Hey Go-Getter!
I’ve learned as an entrepreneur that no matter how great your ideas are or no matter how flawless your content is, it’s nothing if it doesn’t reach people or generate some type of action. We did not become entrepreneurs to give away free stuff 100% of the time. WE NEED TO MAKE MONEY.
If you know anything about me, I help moms turn their passions into a side hustle or business. And one way I have done that for myself is by creating courses. Online courses are one of the top ways to earn passive income (money while you sleep) in the online world of entrepreneurship. Therefore, I’m going to show you five ways to create an online course that SELLS.
1. Choose a Topic You are Passionate About
What are you going to teach? I’m sure there are so many things that you could teach (because you are just that dang good), but what are you truly passionate about? If you need a little help, sign up for my passion email course.
Why is it important to teach something you are passionate about? It is important because your clients will notice if you are just giving them a bunch of crap you could care less about as opposed to something you really love. When we love something, we giggle about it, we tell everyone about it, and we put our hearts and souls into it. Being passionate about your course topic is the connection you need to sell your course. You become believable, trustworthy, and people want to learn your passion too. And ultimately BUY from you.
2. Do Your Research
Now that you have a topic you are passionate about, it’s time to do some research. You are the expert but to sell a course you must ask your audience what they want to learn. Look for your potential students in Facebook Groups, email a survey to your list, and search for books on Amazon related to your course topic and read the reviews. You are trying to uncover your niche’s pain points. What are they asking questions about? What are they struggling with? How could your course help them?
You also want to research your competitors for insight. What are they teaching? What lessons are they offering? What would you offer to differentiate yourself from others? It’s okay that someone else is teaching your passion because you are special, different, and you have a tribe that wants to learn exclusively from you because of your personal experiences.
3. Create Course Goals
To sell your course, each module and lesson MUST have transformative goals. This just basically means the course has to change their lives and provide a win.
When someone purchases a course from you, they need to see that it adds value to their lives and it’s just not a course based on information. Your course has to improve their lives in some way. That is why creating course goals is one of the most important parts of course development.
The best feeling in the world is when someone takes your course, they are changed by it, and they tell others. A testimonial about how great your course is will always lead to more course sells.
4. Develop Content Based on Course Goals
At this point you should have some of your course outlined and an idea of what goals will come from each module and lesson. Now you need to develop the content of your course based on your course goals. This just means you need to create actionable steps that your participants will be able to follow. These steps should ultimately lead them to your module or lesson goals(s).
For example, if you say by taking your course they can increase their monthly profit by $5000 a month, you must tell them how they can achieve that. If you cannot show your participants how to achieve the results you are promising that is a sure way to loose future participants, money, and credibility. Give them what you are promising AND some things they are not expecting! The rule of thumb is to go above their expectations.
5. Create the Perfect Freebie
Your online course should be almost done so now you have to generate some buzz around it. What can you do to get potential clients interested in your course? Create an opt-in, freebie, or lead magnet (they all mean the same thing). A lead magnet or freebie is basically free content that you are giving in exchange for an email address. You will use your tribe’s email addresses to continue to nurture them with great content, all while building a relationship of trust. No one buys from someone they don’t know and trust. .
This part is crucial to selling your course because your lead magnet gives them an introduction to your course and a glimpse into what’s in store for them when they purchase your course. Your lead magnet must be irresistible and solve a small but important issue. Think of your lead magnet like a virtual handshake to someone you want to build a lasting relationship with.
You can live a life doing something you are passionate about. All it takes is a little work upfront but the long-term benefits are priceless. Happy creating!