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The Complete Online Course Checklist For Creators
Launching my online course was like bringing my own learning journey to life. I’ve spent a good part of my life loving everything about online learning and creating courses. When I made my course, I thought back to times when I struggled to find the right courses for myself. So, defining what I wanted students to learn came from my own experiences with gaps in traditional education.
Understanding who I wanted to help with my course was personal, too. I remembered how frustrating it was to find courses that fit my needs, and that guided me to tailor my content to match what students like me would enjoy. Making the course engaging was about using what grabbed my attention as a learner. I added fun things like quizzes and hands-on activities because I knew from my own experiences that these things made learning stick.
Choosing the course platform was easy because I knew what I didn’t like about past online learning. I wanted my course to be easy to use, just like the courses I enjoyed.
So, my online course checklist I’m sharing below isn’t just a bunch of rules – it’s a short story of how I turned my own experiences into a course that I hope makes learning a great adventure for others, too.
Today, I’ll guide you on selling out your course and maximizing your launch to develop the most effective course efficiently.
Table of Contents
Online Course Checklist
I’ll provide you with a detailed, step-by-step guide on preparing your course for launch, guiding you through the pre-launch, launch day, and post-launch.
Pre-Launch Checklist
Identify A Good Course Topic
Choose a topic for your online course that’s relevant, specific, and something you know well. The more experienced you are, the more value you can offer your students. Imagine deciding between an online copywriting course from someone with just one year of experience and no proof versus an instructor with 10 years of experience working for reputable brands. Experience matters.
Determine Your Target Audience
Once you’ve figured out what you want to teach, the next step is to know who you’re teaching. Your online course should aim to help a specific group achieve their goals. To create excitement for your course, you don’t necessarily need a large audience before you launch.
You can actually build your audience during the launch itself, as I did. Instead of targeting a larger audience, I focused on strengthening relationships with a smaller audience.
Also, creating lead magnets, such as an e-book or a short course, is a good way to build an audience before launching your main course.
Collect Materials for Creating the Course
Collect essential materials for your course, including content, multimedia elements, and necessary tools. This ensures a smooth and effective course creation process.
Make Course Outlines and Modules
Write a clear course outline, breaking down the content into concise modules. Ensure a logical flow with specific learning objectives for each module, incorporating engaging elements like video lectures and quizzes. This structured approach facilitates effective learning and provides a roadmap for both you and your students.
Choose the Delivery Format or Formats
Consider a mix of video lectures, written content, quizzes, and interactive elements.
Ensure the format aligns with your audience’s preferences and learning styles.
Choose A Platform for Hosting and Delivery
Choose the right platform for hosting and delivering your course. Research options consider factors such as user-friendliness, features, and payment processing capabilities. Ensure the selected platform aligns with your course requirements, providing a seamless experience for both you and your students.
Set the Price for Your Course
With your course prepared, it’s now time to decide on pricing. Will you opt for a one-time payment or a subscription model? Consider offering a launch discount or a free trial to boost purchases. Additionally, explore bundling your course with other products. Researching pricing strategies among other creators in your niche can provide valuable insights as you make these decisions.
Launch Your Course
Begin by rigorously testing it on the chosen platform to identify and address any potential issues. Verify that all course materials are correctly uploaded and easily accessible to ensure a seamless learning experience for your students.
Promote Your Course
Promote your course efficiently using social media (Facebook ads, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn) and a dedicated website or blog. Utilize email marketing, tap into your professional network, run paid ads, and host webinars for effective outreach and engagement.
Launch Day Checklist
Give Special Discounts
Consider implementing time-limited launch discounts to incentivize early enrollment, fostering a sense of urgency that can significantly boost conversion rates.
Dispatch Launch Notifications
Effectively promote your course by sending out engaging emails and notifications to your email list and subscribers. Incorporate teaser content into your communications to build anticipation and excitement among your audience.
Share Across Social Platforms
Use the power of various media formats, such as images, videos, and infographics, in your social media posts. Encourage sharing among your audience to amplify the reach of your course launch across different platforms.
Host A Live Webinar or Workshop Premiere
Connect with your audience in real-time by hosting a live webinar or workshop premiere. This interactive approach allows you to address questions and concerns, creating a dynamic and engaging experience for potential students.
I made a five-day challenge in my Facebook group to help people get their first paying clients. Each day, they did simple and fun tasks. I used a point system to reward them for completing the tasks.
I talked with everyone during the challenge, responding to posts and encouraging others to join in. Guess what? It worked! Even though my group was small, I made $8,000 in sales.
Trigger Ad Campaigns
Launch targeted advertising campaigns if you are investing in paid promotion. Monitor and adjust ad performance throughout the launch to optimize your reach and impact.
Track Early Registrations
Keep a close eye on enrollment numbers and assess the effectiveness of your promotional efforts. Make real-time adjustments to your strategy if necessary to maximize the impact of your course launch.
Commemorate the Course Debut
Share exclusive behind-the-scenes content or express gratitude through a thank-you message to mark the debut of your course. Celebrate milestones achieved and actively engage with your community to strengthen connections and build excitement for your course.
Post-Launch Checklist
Collect Student Feedback
Actively seek student feedback by sending out surveys or conducting interviews to gain valuable insights into their learning experience. Analyze data on student engagement and completion rates to continuously refine and enhance your course content.
Encourage Student Testimonials
Ask for positive testimonials from satisfied students and prominently showcase them. Incorporate these testimonials into your course marketing efforts to build credibility and instill confidence in potential enrollees.
Create A Collaborative Learning Environment
Maintain engagement by actively participating in discussion forums or community platforms. Encourage peer-to-peer interaction to create a collaborative learning environment that enriches the overall educational experience.
Evaluate Sales Funnel Metrics
Closely examine conversion rates at each stage of your sales funnel to identify areas for improvement and optimization. Understanding the sales funnel metrics will enable you to streamline the enrollment process and enhance the effectiveness of your marketing strategy.
Innovate Copywriting Techniques
Experiment with diverse copywriting approaches in your marketing materials. Conduct A/B testing on email subject lines, headlines, and calls to action to fine-tune your messaging and optimize its impact on potential students.
Enhance Student Experience
Act upon student feedback to make necessary updates and improvements to your course content. Consider adding bonus content or addressing additional topics to continually enhance the overall student experience.
Discover Your Next Course Subject
Utilize insights gained from the current course to identify potential future topics. Consider creating a strategic roadmap for expanding your course offerings, aligning with the evolving needs and interests of your target audience.
Final Words
After your course launch, it’s not time to relax but to help your students, keep your promises, and make their experience awesome. Check your launch stats to see how you can improve for the next one.
Now that you know the details of launching an online course, it’s time to start making the class you’ve been thinking about. Follow the information and checklist in this article to plan and launch a fun and helpful course that helps your students achieve their learning goals.
Is there anything you’d add to this online course checklist? Let me know by leaving a comment below.