

• Finalize course materials and test platform
• Send "coming soon" email with launch date
• Increase social media activity
• Prepare launch emails and sales page
• Reach out to potential partners

One week before:

• Send detailed announcement email with specifics
• Build excitement with countdown posts on social media
• Share sneak peeks of course content
• Remind audience of any launch bonuses or special pricing

Launch day:

• Send main launch email early in the day
• Go live on social media to announce course is open
• Be available to answer questions
• Share any early success stories or feedback

Launch week:

• Send follow-up emails addressing common questions and objections
• Share student testimonials
• Create urgency around launch pricing deadline
• Host a free webinar or Q&A session on your topic

Final day:

• Send "last chance" emails emphasizing deadline
• Address final objections
• Remind people what they'll miss by not enrolling
• Thank everyone for support regardless of purchase

During launch, make yourself highly available to answer questions. Quick, helpful responses can turn fence-sitters into buyers.
Remember launches are stressful. Plan for self-care while responding to the flood of questions and comments that come with a successful debut.

Engage Early Adopters

Your first students are gold—not just for revenue but for improving your course. Treat them like the VIPs they are.
Welcome each student personally if possible. A quick email or DM saying you're excited to have them in the course creates connection.
Create a feedback loop from day one. Let students know you want their honest input on improving the course. Consider a dedicated discussion area for suggestions.
Check in with inactive students. A gentle "How's it going?" message can uncover obstacles and show you care about their progress.
Publicly celebrate small wins. When students share progress or achievements, acknowledge and amplify them. This motivates the individual and shows others what's possible.
Consider a private community just for students, like a Facebook group, Slack channel, or forum on your course platform. Community support dramatically boosts completion rates.
Run live Q&A sessions in the first weeks after launch. This helps students get unstuck and gives you insights into what needs clarification.
Offer a small reward for detailed feedback, like a bonus lesson, one-on-one time with you, or early access to future content. The insights are worth far more than these incentives.
Look for patterns in feedback. If multiple students struggle with the same lesson, that's a clear sign it needs revising. If they all love a particular teaching method, do more of it.

Analyze Launch Metrics

Launch data provides a roadmap for improving future courses and marketing.

Track these key metrics:

Conversion rate is the percentage who purchased after seeing your sales page. Industry averages range from 1-5% for cold traffic up to 5-15% for warm audiences.
Traffic sources show where your buyers came from—email list, affiliates, social media, search engines, etc. This shows where to focus future marketing.
Email open and click rates reveal which messages resonated most. Use this info to optimize future campaigns.
Abandoned carts represent almost-customers who entered payment but didn't complete. Follow up to recover some of these lost sales.
Student completion rate shows the percentage who finished your course. Low rates may indicate content issues or engagement problems to address.
Most and least watched lessons highlight your most valuable and confusing content. This guides future creation.
Refund rate provides tough but necessary feedback. Under 10% is generally good. Higher rates suggest a mismatch between promises and delivery.
Revenue per student helps understand your pricing and upsell strategy effectiveness. This includes initial purchase plus any additional offerings they buy.
Use these metrics to create a launch report guiding improvements for your next debut. Be objective about what worked and what didn't—the data doesn't lie.

Managing Your Course Ongoing

Launching your course is just the beginning. The most successful courses evolve and improve continually.

Collect Student Feedback

Feedback is the lifeblood of course improvement. Set up systems to gather it consistently.
Create multiple feedback channels to suit different preferences. Some love surveys, others prefer sharing thoughts in comments or DMs.
Send progress-based surveys at key milestones, not just at the end. Feedback after module 1 is more useful than trying to remember the full course weeks later.
Ask specific questions, not just "How was it?" Good questions include:

• Which lesson was most helpful and why?
• Where did you feel stuck or confused?
• What would you add to improve this course?
• How have you applied what you learned so far?

Use time-based surveys too—follow up 30 or 60 days after completion to learn how students have implemented their new skills. These long-term results often provide the most valuable insights.
Consider using a Net Promoter Score (NPS) question: "On a scale of 0-10, how likely are you to recommend this course to a friend?" This simple metric helps track satisfaction over time.
Look for qualitative feedback beyond ratings. The comments explaining a particular score are often more useful than the number itself.
Act on feedback promptly and let students know when you make changes based on suggestions. This creates a virtuous cycle where students feel heard and continue to provide thoughtful input.
When you receive negative feedback, respond graciously. Thank them for honesty, ask clarifying questions if needed, and focus on solutions rather than defensiveness.
Remember feedback isn't just about fixing problems—it's also about identifying what's working so you can do more of it. Pay attention to what students rave about, not just criticisms.

