How to Create a Successful Online Course

I taught for seven years, and when I started my Virtual Assistance business, I wasn’t sure how much my classroom skills would translate to this new venture, especially as I began to build my first online course. 

Surprise! They all did. 

At first, I solely offered services to other businesses. But as I started building my brand on Instagram, I realized that there was an entire side to owning my VA business that I had yet to tap into: Course creation and education. 

My target audience is burnt-out teachers looking to change careers and become Virtual Assistants. So rather than just sharing how incredible this transition in my life has been, I decided to put my teacher hat back on and teach others how to do it. From there, Educator’s Exit was born, a self-paced course designed to help teachers become successful VAs, and a new profitable side of my business was unlocked. 

Creating an online course is a great way to reach people eager to learn what you have to offer. Regardless of the industry you’re in, building a successful online course can be incredibly rewarding and revenue-boosting.

Here are seven steps to building a successful online course. 

1. Get to Know Your Audience and Niche

Before you start designing your course, it’s important to know who you’re creating it for. Think through the following questions: 

Who would benefit most from this course?

What specific problems or challenges can I help them solve?

What unique insights or expertise do I bring to the table?

Understanding your audience helps you tailor your content to meet their needs and expectations. Make sure you choose a niche you’re passionate about and knowledgeable in, so your enthusiasm and authenticity come through in your teaching and course material.

2. Set Clear Learning Goals

Y’all. The teacher is back in the building! 

Every great course starts with clear learning goals. These goals help guide your content and let your students know what they can expect to learn. In Educators Exit, I offer 12 different modules and each of them starts with a defined goal. 

Your students want to know exactly what to expect in your course, so make sure any learning goals you set are clear and specific. For your benefit, planning out learning goals allows you to plan with intention and gives you a rubric to build off of. 

3. Create Engaging Content

Content is the heart of your course, and you want to make sure you really deliver here. As the course creator, you’re the content expert, so it will be natural for you to want to go super high-level. Remember, your students don’t need to know every piece of information. Here are some tips to make sure you’re delivering the appropriate amount of content. 

Break it down: Divide your course into manageable sections or modules. This helps students feel accomplished as they progress.

Mix it up: Use a variety of media like videos, slideshows, quizzes, and downloadable resources. Mixing things up keeps the learning experience fresh and exciting.

Share stories and examples: Real-world examples and stories make concepts easier to understand and more relatable.

Keep it clear and concise: Avoid overwhelming your students with too much information. Focus on the essentials and provide extra resources for those who want to dive deeper.

4. Choose the Right Platform

Content? Check. Now it’s time to pick the right platform to bring it to life. There are many options out there, each with its own perks. Look for a platform that’s easy to use, offers customization options, and provides good support. Popular choices include Teachable, Udemy, and Thinkific. If you want complete control, you might even consider hosting your course on your own website.

5. Promote Your Course 

Once your course is ready, it’s time to spread the word! You can do this in a variety of ways, here are some of the tools I use when launching and promoting my courses. 

Create a landing page: A landing page can highlight the benefits of your course and include testimonials from happy students.

Get social: Share your course on social media. Engage with your followers by sharing tips, behind-the-scenes content, and more.

Offer a sneak peek: Free previews, webinars, or mini-courses can give potential students a chance to get to know you better and see if the content is something they’d like to invest their time and money into. 

Partner up: Collaborate with influencers or bloggers who can help you reach a wider audience.

Keep in touch: Use email marketing to keep your subscribers informed about your course, special offers, and valuable content.

6. Listen to Feedback and Improve

After launching your course and landing a few students, ask for feedback. Their insights can help you make improvements and keep your content fresh. Consider asking why some people didn’t choose your course. That information is just as valuable! 

Continuously updating your course based on this feedback shows that you care about your students’ learning experience.

7. Build a Community

Creating a supportive community around your course can make a huge difference. Some course creators use Slack, Voxer, and Facebook groups. Choose a form that works best for you and do your research on community platforms to ensure it has everything you need. 

Creating a successful online course is all about passion, planning, and connection. By getting to know your audience, setting clear goals, and creating engaging content, you can create a course that not only educates but also inspires. Remember, the journey doesn’t end when you launch your course—stay engaged, listen to feedback, and keep improving. You’ve got this, and your future students are going to love what you have to offer. 

Want to explore Virtual Assistant courses? Join Educators Exit or sign up for the waitlist for Next Level VA, my brand-new coaching program for existing Virtual Assistants ready to take their business up a notch.