The online education industry is a booming market that is projected to grow into
a $325 billion business by 2025. With the staggering figures providing ground for educators worldwide to launch their teaching business, more people are trying their hands on selling online courses.
Today’s generation is exposed to a competitive environment where they have to push themselves to their maximum potential to thrive in their career, and online courses help them for the same. Creating and selling online courses can be highly beneficial for educators considering the profits they can make and the ability to grow their brand.
One of the best ways to establish your own business in the online education industry is to sell online courses from your own website. While creating your own online course seems to be challenging, it’s simple if you follow the right process.
Here is a step-by-step guide to help you with the essential steps for creating and selling online courses.
Choosing a subject area
The first step in the process of creating an online course is to choose a subject area. Select a subject in which you have adequate knowledge and skills to create a course. Also, make sure the subject you choose has ample demand and scope among your target audience.
To find the right subject, perform a simple market study to find the subject that can be used to create an online course. The online courses that have the highest demand in the market are career-oriented courses like Computer & technology, Business & Technology entrepreneurship, Health & Fitness, Science & math, and more.
Research course topic extensively and select a catchy title
Once you have selected the subject area, research the course topic. Check different course topics that come under the main topic and see whether it is compatible with your subject area and your expertise.
Once you refine your search, choose a niche topic from the broader category you have chosen. For example, if you have chosen the subject area on computers and technology, you can consider creating an online course that is related to coding.
Create the course content
Now that you have chosen the course topic, start gathering the information for the course content.
Here are some of the steps you can follow to create interesting and engaging course content:
Create a course outline
Begin by creating a course outline by grouping the content you have collected together. Try to include bite-size content and videos in your course curriculum. Integrate different types of content like text, images, videos, infographics, etc. Make a list of the entire content that goes into your online course.
Make a list of equipment you require
To create an online course, you would need basic equipment like a smartphone or camera for recording videos, a desktop or laptop, an audio device, a fast internet connection, an all-in-one tutoring platform, and a lot of passion. When you want to level up, you can consider adding an HD video camera, microphones, lighting rings, a green screen, and more.
Creating engaging content
When creating content for your online course, make sure you stick to your course outline. Keep in mind that the attention span of students these days is much shorter. Hence, keep the learning modules short.
With self-paced online courses, learners have the option to stop whenever they want, so make the content as engaging as possible. Along with the regular course content, add in interactive elements like discussion boards, multiple-choice questions at the end of each lesson to evaluate student engagement.
Build your own online tutoring website to host your courses
You might be more familiar with online course marketplaces that allow you to sell your online courses. However, these online platforms don’t offer you the flexibility and control over your course content. Moreover, it takes a major share of the money you make through selling your courses.
Why give a hefty share of your income to third-party services when you can host your online course on your own website. But how to create an online tutoring website that allows you to host self-paced online
courses.
The best way to create your own tutoring website is to use professional course management software that comes with all essential features and functionalities. For example, Pinlearn is a tutoring software that is a ready-made script that is carefully designed for teaching, tutoring, and hosting self-paced online courses. Designed for both single and multi-tutor businesses, Pinlearn allows educators to create their tutoring platform effortlessly in easy steps.
Market your online course
Without a solid marketing plan, you might find it difficult to bring in traffic, learners, and sales for your online courses.
So here are some of the effective marketing strategies you can adopt to sell your online course.
Build a killer landing page for online marketing
Craft a great landing page for your online courses, which can make your sales growth over time. Link the landing page to videos that educate and promote action. Make sure you add a call-to-action button on each landing page asking visitors to sign up for your email list or buy your online courses.
Create blog posts
Blogging is a great SEO strategy that makes it easy for learners to get to know your tutoring brand and trust your experience. Share informative content to build authority, drive targeted traffic, and get backlinks which will help to improve your chance of showing up in search engines.
Run ads on Facebook
If you aren’t getting results from organic ways, invest in ads to bring the results you are looking for. The secret is to keep testing and trying new ideas in paid advertising to maximize your reach.
Be active on social media
Improve your social presence by creating professional profiles on social media platforms like Linkedin, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter etc., where your target audience is present to increase your exposure. Make it
a practice to post images and videos related to your online courses and your offerings.
Conclusion
Creating an online course for the first time is a lot of work, but it’s very rewarding and an effective way to increase your revenue while sharing your knowledge and expertise. Selling online courses through your own website is more effective than selling them on any random marketplace.
The control, flexibility, freedom, branding, and recognition it gives cannot be replaced. Invest in your own branding online tutoring platform to benefit from it in the long term. Kick start your journey to building a successful tutoring brand of your own effortlessly.
