Creating an online training course: 8 steps to turn your knowledge into a business

Would you like to share your expertise and generate revenue at the same time? Offer online training! Many professionals monetise their knowledge, but creating an effective training course requires method and strategy.

How do you go about creating a training course? Discover the key steps for showcasing your knowledge, attracting your target audience, and moving from expertise to profitability.

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Why create an online training course?

Offering your own distance learning course is much more than simply sharing your knowledge with a community! It's a real opportunity to expand your audience, generate revenue and establish your status as an expert.

A booming market

With the explosion in teleworking, digitisation and the number of self-employed people, the e-learning sector is booming. The e-learning market is estimated to be worth several hundred billion euros!

Online courses are easily accessible at any age, from anywhere and on any subject, making distance learning a much more available and practical training solution than traditional face-to-face training. All you need is a computer and an internet connection. 💻

A way to sell your experience and expertise

Creating your professional training course online means turning your knowledge of a subject into a recurring source of income. With digital learning, the whole world is your potential customer! There are no geographical limits holding you back. 🤩

Distance learning can complement your existing business or become your core business. In fact, creating online training courses is an ideal source of income for :

• the self-employed,
• freelancers
• coaches
• and consultants who are experts in their specific field.

A scalable business model

Unlike many activities, selling online training courses represents an unlimited source of income! All you have to do is put in the effort to create it:

• finding a theme
• the subject of your training course
• programme ideas,
• organising everything...

👉 What's more, sales can multiply on their own once the course is online. You no longer need to convert your time into money.

You can choose to add bonus modules on a regular basis and update them as necessary, to keep your training attractive and profitable.

Total flexibility

In e-learning, flexibility isn't just for the learners. You, as the trainer, can work from anywhere at your own pace. With this type of e-learning, there's no need to make tiring journeys to conduct in-company training in real time.

A commitment to passing on knowledge

By offering educational content that is accessible to as many people as possible, you will be helping people to improve their skills in a specific area. This sharing of expertise will make you a key reference in your sector and build a solid community around your online training course.

But how do you go about creating your online training course? Here are the steps! ⤵️

Step 1: Determine your subject and target audience

Before embarking on your project, you need to lay the foundations: what knowledge and skills do you want to pass on, and to whom? The first step towards e-learning success is therefore to define your educational subject and your audience.

Choosing a profitable subject

Your expertise is not enough! There has to be a real demand in the market. Research current trends by checking the data provided by Google Trends and the information on e-learning platforms, for example. You can even look at book sales in your field and target the segments that are of most interest. 📚

Have you come up with an idea for an online training course? Perfect, now ask yourself this question: even with the best quality teaching possible, are people willing to pay to learn this?

Identify your audience

For your online training project, who are the ideal learners? You need to find out:

• how old they are
• what their profession is
• what is their skill level in the chosen subject.

What are the problems and frustrations they want to resolve through training? And finally, what are their exact objectives? Their expectations? 🎯

Tip: to make sure you reach the right audience, create a specific persona for each training course. One topic might be aimed at beginners, while another might be better suited to more experienced people.

Analyse what the competition is offering

There is no point in offering exactly the same online training as a competitor, especially if they are well established. Before thinking about the content of your course in detail, check what already exists and ask yourself:

• What are the strengths and weaknesses of what the competition is offering?
• And what added value can your content bring?

Don't hesitate to look at the customer reviews left on other online courses to learn more about the needs of your target audience, and learn from the unmet expectations to prepare your version.

Validate your idea before creating the course

Launching an online training course represents a real investment, at least in terms of time. Gauging the level of interest in your future service is not only useful, it's essential! ☝️

There are several ways of testing the interest of potential learners, using different media:

• on social networks: a survey on LinkedIn, a group on Facebook, a promotional code on Instagram, etc.
• by sending out a newsletter: if you already have regular customers, why not test their curiosity?
• with a free webinar: to find out whether people are willing to pay to learn more;
• with a pre-sale: there's no better way to check that your training course is selling!

Step 2: Structure the e-learning content

A good e-learning course is one that captures the attention of learners and maximises the impact of your teaching. To achieve this, it is essential to organise your ideas in a logical and attractive way.

Define the learning objectives

The first thing is to know where you want to take the learner. At the end of the course, what will they have learned? The objective or objectives identified must be very clear to the user, measurable and, of course, achievable.

Moreover, this objective should be included in your e-learning programme. If the aim is to master all the workings of WordPress, for example, you could say: "By the end of this course, you will know how to create a WordPress website without coding". And if you're more interested in helping e-tailers, you could say: "After this course, you'll be able to write a sales page that converts". ✨

Build a logical, step-by-step plan

No one stays attentive for hours in front of a screen. For effective training, break it down into short-format modules, 20 to 30 minutes maximum. And to ensure that your online training is easy to follow, follow a progressive teaching plan:

• start with the simplest and work up to the most complicated;
• Alternate between theoretical and practical lessons;
• Regularly include short exercises, case studies and quizzes to review progress along the way.

