How to create and sell an online course in 9 steps - Part 2
Posted: Mon Dec 23, 2024 5:16 am
Once you have successfully completed all 5 steps that I shared in last week's article, today we move on to the next steps for successfully launching and selling an online course.
STEP 6: LAUNCHING YOUR ONLINE COURSE
Once your online course is created, you need to prepare it for public launch.
I suggest you test it yourself first and see it through the eyes of the user. This way you can find any errors or see where you need to improve.
Or you can opt for a different strategy and offer the course for free to your best customers or friends in exchange for their opinion. Your main goal is to test whether the course is interesting to sell.
STEP 7: MARKETING AND SALES OF THE ONLINE COURSE
Of course, you will also need to sell your online course.
You can do this as follows:
Create and optimize your website . Your online course should have its own sales page.
Promote it on all social networks.
Write a blog post on the topic you have in your course and include an offer for the course.
Write an email on the topic you have in the course and include the course offer.
Email continues to be a powerful marketing tool. You can build an email list by using social media and creating forms on your website.
Partner with other entrepreneurs. Connect and collaborate with other entrepreneurs to promote your online course.
STEP 8: CREATE A BUYING PATH
The purchase journey is one of the most important starting points for developing an inbound marketing strategy (content marketing to attract customers). It is the process that people go through when they want to 1,000 mobile number list free solve a problem, need, or just satisfy a desire by purchasing products or services.
By offering the content they need at the right moment in the purchase journey, in a way that is relevant to them, you will build greater trust and a stronger long-term relationship that will eventually lead to a purchase.
There are three main stages of the purchasing journey:
1. AWARENESS LEVEL (top-of-funnel)
The buyer is aware of or recognizes the symptoms of a problem, but cannot define their problem in one sentence. Consider all formats when creating content (short, concise lists or blog posts). This allows your brand to establish itself as a trusted source of information for the buyer, and allows your company to follow up and inform the buyer with information that will help them in the second stage of the buying journey.
2. EVALUATION AND THINKING STAGE (middle-of-funnel)
In the consideration stage, the buyer is focused on exploring options to alleviate their newly identified issue. Your buyer at this stage just wants information – they are not ready to buy a solution. At this stage, offer a pitch that highlights the different products or services your company offers that could help the buyer in their current situation.
At this stage, consider posting testimonials from satisfied customers, posting how-to videos that showcase your online course. This will help your customer decide on their solution and gently nudge them into the decision-making phase.
3. PURCHASE DECISION STAGE (bottom-of-funnel)
In the decision phase, the customer compares different brand options and decides on one of them. Once the customer has chosen a solution that your company also offers, you want them to choose your brand over your direct competitors.
You can offer content that emphasizes that your online course is the right choice in the form of a free demo or trial version, various charts, or infographics that highlight the competitive advantage over other similar online courses.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of content. You might just find the right strategy that will make your online course sell like crazy. Taking the time to empathize with your customer and think about what information they need will increase your chances of getting the right customers for your online course.
STEP 9: THE SHOPPING JOURNEY SHOULD NOT END WITH THE PURCHASE!
After the purchase, the sales cycle of the purchase path is completed, but don't forget to maintain good relationships with your customers. Only they will spread the good word about you. Your task is to take care of feedback, nurture customers even after the purchase, and provide them with news and important information about your online course.
If you perform well throughout the entire purchase journey and offer support services after purchasing an online course, customers will become promoters or ambassadors of your company and will be happy to recommend it to their circle of acquaintances and friends.
It is important:
To focus on the customer experience – create a positive and memorable experience. The more you understand and support your course viewers, the more they will spread the word about their fantastic experience.
Build a community - Many successful people who sell online courses know that it is important to build a community. This way, course buyers can collaborate and support each other. You can do this with the help of social networks - for example, by starting a closed Facebook group.
Encourage online course buyers to view the content multiple times.
Get and use feedback.
Consistently update your course.
You should update your course at least once a year. This shows your customers that you care. Make sure they have the latest information even after they purchase your course. Also include specific troubleshooting instructions and frequently asked questions.
If you have the knowledge, passion, audience, and content that people want, selling an online course is a great way to generate revenue. The opportunities are huge.
