🎯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
Want the full Digital Products playbook?
The operating system for turning expertise into an asset. Offer architecture, launch playbook, pricing theory, and the evergreen funnel that runs after you stop. Built by someone who's shipped 14 products past $100K.
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Want the full Digital Products playbook?
The operating system for turning expertise into an asset. Offer architecture, launch playbook, pricing theory, and the evergreen funnel that runs after you stop. Built by someone who's shipped 14 products past $100K.