I don’t believe that there’s a rigid set of requirements that you need to meet before you’re ready to create an online course.
I also don’t believe that creating an online course needs to be hard, overwhelming, or expensive.
You can create a great online course that provides real value for your audience without investing tons of money in a developer, professional video, ads, or just about anything else.
I believe there are a few things you should have in place before you create a course. You should have:
- An audience that knows you and values your content
Creating an online course is also about listening to your audience and doing what’s right for you and your business.
So let’s get started with some online course myth-busting.
Myth 1: Other people are already offering similar courses so I can’t possibly pursue my idea
While you do want to pay attention to what your competitors are doing, another course out there in your niche shouldn’t hold you back from putting out your content.
Even if someone else is teaching a similar topic, they can’t offer the same skills, perspective, and experience that you can.
Instead of letting the fact that there’s competition hold you back from creating your course, you should take it as a sign that there is demand for your topic and that there are people out there who are interested in learning this material.
While you don’t want to let the fact that there’s competition stop you from creating a course, it is important to think about what you can do to set your course apart. Ask yourself how you can create additional value or how you can serve a specific niche audience in a really direct way.
What you don’t want to do? Don’t just compete on price. Offering a similar course at a lower price point doesn’t really help anyone. You may choose to offer your course at a more competitive price than others in your niche, but that shouldn’t be the only thing that you do to set your course apart.
Another thing about competition? Don’t think that all of your potential customers already know about your competitor’s product. The market for online learning is huge and there are more and more potential customers learning about the beauty of e-courses every day.
Myth 2: Technology is Hard
Another thing I hear all the time about putting together online courses is that the technology is really hard and intimidating.
The truth is that even if you’re not a tech person, there are lots of programs, platforms, and services out there that make putting together an online course super easy.
As a sales funnel strategist, one of the main things that I do is offer “done with you services” for course creators, but even if you don’t have the funds to hire someone to help you put together your outlines and develop your materials and course platform, it’s still very possible to put together a high-quality online course–no developer required.
The first time I ever built an online course was in 2020, and I spent weeks clobbering together various hosting platforms looking for the most sophisticated ones to house my course. It was even difficult to find these platforms and get access to tools that will make your course launches easier and faster. It looked like the best-kept secret as of then.
Fortunately, none of that is necessary anymore!
Today numerous all-in-one course creation platforms feature drag-and-drop course building and ready-to-go payment and email management.
In addition, creating quality video content has never been easier or more affordable. So, you’re in LUCK.
You can check out my signature online course “Course Launch Blueprint” if you want to learn the ins and outs of creating and launching an online course to hit at least $1,000 or N1,000,000 from your launch.
Myth 3: I can’t make a course because I don’t have a large list
Now I’m not going to lie, having a strong email list is a great tool to have at your disposal for marketing your online course successfully.
However, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t get started with course creation until you have 10,000, 5000, or even 500 people on your list.
The truth is that if you have a small number of high-quality followers who are super invested in your content, you can have success with online courses even with a small following.
The best part is that, while launching your course, you can build a list of zero to over 1,000 or more if you have a solid lead generation plan for that launch.
What’s key here is understanding the importance of audience building–showing up consistently for your people– not hitting a specific list size.
Myth 4: More people will buy my course if I charge less
Your course’s price should reflect the value it provides to your audience. It may sound counterintuitive because, let’s face it, we all like to save money, but offering a high-value product for a super low cost isn’t doing yourself any favors.
This is because low-cost signals have low value. People who are willing to invest their time into an online course are looking for something that is going to be a good use of their efforts and energy.
Think of it this way: If I told you I was going to sell you an amazing pair of high-quality Italian leather shoes and I was only going to charge you $20 for them, would you believe that my shoes were actually that great? Probably not.
Now how about if I told you that those shoes were $300? Your initial response might be, “Oh gosh I can’t afford that,” but you would also think that those shoes were high-quality kicks.
For online course creators, if we can convince people that our products are truly transformative, we are better serviced by charging a somewhat premium price.
Myth 5: I have to spend $$$ on ads and do four webinars a day and have a 7-step funnel and a tripwire and…
Okay so here’s the thing: There are a lot of internet marketing gurus out there who understand this to a T. I am not going to tell you that what they teach is wrong. Absolutely Not!
Creating funnels and tripwires and doing webinars and live launching courses can work well. Besides, funnels are my thing and I preach them heavily.
The truth is a lot of people make tons of cash selling courses online this way myself included.
The “myth” is that all of this is required to be successful.
If you are just getting started and marketing things online is new for you and all of this sounds intimidating, it is hundred percent okay to make things simple for yourself.
If you decide to use Facebook ads or any other kind of ads to sell your course, you do need to make sure that you are charging a price and that allows you to make a profit on your ad spend.
You also need to test out your advertising before you make a huge investment and know how much it’s going to cost you on average to get a lead that converts (AKA a customer that pays).
But while it is always important to test things out and validate your approach, don’t listen to anyone who says you have to do something one way or you won’t make any money. You also won’t make any money if you get overwhelmed and just don’t end up doing your course or launching your product at all.
The key here is that there are many right ways to do things, and you have to figure out what works for you at this stage of your business.
Myth 6: No one will pay for this content because so much is available for free
While it’s true that information is everywhere, people don’t buy online courses just to get facts and tips.
Rather they purchase courses because they are looking for a guide, someone who can help them cut through the noise and achieve their goals quickly.
Insight, inspiration, and guidance are where you provide value as a course creator.
Have you heard any of these myths before? What’s your biggest course creation challenge?
If you want to launch an online course in 2024, before you do, then you should read my book “Don’t Launch An Online Course Yet”
In this book, I shared the 15 things I wish I had known before launching several failed online courses and that I still do now that have helped me have successful launches.
These 15 things are carefully highlighted with practical steps on how to execute them in this book. CLICK HERE to get it.
