As the online education landscape continues to evolve, it’s more important than ever for course creators to have the right systems and processes in place to deliver a seamless experience for their students. From choosing the right platform to streamlining your marketing efforts, there are a number of key considerations that can make a big difference in the success of your online course business.

Recently, I had the opportunity to chat with one of my clients about her plans to launch a series of rehabilitation courses, and she found the insights incredibly valuable. Today, I share those insights with you, as they can benefit any course creator of entrepreneur delivering course content.

You have your course outline drawn up and you are ready to go to market.

Here’s 9 steps you need to consider to get your course to your audience.

1. Choose the right course platform. You need a platform on which to upload your course, but not all platforms are created equal when it comes to online courses. Look for options that allow for timed content release, independent sign-in for customers, and robust data protection – platforms like Kajabi, Kartra, Teachable, and WebinarJam should fit the bill. And if you want to include assessments, consider that too.
2. Leverage a platform like Vimeo for video hosting. You need to share a link to your videos with your customers. Platforms such as Vimeo make it easy to organize your course content into playlists or modules that can be easily embedded on your website. This creates a polished, professional look and feel for your students. There are others, so look around.
3. Utilize an email marketing tool. To communicate your new offering with your audience, you need an email service provider. Services like ConvertKit, Kartra and Kajabi allow you to build your mailing list, create landing pages, and automate your customer communications – all from one central platform.
4. Develop a simple, consistent website. Your website or landing page should showcase your course offerings in a clear, easy-to-navigate way. Consistency in branding is key to building trust with your audience. Some of the all-in-one solutions will gove you access to landing pages and website solutions, so you need to decide what you want (based on your technical ability).
5. Create a systematic marketing campaign. Use a blend of social media, email, and landing pages to promote and sell your courses. This allows you to reach your audience through multiple touchpoints.
6. Quick and effective checkout solutions. People expect streamlined sales processes in today’s tech-based environment. That means you need a checkout solution, such as Thrivecart so your customer can purchase your goods with one click. Thrivecart is an affordable solution that links to most CRM* platforms, making it easy for your customer to put money in your bank.
7. Leverage QR codes and shortened URLs. These tools make it easy for customers to quickly access your sign-up forms and landing pages, streamlining the buyer’s journey. These are particularly good for people who sell at live events, where customers can take a snap of your QR code to download your information.
8. Focus on the customer experience. From sign-up to course completion, ensure that you’re providing a smooth, seamless experience for your students. This will keep them engaged and coming back for more.
9. Once you have decided on the platforms you want to use, break your project down into manageable tasks. When tackling a project like launching an online course, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Break it down into smaller, more manageable steps and dedicate focused time to learning and implementing each piece. I do this by taking a blank slate and writing out the customer journey, one step at a time. From the time they find your product on social media (or your website) to the moment course access lands in their inbox.

If you’ve never put a course to market before it can be overwhelming because most people have no idea how many moving parts there are. But, if you sit down with a coffee and calmly outline the customer journey, you will begin to see how all the pieces come together.

Implementing these strategies can help you create a more streamlined, professional online presence and customer journey for your course business.

Start applying these tips today and reach out if you need more help.

Have a great day!

Dustie

• A CRM is like a digital address book for your business. It’s a tool that helps you keep track of all your customers and potential customers in one place. With a CRM, you can store information about the people you work with, like their contact details, the products or services they’ve bought, and any important notes or interactions you’ve had with them. The main purpose of a CRM is to help you better manage your relationships with your customers. It allows you to organize all your customer information in a central database, so you can easily access it whenever you need it. This makes it easier to provide great customer service, follow up on leads, and nurture your relationships over time. Think of a CRM like a virtual assistant that helps you stay on top of your customer interactions and keep your business relationships running smoothly. It’s a simple but powerful tool that can make a big difference in how you manage and grow your customer base.

Are you a course-creator who’s ready to take your course to the next level? I offer 1-2-1 sessions and group coaching for course-creators who have never put a course to market before. Interested? Email: hello@dustiehouchin.com for more info.

Disclaimer: The platforms and tools mentioned in this blog post are provided for informational purposes only. I do not endorse or recommend any specific platform or service. Readers should conduct their own due diligence and research to determine the best solutions for their individual needs. The information provided is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, and I cannot be held responsible for any decisions or actions taken based on the content of this post.