I developed my online course “Teach the Geek to Speak” to help technical professionals improve their public speaking skills. I created it and thought that people would flock to buy it. That didn’t happen. If I had to do it all over again, here are three things I would have done differently.

1. Validating the Idea: it’s so important to validate an idea before investing significant time and effort into creating a course. I suggest creating a lead magnet, such as a cheat sheet or checklist, related to the course topic. Then, offer it for free in exchange for email addresses. By gathering a list of interested individuals, you can ask the email recipients for their feedback on the potential course. This process ensures that there is a demand for the course before its creation, minimizing the risk of building something with limited interest.
2. Incorporating Live Interactions: To enhance the course’s value and address individual questions and concerns, add a live component. By hosting regular Zoom meetings or similar sessions, participants have the opportunity to interact directly with you and receive personalized guidance. This live interaction adds a human touch to the learning experience, allowing learners to seek clarification and engage in meaningful discussions beyond the course content.
3. Pricing Strategy: Start with a founder rate for early adopters like those from your email list. This discounted rate acknowledges that the course is new and unproven. Once initial participants have completed the course and provided testimonials, the price can be adjusted accordingly to reflect its value. Gradually increasing the price over time based on customer feedback and testimonials ensures a fair and sustainable pricing strategy.

Building and marketing an online course requires careful planning and execution. By validating the idea, incorporating live interactions, and setting the right pricing strategy, you have a great shot at success with your course.