Create an online course: 5 steps to your own online training

Blog / Create an online course: 5 steps to your own online training

Many of our users utilize their member area for their own online course. Since we often receive questions on how to best create an online course, we'll present the "5 Steps to Your Own Online Course" in this article.

We will explain, among other things, how to:

Find the topic for your online course,
Create a meaningful concept and structure your course correctly,
Develop solution-oriented content through target audience analysis,
Ensure your launch is successful,
Continuously improve your online course and achieve high customer satisfaction.

So, let’s start with the first step: finding the topic for your course, as it is the foundation for everything else.

Step 1: Find Your Topic

Initially, finding the right topic can feel overwhelming. You might have several ideas and be unsure which one to choose, or you might not know where to start. However, it's simpler than you think. To find a topic that sells well, focus on two things:

Your interests and knowledge.
Solving a specific problem for your target audience.

First, consider what excites you, what you’re passionate about, and what you’re good at. These areas are usually familiar to you.

Next, analyze your target audience: their problems, challenges, and goals. Identify what they want to achieve or avoid.

For example, if you love playing piano and can teach others who want to learn, you’ve found a suitable topic for your online course.

So, think about where your interests intersect with those of your audience. This intersection is where you'll find your online course topic (or even multiple topics).

Step 2: Create a Rough Concept

In the second step, you start planning your course.

After defining your topic based on your interests and your audience's problems (Step 1), focus on the concept, content, and framework for your course.

Consider the following:

What topics will you cover, and how will you structure them?
How extensive should your course be?
Which medium will you use (videos, audios, texts, or a mix)?
What equipment do you need?

Divide your main topic into subtopics, forming the modules or lessons of your course. For instance, a piano course might include learning notes, finger coordination, and playing simple melodies.

Choose media formats that your audience prefers. COACHY recommends primarily using videos, supplemented with other formats. You can upload multiple videos and documents on their platform.

Regarding equipment, you don't need expensive gear. A good microphone (available for around €150) and your PC are sufficient for recording your initial content.

Once you've completed and uploaded your first few videos, you can begin marketing and selling your course.

Want to create your own online course with COACHY? Test our platform free for 30 days.

Step 3: Start Marketing

After finding your course topic, creating a rough concept, and recording the initial content, it's time to market and sell your course. The best course won’t help if no one buys it.

While you can't predict the success of your course pre-launch, you can follow a process to ensure you're on the right track. First, structure your launch both content-wise and time-wise. Start promoting with your produced content.

If you receive positive feedback, continue with your pre-structured plan. If feedback is mediocre or negative, consider these questions:

Does the customer understand the outcome of your course?
Is the problem your course solves clear?
Is the course content communicated transparently?
Is your message clear?

Directly ask your prospects and potential customers what they find unclear and what additional information they need. Address potential objections, such as "I don't have time for this."

Incorporate these insights into your sales pages and marketing strategies. Clearly communicating the specific benefits of your online course will enhance your sales performance.

Step 4: Produce "On the Fly"

Here's some great news...

You don't need to have all your content ready before launching your online course. Instead, you can develop your course while it's already running.

Produce initial content, sell your course, and then add more content as you go. This allows you to gather feedback, refine your course, and make it more user-oriented. Happy participants may even provide testimonials for marketing.

With COACHY, you can easily schedule content releases without technical skills. This approach gives you ample time to perfect your content based on participant feedback, creating a win-win situation for everyone.

You can also create the entire course upfront if you prefer, but always consider participant feedback for continuous improvement.

Step 5: Optimize Your Content

Let's dive into the fifth (and final) step of creating your online course with a crucial tip: Stay flexible!

Remember, your course is for your audience. Even if you’re passionate about the topic, it's primarily for those who will buy and use it to achieve specific results or solve problems.

Always keep your participants in focus, even after your course is launched. Be ready to add, expand, or modify modules and lessons based on their feedback. Often, creators can understand their course structure easily, but participants might not. So, listen carefully to their feedback and adjust accordingly.

This approach not only enhances your course and participant outcomes but also shows that you care about their results. Plus, you can apply these insights to future courses, ensuring continuous improvement.

In essence, your participants learn from you, and you learn from them—exactly as it should be. ☺️

Summary

To create your own online course:

Find a topic that interests you and solves a problem for your target audience.
Create a rough concept and structure for your course.
Begin marketing your course effectively.
Produce content continuously based on feedback.
Optimize your course to meet the needs of your participants.

If you're now motivated to create your online course in your own member area with COACHY, we're delighted! Test us for free for 30 days and start uploading your first content directly:Coachy Free Trial.

Finally, a question for you: Is there anything else you'd like to know about creating an online course? Please write it in the comments so we can consider your suggestions for future posts. We're excited to hear from you!