Creating an online course is easy
This post is part of the Course Creation Myth busting series: Because courses rock… but there is plenty of bull out there, it’s time to share some truth.
Myth: Creating a course is easy
Actually, I don’t completely disagree with this one…
But first:
Part of the reason that I started this myth busting series is because I see so much information and advice about course creation that makes me roll my eyes… or sigh… or want to throw my laptop across the room (ok, maybe that last one is a little extreme)
I also asked the #RealLifeBiz group what they hear about online courses that makes them roll their eyes, which myths they would like to see busted, and this is one came from them.
Ok, back to the original point.
I don’t completely disagree with “Creating a course is easy”. It can be.
It can be if you are already familiar with the software or platform that you are using
If you are used to building a lot of content
And if you have built a course before and have a process or system that works for you
BUT (come on, you know that there is always a but…)
There is a difference between “easy” and effortless or quick.
Creating a course definitely isn’t quick. There is a lot of work involved (aka effort) , and if you aren’t familiar with the type of work involved then it won’t feel easy at all. It can feel like a long, uphill battle.
In a nutshell: It can be easy if you know what you are doing and have a clear plan, but it isn’t always fast.
How to make course creation easier?
– Decide on a really clear objective or outcome
An objective is simply an outcome. Before you start creating content, set a really clear objective for the course. What will they learn if they take your course? How will they feel by the end?
By focusing on creating content that meets a clear objective, or solves one specific problem, you save yourself creating lots of extra content that wasn’t really needed.
Plus, you reduce the risk of your participant suffering from overwhelm.
Plus, knowing exactly how your course will help them, makes selling it a whole lot easier too.
That’s a whole lot of good reasons to take a minute or two to set a really clear objective.
– Break your content down into tiny, little, bite-sized pieces
This helps you- participants to consume the content… but it also helps you to create it.
Rather than focusing on the need to create a whole course, you can simply focus on creating one bit at a time.
Creating a course might sound daunting, but you can easily create one worksheet, right? Or just one 3 min video? See, it doesn’t sound so bad when you focus on one little bit at a time.
– Choose a tech solution that suits you.
If you are a website designer, or comfortable with making edits on your own website, then adding a course plug-in to your site and self hosting your course is a great idea. (links to options like Wishlist Member and MemberPress )
But if you don’t feel comfortable making changes like that, or you feel like you don’t know what you are doing then pick an option that suits you. There are lots of platforms (links to teachable and thinkific) where all of the tech is done for you, and you just have to upload your content.
And if that still feels like too much, outsource the uploading and set up of your online course. Don’t let the fear of this step stop you from getting your content online.
So, don’t let the idea of creating a course scare you.
It doesn’t have to be hard… but understand that it isn’t always quick.
Allow yourself plenty of time and don’t presell your first course until you know how long it will take you to make it.