How to Make Money With Online Courses In 2020

TWO. Not An "Expert"? - Not A Problem!

This is a deep mistake many people make - do not  jump to the flawed conclusion that you only have a hazy insight about a topic and you need be a wizard to create and sell an online course - read on - the plain truth will shock you.

Remember the old joke about two walkers out in the wild being chased by a bear, and one of them sits down and puts on their running shoes. The other fellow says "that's no good, bears can run must faster than humans". The runner replies "yes, but I only need to run faster than you!"

See, the truth is, you only need to know more than most do on a certain topic.

In fact experts are often poor teachers - better to learn from a recent swimmer who still remembers the challenges of learning to swim, than an Olympic standard swimmer who finds the whole thing effortless.

THREE. The Almost Infinite Topic Choices

You have a boundless choice that you can cover - wads of people make thousands of Euros/dollars a month with online courses teaching topics that they know about . . . 

But It Gets Better

Read on and I will show you how to  master your chosen topic - even if right now, you consider yourself to have only 'average' knowledge. In a moment, I will show you how to balloon your chosen niche knowledge from a fuzzy raw level into a razor-sharp savvy online training course.

Meanwhile, here is just a small taster of potential sought-after training topics on the internet:

The Single Reason Why Many Fail

Before you dive in and start creating your own online course, there is a wise and battle-scarred phrase that cuts into the truth:

FOUR. Find a starving crowd - then feed them

This  is what Mike is saying above, don't fall in love with an online training idea and then waste your time, energy and money on a dusty topic that few can get passionate about (or buy).

The other side of the coin that puts folks off is competition. If folks are selling it already, (and still are without going broke), then that's a precise pointer that it's a good niche!

Many folks might be interested about your topic, but are they willing and able to pay to learn it? 

FIVE. Start Simple, Grow Big

Resist using online course platforms (LMS) as these are more complex than you need, and often host your competition. Follow my lead and set up your own mini-website - it will look just as professional without the cost.

Thanks to advanced simple to use tools and technology your website will give you professional-looking results, plus you can be up and running in days while adding new training courses as you grow - providing you a passive income stream.

Just create an online course once, and you can have paying customers all over the planet in any timezone.

SIX. Develop a Structured Outline For Students To Absorb

You must think this through and develop a series of bite-sized easy steps structure for your training. Much like the structure of a book using chapters and sections, I develop mine in terms of Modules and Lessons.

You must use the most popular media and methods for your training. Think of this as customer perceived value. A 'book' would be cheap, whereas a video would command a higher price.

I use video-based Modules with an accompanying Handbook (the name 'workbook' sounds like hard work!). In addition, where necessary, I also include worksheets, calculators, audio, checklists, infographics and so on ....

How Do You Eat An Elephant?

Not really of course, but this old saying completes by stating "One Bit At A Time"

The meaning behind that is that once you break your topic down into a set of Modules/Lessons, each lessons need only be 5 to 10 minutes in duration.

In this way, you will be astounded how easy it is to create a valuable set of training modules.
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SEVEN. Build It And They Will Come

Not True.

You will want to market your training - get it in the eyeballs of your potential customers. There are many ways to do this, ranging from email, SEO, Social Media and CPC.

Now you've got their interest, you will need another skill - copywriting. Clearly demonstrating the benefits and outcome for them of investing in your training.

EIGHT. Shampoo - Rinse and Repeat

Congratulations - you have your first course up and running and earning a regular income.

Want Some More?

Well give it to them then!

You can create more courses on the same topic - maybe at an advanced level - or a side-step showing how to do the same thing put for a different application.

The options are endless.

As I have discovered over the past two decades, it is worth investing in yourself by learning how to make money by creating online courses.

It can become a profitable source of passive income bringing you financial independence - All done from a computer in your own home - wherever you are in the world!