I have a wealth of knowledge; could I sell it as an online course?
You have an abundance of knowledge that you want to share with the world, or maybe you’re simply looking for a way to earn some extra income. Whatever your goals, creating an online course can be a great way to achieve them.
And have some fun while you’re doing it!
First step
There are a few things to do before starting an online course. First, you’ll need to determine what your course will be about. What do you want to teach others? If you have a broad scope of knowledge, it might be better to pare it down to one topic or specialty. Focus on that, then start thinking about creating a course outline.
Course outline
A course outline gives potential attendees a brief idea of how your online course is structured and the points you’ll cover. It’s important to be as specific as possible, as this is what potential attendees will base their decision on before deciding whether or not to take your course.
Course outline suggestions could include:
- Introduction to the course and learning objectives
- Table of contents/list of topics covered
- Detailed description of each section
- Conclusion
Once you have a course outline, the next step is to start creating your content.
Course content
This is where the real work begins. You’ll want to ensure that you’re covering the basics. Reviewing your course outline can help you to tailor your content based on the topics you will cover.
It should be exciting, informative, and engaging. You don’t want it to feel like a lecture that attendees are just trying to slog through. You can mix things up with videos, worksheets, and interactive modules.
It’s also essential to ensure that your content is well-organized and easy to follow. Breaking down your content into smaller, manageable sections will help your attendees retain the information they’re learning.
Focusing on exciting, informative, and engaging content will make learning enjoyable for attendees.
How will you format your course?
Now that you know what your course will be about, it’s time to consider the format your course will take. At the same time, you’ll need to gather the materials you’ll need. Such as any presentations or lectures you’ll be using, as well as handouts, quizzes, and other course materials to suit your format.
If you are comfortable in front of the camera, your course could be a series of lecture-style videos where you teach the course as an instructor in a classroom. Or you can create written content through blog posts and PDFs that attendees will purchase and download. Another potential format could be live webinars where attendees can ask questions and participate in the discussion. Or mix things up by including all of those elements.
No matter your chosen format, it’s essential to be consistent with your schedule. Attendees will appreciate knowing when new content is being added and if and when upcoming live sessions are taking place. Delivering your course consistently and promptly keeps attendees engaged and motivated.
Online courses can be formatted in a variety of ways. It really depends on what you’re comfortable with and what will work best for your attendees.
Course delivery
You’ll also need to determine how you want to deliver your content. Essentially, how your attendees will sign up, pay and take the classes.
There are several different platforms that you can use to host your classes, such as Thinkific, Teachable, or Udemy. Each platform has its own set of features, so it’s important to choose one that best suits your needs. Teachable and Thinkific offer free plans, but Udemy doesn’t require a membership or monthly fee to join, so you can explore all options before deciding.
The other way to go is by hosting your course yourself. WordPress and Wix have pre-built templates that make it easy to create a platform to set up and host your class. If you have some HTML knowledge, websites such as wpbeginner.com have tutorials on how to build an e-learning website using WordPress. If you’re not comfortable doing it yourself, you can always hire a web developer to build it for you.
Copyright and plagiarism
It’s important to be aware of copyright and plagiarism when creating your course content. If you’re using someone else’s material, make sure to give credit where it’s due. Many platforms have strict rules against plagiarism, so it’s essential to be aware of what is and isn’t allowed.
If you’re using any sort of copyrighted material, be sure to get permission from the copyright holder before using it. This includes things like images, videos, and written texts. If you’re using somebody else’s ideas, be sure to give them credit. This can be done by citing their work in your course materials or by providing a link to their website. Finally, if you’re unsure about whether something is considered plagiarism, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and give credit.
By following these simple guidelines, you can be sure that your online course is free of plagiarism.
Marketing your course
There are a few things to keep in mind when marketing your course.
- Make sure you’re using high-quality images and videos to promote your course.
- Be clear about what your course covers and what attendees will learn.
- Don’t forget to include a call to action so people know what to do next.
- You can also use email marketing to reach potential attendees directly.
This is where social media comes in handy. You can use platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to let people know about your course and what they can expect to learn.
Course prices and taxes
The potential earnings from an online course vary depending on several factors, such as your course’s topic, the course’s length, and the price you charge. Generally speaking, you can expect to make more money from longer and more comprehensive courses.
But what about the tax implications?
You’ll most likely be required to charge GST/HST on your course. Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has information on its website that outlines the rules for charging and collecting GST/HST for businesses providing goods and services online.
However, consulting with your accountant (hint: us) should be a consideration before you start.
Final thoughts
Starting an online course can be a great way to share your knowledge with the world and earn some extra income. It can be a daunting task, but by breaking the process down into manageable steps, you can make it much easier for yourself.
And don’t forget to have fun with it! Courses created with passion and enthusiasm usually turn out to be the best ones!
Keep these things in mind when getting started, and you’ll be sure to set yourself up for success.
