Launching an online course can be intimidating to say the least. It doesn’t have to be though. Denice Whiteley recently stopped by The Second Phase Podcast to share great insight on how to plan, create a process, and share the systems we need to effectively launch an online course.
First Phase
In Denice’s first phase, she was a computer programmer for the Navy. She worked as a civilian and had some pretty cool experiences. When the base closed, Denice was nine months pregnant, so she took the opportunity to be a stay-at-home mom.
Eventually, Denice wanted to go back to work. She tried some part-time jobs but they weren’t exactly what she wanted to do nor did they last. Then, she discovered the world of virtual assistants (VAs). Denice studied VAs and eventually started her business as a VA.
Second Phase
While working for clients as a VA, Denice quickly realized that her gift is her ability to figure out the “tech” quickly and easily. For her, tech is a jigsaw puzzle that is fun to put together whereas for the rest of us, it is one giant headache.
Denice quickly niched down and changed her title to online course launch concierge and her VA business shifted gears to helping entrepreneurs launch online courses.
Time Needed to Launch an Online Course
Two months is the amount of time Denice suggests you allow yourself for launching an online course. You will first create the content, then, identify the process, set up and automate the tech, and launch.
The Online Course Launch Process
Email List
Use your email list to survey your audience to learn what problem they need/want you to solve for them.
You need 300 to 500 people on your email list to effectively launch a course.
Create the online course content
- Once you have the survey results, create the content for the online course.
- Begin with a webinar that will introduce you to your audience, tell them about the course and direct them to purchase the course by going to your sales page
- Create a sales page. The sales page provides more detail about the course and sells the course to get people to register.
- Write your email series. You will need an email for welcoming attendees to the webinar and giving them the login credentials, an email to be sent as a thank you after the webinar, an email the day after the email to remind them about the problem you will solve for them and information on how to purchase the course, and a couple of additional emails for day 2, 3, and 4 posts the webinar each with additional facts about the course and the link to register.
Map the Process for Course Delivery
- Register for Zoom for the delivery of the webinar
- Create a link for people to join the webinar
- Do the webinar
- Register Participants
- Release modules
- Schedule group discussions
- Send out survey
- Ask for testimonials
Market the Webinar and Course
- Use Social Media
- Blog posts
- Email Marketing
The Tools, Tech, and Systems for a Successful Online Course
- Zoom
- Learning Management System
- Teachable
- Thinkific
- End-to-End System
- Kojabi
- Click Funnels
- Click Automations
- Zapier
- Google Drive
- Email Management System
- Active Campaign
- Mail Chimp
- Constant Contacts
- Convert Kit
Don’t Make This Mistake
The biggest mistake people make is not having a warm audience before they launch a course and start selling. Build your audience and know specifically what they want/need before launching.
More tips for starting an online business.
About Denice
Denice Whitely is an online course launch concierge. She’s a tech-savvy virtual assistant who can solve most of your tech woes in minutes instead of the hours it takes you. Denice coaches you through marketing strategies to help you create a course that sells to your ideal audience. She lives in rural Upper Bucks County, PA with her husband and a 5.5-pound Chiweenie dog. In her free time, she loves to hike and go to concerts with her favorite musicians.
Learn More about Denice and Connect with Her
Connect with Denise on LinkedIn
To learn more about your host, Robyn Graham, click HERE.
