Create and sell online courses

Why Create and Sell Online Courses?

Your knowledge has value, and there are people out there who are willing to pay to learn from you! Online courses and e-learning present a massive opportunity: the e-learning market is expected to be worth $325 billion by 2025. In 2018 alone, digital education and e-learning sales exceeded $46 billion.

Global e-learning and course consumption surged during the pandemic and is expected to continue growing. With these numbers and the right know-how, selling online courses can be highly profitable. Once you establish a customer base, online courses can become a great source of passive income. They also serve as marketing tools that help strengthen connections with your clients.

Use your course to show what your brand stands for and what sets you apart from the competition. Building strong relationships with your audience can lead to loyalty and advocacy for your courses.

The best part? Anyone can create and sell online courses—all you need is knowledge and the passion to teach it.

How to Create and Sell Online Courses

1. Choose a Subject That Sells

According to a study, 42% of entrepreneurs fail because there is no market for their product. To create a successful online course, choose a subject that addresses what people want, such as:

• Career change or starting a new career
• Boosting career opportunities with certifications
• Continuing education
• Preparing for an academic test
• Learning a new skill or subject

Some of the most profitable online course subjects include:

• Computers and technology
• Business and entrepreneurship
• Arts and crafts
• Health and fitness
• Education
• Writing
• Lifestyle/personal development

To increase your chances of success, focus on a niche topic within these broader categories.

2. Create Your Online Course

Once you've chosen your subject, it’s time to create your course. Here’s how:

• Hone in on a specific subject: Choose a focused, niche topic to minimize competition and showcase your expertise.
• Have expert-level knowledge: You don’t need to be a genius, just have better-than-average knowledge.
• Know your audience: Understand their problems and how you can help solve them.

3. Get the Right Gear

To produce high-quality course content, you’ll need:

• A good HD camera (e.g., Canon VIXIA or Sony CX405)
• Proper lighting (e.g., lighting rings or studio lighting kits)
• Editing software (e.g., Wevideo for beginners or Final Cut Pro for experts)
• A green screen to add backgrounds and b-roll footage
• A script (use apps like Teleprompter lite to help with delivery)

Investing in good equipment will elevate the perceived value of your course.

4. Choose Where to Host and Sell Your Course

There are three options to host your online course:

• Online course platforms: These platforms, like Kajabi, offer everything you need for course creation, marketing, and management.
• Self-hosting: Set up your own server and host the course on your website, though it requires more technical expertise.
• Course marketplaces: Platforms like Udemy or Masterclass host your course but may take a percentage of your revenue.

5. Decide How Much to Charge

Online courses can cost anywhere from $5 to $2,000. Consider factors like creation and hosting costs, competitor pricing, and your audience’s income level. You can structure payments as:

• A lump sum for lifetime access
• Recurring membership fees
• Payment plans

6. Increase the Value of Your Course

Add value by offering bonuses such as:

• Extra lessons, case studies, or templates
• Referral bonuses for students who bring in new customers

7. Seed Launch Your Course

Before a full launch, do a "seed launch" to a small list (30-100 names) to test the market. Gather feedback and make necessary adjustments before releasing it to a larger audience.

8. Market and Sell Your Course

• Create a dedicated sales page
• Build an email list and engage on social media
• Partner with other entrepreneurs to expand your reach

9. Build a Buyer’s Journey

Guide potential customers through three stages:

• Awareness: Create educational content that addresses your audience's pain points.
• Consideration: Share testimonials to show your course's impact.
• Decision: Provide FAQs or other content to make the buying process easy.

How to Ensure Future Success

Once you've sold your course, focus on keeping your students engaged and satisfied to encourage future purchases and recommendations:

• Foster community: Create a group where students can interact and support each other.
• Gather feedback: Regularly update your course based on student input.
• Track progress: Keep an eye on how students are progressing to identify potential improvements.

Real-Life Success Stories

Kajabi Heroes like Tiffany Lee Bymaster and Chalene Johnson have used online courses to grow their businesses and achieve life-changing results. Whether you’re looking to create a side hustle or a full-time business, selling online courses can help you generate revenue and build a loyal following.