The Best Way to Create Online Courses

How to create Online Courses:

Today we're diving into the subject: How to Create Online Courses!

If you're reading this blog, you're probably already aware that creating online courses has an immense potential for making money online. The question remains: What is the best way to create these courses? That is exactly what this blog is about. Drawing from my expertise in crafting over 100 courses, I'll guide you through a step-by-step process on how to design, develop, and market online courses from the ground up.

To answer this question, I've developed a 5-step-plan. First, I'll explain to you what these 5 phases are, and then we'll go into detail about how you can go about each of these steps to achieve maximum results.

With the approach that I am going to present here, our customers have created courses that achieved 7-digit sales just a few days after the launch.

1. Content planning: First, define the learning objectives of the course. What should learners know or be able to do at the end of the course? Identify your target audience and tailor content to their needs.
2. Platform selection: Before you think specifically about what exactly the content should look like, first decide on the platform of your choice, because many platforms don't have all the features you need.
3. Content creation: Once you've got a clear idea of the goals and audience, and you've decided on a learning platform, you can start creating the content. You can use a variety of formats, including text, audio, video, interactive tasks, quizzes, and exams. Make sure the content is appealing, understandable, and well-organized.
4. Collect feedback with test customer training: No master has ever fallen from the sky. Your initial content won't be revolutionary. Have friends, acquaintances and test customers who receive a discount or similar review them and collect valuable feedback to make your content even better.
5. Marketing: After you've incorporated the feedback and have proven results with test customers, you can start marketing and offer your courses online with profitable margins.

Planning content for an online course can be a challenge, but if you're utilising a systematic approach, with practice, you can build courses in just a few days and inspire your audience.

Step 1 - Define goals:

When planning your content, start with an empty document in Word, Google Docs, or similar. In this document, answer the following questions in as much detail and detail as possible:

• What do you want your course to achieve?
• Which core topic would you like to specialize in?
• What skills or knowledge should learners acquire?
• Define clear learning goals. These goals give you a framework to align the content of your course.

This document is intended to provide you with the basic framework for your course and to show you the direction you should follow throughout the course creation process. Many beginners make the mistake of tackling far too many topics at once and not specializing.

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important: It's better to specialise in a core topic and cover it really well instead of trying to build an all-in-one course that solves all problems at once.

Step 2 - Target group analysis:

I recommend that you stay in the same document and make a page break. On this page, you should now ask yourself the following questions:

• Who are the learners?
• What are their needs, knowledge, and abilities?
• How much time can they spend on the course?
• How old are the potential participants?
• What is their professional background?
• What previous knowledge do participants have with regard to the course material?
• What is their level of education?
• What are their learning objectives?
• What do they expect from the course?

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The answers to these questions will help you better tailor your course to the needs and preferences of your target audience. In addition, they will also help you develop more effective marketing strategies later on.

With the experience I gained from creating over 100 online courses, I would like to make it as easy as possible for you to decide between the perfect learning platform.

Here are the key questions you should ask yourself when choosing your platform:

• Ease of use: Is the platform easy to use for both you and learners? Does it have an intuitive user interface?
• Functionality: Does the platform have the features you need? For example: quizzes, video upload, interactive elements, video recordings directly in the platform, video editing, etc.
• Adaptability: Can you customize the platform to meet your specific needs? For example, can you add your branding or change the course layout and design?
• price: How much does it cost to use the platform? Are there any hidden fees, for example for additional features or for a larger number of participants?
• Support: Does the platform provide technical support? How quick and helpful is customer service?
• Integrations: Does the platform integrate with other tools that you use? For example: email marketing software, payment processing, social media, etc.
• Privacy and security: How does the platform protect learners' data and your own data? Are there adequate safety measures?
• Reviews and feedback: What are other users saying about the platform? Are there any positive or negative reviews or feedback that you should consider?

Another important mindset tip:

As a software expert, I often help customers take their first steps in their search for a software solution. People are often looking for the cheapest possible “all-in-one tool” that combines all imaginable functionalities.

At first glance, this idea makes a lot of sense. You want the cheapest possible solution that solves many problems. But this often does not take into account one decisive factor:

An all-in-one solution is a mistake in 100% of cases — i.e. always without exception. Unless it's software built by huge companies like Google, Apple, or Meta with 10,000+ developers and excellent processes.

Why is that so? An all-in-one solution focuses on doing a lot of things mediocre rather than solving a few things really well.

This is simply due to the fact that software development is an extremely complex and, above all, time-consuming process. From user experience to design to final development, all components must fit together perfectly to provide a clean, efficient and error-free user experience.

At LearningSuite, we've spent dozens of hours in brainstorming meetings to come up with a perfect concept that makes the process of creating learning content as easy as possible, and that's exactly what we specialize in.

That is exactly why our customers are so excited about our solution. As confirmation, feel free to watch this video where our customers share their opinion about LearningSuite:

I can give you this recommendation personally:

As co-founder and managing director of LearningSuite, I can of course only recommend LearningSuite as a learning platform, provided that the following applies to you:

1. You already have active existing customers and are already generating at least four-digit profits per month.
2. You don't settle for lazy compromises and appreciate high-quality design and an intuitive, fast user experience.
3. You only have the best in mind for your customers and help them solve real, measurable problems.

If these requirements don't apply to you, here is a list of platforms that you could also consider:

• Kajabi: Kajabi is known for its wide range of functions. With marketing tools and automation features, it's ideal for those who want to market their courses effectively. One shortcoming that many of our customers had with Kajabi was in particular the design and the intuitiveness of the platform. In addition, the price is quite high.
• Elopage: Elopage is suitable if you're looking for a comprehensive all-in-one solution that gives you everything you need for your online course and member area from a single source. In any case, the extremely cumbersome operation and layout of the software is a disadvantage.
• Thinkific: Thinkific is rather easy to use compared to other platforms, but it is also not a cheap alternative.

