Why Should You Create and Sell Courses Online?

The online education industry has exploded in recent years, with the global e-learning market valued at over $200 billion in 2019. This massive growth is projected to continue exponentially in the coming years, presenting a lucrative opportunity for subject matter experts to create and sell online courses. Here's an in-depth look at the benefits of teaching online and strategies for developing successful digital course offerings.

The Growing Popularity of Online Courses

Several key factors have driven the meteoric rise of online learning:

COVID-19 led to a surge in remote education as learners adapted to digital formats out of necessity. Many learners found they preferred the flexibility of online learning.
Online courses allow creators to reach a global audience from anywhere with an internet connection, expanding reach tremendously. For example, an expert based in India can easily attract students in North America.
Learners appreciate the flexibility and self-paced nature of online courses compared to rigid classroom environments. They can fit learning around life and revisit material as needed.
With the right marketing and positioning, an online course can generate steady passive income month after month as enrollment continues. Top creators report profit margins over 90%.

Benefits of Teaching an Online Course

Creating and selling an online course provides many advantages beyond reach and flexibility:

Share your knowledge and passion with students around the world who value your expertise. Feel rewarding making an impact.
Build authority and credibility by demonstrating your insider knowledge in your niche or industry. Become recognized as a thought leader.
Courses enjoy high profit margins since costs are low after initial creation. Income can grow exponentially as enrollment expands.
The digital format gives freedom and flexibility to work anywhere with an internet connection. Manage your course business from home or while traveling.
Elements like grading and student communication can be automated and streamlined to save time once established.
Provides a scalable income stream that continues generating revenue even while you sleep! Grow your audience and course portfolio over time.

Choosing the Right Online Course Topic

With the power to teach anything online, how do you select the optimal course topic?

Teach something you have exceptionally deep expertise in - students will value your insider knowledge.
Identify skills or knowledge gaps in your industry that need addressing. Solve real pain points.
Research trending topics and keywords in your niche to recognize high demand opportunities. Stay on top of emerging trends.
Avoid overly saturated course topics unless you can provide a unique angle. Differentiate yourself.
Ideal topics are evergreen with relevance year after year so your course stays in demand. Consider future tech like AI.
Conduct market research to determine target student demographics and their needs. Tailor your course positioning accordingly.

Best Platforms for Selling Online Courses

Thanks to turnkey course creation platforms, it's easier than ever to start selling online courses. Here are top options:

Marketsy.ai - AI-powered course builder allows launching a customized online course marketplace in minutes. Specializes in speed and automation.
Teachable - User-friendly LMS great for course creators with built-in marketing tools. Empowers beautiful course branding.
Thinkific - Robust platform beyond just courses, also great for info products. Ideal for membership sites.
Podia - Specifically designed for digital downloads like online courses and memberships. Streamlined and intuitive interface.
Kajabi - Emphasis on marketing and funnel optimization in addition to course delivery. Caters to online entrepreneurs.
Udemy - Massive built-in marketplace reach but less control over branding and pricing. Leverage marketplace exposure.

Developing a High-Quality Online Course

How can you ensure your online course provides an impactful learning experience that engages students?

Clearly define learning objectives, target audience and prerequisites from the start.
Organize content into logical modules with digestible lesson lengths optimized for learning retention.
Balance theory with practical examples, case studies and actionable strategies students can apply.
High production quality video and multimedia components are musts. Invest in pros if needed.
Interactive elements like quizzes, discussions and peer activities drive active learning and engagement.
Provide downloadable resources like templates, worksheets and reading lists for ongoing reference.

Crafting an Engaging Course Curriculum

Effective course curriculum guides students through key concepts and towards desired outcomes:

Hook learners in introduction covering essential questions and problems the course will solve.
Sequence modules purposefully to build on previous lessons and lead to culminating takeaways.
Optimize learning with a mix of delivery methods like video, audio, text, live sessions.
Summarize key points and tie concepts together at the end of each module.
Close with clear calls-to-action to apply learned concepts in real life.
Provide recommendations for supplemental resources for their ongoing learning journey.

Recording Impactful Course Videos

Compelling instructional videos are centerpieces of most online courses. How can you maximize their impact?

Write tight scripts covering essential concepts in an easy-to-digest manner. Avoid rambling.
Infuse videos with energy and enthusiasm to model teaching presence and engagement.
Use on-screen text, graphics, slides and examples to reinforce concepts visually.
Edit rigorously to optimize pacing, remove filler and highlight key takeaways.
Invest in high-quality video and audio production for a polished, professional feel. Consider collaborating with a professional video production team if budget allows - the investment is well worth the boost in perceived value and engagement.
Insert interactive elements like think pauses, prompts and knowledge checks to drive active learning.

Optimizing Your Online Course for Learning Retention

Employ these strategies to boost learning outcomes:

Include exercises, projects and discussions for learners to apply concepts. Active application drives retention.
Knowledge checks like quizzes assess understanding and reinforce lessons.
Provide cheat sheets, workbooks and other downloadable resources for ongoing reference.
Build in self-reflection and goal-setting moments to drive behavior change.
Facilitate peer learning through discussion forums and group activities.
Follow up with emails summarizing key takeaways, extra resources and prompts to implement teachings.

Pricing and Promoting Your Online Course

You've created an amazing online course - now's the time to get the word out!

Benchmark competitor course pricing but don't sacrifice profit margins. Find the sweet spot.
Consider a tiered model with bundled packages and upgrade options. Provide offering flexibility. Also offer bundled discounts across multiple courses to encourage loyalty and repeat purchases.
Offer discounts like early bird pricing along with loyalty coupons and partner promotions.
Build an email list pre-launch to nurture leads via giveaways and value-adds.
Partner with influencers and brands in your niche to expand reach through promotions.
Seed interest with a free mini-course, challenge or case study in exchange for opt-ins.

Driving Traffic to Your Course Sales Page

Bring students to your course with these marketing tactics:

Optimize your sales page copy and design for maximum conversions. Make it easy for visitors to enroll.
Feature abundant student testimonials and reviews as social proof.
Run paid ads on platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Google. Also consider LinkedIn ads.
Post teasers and trailers on YouTube and share natively on LinkedIn.
Maximize visibility with related blog posts and guest articles. Pursue podcast guest interviews to share your expertise.
Promote through email, organic social media, affiliates and joint ventures. Leverage partnerships.

Automating and Streamlining Course Administration

Manage your online course efficiently with automation:

Platforms like Teachable and Thinkific simplify enrollment, delivery and more.
Automate communication flows for onboarding, reminders, engagement and more. Utilize tools like Zapier.
Auto-grade quizzes, assignments and discussions to save time grading.
Provide membership site access for additional student benefits like bonuses and community. Consider Circle.
Outsource time-intensive tasks like customer service as needed.
Analyze data and feedback to refine curriculum and business model. Continuously improve.

In summary, online courses represent an immense opportunity for knowledge sharing, impact, and income. With the right topic, platform, curriculum and promotion, you can build a thriving digital course business that makes a difference in your students' lives. The time is now to turn your expertise into engaging online courses that attract students globally.