If you have specialised knowledge in a specific field or subject, you could start a business teaching others what you know. Here’s a checklist of what you should consider:
What content will you focus on?
Finding your niche is critical, or you risk being crowded out by hundreds of other competitors offering courses on the same topic. Once you’ve decided on your core content idea (and your specialism should be obvious), the next step is to create the course outline, a curriculum, and, of course, the lesson plans themselves. You must also decide which format is best for your content, whether video, PDF, or even podcast. You can even launch your own course on Thinkific, where you can easily market it to your own audience.
Who is your intended audience?
To determine whether there will be enough demand for your online course, you must first define your target audience. At this stage, creating some customer personas will be beneficial. They’ll assist you in making decisions based on a variety of factors, including the age range of the people you’re targeting (which will influence the tone of your content).
What is your business model?
The night-school model, in which learners pay a one-time fee to access individual courses; the academy model, in which learners receive ongoing access to your content in exchange for a monthly subscription fee; and the combined model, in which learners pay both a monthly subscription and a one-time fee, typically for exclusive or premium content. Of course, the depth and breadth of your curriculum, as well as the learning platform you select, all play a role.
How much will you charge?
When you’ve nailed down your content strategy, it’s time to think about pricing. Expensive fees may deter potential students, so make sure your course provides enough value to justify your premium pricing. Low prices, on the other hand, would increase sales while casting doubt on the quality of your offering.
How will you get the word out?
Finally, in order to expand your customer base, you must spread the word. This includes ensuring that your online course is easily found on search engines like Google (keyword research is key). Consider posting promotional videos on YouTube, which is especially popular among people looking for educational content. If you use an online learning platform, you may be able to expand your presence by using channel referral links or encouraging students to follow your profile.