Now it's finally time to put it into practice. In this phase, you create your first course. This can be very overwhelming, especially at the beginning, especially if you've never created a course before.

That's exactly why I've listed the most important questions with answers for the professional creation of learning content.

Question #1: How does the creation of digital learning content actually work?

The creation of digital learning content includes the design, development and provision of educational resources in digital form. This can include various formats, such as text, audio, video, interactive tasks, and more. In general, the process involves:

• planning: Define the goals of your course and identify the target group. Consider what knowledge or skills learners should have at the end of the course.
• Content development: Create the actual course content by compiling relevant information, exercises, and materials. Make sure that the content is clearly structured and easy to understand.
• Media creation: Depending on your needs, you can write texts, record videos, create audio files, and integrate interactive elements. The choice of media depends on your course and the needs of your target group.
• Platform selection: Choose an appropriate learning platform to host your content and provide learners with access.
• Release: Upload your content to the learning platform or create it directly in the learning platform and ensure that it is accessible to learners.

Question #2: How do I best structure my content?

Structuring your content is crucial to ensure an effective learning process. Here are best practices:

• Introduction: Start with a clear introduction that prepares learners for the course and sets expectations.
• Modular structure: Break the course into well-defined modules, sections, and lessons. Each module should cover a specific topic.
• Clear goals: Set clear learning objectives for each module so that learners know what they should achieve in the end.
• Interactivity: Include interactive elements such as quizzes, discussion forums, or exercises to encourage learner engagement.
• Continuous evaluation: Use regular assessments, submissions, or quizzes to check learners' progress.

Question No. 3: What are the best practices that the most successful coaches in Germany use?

The most successful coaches in Germany use some proven practices:

• Clear positioning: They define their niche and target group very precisely in order to provide targeted learning content.
• High quality: They value high-quality content and an appealing design to gain learners' trust.
• Interaction: They encourage interaction with learners, whether through live sessions, discussions, or feedback.
• Continuous improvement: They collect feedback from learners and adjust their courses accordingly.
• Marketing and visibility: They use effective marketing strategies to publicize their courses and target potential learners.

Question #4: What setup do I need to create professional content?

The required setup depends on the content articles, but in general, you'll need:

• Computer: A powerful computer or laptop for content creation and editing.
• Software: Software for word processing, video recording and editing, audio recording and editing, as required.
• Recording devices: Your phone, microphone, camera, and possibly lights when you create video content.
• Interactive tools: Tools for creating interactive elements, such as quizzes or exercises.
• Learning platform: A platform to deliver and manage your courses.

Question #5: How can I measure my clients' learning success and integrate feedback?

To measure learning success, you can:

• Reviews and taxes: Regular submissions and assessments during the course to check learners' level of knowledge.
• Surveys: Gather feedback from learners through surveys to make improvements.
• Analytics: Use analytics tools on the learning platform to track learners' progress and behavior.
• Individual feedback: Provide personalized feedback and support when needed.

3 reasons why you need to get test customers:

1. The difference to real customers is that you validate your skills with test customers and deliver the first results. This is how you create an attractive offer for people who are willing to pay at a high price afterwards.
2. Real high-price customers need to trust you. That is why the most important task when working with test customers is to convert them into positive customer feedback for our promotional material in the form of case studies.
3. With test customers, you can also find out whether you really solve your target group's problem and whether they are willing to pay you 3,000 euros and more for your offer.

Collect feedback and incorporate it into your course!

In the training, which you can get free of charge, you will learn exactly how to get feedback from your test customers and how you can incorporate this feedback so that your course content is even better.

This phase is now about how to effectively promote your online courses and sell them successfully online. This is the key step to monetize your hard work in previous phases and get the most out of your courses.

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Here are a few key steps and considerations that go into this phase:

1. Target group targeting: Identify your target group precisely. Who are the people who can benefit the most from your courses? What problems or needs do they have that your courses can solve? The more you know your target audience, the more targeted you can make your marketing efforts.
2. Message and value proposition: Develop a clear and compelling message for your courses Emphasize the value that your courses provide and show how they meet the needs and goals of your audience. A strong value proposition is critical to pique the interest of potential participants.
3. Marketing channels: Select the right marketing channels to reach your target audience This could include social media platforms, email marketing, content marketing, webinars, paid advertising, and more. The selection of appropriate channels depends on your target group and resources.
4. Sales strategy: Think about the best way to sell your courses. Do you offer different pricing models? Are there any special offers or discounts? How do you arrange payment processing and access to courses for participants?
5. Content marketing: Use content marketing to demonstrate your expertise and reach out to potential customers. Blog posts, videos, podcasts, and other content can help expand your reach and build trust.
6. Customer reviews and testimonials: Show positive experiences from previous participants. Customer reviews and testimonials can build trust and interest in your courses.
7. Optimize sales funnels: Continuously monitor and optimize your sales funnel. Track how well your marketing efforts are working and identify areas where you can make improvements.
8. Measurement and analysis: Use analytics tools to measure the success of your marketing campaigns. Which channels and strategies produce the best results? Using data, you can adjust and further develop your marketing strategy.

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At this stage, it is important to be patient and adaptable. Selling online courses often requires time and continuous effort.

However, with a well-thought-out marketing strategy and taking into account the needs of your target audience, you can successfully sell online courses while adding value to your participants.

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I hope you enjoyed my blog about “the best way to create online courses” and was helpful:)