Online Course Creation Guide: Build & Sell Courses That Convert
A complete step-by-step guide to designing, creating, launching, and selling profitable online courses. Learn from real course examples, platform comparisons, and proven conversion strategies.
🎯What You'll Learn in This Guide
1️⃣Designing Your Course Curriculum
The 5-Module Formula
Most successful courses follow this structure:
Module 1: The Foundation (Problem Setup)
5-15 minutes of video
- • Define the problem they're solving
- • Show why it matters (cost of not fixing it)
- • Preview the solution they'll learn
- • Build excitement for what's coming
Module 2: Core Concept (The "Why")
15-25 minutes
- • Teach fundamental concept/framework
- • Explain the "why" behind the method
- • Use real-world examples
- • Make it immediately applicable
Module 3: Step-by-Step Process (The "How")
20-40 minutes (longest module)
- • Break down process into 5-7 steps
- • Screen recordings/walkthroughs
- • Detailed examples and case studies
- • Common mistakes to avoid
Module 4: Advanced Tactics (Go Deeper)
10-20 minutes
- • Optimization techniques
- • "Pro tips" students won't find elsewhere
- • Industry best practices
- • Tools and resources
Module 5: Action Plan & Bonus (Implementation)
5-15 minutes
- • 30-day action plan template
- • Checklist for success
- • Bonus resources/templates
- • Path to continued learning
Real Course Example: "Advanced LinkedIn for Freelancers"
Course Structure:
- • Module 1: Why LinkedIn matters (8 min)
- • Module 2: Profile optimization (12 min)
- • Module 3: Content strategy (25 min)
- • Module 4: Networking tactics (15 min)
- • Module 5: 30-day action plan (10 min)
- • Bonus: LinkedIn growth tracker template
Results & Pricing:
- • Price: $97-197
- • Students enrolled: 500+
- • Monthly revenue: $10K-15K
- • Conversion rate: 2-4%
- • Launch strategy: Email list + LinkedIn
- • Average student rating: 4.8/5
2️⃣Course Platform Comparison
Teachable
Pros:
- ✓ Beginner-friendly
- ✓ Good email integration
- ✓ Affiliate system built-in
- ✓ Good community
Cons:
- ✗ Limited design customization
- ✗ Course page can look generic
- ✗ 30% transaction fee on payments
- ✗ Can feel crowded
Pricing:
Basic: $39/month → Pro: $119/month
Podia
Pros:
- ✓ Beautiful templates
- ✓ All-in-one (course + email)
- ✓ Lower fees (15%)
- ✓ Great affiliate tools
Cons:
- ✗ Smaller community
- ✗ Fewer integrations
- ✗ Limited advanced features
- ✗ Email templates basic
Pricing:
Starter: Free → Pro: $99/month
Kajabi
Pros:
- ✓ Most professional
- ✓ Advanced automation
- ✓ Membership sites
- ✓ Used by top creators
Cons:
- ✗ Most expensive
- ✗ Steep learning curve
- ✗ Overkill for starters
- ✗ 30% commission on sales
Pricing:
$149-$399/month (no transaction fees)
Gumroad
Pros:
- ✓ Super simple
- ✓ Free to start
- ✓ Fast setup (hours)
- ✓ Low 10% fee
Cons:
- ✗ Limited course features
- ✗ No email marketing
- ✗ Not designed as main course platform
- ✗ Basic customization
Pricing:
Free + 10% commission (no monthly fee)
Platform Recommendation
Beginners: Start with Podia (free tier) or Gumroad
Growing creators: Move to Teachable or Podia Pro
Advanced/Multiple courses: Kajabi (if budget allows)
3️⃣Creating Course Videos (Quick Workflow)
Video Production Process (Budget-Friendly)
Step 1: Record Screen Capture (Free)
Tools: OBS Studio, ScreenFlow (Mac), Camtasia
- • Record demos, walkthroughs, tutorials
- • Recommended: 1080p at 30fps minimum
- • Speak clearly, use external microphone
- • Edit out long pauses and mistakes
Step 2: Record Webcam (Talking Head)
Tools: Zoom, OBS, or even your phone
- • Record intro + module overviews
- • Good lighting is critical (face the window)
- • Use a USB microphone ($30-50)
- • Keep videos to 5-7 min max (shorter is better)
Step 3: Edit Videos
Tools: CapCut (free), Adobe Premiere, DaVinci Resolve
- • Cut out long pauses and "umms"
- • Add lower-third graphics (name + topic)
- • Add background music (royalty-free from YouTube)
- • Include text callouts for key points
Step 4: Upload & Optimize
Tools: Vimeo, Wistia, or YouTube unlisted
- • Add transcripts (aids accessibility + SEO)
- • Create custom thumbnails
- • Add captions (auto-captions are fine)
- • Use video titles that match lesson titles
Budget video course cost: Microphone ($50) + editing software ($0-20/mo) = Less than $100 to start
4️⃣Course Pricing & Revenue Strategy
Price Points by Course Type
Low Price ($17-$47)
Good for: First products, building audience, quick wins
- • Expected conversion: 3-5% of audience
- • 500 people → 15-25 sales = $255-$1175
- • Time to create: 20-40 hours
- • Student quality: Lower commitment = higher dropout
Mid Price ($97-$297) - RECOMMENDED
Good for: Most digital courses, sweet spot
- • Expected conversion: 2-4% of audience
- • 500 people → 10-20 sales = $970-$5940
- • Time to create: 30-80 hours (quality matters)
- • Student quality: Good commitment, higher completion rate
Premium Price ($397-$997)
Good for: Advanced courses, personal implementation
- • Expected conversion: 0.5-2% of audience
- • 500 people → 2-10 sales = $794-$9970
- • Time to create: 60-120 hours (comprehensive)
- • Bonus: Often includes 1-on-1 support or group calls
High Ticket ($997+)
Good for: Masterminds, group programs, business courses
- • Expected conversion: 0.2-1% of audience
- • 500 people → 1-5 sales = $997-$4985
- • Requires strong positioning and sales copy
- • Usually includes 1-on-1 coaching/community
Real Course Pricing Example
Course Name:
"Complete SEO for SaaS Founders"
$197
Monthly Sales:
50-75 students
$9,850 - $14,775
Annual Revenue:
Based on steady traffic
$118K - $177K
Profit Margin:
Platform fees + email service
92-95%
5️⃣Course Launch Sequence
Week 1-2: Pre-Launch Setup
- ✓ Finish building course platform page
- ✓ Upload all videos and materials
- ✓ Create email sequences (see email template section)
- ✓ Create landing page for course
- ✓ Set up payment system
- ✓ Create sales page with testimonials
Week 2-3: Waitlist & Soft Launch
- ✓ Open waitlist for early access
- ✓ Email your list: "Coming soon: New course"
- ✓ Share behind-the-scenes content
- ✓ Offer early bird pricing (30% off)
- ✓ Invite beta testers for feedback
- ✓ Target: 100-300 people on waitlist
Week 3-4: Launch Week
- ✓ Send launch email (Day 1) - "It's live!"
- ✓ Post on social media (daily)
- ✓ Email sequences (3-7 emails over 7 days)
- ✓ Limited-time launch bonus ($50-100 value)
- ✓ Emphasize early-bird pricing expires soon
- ✓ Ask waitlist members for testimonials/shares
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