There’s no stopping the e-learning industry. It’s growing and expanding with projections of reaching $319 billion by 2029.
This is a lucrative world to turn your expertise into profit. Creators from across industries are welcome to tap into this market, offering a golden opportunity to make money online.
Whether you’re looking to create your first online course or scale your offerings, this expert guide will teach you how to sell online courses from creating to selling on the best online course platforms.
Best Websites to Sell and Market Your Online Courses
| Provider | Type of Website | Earning Potential | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Online Learning | $100+ | Visit Udemy |
 | Freelance Platform | $5-$100+/hour | Visit Fiverr |
 | Online Teaching | $15-$25/hour | Visit Preply |
Understanding the Online Course Landscape
The world of online courses has evolved far beyond boring PDFs and video lessons. What started as an experiment to make education more accessible has transformed into a thriving community that caters to all types of learners while enabling creators to build scalable, all-in-one solution online courses.
The Evolution of Online Learning
Gone are the days of basic PowerPoint presentations. From grainy slideshows and conventional free courses from academic institutions, the online learning industry has become a vibrant, interactive online community.
The online course marketplace is as diverse and dynamic as ever, featuring online course creators from different backgrounds and specialties. This includes hobbyists teaching creative skills and professional experts in areas like marketing and coding. Check out our list of the best online coding courses.
If you are someone with knowledge or skills you’re ready to teach, the online course marketplace is ready for your ideas.
Why Sell Online Courses?
One of the reasons for selling online courses is to create a passive income stream. If you think about it, you’re already an expert in something. You only need to package that knowledge into the online course once and the returns can be a hundred times over.
Selling online courses also allows you to establish your authority at a much larger scale, reaching a global audience without traveling the world. You’re not just teaching a few people you know but connecting with other learners from Argentina to Zimbabwe.
With the right online course platform and marketing efforts, your brand enjoys increased visibility beyond the local market.
Creating online courses has also become mainstream because it offers flexibility. Whether you want to work from home or on a beach in Bali, you have the freedom to work however you like.
Check out our guide on how to make money online if you want greater flexibility and higher online earnings.
Choosing Your Course Topic
Choosing the right topic is crucial to a successful online course business. This is where the fun starts. But remember that it isn’t just about what you know. You need to find the perfect balance of your expertise, passion, and market demand.
Identifying Your Niche
To kick off your course creation journey, start by identifying what you’re good at. What topics do you like talking about? Your ideal course topic should be something that gets you fired up.
It’s not enough that you’re excited and an expert in your topic. If you want a profitable online course, market demand is equally important. It’s the key to creating online courses that sell.
Test your niche ideas using tools like Google Trends and keyword research platforms. You’ll also want to visit online course marketplaces like Udemy to gauge your competition and interest from your target audience.
Validating Your Course Idea
Think you’ve struck gold with your course idea? Let’s put it to the test.
Whip up a quick survey to gauge interest in your proposed course. Ask them what specific aspects they’d love to learn about. Their feedback can lead you down paths you hadn’t even considered.
Next up, scope out the competition. Look at existing courses in your niche. If you see similar online courses as your ideas, it means there is demand. Find areas where there is a gap in the market and fill it in with the best online course you can create.
Maybe all the existing courses are super technical, and you can create one that breaks things down for beginners. Or perhaps you’ve got a unique teaching style. The key is to offer something unique to set your courses online apart from the competition.
Another pro-tip to test the viability of your online course is through pre-selling. Offer a low-cost version or a free course online to your existing audience. If people are willing to pay money, you’re in the right direction in your course creation.
Creating Compelling Course Content
This is the part of online course creation that matters. If you want to create and sell online courses your students will love, make sure your content is engaging, immersive, and impactful.
Structuring Your Course
Whether it’s your first course or not, start by creating a comprehensive course outline. A solid course outline is a roadmap, guiding students on a logical path from beginner to expert.
Your course creation should include modules, lessons, and individual concepts. Provide diverse formats including video lessons, quizzes, and downloadable materials if you think it will be helpful for students.
