Here's Week 9
Tuesday Tech Tip for more leads!
Create and Launch a Simple Online Course
Creating and launching a simple online course in one day requires focus, efficiency, and prioritizing the essentials. You don’t need a complex, multi-module course with hours of video content to deliver value.
The goal is to create a targeted course that addresses a specific problem or teaches a clear skill. The simpler the structure, the easier it will be to produce and the quicker you can get it into your audience’s hands.
Start by selecting a single, narrow topic that you can teach in a few lessons. Avoid broad subjects that require extensive research or explanations. Think about your audience’s pain points and identify a problem you can solve quickly and effectively.
For example, if you’re in the marketing space, a topic like “How to Create High-Converting Facebook Ads in 3 Steps” works better than “Mastering Digital Advertising.” Your course needs to deliver a solution or skill in the shortest time possible without overwhelming your students.
Once you have your topic, outline the structure of the course. Keep it simple—aim for 3 to 5 core lessons, each focused on a single concept or step. For instance, if you’re teaching how to create Facebook ads, one lesson might cover audience targeting, another on ad copywriting, and a final lesson on setting up the campaign.
Keep each lesson actionable, and design them to be completed in under 15-20 minutes. Write down the key points you want to cover in each lesson so that you’re ready to record or create the content quickly.
Next, decide on the format for each lesson. You don’t need to create a video-heavy course unless it’s necessary for explaining your topic. Consider a mix of video, text-based lessons, or slide presentations with voiceover.
For a quick course, using slides or screen-sharing software like Loom or Zoom allows you to record and explain the lesson without needing professional-grade equipment. If you’re already comfortable with talking to the camera, recording yourself can add a more personal touch, but don’t spend too much time worrying about perfect video quality. Focus on delivering valuable content rather than production perfection.
Once you’ve decided on the format, gather the tools you need. If you’re recording video or screen-sharing lessons, set up your microphone and camera in a quiet space, or use tools like Zoom or Loom for screen recording.
If you’re creating slides, use simple programs like Google Slides (that's what I use!) or PowerPoint to design them. Keep the design clean and minimal, focusing on the content rather than flashy visuals.
You want the information to be clear and easy to follow. If you’re creating text-based lessons, simply write them out in a way that’s direct and easy to understand, breaking each concept into digestible sections.
With your tools and format set, it’s time to create the content. Start with the first lesson and follow the outline you’ve created. If you’re recording, stay relaxed and stick to your key points.
You don’t need to script every word, but keep your focus on delivering value clearly and concisely. Since this is a quick course, you can record each lesson in one take and edit minimally.
If you’re creating text-based lessons, ensure they’re actionable and written in a step-by-step format so students can follow along easily. Work through each lesson one by one, keeping an eye on time and not getting bogged down in perfection.
After completing your lessons, package the course in a simple, easy-to-use platform. Use a service like Teachable, Podia, or Gumroad, which allows you to upload videos, PDFs, or text lessons without needing extensive technical skills. Actually, I usually start lining project elements up in a blog post which can then become your deliver page!
If you prefer, you can even set up a simple password-protected page on your website and deliver the lessons there. These platforms allow you to structure your course quickly and get it live with minimal setup.
Upload your lessons, arrange them in the correct order, and set the course price if you’re charging for it. Keep pricing simple—if it’s a short course, offer it at an affordable rate to encourage quick purchases.
Now, create a landing page for your course. This page should be simple and focused on the course’s benefits. Write a headline that highlights the main outcome or transformation students will achieve by taking the course.
For example, “Learn How to Create High-Converting Facebook Ads in 3 Easy Steps” is clear and outcome-driven. Use bullet points (on the landing page only, not in the course content) to summarize what’s included in the course and how it solves the student’s problem. Include a clear call to action that directs people to sign up or purchase the course.
Once the landing page is ready, it’s time to promote the course. Start by announcing it to your email list. Write a short, compelling email that explains the value of the course and why it’s perfect for people who want a quick solution to their problem.
Highlight the limited time or immediate results your course offers. Include a link to the landing page and use a call to action like “Get Instant Access to the Course Now.” In addition to email, promote the course on social media.
Create posts that highlight the benefits of the course and why your audience needs it. Use a mix of promotional posts and educational content to build interest. If possible, include a short video snippet or a preview of one of your lessons to showcase the quality of the course.
Since you’re launching the course quickly, you don’t need a long promotional window. Promote it consistently throughout the day, using different social media platforms to reach your audience.
For extra reach, consider running a few low-cost ads on Facebook or Instagram. Target your followers or email list subscribers with an ad that drives traffic to your landing page. Since it’s a quick course, make the ads direct and focus on the outcome the course will provide.
Keep the ad budget low and test a few different headlines or images to see what resonates best. If you don’t have the budget for ads, focus on organic promotion through social media and email.
Finally, track the initial response once the course is live. Monitor how many signups or purchases you’re getting, and take note of any questions or feedback from students. You can always refine the content or expand on it based on student feedback. Because the course is simple and designed to solve a specific problem, it should be well-received as long as it delivers the promised outcome.
Call to Action
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By focusing on speed and simplicity, you can create and launch a valuable online course in just one day. The key is to stay focused, streamline the content, and make sure your course solves a problem your audience cares about.
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With your course live, you can continue to promote it and use it to build authority, grow your audience, or even generate ongoing revenue.
Warmest regards,
Fred Raley The Submarine Guy |
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P.S. Check out this free Link Tree. It's a cool app that's good to use with Social media |