Mistakes to avoid when setting up a course

When creating your first e-learning course, you can fall into certain traps that can ruin all your efforts:

• too much content: the learner is drowned in the quantity of information, which in no way detracts from its quality. But too much information kills information;
• a disjointed plan: if the logic is not there, the learning loses all meaning;
• no practical application: it's by doing it yourself that you learn the most!

Step 3: Choose the right formats and tools

Video content, interactive quizzes, downloadable PDFs... the choice of formats and tools has a direct impact on user engagement and understanding. It's up to you to find the right balance!

The different formats and their advantages

Video

🎥 The most popular format! Why is it so popular? Because it's more engaging, more lively and encourages learning.

Interaction is stronger and video can create a feeling of closeness with the speaker. We recommend using short videos with rhythmic editing, and generating subtitles to facilitate accessibility and understanding for people watching without sound.

Disadvantage: the video format requires equipment and editing skills, and is also more time-consuming.

Audio

🎧 Podcasts, interviews and even voice-overs on visual presentations are content that is easy to consume on the move. They are particularly useful for offering additional content such as expert interviews or audio FAQs.

Disadvantage: without a visual aspect, it's harder to get hooked. As a result, engagement is lower.

Text and written material

✍️ With written support, PDFs, practical sheets, checklists and guides provide a structure that allows learners to revise. They have a written record.

This type of format is very easy to produce and use, as it requires no special equipment. It is the ideal format to accompany videos, as it provides a framework for learning.

Disadvantage: although it provides visual support, the text is often less engaging than a striking video.

Live workshops and interactive webinars

🖥️ This is the best approach for real-time interaction! It's also the ideal format for providing a question-and-answer session and boosting motivation. Include this option in your offering to boost your students' commitment.

Disadvantage: to organise this type of format, you'll need to make sure that you set up a fixed time slot, which will take up a lot of your time each time.

Recommended tools for creating your content

Each software package has its own features. Have you defined your needs? Here are the best tools to help you:

• for filming and editing videos: Camtasia (simple editing), Premiere Pro (more advanced), Filmora (good compromise).
• to record good sound: Audacity.
• to create attractive visuals: Canva (simple and effective), PowerPoint or Google Slides (classic, but functional).
• to run webinars: Zoom (the benchmark), Webex or Liverstorm (alternatives).

Step 4: Choose an e-learning platform

That's it, everything's ready? Once you've finished creating the content, you'll need to choose a platform to host it.

The main categories of platform

E-learning marketplaces

🛠️ Examples: Udemy, Coursera, OpenClassrooms

These are ideal for getting started with training when you don't yet have an audience. However, these platforms are less profitable in the long term.

• Advantages: you have access to a large audience and they are ready to use. You don't need hosting or a website, and you can usually sign up for free.
• Disadvantages: you can expect fierce competition and high commissions from the platforms (up to 50%).

All-in-one platforms

🛠️ Examples: Teachable, Podia, Kajabi, Systeme.io

These platforms allow you to launch your training under your own brand.

• Advantages: you benefit from a complete management system (videos, quizzes, payments, emails, certification). You also have greater independence over the cost and marketing of your e-learning course.
• Disadvantages: you will have to pay a monthly subscription fee, but your margins will be higher.

Host your training on your own site

🛠️ Examples: self-hosted site (with domain name) on WordPress with LearnDash plugin or Tutor LMS

By hosting your course yourself on your website, you transform it directly into a correspondence course platform.

• Advantages: you retain total control over the online course and the revenue generated. All features are customisable.
• Disadvantages: the configuration will be more technical than on a marketplace and some plugins cost money. What's more, you'll need to get your hands dirty to deal with any maintenance issues.

Selection criteria

The right platform will be the one that is adapted to your content, your audience and your business objectives. To choose the right platform for your e-learning course, pay attention to the following criteria:

• ease of use: the platform must be intuitive for both you and the learners.
• compatible formats: videos, quizzes, etc. Does it support everything you need?
• customisation: training that reflects your image has an immediate and greater impact!
• interaction and engagement: comments, forums, live broadcasts... make sure you can communicate with participants.
• automation and monitoring: can you access progress reports? Statistics? Will you be able to generate certificates?
• pricing and business model: subscription, commission... which model suits you best?

Step 5: Define a price and business model

The right price for your e-learning course is the one that strikes the right balance between profitability and attractiveness. Don't drive customers away, but don't devalue yourself either.

