“Build an online course” they say…
“Make passive income” they say…
“It’ll be easy” they say…
But let’s be honest, it’s not always that easy.
I’ve been writing courses for the online and offline world for 7 years now, and I’ve picked up a lot along the way.
You’ll get my golden nuggets at the bottom of today’s post… but today isn’t all about me.
Instead, I wanted to know what other course creators wish they knew before they started. So here it is, straight from the horses mouth (not that they are horses… you know what I mean.)
I asked:
What do you wish you knew BEFORE you created your first online course?
I created a course to sell via a membership model and I wish I had realised how many complications and administration there would be with selling courses in this way. People love to talk about the ongoing income but not how tricky the admin can be with missed payments, confusion, change of credit cards, cancellations and much more. While I still think it was the right model for my audience, I wish I had made an educated choice on this based on what I know now.
Sharon Gourlay, Simpler and Smarter
That good courses really live or die by the support they give.
If your course doesn’t give some personal love, support and attention then I may as well buy a UDEMY $10 bargain.
Kate Toon, Katetoon.com
That if you are converting content you have delivered through an in person workshop to an online course, it’s not just a quick process. You will need more slides & the energy of the presentation is REALLY different!!
Sharon Tregoning, Spiritual Palliative Care
That courses are HARD DAMN WORK.
I always say it about websites but for some stupid reason I thought if I built a course people would somehow, magically sign up.
I’d done all the work already so I shouldn’t have to do too much going forward. Nope!
Bec Waterhouse, Becwaterhouse.com.au
You need people to sell it to… start building a community as early as you can.
I learnt the hard way and then gave up on my course because I thought it wasn’t good enough or what people wanted.
I just hadn’t shared it with enough people and they didn’t know me.
Gemma Moore, Red Spark Communications
And my 2 cents…
– Courses aren’t passive
You need to support your participants during the sales process, during the course, and even post course.
They are definitely leveraged, but they aren’t passive.
– Courses need to be sold
“Build it and they will come” definitely doesn’t apply in this case.
You will need to build your audience, warm them and sell to them.
This isn’t about being pushy, but it is about clearly explaining how your course will help them, and making sure they know it is available.
– Courses take a while to build.
I’m all for pre-selling, but make sure you have at least built the first module before you do.
If the first module takes you 4 weeks to build, then there is no point pre-selling and telling everyone your course will be ready it two weeks.
Outline your modules, build the first one, record the videos, get it working… then sell it.
That gives you the time and the cash flow to build the rest.
What about you?
What do you wish you knew before you built your first online course?