The Thousand Solutions Blog

How to Design an Online course (In 3 steps)

Mar 10, 2023

Contents

Reader Disclosure

Selling online courses can be an effective way of earning money from your expertise. However, if you don't have a background in education or teaching You may not be aware of how to develop a course curriculum by hand.

With a little bit of guidance and a couple of useful tools, just about anyone can design an online course. If you are aware of the intended audience as well as the content it is possible to make a great digital course.

In this post, we will give an overview of the planning creating, marketing, and creation steps so you can to work on creating an online course. Let's begin!

Why You May Want to Design an Online Course

If you're only beginning, online courses could help you build your following and build your credibility. You can offer brief courses for free to create excitement about your business.

However in the event that you already hold a a decent amount of experience in your field You can develop more sophisticated, top-quality classes. In this way, you'll be able to make use of your knowledge to earn money.

Once you've finished making your online course, you've created a type of an income stream that is passive.

With just a couple of sale, you'll likely make back the effort and expense it took to create the program. Any additional purchases you make are pure profits. It's not necessary to lift a finger.

How to Design an Online course (In 3 Steps)

Making an online course can seem like an overwhelming undertaking, but actually it's relatively straightforward for those who have a thorough understanding of a certain topic. Let's review of the various steps you can take to create your own course.

1. Find Your Subject and Your Audience

Be clear on your topic and the audience you intend to reach is crucial prior to the creation of any training course.

If you don't spend enough time in the process of planning, you could be forced to switch plans during the process that can take a long time and be cost you money.

  • What level of education should be the course you create for?
  • Are your readers looking for detailed write-ups, or mixed media lesson plans?
  • What knowledge will the students entering your class with?

Understanding the answer to these questions can help you create more relevant content.

Above all, you'll want to be certain that your class is providing the students something unique.

The trick is to find a topic and target audience combination big enough to generate profits (or expand your audience) but not too large that there is no market.

If you're looking for a bit additional guidance, examine what the other players are up to. You may already have something similar out there, but if that's the situation, don't be disillusioned.

It's a good idea to think about shifting gears or exploring subjects that they didn't cover. If you can't find any comparable courses, take a look at non-competitors in the area you are in for inspiration.

2. Create Your Content, and Structure It.

It is advisable to create a thorough outline of what you'd like to teach. This should present concepts in an orderly fashion.

It is important to consider the larger overall picture when you're organizing the content. Depending on the length of the course, you may want to break it down into bigger parts (or chapters) as well as sub-lessons within the larger units or chapters.

In the case of, say, if you'd like to teach your students how to learn the art of baking cupcakes, you may want divide your class into units that cover these areas:

  • Baking equipment
  • The basic (classic frosting and batter)
  • Holiday recipes
  • Tutorials

Keep in mind that you should explain your course material with a style that is suitable for each...

  1. the subject you are discussing
  2. Your ideal student

For our cupcake recipe You might also utilize video guides in addition to your recipes and images.

Additionally, if your target audience comprises busy working mothers it is advisable to keep the videos short. After all, your students are likely to have a tight schedule.

It gives you all the tools you need to create a structure for your content. It allows you to add items such as:

  • Pictures
  • Videos
  • Forums
  • Live chats

A note on design

Whatever the subject the course must be appealing and feature modern design elements. Otherwise, students won't remain (if they are even interested in the first place).

However, creating an attractive course doesn't necessarily require complex designing skills. If your color scheme and fonts conform to a standard as well as your graphics aren't low-quality, you should be good.

Simply toggle through a couple of options, upload photos, then choose the colours. Pagemaker takes care of everything else for you.

3. Marketing Your Online Course

When you're satisfied with your course The final step of the design process is to market it. It's likely that you'll offer it through your website However, there are plenty of other ways you can promote the product.

It is possible that you do not possess a large social media presence or email list well-suited to your particular course. In that case, affiliate marketing or a referral program can be effective alternatives.

Easy Affiliate plugin Easy Affiliate plugin allows you to generate links affiliates may make use of to promote your courses for your benefit (in exchange for a commission).

However, Commission rates for digital items tend to be quite high ( around 20%) but this could be well worth it if you work with experienced and high-performing affiliates.

Conclusion

On the contrary! With a little planning and a few simple equipment, almost everyone can create an online course that is based on the expertise of their own.

For review, here's how to create an online course using three steps:

  1. Find your subject and public.
cta character

Start Now!

Get started with your online class, and get paid for the knowledge you have. Set up and prepared to market in just an hour!

Do you have any questions about designing an online course? Please let us know via the comments section below!