You just need to know how to use it. I hope these tips have encouraged and helped you to create your own online course.
STEP 6: LAUNCHING YOUR ONLINE COURSE
Once your online course is created, you need to prepare it for public launch.
I suggest you test it yourself first and see it through the eyes of the user. This way you can find any errors or see where you need to improve.
Or you can opt for a different strategy and offer the course for free to your best customers or friends in exchange for their opinion. Your main goal is to test whether the course is interesting to sell.
STEP 7: MARKETING AND SALES OF THE ONLINE COURSE
Of course, you will also need to sell your online course.
You can do this as follows:
Create and optimize your website . Your online course should have its own sales page.
Promote it on all social networks.
Write a blog post on the topic you have in your course and include an offer for the course.
Write an email on the topic you have in the course and include the course offer.
Email continues to be a powerful marketing tool. You can build an email list by using social media and creating forms on your website.
Partner with other entrepreneurs. Connect and collaborate with other entrepreneurs to promote your online course.
STEP 8: CREATE A BUYING PATH
The purchase journey is one of the most important starting points for developing an inbound marketing strategy (content marketing to attract customers). It is the process that people go through when they want to 1,000 mobile number list free solve a problem, need, or just satisfy a desire by purchasing products or services.
By offering the content they need at the right moment in the purchase journey, in a way that is relevant to them, you will build greater trust and a stronger long-term relationship that will eventually lead to a purchase.
There are three main stages of the purchasing journey:
1. AWARENESS LEVEL (top-of-funnel)
The buyer is aware of or recognizes the symptoms of a problem, but cannot define their problem in one sentence. Consider all formats when creating content (short, concise lists or blog posts). This allows your brand to establish itself as a trusted source of information for the buyer, and allows your company to follow up and inform the buyer with information that will help them in the second stage of the buying journey.
2. EVALUATION AND THINKING STAGE (middle-of-funnel)
In the consideration stage, the buyer is focused on exploring options to alleviate their newly identified issue. Your buyer at this stage just wants information – they are not ready to buy a solution. At this stage, offer a pitch that highlights the different products or services your company offers that could help the buyer in their current situation.
At this stage, consider posting testimonials from satisfied customers, posting how-to videos that showcase your online course. This will help your customer decide on their solution and gently nudge them into the decision-making phase.
3. PURCHASE DECISION STAGE (bottom-of-funnel)
In the decision phase, the customer compares different brand options and decides on one of them. Once the customer has chosen a solution that your company also offers, you want them to choose your brand over your direct competitors.
You can offer content that emphasizes that your online course is the right choice in the form of a free demo or trial version, various charts, or infographics that highlight the competitive advantage over other similar online courses.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of content. You might just find the right strategy that will make your online course sell like crazy. Taking the time to empathize with your customer and think about what information they need will increase your chances of getting the right customers for your online course.
STEP 9: THE SHOPPING JOURNEY SHOULD NOT END WITH THE PURCHASE!
After the purchase, the sales cycle of the purchase path is completed, but don't forget to maintain good relationships with your customers. Only they will spread the good word about you. Your task is to take care of feedback, nurture customers even after the purchase, and provide them with news and important information about your online course.
If you perform well throughout the entire purchase journey and offer support services after purchasing an online course, customers will become promoters or ambassadors of your company and will be happy to recommend it to their circle of acquaintances and friends.
It is important:
To focus on the customer experience – create a positive and memorable experience. The more you understand and support your course viewers, the more they will spread the word about their fantastic experience.
Build a community - Many successful people who sell online courses know that it is important to build a community. This way, course buyers can collaborate and support each other. You can do this with the help of social networks - for example, by starting a closed Facebook group.
Encourage online course buyers to view the content multiple times.
Get and use feedback.
Consistently update your course.
You should update your course at least once a year. This shows your customers that you care. Make sure they have the latest information even after they purchase your course. Also include specific troubleshooting instructions and frequently asked questions.
If you have the knowledge, passion, audience, and content that people want, selling an online course is a great way to generate revenue. The opportunities are huge.
You just need to know how to use it. I hope these tips have encouraged and helped you to create your own online course.