How to Create an Online Course to Make Money

Are friends always asking how you figured out how to play an instrument, learn a language, write code, invest in the stock market? 

Whatever your area of expertise, there is a world of opportunity (and profit!) to be made online through launching an online course. 

But even if you have the content and the knowledge, you may be unsure how to go about turning that into a lucrative venture.

Below, we’ll break down everything you need to know about launching an online course for extra income.

Why do it in the first place?  

Before you launch into creating an online course, you might want to get clear on your why. And there are plenty of reasons. 

First and foremost, there’s the financial factor. The e-learning market is projected to reach a whopping $375 billion by 2026. But more than that, it’s a flexible way to earn passive income and enrich the lives of others all at once. Once you create a course, it can be sold repeatedly to new people, and can be made, promoted and distributed from anywhere in the world! That alone feels like reason enough to look into the possibilities. 

Finally, creating an online course is a gratifying endeavor. Sharing your knowledge with others to help them succeed in the same areas you have has both emotional and financial benefits! 

OK, you’re ready to figure out your niche.

Once you’ve made the decision to dive head first into an online learning course, the first important order of business is to decide what your course itself is going to be on. 

The topic you’re most passionate about might feel like the place to start, but it’s crucial to determine whether or not there’s a market for that information before you spend your time crafting a class all about it. Perhaps you’re a self-taught expert sewer during a time when people are looking to save money and make their own clothing. Maybe you’ve mastered the art of weight training and want to share the wealth with other workout enthusiasts. Do some research into the topics people are searching for using tools like Google Analytics, for example, and determine your plan of action based on something that you’re both knowledgeable about and find there is interest in. 

Now it’s time to do some digging. 

The best way to ensure success is to get to know the people who you hope to attract with your online course. Get to know them by seeking them out on forums, on social media, or through word of mouth. Ask questions about what they’d be interested in learning – and more importantly – what they’d be willing to pay for. 

Then, do an audit of other courses on the same topics. What do they offer? What are they missing? What could you add to this market that other classes do not have? Remember, the number one thing you have that others don’t is your own unique voice and experience, but if you can identify a unique teaching style, an insider’s outlook or something that stands out from the rest of the crowd, you’ll be more likely to attract students. 

Finally – talk. To everyone. Whenever you can. Find out what they want, what they are missing, how much they’d be willing to spend and how much they’re spending on other types of learning courses in their lives. Being armed with the knowledge of how to price your course will help you have a more successful launch. 

Just. Get. Started. 

Armed with information about your prospective clients, their interests and the rest of the competition, it’s time to get started building out your course. Start with an outline. What will the course cover, and what will students get by the end of it? What are the steps they need to take along the way?

Then, make use of the myriad online tools available for helping boost and bolden online content. Use tools like CapCut to easily edit videos, Canva to create graphics, slideshows and presentations and Adobe spark to create visually appealing and engaging course materials. Consider thinking outside the box – videos! Quizzes! Games! – to keep your clients tuned in.

This will also be a time to consider what you learned from chatting with people. What kind of learning technique is best suited for the particular topic you’re covering? Do images help or is video more useful? 

Build your platform. 

There are many factors to consider when deciding where to actually host the course itself. There is no shortage of options, but it is crucial to find the right home for the course material you’re putting out.

Platforms like Teachable, Thinkific of Kajabi, for example, offer user-friendly interfaces and marketing tools. Udemy and Coursera provide a ready-made audience, but involve more competition and less price control.

You should also consider the budget you’re working with and how skilled you are at building your own code or website. Do your research into all of the options (we recommend checking out testimonials on Reddit and other forums from people who have already done this work!) and figuring out what is best for you. 

Get the word out. 

Do not underestimate the importance of diversifying your marketing strategy. Everyone uses the internet to promote their work, but using a wide range of platforms will help you reach a wider audience. 

Create a content calendar and schedule out posts in advance so you’re not scrambling to come up with ideas each day. Lean into content marketing, social media and email campaigns. Use platforms like Facebook and Instagram and your built in networks to advertise to friends, friends of friends and people outside of your personal network, and LinkedIn to promote professional courses to a much bigger audience. 

Most importantly – keep your content specific and personal. Let people know what they can expect to learn from your course, and let them know how they specifically can benefit. Personalized communication can significantly increase course enrollment.

What’s more - make sure to think about your launch way before you actually plan to launch. The best way to secure customers is to build buzz and excitement about the product or course you’re offering. Build anticipation with a pre-launch campaign that includes sneak peeks, countdowns, and early bird discounts.

Learn and expand. 

Once you’ve had a successful launch and have a better understanding of what people are getting out of your course, you can take your work to the next level. Keep in contact with your users to figure out what can be tweaked, improved or removed. Ask them what is missing – which can potentially lead you to your next course, or perhaps even a series of courses on the same topic. 

Reach out to people in the same field to facilitate partnerships. This will not only help with creating content but also help you reach a much wider audience. 

The bottom line. 

Creating an online course is a rewarding endeavor, both financially and personally. By tapping into the growing trend of online learning, you can share your knowledge with the world while generating income. 

From identifying your niche to scaling your business, each step is a building block towards success. With the right strategy and dedication, you can create a course that not only educates but also elevates your financial future.

For more advice on how to earn passive income from online course or other revenue avenues, check out Stash’s wide library of resources.