A 9-Step Beginner’s Guide To Creating And Selling Online Courses

Creating and selling online courses has become one of the most practical ways for people like me to share what I know and build an income stream from my expertise. When I started my own adventure, I found out quickly that it takes more than just recording a few videos and uploading them online.

The process goes from picking a great idea all the way to marketing the course and cheering on students after launch. Here, I’ll guide you through the important steps that helped me and might help you if you’re just starting.

Understanding the Value of Online Courses

Online education has grown a lot, especially as more people look for flexible ways to learn new skills. Whether it’s career development or picking up a hobby, people are ready to pay for a solid course that helps them reach their goals.

When I was planning out my first course, I realized that knowing what my audience actually needed was super important. Without solving a real problem or answering questions people have, it’s tough for any course to succeed.

According to reports from sites such as Statista and eLearning Industry, the online course market is set to keep expanding. This gives beginners a clear reason to jump in now as there’s more demand than ever. Creating a course isn’t about being the world’s top expert. It’s really about helping people go from where they are now to a new place, step by step.

Getting Started: Finding and Checking Your Course Idea

The best courses start with an idea that’s valuable and also in demand. For me, I start by thinking about what people repeatedly ask me for help with, or a problem I managed to solve myself. If you’re not sure where to begin, write down your skills, passions, and past experiences; you might spot a winning idea right there.

Here’s what I do to check if my idea will work before moving forward:

• Talk to real people: I jump into online forums and groups (like Reddit, Quora, or Facebook communities) and pay attention to questions people are asking and the sticking points they mention.
• Use keyword tools: Tools such as Google Trends and Ubersuggest show me how many people search for a topic each month. This helps me get a feel for whether there’s real interest.
• Pre-sell the course: Sometimes I set up a basic landing page that pitches my idea, then invite people to join a waitlist or grab an early discount. Even a few early sales show me that it’s worth creating.

It’s important not to skip this stage. Making sure there’s an actual audience before I start making lessons has saved me a lot of effort and frustration.

Structuring and Creating Your Course Content

After confirming people want my course, it’s time to build a solid structure with a clear goal for each lesson or module. Structure keeps things organized and ensures every part brings students closer to their objective. Here’s how I usually design my courses:

• Outline the steps: I lay out the journey, breaking it into clear modules, each covering a single skill or concept.
• Use clear titles: Straightforward, punchy language helps students know exactly what they’re getting from each section.
• Mix different content types: For better involvement, I put together videos, written guides, slides, and sometimes audio clips. Short videos of 5 to 15 minutes keep people tuned in.
• Build in interaction: Quizzes, worksheets, and mini-projects make learning stickier and keep students motivated.
• Focus on quality: I always pay attention to sound and lighting. Even using just a smartphone, clear audio and simple visuals make a big difference in creating a professional feel.

Platforms like Canva make it simple to put together attractive slides or worksheets—even if designing isn’t your thing. Keeping materials straightforward and focused on student results is the top priority.

Choosing the Best Platform for Your Course

Where you host your course really matters. I’ve tried different methods, each with benefits and tradeoffs:

• Online course marketplaces (like Udemy or Skillshare): These sites connect you with built-in audiences. When I first started, I got my first sales here, even without a huge following. The downside is, they take a bigger share and give less control over how the course is presented and sold.
• All-in-one platforms (like Teachable, Podia, Kajabi): These let me fully control the experience and keep more of the revenue. I need to handle my own marketing, but I can build my email list and maintain my brand’s look and feel.
• WordPress plugins (like LearnDash): If you already have a site, adding a plugin turns it into a learning hub. You get maximum control, but it takes more setup and tech know-how.

If you’re new, I usually suggest starting on a marketplace for experience and to test your content. Later, moving to your own platform can secure long-term income and let you create communities or premium features.

Pricing Your Online Course

Getting the price right can be the make-or-break factor in signups. I ask myself questions like:

• What outcome does my course help students reach? If I help them save money or change careers, a higher price is fair.
• Are similar courses on my topic selling for $20, $100, or more? Looking at competitors keeps me grounded.
• Would a payment plan help more people join? Spreading payments out has attracted more students to me.
• Do I want to offer different levels? Giving premium coaching, downloads, or community as higher tiers gives people options if they’re motivated.

Testing prices by offering a promo to my first group allows me to find a sweet spot without guessing blindly.

Launching and Marketing Your Course

Even an awesome course needs a plan to get students in the door. Here’s what’s worked for me again and again:

• Build an email list: I give away a helpful resource—a checklist or mini guide—in exchange for emails. This gives me a group that’s interested when launch time arrives.
• Share useful free content: Regular blog posts, YouTube videos, or social updates that show my know-how draw in the right students.
• Host free webinars: Live sessions let me answer questions on the spot, demo my teaching style, and sometimes offer a launch discount to attendees.
• Run paid ads: Once I’ve got a process that works, I’ve tried using Facebook or Google ads to boost my traffic.
• Create an effective sales page: It’s key to clearly explain what students will get, add testimonials, and keep buying as simple as possible.

Marketing shouldn’t stop after launch day. I keep sharing stories from students, posting useful tips, and finding creative ways to reach those who need what I teach.

Keeping Students Happy and Improving Over Time

Once my course is live, the real work starts. I keep asking for feedback, so I can learn where people get stuck or need more guidance. Refreshing content, adding new lessons, or even fixing a typo keeps the course up to date and reliable.

I also check my analytics. If a lot of students drop out at the same section, I rework that lesson until it’s clearer or more interactive. Success stories and testimonials from students become valuable proof for attracting new customers.

Extra Tips for Beginner Course Creators

Here are some lessons that really helped me out along the way:

• Start small: My first course was simple. I only added new features as students joined, rather than doing everything all at once.
• Don’t wait until everything is perfect: Launching a “good enough” course and using real feedback often beats waiting forever for perfection.
• Be genuine in videos: People connect more with honesty and clear teaching than with highly produced material.

These tips helped me stay focused and kept the process enjoyable, as well as building my reputation with learners.

Frequently Asked Questions

Folks often ask me these questions:

If you focus on genuinely helping people, test ideas in advance, and keep learning, building, and selling online courses can become a sustainable and fulfilling way to share what you know with the world.

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Wishing You Much Success in Creating and Selling Your Online Course,

Rex

 

P.S. If you have any questions or are unsure of anything, I am here, and I promise I will get back to you on all of your questions and comments. Just leave them below in the comment section. Follow me on Twitter: @onlinebenjamin1, Instagram: dotcomdinero, and Facebook: Online Benjamins.