Adding a sprinkle of creativity and variety to your online course creation will cater to different learning styles and keep your students engaged.
Producing High-Quality Content
If you want to sell courses online effectively, quality is important. Don’t settle with a free tool for your online course creation.
If you’re doing video lessons, for example, you’ll want to buy decent equipment like a good quality mic and camera. Clear audio and visuals can make a world of difference. Your students will appreciate it and you increase the chances of retention.
Your target audience will not only buy your online courses for your expertise but also for your personality. When in front of the camera, show them you’re passionate about your doing. Make it fun and engaging.
When you create online courses that are text-based lessons, clarity is key. Break down the lessons with subheadings, bullet points, and images. Inject real-world examples and case studies to improve learning. The goal is to make it as easy for students to read as possible.
Don’t forget to proofread. A couple of typos and errors affect the course’s overall quality.
Enhancing Learning Experience
When you create and sell online courses, engagement is critical. Your course format matters and this is where interactive elements make a huge difference.
Add assessments and quizzes to test their knowledge. These elements reinforce their learning and also keep them engaged. Consider offering certificates of completion for your course. It gives them a sense of accomplishment and something tangible they can include in their LinkedIn profiles.
Encourage community-building through discussion forums, group projects, and live Q&A sessions. Learning is more fun when your students are not just learning from the course but also fellow students.
Choosing the Right Platform
The next most important step is to choose the best online course platform. You need somewhere to host it. It’s like picking the perfect venue for an event, and there are important things to keep in mind.
Course Marketplaces vs. Self-Hosted Platforms
There are two main options to choose from: online course marketplaces and self-hosted platforms.
One of the advantages of marketplaces like Udemy and Skillshare is its built-in audience. They make selling online courses quick and easier, with your target audience within reach. On the downside, they take a percentage of your course sales and they have control of the course price.
With self-hosted platforms like Teachable, Thinkific, and Kajabi, you have more flexibility. These are more like owning your restaurant. You have more control over the menu (your courses), the pricing, and the decor (your branding). The downside? You’re responsible for the marketing campaign.
Key Features to Consider
When comparing platforms, there are key features to keep in mind, including:
- Customization options: Does the platform allow you to customize so you can highlight your brand or is it a limited template?
- Marketing tools: Platforms that offer marketing tools like built-in email marketing, affiliate programs, or sales page builders can save you time.
- Payment processing: Check if the platform handles your preferred payment options and currencies.
- Student engagement features: Look for things like progress tracking, certificates, and community forums. These elements are useful to enhance the overall learning experience.
There is no one best platform for every course creator. Choose according to the factors that are most important for you, which can include your business goals and specific needs.
Pricing Your Online Course
If the price is too high, you might scare off potential students. Price too low, and you’re leaving money on the table (not to mention potentially undervaluing your expertise).
So how do you find that pricing sweet spot?
Determining Your Pricing Strategy
When selling online courses, don’t ever think that cheaper is better. You’ve worked hard on your course materials, so it’s only right to price your courses accordingly. When deciding on the final price, consider these factors:
- The depth and breadth of your content
- Your expertise and reputation in the field
- The potential value to students (Will this help them land a better job? Start a business? Improve their health?)
- What the competition is charging
For course pricing models, your options include:
- One-time fee: This is the classic “pay once, access forever” model.
- Subscription: If you’re updating content regularly or offering a series of courses, a subscription-based option is recommended. Students pay monthly or yearly for ongoing access.
- Tiered pricing: You can offer different levels of access or support at various price points with a money-back guarantee. This allows students to choose the best option for their budget.
As a pro tip, use a course pricing calculator for a more accurate pricing gauge. Adjust based on market research and market demand.
Offering Pricing Tiers and Bundles
If you want to squeeze more sales out of your courses, try offering pricing tiers, which can include:
- Basic tier: It includes the core course content. Ideal for self-starters on a budget.
- Premium tier: Core content plus extra resources, maybe some personalized feedback or group coaching calls.
- VIP tier: All of the above, plus one-on-one coaching sessions. Ideal for students who want the full course package.
