In this blog post, we'll discover the easy way to write content for your online course on a budget with maximum profits. Plus an amazing tip to overcoming writer's block that works 100% of the time.
Why Create An Online Course In the First Place?
Whenever I ask a natural health practitioner why they chose this job over any other, I always get the same answer, “Kinga! I want to help people.” This usually follows by, “…but I only have 8 hours in the day. I wish I could do more”.
Sounds familiar? Since you have tons of knowledge about health, you could create an online course! This could be in the form of health protocols, products such as nutraceuticals, special remedies for various symptoms, tinctures & so much more!
Top 3 Reasons To Create Course
There are many, but here are the top three.
Pros
FREE Course Content Creator Resource
To keep you organized, I've created a worksheet to aid you to write content ror your online course. You won't need to print it (let's save some trees!) as its an interactive PDF and you can fill it out digitally.
You can download it below:
Phase #1 Brainstorm & Research
Before writing any content for your online course, do this first! All you need to do is brainstorm different topic ideas for your online course. Don’t overthink here and don’t Google ideas either. Simply let your creative juices flow. Set a timer for 10 minutes and write.
Now, look at the list you created. From all the topics in the brainstorming section, choose the top three that you’re most passionate about. Write them down in the section labeled Course Idea Box 1-2-3 of the worksheet. So far so good, right?
Fill out your course ideas in the Course Idea Box section of the worksheet:
It’s time to get a little help from our friends, I mean Google, and do a little bit of research. Find out who and what other practitioners (aka your direct competition) are offering in this space. Some conclusions you need to make:
- Is the competition high in this space?
- Is the quality of the course really good?
- Can I compete in this space & make it better?
Step #2 Choose Your Topic
Based on the criteria we talked about, now it’s time to make a solid business decision and choose the winner. Consider your passion, the competition & price. Decide which topic you want to concentrate on and tick the check box of your winner on your worksheet.
Step #3 Create an Outline For Your Online Course
The next step in the content creation process for your online course is to write all the topics or chapters you’ll need to cover in your course. Use page two of the guide to help you along.
Subsequently, group similar topics together, place them in an order that makes sense, from a chronological standpoint and voila! You have your course outline.
Place a number from 1-20 in the box and so that your topics are in chronological order.
Step #4 Create Content For Your Online Course
Most certainly, this is where the majority fall off the cliff. Most practitioners find this step the hardest. When they need to write content, writer's block kicks in and magically they have 100's of things to but write the content for your online course! However, you're here therefore, it won’t happen to you.
Let me share with you the secret weapon to overcoming writer's block.
Drum rolls, please: Don’t write!
In short, I know what you’re thinking, “Kinga, this makes no sense!” Oh, but it does. Allow me to explain.
To clarify, when I speak to practitioners about any health topic. You guys go at a million miles an hour. I get bombarded with tips, tricks best products in 30 seconds. My head spins! However, when you have to write this stuff down, after that, the information slows to turtle speed.
Tip to overcoming writer's block that works 100% of the time.
Don’t write it, transcribe it!
Turn on a recording device, grab a cup of organic bulletproof coffee, imagine you’re talking to a buddy, and just talk. What you’ll discover by using this tip is that the empty page you stared at for hours is now getting fuller and you haven’t typed a single word!
Finesse it
Now that the online course content is written, finesse it! Read everything over and tweak it. It’s much easier than writing from scratch. Once you’re happy with it, move on. Progress is better than perfection.
Now Rinse & Repeat
One chapter down for your course content? Now, move on to the next using the same method. Just rinse and repeat until all the chapters are done.
Step #5 Start a VIP List on Your Website
Add a form on your website to inform visitors about your upcoming course. Do a Facebook live or Instagram post that leads people to a specific page on your website with the opt-in form.
Incentive them to get on the VIP list with a discount, a bonus, or something special if they sign up. Collect visitor's information and keep it handy. When you’re ready to launch you could have many potential buyers and even sell out before spending a single dollar on ads!
What Information Should I Request On The Opt-In Form?
Firstly, be sure to ask for any relevant information you need to contact everyone once the course launches. Normally, I request many different forms of contact. This way, if you didn't get in touch with them with email you can send a postcard via snail mail or connect with them on the phone.
Contact Information To Collect
Ask Them Their Interests
Secondly, if you have other courses currently launched or plan on launching in the future add a section asking if they'd also be interested in them. You'd be surprised to hear you may have a huge interest.
Be Sure to Ask Why!
Thirdly, there are many reasons to ask this question. Above all, this may the most important question to add to the opt-in form. Ask why they're interested in taking the course. The answer to these questions will help you write direct response copy for your ads and the course landing page. Needless to say, it's pure gold.
Here's an example of a VIP opt-in form that we did for Sovran Healing. They're working on their content while their website is collecting leads!
What Website Is Best To Host My Online Course?
Had your website created by Sprout Your Practice? If the answer is yes, I have some great news. Your website platform can host your online course (or as many as you want for that matter) absolutely free. You do not have an additional monthly hosting fee and you do not have to pay a percentage of your sales to a third party provider. You keep all the profits. You can set it all up on your website or have Sprout Your Practice do it for you.
For more information click the button below. Here's everything you need to know to get started:
Summary
Creating content for your online course is not too difficult. However, you need to get organized and do research. In addition you need to make a solid decision based on the existing competition and price.
Therefore, before investing any money into this project, add a landing page with an opt-in form. Drive traffic from social media to this page to see if there's any interest.
After that, create a course outline which includes everything someone needs to know. This is already in your head, so all you have to do it put it down on paper. If you get writers block, just get your phone, record and talk. Get this recording transcribed and voila. Now all you need to do is organize the topics in an order that makes sense.
Similarly, repeat this process for the actual topic information. Honestly, this seems like the hardest part, but once you get going you'll see its not that bad.