Update Your Course

The best courses evolve over time. Regular updates show commitment to students' success and keep content fresh.
Set a regular schedule for content reviews—quarterly for fast-changing topics or annually for more evergreen subjects. During reviews, check for:

• Outdated information or screenshots
• New developments in your field
• Additional examples that could clarify concepts
• Sections students consistently struggle with

When updating existing content, decide whether to replace or supplement. Adding new lessons often works better than changing what's already there, especially if current students are mid-course.
Communicate updates to current and past students. This can re-engage graduates and show current students they're getting added value.
Use student questions as inspiration for new content. If many ask about the same topic, consider a bonus lesson addressing it.
Keep examples and case studies fresh. Applications from 5+ years ago often feel irrelevant today. Updated examples show your material is still applicable.
Watch for technology changes affecting your teaching. Software interfaces change, new tools emerge, and best practices evolve. Stay ahead of these shifts to maintain relevance.
Consider adding sections on emerging trends in your field. This positions your course as forward-thinking rather than just covering the basics.
For major updates, think about how to reward loyal past students. Offering the new version free to grads builds goodwill and can generate new testimonials and referrals.

Build Community

Community transforms individual lessons into a living, breathing course. Students who feel connected stay engaged longer and achieve better results.
Choose the right platform for your audience, like:

• Private Facebook groups (easy to use but can be distracting)
• Dedicated forums on your course platform (more focused but another login)
• Slack or Discord for real-time chat (great for engagement but may intimidate some)
• Circle or Mighty Networks built for community (powerful but require adopting a new platform)

Set clear guidelines from the start about expectations, allowed content, and how members should interact.
Create regular engagement rituals that bring people together, like weekly questions, monthly challenges, or drop-in office hours.
Publicly recognize and celebrate student achievements. This motivates the individual and shows others what's possible.
Encourage peer-to-peer help, not just student-to-instructor questions. Students helping each other cements their own knowledge while building connections.
Stay active yourself, especially early on. Your presence sets the supportive tone and shows this is an active, nurtured space.
Consider appointing engaged students as community moderators. This gives them recognition while helping you manage a growing group.
Create opportunities for students to share work and get feedback, like project presentations, case study spotlights, or implementation showcases. These build confidence while providing inspiration.
Remember community building takes time. Don't expect immediate, organic engagement—nurture it consistently and it will grow.

Making Your Course Profitable Long-Term

A successful course isn't just about selling to each student once. It's about creating sustainable revenue streams over time.

Price Your Course Strategically

Pricing is both art and science. The right price communicates value while remaining accessible to your audience.
First, research competitor pricing. Look at courses promising similar results to yours. This gives you a baseline, though you don't need to match it exactly.
Consider value-based pricing rather than hourly rate. Don't think "I spent 100 hours so I should charge X." Instead, ask "This course helps students earn/save Y, so it's worth Z to them."
If possible, test different price points. Some creators launch to different segments at different prices to see which converts best.
Higher prices often increase commitment. A 500courseoftengetsbettercompletionthana500 course often gets better completion than a 500courseoftengetsbettercompletionthana50 one because students are more invested in getting their money's worth.
Offer multiple pricing tiers to capture different market segments:

• Basic: Core course only
• Premium: Course plus bonuses or group coaching
• VIP: Everything plus one-on-one support

Use payment plans to make high-priced courses more accessible. Offering 3-6 monthly payments can significantly boost conversions even if the total is slightly higher than a one-time fee.
Be cautious about frequent discounts. Constant sales train people to wait rather than buying at full price.
Consider strategic price anchoring. Showing your course next to a higher-priced option (like coaching) makes it look like a bargain in comparison.
Remember pricing sends a message about quality. Too cheap and people doubt the value. Too expensive and your audience feels excluded. Find the sweet spot where price reflects real worth.

Explore Different Business Models

Your course can be packaged and sold in multiple ways to create stable, recurring revenue.
The traditional model is lifetime access sold for a one-time fee. This is simple but requires constant student acquisition to maintain sales.
Subscription models charge lower monthly fees for ongoing access. This creates predictable recurring revenue but requires regularly adding new content to justify the ongoing cost.
Membership sites include your course(s) plus community, fresh content, and other benefits for a monthly or yearly fee. This builds long-term relationships and provides stable income.
Bundling pre-recorded content with live coaching calls allows for higher pricing while giving students personalized support and accountability.
Licensing your course to businesses or institutions can create significant passive income with minimal additional work on your end.
Corporate training adapts your consumer course for business clients. These typically command higher fees and can be sold to multiple companies.
Consider cohort-based models where small groups go through your course together in a set timeframe. The fixed start dates create urgency while fostering student connections.
Each model has trade-offs between immediate income, recurring revenue, and time investment. Successful course creators often offer multiple options to serve different segments.

