Do you have expertise on a subject that you can teach to others? If so, it’s time for you to create an online course. Launching a course will allow you to grow your audience, establish yourself as an expert and help others. In addition, it’s a great way to add an income stream and increase your business profits.
Online courses come in all different topics, lengths, formats, and prices. You can build a course that works for you as a teacher, and your target audience.
Think Outside the Box!
Any business owner can turn his/her knowledge into an online course. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box! Do you usually serve clients face-to-face or 1-on-1? There’s likely still an opportunity for you to develop an online course.
One personal trainer adapted her business during the pandemic to offer a monthly subscription to Zoom group training classes.
I heard of a photographer whose business evolved from doing family portraits to taking stock photos for teachers who sell lesson plans on websites like TeachersPayTeachers. Now she’s created an online course and is teaching other photographers how to take stock photos for the education niche.
One of my current students is working on a course to teach others how to do container gardening. Another student is working on her gluten-free breadmaking course.
These are just a few examples of how to turn your business or hobby into a profitable online course. The possibilities and niches are endless!
The Market is Growing
Even pre-pandemic, online learning was growing at a rapid rate. The pandemic only accelerated that growth. E-learning is projected to grow to a $325 billion industry by 2025.
People are attracted to online courses for many reasons – the flexibility, the cost, the convenience, the variety of courses available.
Here are my top seven reasons why online courses will remain hot (and why you should start building your course now).
7 Reasons Why People Love To Buy Online Courses… and why you should create one
1. People want to learn new skills.
Self-improvement through education is a sought-after goal. These days, it’s never been easier to gain knowledge about a subject of interest. Technology has allowed us to learn new skills and broaden our knowledge through a variety of online courses and resources.
2. People Like to Learn in the Comfort of Their Own Home (in Pajamas!)
Over the last year, people have adapted to online learning. Many people prefer online learning over in-person learning. The shorter commute to the home office or couch gives us more free time to do other things. You can sit on your couch sipping coffee, lounging around as you learn. There is no more comfortable learning environment than your own home.
3. People are Used to Virtual Learning Now (and Prefer it)
People are also accustomed to interacting with others over the internet now. We talk to teachers, friends, family, mentors, colleagues, co-workers through our devices. Though some people still prefer face-to-face communication, many people love the flexibility and convenience that online communication brings.
Course creators have a variety of options when it comes to interacting with their students – emails, Facebook groups, webinars, newsletters, etc.
4. Online Courses Offer a Flexible Schedule
One of the most appealing aspects of online courses is that most are self-paced. Meaning, you don’t have to be online at a certain time of day for class. You can work on the course when it’s convenient for you.
For example, many people take courses while working full time or part-time. They may do their online learning very early in the morning, late at night, or on the weekends.
Schedule flexibility makes it much easier to start and complete an online course. In addition, a self-paced course allows you to rewind or replay if you miss part of it.
5. Online Courses Provide a Variety of Learning Options
What do bookkeeping, beer-making, and beekeeping have in common? Not a lot. However, you CAN take an online course to learn each of these! There’s a course available on almost any subject imaginable. Knowledge and support to help us reach our goals are at our fingertips. That’s inspiring and exciting!
As a course creator, don’t be discouraged if there are already courses out there on what you want to teach. That just means there’s demand out there! The internet allows us to connect with millions of people all over the world. There are others who want to learn from you and your experience.
6. People Want to Learn from an Expert
People want to learn from an expert in that field; someone with a proven track record and credibility. Someone who has started from where we are, and grown to be hugely successful. Through the internet, course buyers have a variety of options to choose from and can pick the course and teacher that fits their schedule, personality, goals, and timing.
For course creators – your brand and reputation will grow in your industry when you start to teach others. As a result, you’ll see your profits grow as your customer base expands.
7. It’s Cheaper than Private Coaching
Many businesses offer private coaching or classes, 1-on-1 with clients. Private services are great, but not everyone can afford these rates. A group online course is more affordable and allows someone to learn the material without paying for private services.
As a course creator, you’ll gain more customers with an online course. And sometimes, those customers may go on to purchase private coaching or other products and services that you offer.
Conclusion
It’s not too late to start your online course. An online course doesn’t have to be complicated to create. You can start simple and then grow organically.
Your course will be unique to your personality, style, and experience. There’s someone out there waiting to learn from you.
Don’t get overwhelmed by the process or tools involved. I’ll walk you through all those pieces in my Create Your Course Workshop.
To learn more, sign up for my free introductory webinar here:
https://websitecreationclass.com/createyourcoursewebinar/
