The internet has opened up unprecedented opportunities for anyone to turn their knowledge into a profitable business. Among these opportunities, online courses have become one of the most accessible and scalable ways to generate income. But many aspiring course creators feel daunted by the technical skills they assume are required. The good news? You can create your first online course and turn it into a source of income even if you have zero tech knowledge.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process step by step—from ideation to generating income—using simple tools and methods that anyone can follow.
Why Create an Online Course?
Before diving into the "how," let’s address the "why." Creating an online course offers numerous benefits:
Income Potential: Online courses can generate passive income over time. Once your course is live, you can earn money while you sleep.
Scalability: Unlike one-on-one services, online courses can reach an unlimited number of people.
Expert Authority: Sharing your knowledge positions you as an expert in your field.
Freedom: Once your course is set up, you can enjoy the flexibility of working on your own terms.
If you’ve ever taught someone a skill or solved a problem for someone, you already have what it takes to create a course. Now let’s turn your idea into reality.
Step 1: Choose Your Course Topic
Identify Your Expertise
Start by asking yourself these questions:
What do I know that others find valuable?
What problems have I solved in my life or career?
What skills or knowledge do people often ask me about?
You don’t need to be the world’s leading expert. You just need to know more than your target audience and be able to guide them to a result.
Validate Your Idea
It’s crucial to ensure there’s demand for your course. Here’s how:
Google Search: Are people searching for your topic?
Social Media: Are communities or groups discussing this topic?
Competitor Research: Are similar courses already successful? If yes, that’s a good sign!
Survey Your Audience: If you have a small following, ask them what they want to learn.
Choose a topic that excites you and addresses a clear need in the market.
Step 2: Plan Your Course Content
Define the Outcome
People buy courses for results. Clearly define what your students will achieve by the end of your course. For example:
"Learn to bake artisan bread at home."
"Master basic graphic design without any prior experience."
Outline Your Course
Break your course into manageable sections or modules. Each module should cover a key step toward the overall outcome. For example:
Module 1: Introduction to tools and ingredients.
Module 2: Preparing the dough.
Module 3: Baking techniques.
Keep It Simple
Don’t overwhelm yourself or your students. Focus on delivering clear, actionable content. Aim for 5-7 modules with 2-4 lessons in each.
Step 3: Choose Your Tools (No Tech Skills Needed!)
The idea of setting up an online course might sound technical, but modern tools make it easy for anyone. Here’s what you’ll need:
Content Creation
Presentation Slides: Use tools like Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides to create simple and professional visuals.
Video Recording: Tools like Loom or Zoom allow you to record your screen and yourself with minimal setup.
Audio: A basic USB microphone, like the Blue Snowball, can enhance your sound quality.
Course Platform
Choose a platform that’s beginner-friendly and requires no coding:
LMS Portals: Intuitive drag-and-drop course builder.
Podia: Affordable and easy for beginners.
These platforms handle everything from hosting your videos to managing student enrollment.
Step 4: Create Your Content
Record Your Lessons
Recording videos can feel intimidating, but you don’t need professional equipment or a fancy studio. Here’s how to keep it simple:
Script Your Lessons: Write down key points to stay focused.
Record in Chunks: Break your videos into short lessons (5-15 minutes each) to keep students engaged.
Edit Lightly: Use free tools like iMovie (Mac) or Clipchamp (Windows) for basic edits.
Add Supporting Materials
Enhance your course with materials like:
Downloadable PDFs or worksheets.
Checklists or templates.
Links to additional resources.
6. Step 5: Set Your Price and Launch Your Course
Pricing Your Course
Set a price that reflects the value of the result your course delivers. Consider these benchmarks:
Short courses (1-2 hours of content): $50–$100
Mid-level courses (3-5 hours of content): $100–$300
Comprehensive programs (6+ hours of content): $300–$1,000+
Create a Launch Plan
Your launch doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s a simple strategy:
Build Anticipation: Share your journey on social media and email your audience.
Offer a Pre-Order Discount: Give early supporters a special price.
Launch on a Specific Date: Announce your course with excitement and clear instructions for purchasing.
Step 6: Promote Your Course (Even Without an Audience)
Leverage Social Media
Share tips related to your course topic on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or LinkedIn.
Use hashtags to reach your target audience.
Post testimonials or results from early students.
Collaborate with Influencers
Reach out to bloggers, podcasters, or social media influencers in your niche. Offer them free access to your course in exchange for a review or shoutout.
Use Online Communities
Join Facebook groups, Reddit forums, or other communities related to your course topic. Contribute valuable insights and subtly promote your course when relevant.
Step 7: Gather Feedback and Improve
Your first course doesn’t need to be perfect. Ask your students for feedback:
What did they love about the course?
What could be improved?
Were there any unanswered questions?
Use this feedback to refine your content, add new lessons, or create follow-up courses.
Automate and Scale
Once your course is live, you can automate much of the process:
Email Marketing: Use tools like Mailchimp or ConvertKit to nurture leads and drive sales.
Upsell Opportunities: Offer additional courses or one-on-one coaching.
Affiliate Program: Let others promote your course in exchange for a commission.
As your course grows, you’ll have more time to focus on creating new content or expanding your business.
Overcoming Common Challenges
"I’m Not Tech-Savvy"
Stick to user-friendly tools and platforms. Most modern software includes tutorials and customer support to guide you.
"I Don’t Have an Audience"
Start small. Share your knowledge with friends, family, and online communities. Over time, your reputation will grow.
"I’m Afraid of Failing"
Every successful course creator started where you are now. Treat your first course as a learning experience and adjust as you go.
Summary: Start Your Journey Today
Creating an online course is a powerful way to turn your knowledge into a steady stream of income. You don’t need to be a tech wizard or have a massive following to get started. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can go from idea to income with confidence.
Remember: The key is to take action. Your audience is waiting to learn from you—so start building your first online course today!
About LMS Portals
At LMS Portals, we provide our clients and partners with a mobile-responsive, SaaS-based, multi-tenant learning management system that allows you to launch a dedicated training environment (a portal) for each of your unique audiences.
The system includes built-in, SCORM-compliant rapid course development software that provides a drag and drop engine to enable most anyone to build engaging courses quickly and easily.
We also offer a complete library of ready-made courses, covering most every aspect of corporate training and employee development.
If you choose to, you can create Learning Paths to deliver courses in a logical progression and add structure to your training program. The system also supports Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT) and provides tools for social learning.
Together, these features make LMS Portals the ideal SaaS-based eLearning platform for our clients and our Reseller partners.
Contact us today to get started or visit our Partner Program pages
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