There are many people who generate pretty nice figures each month by selling online courses. No matter what the course is about, the success of these people is based on two things: they create valuable content and they market it continuously.
Read more: The two ingredients of successful online courses
While creating valuable content is rather specific for each online course designer, depending on the audience they target and the industry niche they want to be active in, there are plenty of aspects in the marketing part that can apply to all types of courses. Here are 10 easy ways to market your online course:
1. Update your social media profiles
Everyone lives online, so if you want to get your course at one click away from your buyers, you should leverage your social media profiles. To make sure you already have a well established audience for your course, this step can and should be implemented even before the launch of your product. Add the link to the web page of your course, write some posts about it and also share relevant other articles related to it.
Remember that every platform has specific requirements and the users are searching for something in particular on each of them. Address the users the way they are accustomed to avoid rejection. Make sure the pictures or any other visual content that you use with the post meet the size requirements for each social media platform.
2. Update your email signature
Add the link to the landing page of the finished course in your email signature as well. You do send emails probably every day and even if they’re on subjects unrelated to your course, people will still notice that link and your work. Thus, it is a subliminal way of marketing your course without making it obvious.
3. Announce your course to your audience
You have to do this through every means possible. As long as you've created anticipation, you now can address your prospect buyers individually. Send a personalized email to your current list of subscribers to inform them that your new online course is now available. Some won’t waste too much time before they’ll show interest, especially if there’s a chance they’ll get a discount or some bonuses.
4. Promote the course on your blog
People appreciate extra information especially if they don't have to pay for it. Write more posts on various ideas and concepts that are discussed in the course, but on a more surface level. This will make your prospects trust you and you will make yourself a name among the experts in the field.
Invite the audience to buy your course if they want to dive deeper in that subject, at the end of each post. Eventually, people will start to show interest in your course by wanting more information and by being willing to buy your product.
5. Create lead magnets
Create new forms of content related to your online course to attract more subscribers. The lead magnets, as they are called, can be free ebooks, white papers, case studies, checklists, more free videos, infographics, and so on.
If you want to make sure you are always present in your buyers’ consciousness, try giving them a little bit more of you. Offering them more insight into your knowledge will help you create an audience eager for more. In addition, this creates a sense of caring from your part. Taking the time to write and provide free information will definitely be well received. Your customers will have more reasons to trust your expertise which in turn can generate conversion.
6. Make a video about your online course
Marketing your course has to approach every method there is. One, which has become commonplace, is the use of videos explaining aspects related to your course.
There are plenty of free tools online that allow you to create nice short videos without having too many technical skills. Upload the promotional video on YouTube, Vimeo and other video sharing platforms and use this new type of content whenever you can: include it in your blog, in an email campaign, and so on.
7. Write guest posts
Reach out to bloggers and content creators in your niche and offer them quality guest posts for free. Make sure your author bio includes the link to your website or to the course landing page. Share this new content on your social media accounts. By doing this you make yourself visible to others and, in time, you’ll have created the grounds for your online business, turning yourself into a specialist in the field.
8. Participate in podcasts and webinars
The online world has made accessing information easier and faster, yet people still need people when it comes to receiving confirmation. Podcasts and webinars are a great way to get closer to your audience by giving them the possibility to receive detailed instructions and making the experience more personalized.
Contact people that create content related to the main topic of your course, ask them to let you take part in the conversations and eventually you'll be invited as you become a known personality in the field. Mention your course at the end of the event and invite people to check out your website. Amplify this content by sharing it on social media as well.
This creates continuity which does not allow your buyers to forget you, thus when the time comes to reinvent yourself and your product, your audience will have walked beside you on your journey, emphasizing your knowledge along the way.
9. Leverage online communities
Go on relevant Facebook groups, LinkedIn Pulse, Quora, Reddit and other forums. Chances are you already use a series of social media platforms, so why not make the best of it? Make thoughtful, considerate and helpful contributions to each of these communities, to establish you name as an expert in the field. Give valuable information to your audience. Being a constant contributor to these communities makes you know your prospects’ needs but also helps you provide the level of knowledge you possess.
Online communities have more and more power and if you become a constant part of them you'll know what people want and how you can make a difference for your customers. Moreover, they will feel you are one of them and by giving them your knowledge you establish a trustworthy connection which will propel you among the top online entrepreneurs.
10. Add learner testimonials to the course landing page
Marketing is an important part of online business. To make yours feel real, you need confirmation from real buyers. Testimonials help a lot in building social proof, especially if you sell your first course. People will buy more easily if they find validation that your course is worthwhile. Having your buyers give a review will determine others to convert, especially if they are indecisive. By offering discounts you can get the wanted feedback.
Never stop marketing your online course
Marketing is not a one-time thing. If you don’t make it continuously — before, while and after you launch your product — all the hard work you put in creating and releasing it will have been in vain.
Find out more tips and tricks on how to market your online courses here.
INDIE Brochure: Sell online courses using INDIE marketing tools