How do you set the right price?

It's not always easy to estimate the value of your training course - in other words, the value of your knowledge! To start with, take another look at the competition. What are the prices offered for online training courses similar to yours?

⭐ Remember that the most expensive courses are often considered to be of higher quality, even if this is not always justified.

Once you've decided on your price, test it, and try out variations: try reduced-price pre-sales, one-off promotions, premium prices... And refine your price based on what works best.

The different business models

You're just starting out as an online trainer and you're still trying to decide which business model to offer. Here are the different possibilities:

• one-off payment: the course is sold at a fixed price. This is the simplest solution, but also the one that generates the least recurring revenue.
• Monthly subscription: this gives access to several courses at a price set each month. With this option, income is regular, but you often need to add new content to your offering.
• the hybrid formula: this offers a mixed model of online training and coaching. You offer real added value to your customers, at the highest possible price. However, it will also take up more of your time.

Step 6: Launch and promote your online training course

Your course is ready and you're convinced of its quality! Yes, but without visibility, it won't earn you anything. So how can you successfully launch and promote your course?

Launch strategies

Let's get out there and make a name for ourselves! 🗣️ Here are a few tips for getting your online training course off the ground:

• build your audience before the launch: offer free content on social networks and build a list of emails to which you can send free ebooks or mini-courses, for example.
• tease your training course: give access behind the scenes, launch pre-sale offers with a special rate for the first registrants, organise a "preview" webinar... Anything is possible, just be imaginative!

Post-launch promotion

You don't stop after the first few sales. To keep the momentum going, start thinking about what comes after:

• optimise the SEO of your sales pages: use the right keywords, write hard-hitting product sheets and include videos. Future learners need to be able to find you easily when they're searching.
• Opt for paid advertising: on Facebook, Instagram and Google. Target interested parties and don't hesitate to try out different structures, visuals and messages. You'll see what works best when you use it.
• Dare to form partnerships and affiliations: it's even better if others are talking about you! Contact influencers or experts in your field, take part in podcasts or interviews, and offer an affiliation programme by offering commission to those who recommend you.
• use emailing: to convert and build loyalty. Start by presenting your online training course and its benefits, then send testimonials from satisfied customers, and finally a limited-time promotional offer, for example.

Step 7: Build loyalty and improve training

To turn your online training courses into a real business, you can't stop at sales. A satisfied customer will come back and recommend your course. It must therefore always be up to date and offer new features.

Create a committed community

Congratulations on your first sales! Now you need to do everything you can to ensure that your customers are satisfied, come back, and recommend you to others. 🙏 Here are a few ways to create real engagement:

• Private group on Facebook, Discord or Slack: offer a space for learners to exchange ideas. A caring place where everyone can come and ask questions and share their successes.
• Regular live sessions: keep in touch with learners through frequent webinars to answer any questions. This is also an ideal time for sharing and reviewing projects or case studies. Occasionally bring in guest experts to arouse curiosity.
• Gamification and engagement: organise challenges and competitions, offer badges... make your online training fun and motivating!

Improve training through feedback

To maintain an online training course that meets participants' expectations, collect their opinions and feedback. 💬 You may find this upsetting at times, but you can't imagine the wealth of information you'll find there.

To complete the picture, also analyse the follow-up metrics. The completion rate will tell you a lot about which modules are causing people to drop out. Take into account the satisfaction rate and recommendations to continually improve your training.

Step 8: Automate your training business

You've done it! Your online training course is up and running. Now it's time to automate sales and reap the rewards:

• 🔄 Sell continuously and effortlessly :
• by creating a pre-recorded webinar that runs on a loop,
• by setting up a series of automatic mailings that allow you to keep in touch with your customers already won over and your prospects,
• by optimising your sales pages as much as possible with new offers to increase the average user basket,
• 🤝 Easily manage prospects and customers:
• by using specific tools to track contacts.
• by scheduling automatic reminders and sending emails at just the right time.
• 📞 Ensure post-purchase follow-up:
• by motivating learners and pushing them to follow through. Good-natured emails help to keep participants satisfied.
• by encouraging those who drop out!

The idea is to automate as much as possible to sell and build loyalty, but without spending hours doing it!

See all software Education & eLearning

Creating an online training course: what should you bear in mind?

Launching an online training course means following a clear 8-step process: defining the subject, structuring all the content, choosing the right tools, setting the price, promoting it, building loyalty and automating. Your success depends on quality content, an effective promotional strategy and non-stop improvement!

What's next? There's nothing to stop you going further! Complementary training, subscriptions, premium services... Your knowledge can become a real evolving business, so make the most of it! Ready to take your business to the next level? 👀