Bundling courses is another great strategy, especially if you have multiple related courses. You can offer discounts for buying all your courses as a package deal. This way, students get more value, and you increase course sales.
Marketing Your Online Course
Your work doesn’t stop when you’ve completed creating the online course. Marketing your product is the most important step if you want to make money.
Building Your Audience
Start building your audience before launching your course. This is where content, email, and social media marketing play an important role.
Don’t just spam your followers with constant offers to buy. Instead, focus on providing value. Share tips, insights, and behind-the-scenes peeks at your course creation process. Show your personality. It’s easier for your audience to buy if they get to know you more.
Try offering a free course or a cheat sheet in exchange for their email addresses. Then nurture those leads into course-buying customers.
Content marketing is another valuable marketing strategy. You can start a blog or a YouTube channel to talk about your course topic. It’s a great way to drive traffic to your course.
Explore this article on membership site examples and see how memberships can boost your online course business.
Creating a Sales Funnel
Think of your landing page as your dating profile. Make a killer first impression by highlighting the benefits of your course, not just the features.
For example, don’t just say “10 hours of video content.” Instead, say “Master [skill] in just 10 hours and start [achieving the desired outcome].”
Use lead magnets at various stages of your funnel. Maybe a quick cheat sheet for those just discovering you, a more in-depth eBook for those showing interest, and a free webinar for those on the fence about buying.
Create a series of emails that guide your leads through the buying process. Start with a warm welcome, insert some educational content, share success stories from previous students, and close with a compelling offer. Remember, you’re offering them a solution to their problems. Don’t be afraid to ask for a sale.
For more on selling strategies, get some tips and ideas from this article on how to sell a blog for profit.
Utilizing Social Proof
Reach out to successful students and ask them to share their experiences. Video testimonials are especially powerful.
Case studies are like testimonials on steroids. Dive deep into a student’s journey, showcasing their before and after. This not only provides social proof but also helps potential students envision their success.
Encourage user-generated content. Ask students to share their wins on social media with a specific hashtag. Not only does this provide social proof, but it also turns your students into mini-marketers for your course.
Launching and Selling Your Course
Your course is polished, your marketing engine is revved up, and you’re ready to unleash your educational masterpiece to the world. Let’s make sure your launch starts on the right track.
Pre-Launch Strategies
Building anticipation is the name of the game. You want to give people a preview of what you’re offering to get them excited.
Start teasing your course a few weeks before launch. Share sneak peeks of content, behind-the-scenes, or hints about the transformations students can expect. Use your email list and social media to create a buzz. Maybe even start a countdown to ramp up excitement.
Consider running a beta test with a small group of students. This serves two purposes: you get valuable feedback to refine your course, and you get early testimonials. Plus, beta testers often turn into your biggest cheerleaders come launch time.
Create a detailed launch calendar. Map out all your marketing activities leading up to and during the launch.
Launch Tactics
The day to launch what you’ve worked for is finally here.
Start with a bang by announcing to your email lists that your course is open for enrollment. Follow up with emails addressing common objections, sharing success stories, and creating urgency.
Coordinate your social media blitz with your email campaign. Go live on Facebook or Instagram to answer questions. Share student success stories. Create countdown posts to the close of enrollment.
Consider implementing an affiliate program for your launch. Partner with influencers or other creators in your niche to expand your reach.
Post-Launch Optimization
Congrats, you’ve launched! But the work isn’t over yet. Now it’s time to optimize based on your results.
- Gather feedback: What did they love? What could be improved? Use this intel to refine your course for the next round.
- Analyze your launch metrics: Which marketing channels performed best? Which emails got the highest open rates? Use this data to inform your strategy for future launches.
- Don’t forget about your existing students: Keep them engaged with regular check-ins, bonus content, or exclusive offers on future courses. Remember, happy students are your best marketers!
Building a Sustainable Course Business
Launching your first course is exciting, but it’s just the beginning. To build a thriving online education empire, you need to think long-term. Let’s talk about how to turn your course into a sustainable business.
Creating a Course Ecosystem
Think beyond your single course. Could you create a series of courses that take students on a learning journey? Maybe a beginner, intermediate, and advanced course in your topic. Or courses that cover different aspects of your niche.
