3 types of online courses you can create in a morning
March 17, 2022
An online course doesn’t need multiple video tutorials, cheat sheets and checklists. You could create one in a couple of hours and have it on sale this week.
In this episode of the Courageous Content Podcast, I share three types of online courses you can create in a morning.
You can listen to the podcast or read the blog version below.
Here’s what I cover:
What do you think of when you hear someone talk about creating an online course?
Hours of video tutorials, tons of editing, creating workbooks, cheat sheets, checklists?
An online course CAN be all that – but it really doesn’t have to be.
And if there’s one thing I’ve learned from launching dozens of digital products, it’s that most new course creators overcomplicate creating and launching their first online course.
What is an online course anyway?
First off, I’ve got some good news for you: an online course does NOT have to contain umpteen video tutorials, cheat sheets and checklists. I go into much more detail in my episode: you could start generating recurring revenue today (so why aren’t you?) but here’s a quick summary.
You can deliver a TON of value in a ONE MODULE ONLINE COURSE (aka a masterclass). It doesn’t even need to be a masterclass. Because an online ‘course’ can be a pdf download. Or a toolkit. Something you can literally create and start selling in a morning. Without any fancy email marketing or course hosting software.
Which means you can start bringing recurring revenue into your business this week.
So with that in mind – here’s 3 ‘courses’ you can create in just a few hours.
The one-off online masterclass (and why clients will love you for creating one)
You can deliver a TON of value in an online masterclass in 90 minutes (or less). PLUS you can teach it live and then sell the replay/recording.
The key is to pick a specific topic you can deliver value on in a short amount of time. For example, I’ve successfully sold one off masterclasses on everything from how to launch and sell your own Power Hour, how to launch an online course (or rescue one that’s bombed) and how to launch your own planner.
If you have a product-based business, think about the problem your product/service solves. For example I have created online masterclasses on how to create a content plan – which link directly to my Courageous Content Planner.
Repurposing existing content into an EBook or pdf download
This is a great way to repurpose content you already have e.g. blog posts, podcasts scripts, email newsletters.
I’ve sold thousands of EBooks – typically around a couple of thousand words long – but they can be shorter. The key thing is they provide a transformation for your clients.
As with online masterclasses, the key is to go ‘inch wide and mile deep.’ For example, I’ve created EBooks on social media engagement, Instagram hashtag strategy and Facebook group engagement.
You can also use an EBook/pdf download as a low cost lead magnet (an information resource/product you create that’s designed to encourage people to join your email list). And help you build ‘know, like and trust’ with your community.
For example, one of my clients was telling me recently that investing in one of my £9.99 playbooks gave her the reassurance she needed to invest in my membership programmes – which cost hundreds of pounds.
Creating a toolkit from resources you’re already using with clients
If you provide coaching or training, you probably have resources you use with clients that could be bundled up into a toolkit e.g. cheat sheets, checklists, templates.
My Courageous Content Launch Kit is a good example of this. It contains every piece of content you might need for a launch. It took me around 8 hours to create it (using resources I was using every day in my business).
A final word
I do want to be upfront that creating a course like this – which I generally refer to as a One Module Online Course – isn’t likely to make you millions overnight.
But it WILL get you started with your online course creation journey. And help you start bringing recurring income into your business right now (rather than having to wait until you’ve got time to create a multiple module online course).
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