Use Upsells and Cross-sells

Smart course creators know the initial purchase is just the start of the relationship.
Upselling means offering a higher-tier version of what the customer is buying, like an upgrade from basic to premium.
Cross-selling involves offering other related products, like selling your Excel course to students who just bought your financial modeling course.
Both strategies increase revenue per student without the cost of acquiring new customers.
Create a natural step-by-step path guiding students to their next logical purchase, like:

1. Free lead magnet → Basic course → Advanced course → Coaching → One-on-one mentorship

Offer products that enhance the course experience, like templates, software, or physical tools that support implementing the lessons.
Consider "fast track" upgrades for students who want extra support and accountability or quicker results. These premium packages can command higher prices.
Look for affiliate partnership opportunities promoting tools or services that help students apply what they're learning from you. You earn commissions while providing value.
Time your offers carefully. Students are most receptive right after enrolling (when excitement is high) and after achieving initial results (when they see the value).
Ensure additional offerings genuinely provide value. Pushing products that don't help students damages trust and leads to refunds and complaints.
Remember happy students are your best repeat buyers. Focus first on delivering results with your core course, and natural upsell opportunities will follow.
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Growing Your Course Biz

Once your course is up and running well, it's time to think about growth and scaling up.

Automating Marketing: Tools for Efficiency

As your biz grows, automation becomes essential for keeping quality high while serving more students.
Email marketing automation is the foundation of a scalable course biz. Set up sequences that:

• Welcome new subscribers with valuable stuff
• Send educational emails to nurture potential students
• Follow up automatically with peeps who left stuff in their cart
• Help new students get started
• Check in with students at key points
• Re-engage inactive students with fresh content

Use webinar automation to reach more peeps without increasing your time spent. Pre-recorded webinars with live chat support can be almost as good as fully live events.
Use a social media scheduling tool like Buffer, Hootsuite, or Later to keep posting regularly without spending time daily. Make content batches, then schedule them to drip out over time.
Use chatbots on your sales pages to answer common questions instantly. Today's chatbots can handle basic questions and send more complex ones to you when needed.
Use retargeting ads to automatically follow up with folks who visited your sales page but didn't buy. These ads remind them of your course and address common concerns.
Consider using a tool like ManyChat for Facebook Messenger marketing. These systems can deliver content, answer FAQs, and qualify leads automatically.
Create standard operating procedures (SOPs) for repetitive tasks. This documentation makes it easy to outsource or delegate these tasks as you grow.
Remember that automation should enhance, not replace, personal connection. Use the time you save to focus on high-touch activities that build relationships with your students.

Expanding Your Course Offerings: How to Build a Course Portfolio

Once you've proven your teaching model works, consider expanding with additional courses.
Start by creating "orbit" courses around your flagship course. These smaller, focused courses address specific parts of your main topic and serve as stepping stones to your premium offering.
Listen to your students' next questions. After they complete your course, what do they want to learn next? These questions point to natural follow-up courses.
Consider creating courses for different skill levels. If your current course is for beginners, develop intermediate and advanced versions for students who want to continue learning with you.
Look at different learning styles and formats. If your main course is video-based, some students might prefer a text-based or audio version. Different formats can reach new audiences.
Package existing content in new ways. You might turn a section of your comprehensive course into a standalone mini-course for people with that specific need.
Create implementation programs that help students apply what they've learned. These high-touch offerings command premium prices while serving students who want more guidance.
Develop courses for related topics that your audience also needs. For example, if you teach email marketing, courses on copywriting or landing page design would be natural additions.
Consider licensing or acquiring courses from other creators in your niche. This can expand your catalog faster than creating everything yourself.
As you build your portfolio, maintain a clear pathway for students. They should understand which course to take first and how each offering relates to the others.

Collaborating with Other Educators: Benefits of Partnerships and Affiliates

Growth doesn't have to be a solo journey. Strategic partnerships can accelerate your success.
Set up an affiliate program to incentivize others to promote your course. Offering 30-50% commission is standard and worth it for sales you wouldn't otherwise get. Popular affiliate platforms include ThriveCart, SamCart, and most course hosting platforms.
Reach out to complementary course creators (those serving your audience but teaching different topics) for joint ventures. These might include:

• Bundle sales where you package your courses together at a special price
• Joint webinars where you each teach part of the content
• Podcast or social media content swaps to reach each other's audiences

Consider co-creating a course with another expert. This combines your knowledge and audiences while splitting the workload of creation and marketing.
Guest teach in other people's programs or communities. This introduces you to new potential students who already trust your partner.
Join or create a mastermind with other course creators in your general field. These peer groups provide support, accountability, and opportunities for collaboration.
Interview other experts for bonus content in your course. This adds value for your students while building relationships with influencers in your space.
Create a "powered by" model where you provide your course content to other businesses or influencers who market it to their audiences under their brand (with revenue sharing).
Be strategic about partnerships. Look for people who share your values and teaching philosophy, serve a similar audience but don't directly compete, and maintain quality standards similar to yours.
The right partnerships can bring not just more students but fresh ideas and energy to your course biz. They're often the key to scaling beyond what you could achieve alone.
As your course biz grows, remember why you started. Keep your focus on student results, not just revenue. The most successful course creators build lasting businesses by truly helping people transform their lives through education.

Turn what you know into a thriving online biz—get started now