How to Create an Online Course to Sell: A Beginner's Guide
It's no secret: 2020 and 2021 were great years for digital platforms.
After the pandemic, some industries felt the sting of going back to normal routines. That didn't happen to the online education market. In 2020, Google searches for “online courses” rose almost 40%, and that growth has held steady ever since.
That means the market for selling online courses is still hot and a good option for anyone who wants to start a business. But how do you break into it and start creating an online course to sell?
In this article, the team of specialists at Cademí, Brazil's first Member Hub, walks you through the step-by-step process of creating your course. Keep reading to learn:
- How to create an online course to sell
- Defining your niche and target audience
- How to plan the content for an online course to sell
- Equipment you need to record a course
- How to price an online course
- Sales method and payment gateway
How to create an online course to sell
Before you start recording, there's a pre-production process that matters and shouldn't be overlooked. That's where part of the success (or failure) of your digital product lies.
So start by deciding which market niche you want to work in. That means understanding not only your skill but also the angle you'll give it.
A practical example: you might know a lot about finance and focus on personal finance education or, instead, on stock market investing. Even though it's the same subject, those are completely different audiences. And you can carve out an angle like this in practically any subject.
Defining your niche and target audience
Some digital entrepreneurs choose their niche and angle based on what they enjoy. If I love baking and mousses are my favorite, for example, my digital products will focus on teaching those recipes.
There's nothing wrong with going that route. But it's not the only one, nor the most strategic.
Studying the market is another possible path. It takes more work, but it's a way to shorten the road in the long run. Try to understand what works in the niche you're after and sketch out your persona.
For example, answer:
- What are this person's pain points?
- Why are they interested in this subject?
- What motivates them?
With that in hand, it'll be easier to structure the content and move on to the next steps.
How to plan the content for an online course to sell
Before you record, it's important to plan the content.
And keep in mind, that doesn't just mean writing out exactly what you'll say. It means:
- Defining the course goal;
- Mapping out the modules based on that goal;
- Breaking each module's topic into lessons.
Only then will you think about each lesson individually. At this point, figure out the best format to present the content: slides, text, infographics… Also remember to look for ways to gamify the content.
When it comes to presenting the content itself, our specialists recommend working from bullet points of what needs to be said rather than a full script. That way, the lesson stays more natural and dynamic.
Equipment you need to record a course
If you're putting off your digital product because you don't have the equipment, you're losing money. You don't need to invest in movie-grade gear to get started.
With good lighting, a high-quality camera (which can even be your phone's) and a microphone, you can already get started and get great results. As your business matures, you can record new editions. Which, by the way, will help your storytelling.
How to price an online course to sell
Once the course is ready, the next step is selling it, right?
Yes, but before that you need to set the price your course will sell for. And pricing is usually a stage that gives new digital creators a headache.
When in doubt, many end up copying the more “traditional” price points on the market. The ever-popular R$ 497 and R$ 997, for example.
“So how do I choose the price of my online course?”
Ideally, you want to strike a balance between:
- Production cost;
- The value you're offering;
- The price of similar courses.
Remember that the price you charge also reflects the value people will see in your business. And be sure to test different price ranges to find the sweet spot your audience is willing to pay.
Sales method and payment gateway
Finally, it's time to choose where and how your course will be sold.
You can choose between an evergreen model and launches. In this guide to digital launches, Cademí's team of specialists explained in detail how this method works and the different possibilities within it. But in short, with a launch you warm up your audience, then open and close the cart a few days later.
So the product is only on sale for a short window of time. With evergreen, on the other hand, it's always available to buy.
Choosing between the two means weighing a number of things, including strategy and structure. But either way, you'll need to choose a payment gateway, that is, the company that handles the communication between your customer's bank and yours. There are plenty of options on the market. The most popular include:
- Hotmart
- Kiwify
- Eduzz
- Green
- Ticto
They differ in features and in pricing. That's why it's a good idea to figure out which is the best payment gateway for your needs and goals right now.
To sell online courses, you'll also need
On top of all that, you'll also need:
- A content strategy
- A landing page
- Investment in Google and Meta Ads
In short, you'll need to invest in good communication and in testing. With solid planning, you'll make your first sale in no time and your business will take off.
For bigger results, it's important to have the right partners and the best strategies. If you want to start off the best way, count on the Cademí team to help you. Schedule a strategy call with one of our specialists and let us help.
