Creating online courses that genuinely deliver results—and make money—is part art, part technical process. Our world is flooded with mediocre content, so we need to focus on making courses that stand out and deliver meaning. But what separates a course that gathers dust from one that drives sales and creates real transformation? I’ve launched multiple courses, learned a lot from the failures, and doubled down on what actually works. Here’s how I approach making online courses with both purpose and profit in mind.
The key steps I take when creating online courses with real impact
When making an online course, avoid simply dumping information into slides and hitting record. Focus on crafting a journey students want to take—and stay on. From the first idea to the final upload, I follow a series of proven steps to ensure every course has both value and momentum.
How do I validate ideas before filming anything
Before I film a second of content, I test the idea. The fastest way to waste time (and money) is making video courses online no one asked for. I use simple validation techniques: sending surveys to my email list, running polls on social media, and posting short-form content around the topic. Make stories with questions like: “Would online courses for making money help you?” If no one engages, I pivot. If people start asking questions, I know I’m onto something.
Another important move? Pre-selling. I run many early-bird offers before the course exists to test real demand. If I can get paying students upfront, I know the topic has legs. This funds production and also gives me direct access to what learners expect, helping shape the final product.
My go-to outline and why structure beats volume
A messy course structure is the fastest way to lose students. I’ve learned to focus on transformation, not information. My outline always starts with a clear before and after state—where the student is now, and where they’ll be after completing the course. Every module, every lesson moves them along that path.
I make sure that each video answers one question or teaches one actionable skill. No fluff, no five-minute tangents. Structure beats volume every time. Students don’t want 20 hours of content—they want progress they can feel.
What platforms and formats drive student engagement
Choosing the right platform is extremely valuable. I’ve tested everything from Teachable through Kajabi to Thinkific, and my top priority is always user experience. If the dashboard is clunky, students drop off.
In terms of format, I blend short video lessons with visual slides, screen recordings, and occasional on-camera teaching. I add PDFs and checklists for hands-on learners. Most importantly, I include progress tracking and community features. Live Q&As or cohort-based options are also incredibly powerful.
What I’ve gained from launching online courses again and again
Each course I’ve launched taught me something new—not just about content, but about communication, business, and audience psychology. Over time, I’ve refined both how I teach and why. And I’ve seen real personal and professional growth from it.
In the video below, I explain how I worked all this into my content making routine:
How clarity and simplicity increased my sales of online courses
My earlier courses were jam-packed with content. I thought more was better. It wasn’t. Overwhelmed students don’t finish—and they definitely don’t recommend you.
Now I focus on clarity. I write each lesson title like a promise: “How to X in 10 Minutes.” I remove anything that doesn’t serve a clear result. My sales pages got shorter, my videos got tighter, and my completion rates went up. So did my revenue.
What building courses taught me about serving my niche
The more courses I created, the better I understood my niche, the demographics, language, and daily struggles. I started spotting patterns in student questions. I stopped guessing and started solving. This insight helps my courses, fuels my content, my offers, and my email strategy. This way, making online courses became a form of market research, showing me what my audience truly needs.
Why online courses are core to my personal brand strategy
Online courses went from a simple revenue stream to becoming a pillar of my brand. When someone enrols in a course, they commit to my teaching style and my values. It’s a trust builder.