Consider complementing your courses with coaching or consulting services. This not only provides an additional revenue stream but also gives you deeper insights into your students’ needs and challenges.
Building a membership community around your courses can be a game-changer. It provides recurring revenue and fosters a sense of belonging among your students. This could include exclusive content, monthly Q&A sessions, or a private forum for students.
Automating Your Business
As your course business grows, you’ll need to work smarter, not harder.
Use marketing automation tools to streamline your promotional efforts. Set up automated email sequences for nurturing leads, onboarding new students, and re-engaging past customers.
Consider implementing a chatbot on your course website to handle common questions, guide potential students through the buying process, and even upsell additional courses or services. This frees you up to focus on creating great content and supporting your students.
Integrate your course platform with your other business tools such as your CRM, accounting software, and analytics platforms. This creates a seamless workflow and gives you a bird’s-eye view of your business performance.
5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Selling Online Courses
Even seasoned course creators can stumble. Here are five pitfalls to watch out for:
1. Underpricing Your Course
Pricing your course can feel scary but resist the urge to undervalue your expertise. A higher price often conveys higher value to potential students. Focus on communicating the unique value your course provides.
What transformation will students experience? How will their lives improve after taking your course?
Consider using price anchoring. Show the full value of your course, then offer a special launch discount. This makes your price seem like an absolute steal.
2. Neglecting Marketing
Don’t pour all your energy into creating your course and then wonder why sales are coming. Marketing isn’t a one-and-done deal but an ongoing process.
Develop a consistent content marketing strategy. Regular blog posts, videos, or podcast episodes establish your authority and keep you top-of-mind with your audience. And don’t be shy about promoting your course.
If you truly believe in its value, you’re doing your audience a disservice by not telling them about it.
Use your podcast episodes to naturally promote your course and start making money podcasting.
3. Ignoring Student Engagement
Your job isn’t done once a student enrolls in your course. Low completion rates are the bane of many course creators’ existence. Combat this by focusing on student engagement.
Incorporate interactive elements throughout your course. Quizzes, assignments, and discussion prompts not only reinforce learning but also give students a sense of progress and achievement.
Consider implementing a cohort-based structure or providing regular live sessions. This creates accountability and allows students to interact with you and their peers in real-time.
4. Failing to Update Course Content
Information and best practices evolve rapidly. Don’t let your course become the educational equivalent of a flip phone in a smartphone world.
Set a regular schedule to review and update your course content. This might mean refreshing outdated examples, adding new modules to cover emerging trends, or even overhauling entire sections if your field has seen significant changes.
Your commitment to keeping your course current can be a major selling point, and justify higher pricing or repeat purchases from past students.
5. Overlooking the Power of Community
Many course creators focus solely on delivering content, missing out on the magic of peer-to-peer learning. Facilitate community building within your course. This could be through a dedicated discussion forum, a private Facebook group, or regular virtual meetups.
Encourage student-led discussions and collaborations. This not only enhances the learning experience but also takes some pressure off of you to be the sole source of information.
Plus, a strong community can be a powerful retention tool. Students are less likely to abandon a course if they feel connected to their peers.
Conclusion
Selling online courses is more than just a way to make money. It’s an opportunity to share your knowledge, build a loyal audience, and create a lasting impact.
With the right approach to topic selection, content creation, platform choice, and marketing, you can build a thriving online education business.
Remember to stay student-focused, continuously improve your offerings, and build a supportive community around your courses. The e-learning revolution is here and you can take part in it with the right strategies.
Next Steps: What Now?
- Explore Web Hosting: Reach more customers by hosting a dedicated website for your online course business.
- Boost Conversion: Learn how to convert more potential customers into paying students with a landing page.
- Maximize Your Course Sales: Use effective marketing strategies to build a winning sales funnel and improve your business.
- Build Your Audience: Launch a free course to attract potential customers and grow your email list.
- Master Email Marketing: Email marketing is key to building relationships and increasing conversions. Learn how to craft an irresistible email marketing campaign.
