“Are you an aspiring online course creator looking to create an online course and make a mark in the e-learning industry by building a successful online business?”
By understanding the different mistakes course creators make, you’ll know how to better enhance the quality of your courses, engage learners, and achieve your goals.
Mistake 1. Pricing Your Course Too Low
Is your course too cheap? Are you short selling the course you’ve spend hours creating? Are the value of the course you’ve created only worth this much?
If you are asking these questions, your course is probably price too low.
Biggest mistake that online course creators often make is undervaluing their course by setting the price too low. While it may seem counterintuitive, pricing your course too low can undermine its perceived quality and value.
People often associate cheapness with “low quality”, “bad content” and “time waster”.
However do not mix up cheap with Free, a product that is cheap always a have a bad reputation, but a product offered free can have a positive effect on your marketing.
Consider the following factors when determining the appropriate price for your online course:
Assess the market value:
- Research and analyze the pricing of similar courses in your niche.
- Consider the expertise and unique value you bring to the table.
- Take into account the perceived value and benefits your course offers to learners.
Consider the course content and quality:
- Evaluate the depth and breadth of your course material.
- Take into account any additional resources, tools, or bonuses included in the course.
- Highlight the outcomes and benefits learners can expect to achieve.
Strike a balance:
- Find a pricing point that is both reasonable for learners and reflects the value you are offering.
- Consider offering tiered pricing options, such as basic and premium packages, to cater to different budgets and needs.
- Test and iterate on your pricing strategy based on learner feedback and market response.
If you are unsure how to price your course, check out my other article all on pricing your course, “How to price your course the right way“.
And if you are looking to maximize your earning potential check out these less known ways to effectively monetize your online course and help you get a 300% increase in how much you can earn from selling course online.
Setting a higher price does not necessarily mean you will alienate potential learners. A well-priced course can communicate quality, professionalism, and a higher level of commitment to learners’ success.
By appropriately pricing your course, you can establish its value in the market and attract learners who are willing to invest in their education.
Mistake 2. Thinking “I am not an Expert”
Biggest mistake made by aspiring online course creators is underestimating their own expertise and knowledge, and I admit, I do sometimes still make this mistake myself.
You can be having decades of experience and known as an expert in something, but sometime you are just too humble, you feel that you are just “not-good-enough”, but the fact is that you have knowledge that is extremely valuable which many people want to learn.
Imposter syndrome or self-doubt can hinder your progress and prevent you from sharing valuable insights with learners. Avoid falling into this trap with the following considerations:
Recognize your unique knowledge and experience:
- Identify the subject areas where you possess expertise and valuable insights.
- Reflect on your accomplishments, qualifications, and practical experiences that make you qualified to teach.
- Embrace the mindset that you have valuable knowledge to offer, even if you may not consider yourself an “expert” in the traditional sense.
Focus on your target audience’s needs:
- Remember that learners are seeking your guidance and expertise to learn and grow.
- Tailor your course content to address their specific pain points and provide actionable solutions.
- Understand that you don’t need to have complete mastery; you simply need to offer valuable insights and guidance to help learners progress.
Emphasize continuous learning and growth:
- Acknowledge that expertise is not a fixed state but a journey of ongoing learning and improvement.
- Stay updated with the latest industry trends, research, and best practices in your field.
- Communicate your commitment to continuous learning to your learners, fostering an environment of growth and development.
No, I am not asking you to be arrogant and think that you are an expert in everything. That will be the panicle of stupidity. If you do a quick search, those who are arrogant are probably in the state of “Naivety Confident”.
You want to always learn and grow your knowledge.
By reframing your perspective and embracing your expertise and keep on learning, you can overcome imposter syndrome and achieve the state of mastery.
Be confident when creating and deliver online courses that provide value to your learners. Remember, your unique insights and experiences can make a significant impact on the journey of those seeking to learn from you.
Mistake 3: Lack of Proper Market Research on Your Niche
Market research is the essence of between making your online course a success or failure. Failing to understand your target audience and analyze the competition can lead to ineffective course creation and a total waste of your time.
There are two things that is totally within your control and contribute the most to your success as course creator:
- Choosing the right topic for your niche in creating your online course.
- Choosing the perfect online course platform for you to create and sell your course.
Choosing the right topic for your niche can make or break your ability to succeed as an online course creator. While choosing the right platform with the best LMS depends on the features you want on your course.
Business is all about supply and demand.
Many creators make this common mistake and hastily choose a topic when they are rushing their course. To choose the right niche you’ll need to minimally do these:
Get better understanding of the target audience:
- Identify your ideal learners and their specific needs.
- Conduct surveys or interviews to gain insights into their preferences and pain points.
- Analyze demographic data and psychographics to create targeted content.
Analyze your competition:
- Research other online courses in your niche.
- Identify their strengths and weaknesses to differentiate your course.
- Determine the unique value proposition that sets your course apart.
Mistake 4. Poor Course Planning and Design
Structure your course well, and the rest will follow. Creating a course is not just the process of putting all thing together into a series of videos or assignments, it is much more than that.
Developing a well-structured and engaging online course is essential for attracting and retaining learners. If you are selling your online course and want your learners to enjoy your course so that can leave good reviews, do this:
Create clear learning objectives:
- For each of your course, always define specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) learning objectives.
- Communicate the desired outcomes to learners from the beginning.
- Align your course content with these objectives to create a cohesive learning experience.
Set effective course structure and organization:
- Organize your course content logically and sequentially.
- Use clear headings, subheadings, and modules to guide learners.
- Provide a course outline and navigation tools for easy access to different sections.
Include multimedia integration:
- Utilize videos, images, infographics, and interactive elements to enhance learner engagement.
- Incorporate multimedia strategically to support learning objectives and break down complex concepts.
- Ensure compatibility with different devices and optimize load times for a seamless experience.
If you are looking for a complete guide to structure your online course, read this free “Complete Guide To Structuring Your Online Course“. In addition, create an engaging online course description for your course, this will help give your learners a quick glimpse on what your course is all about.
Mistake 5. Inadequate Instructional Design
The instructional design of your online course plays a crucial role in your course design and it helps to facilitate effective learning.
And to create an online course that truly helps your learners to meet their learning needs, keep these instructional design in mind when creating your course:
Follow pedagogical principles:
- Apply instructional design models like ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation) or SAM (Successive Approximation Model).
- Incorporate active learning techniques such as discussions, case studies, and simulations.
- Use appropriate instructional strategies, such as scaffolding and chunking, to promote comprehension.
Include lots of interactivity and engagement:
- Foster learner engagement through interactive quizzes, polls, and discussions.
- Encourage collaborative learning experiences, such as group projects or peer feedback.
- Utilize gamification elements like badges or leaderboards to motivate learners.
…Check out the rest of the article HERE.
So…what’s next?
Time to find the “right online course platform for your business”.
Originally published at www.incomebuddies.com on 13 Jun 2023.
