In the post-pandemic era, online courses have taken the world by storm. During the Covid-19 period, about 1.2 billion children were out of the classroom. But now, more and more schools are encouraging a mix of offline and online learning.
Online courses are not only affordable, but they also save you a lot of time and energy. So if you want to sell an online course as a full-time business or even a side hustle, here are some sure-shot ways to promote it!
1. Use social media
Source: pinterest.com
Social media is one of the most powerful tools for promoting your content. Since your courses will primarily target students, you know that social media will be just the perfect platform since they majorly use apps like Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
Create accounts on all these websites and promote your content through live video streams or unique reels.
Post regularly and interact with your audience through polls or questions. Try to deliver meaningful content that will attract students and their guardians.
2. Create a website
Another great tool you have in your pocket is creating your website. Even if you’re not a professional, that’s fine. Hire a professional web designer who will work closely with you and understand your taste.
Your website should reflect the values of your company and be user-friendly. Make it interactive by allowing an AI-powered chatbot to help students resolve their queries.
Choose a good color palette and make sure the font is clearly legible. Focus more on visual aids like pictures and videos on the site instead of filling it up with long detailed texts.
3. Design your company logo
Source: inc.com
Your company’s logo will be your identity. Wherever you go, people will recognize you through your logo. This is why, even if you have a functioning website, you need to create a good logo that sends out a message.
You can hire a professional to design it or do it yourself with the help of an education logo maker online. The colors in your logo should match the primary colors used on the website.
Next, print out a large size of this logo and paste it on the entrance door of your office or somewhere visible. Try to promote it as much as possible.
4. Think of SEO strategies
SEO or Search Engine Optimization is important when it comes to online courses. However, despite it being a long-term marketing approach, most scholars aren’t really sure of how to use it.
Search engines like Google and Bing constantly keep changing their algorithms, so you must keep up with these changes.
Plan out your keywords carefully so that whenever anyone types phrases like “online courses” or “courses for students” on Google, your site’s name is among the few to appear right on top.
But remember, SEO strategies take time, so you also have to stay patient.
5. Identify your unique value proposition
Source: freepik.com
Hundreds of online courses are available today, so how will you make yours stand out?
Well, this needs a bit of research and planning. This way, you can come up with unique ideas that will make your company carve a name for itself in the niche.
Offer something to the students that no other course in your locality is offering, such as a free online trial period or practice quizzes for every chapter being taught.
Identify this unique value proposition and promote it on your sales page on the website to attract more viewers.
6. Survey your audience
Without first knowing your audience’s preferences, your marketing strategies won’t be successful.
For example, if your team provides online courses for kindergarten students, you’ll have to design a course that is completely different from the curriculum meant for a sophomore.
After deciding which age group you wish to cater to, it’s time to take a survey and find out about their likes and dislikes.
Ask them what topics they’re interested in and which ones they find tough. Then, include your audience in your brand, making them feel valued and heard.
7. Open a blog
Source: youtube.com
Starting a blog is also a good idea if you want to keep your audience informed and entertained. And when it comes to educational services, a blog is all the more useful.
Write at least one or two articles every week about one interesting topic. It doesn’t have to be exclusively about the subjects that your team teaches.
For example, if your courses teach students basic math, you can post a blog about some of the greatest mathematicians of all time. Write the pieces in simple language that will grasp your reader’s attention.
8. Presell your online courses
If you’re unsure whether people will want to buy your online courses, you can try preselling and then see how the sales graph grows.
Even though it may seem counterintuitive to first sell something before developing it well, take this as a beta test.
So many apps keep doing it all the time. It’s much better to first sell small quantities of something to a select few than to launch the products on a larger scale and then find out that nobody is interested in buying.
This way, you’ll save money, time, and a whole lot of resources too.
9. Run a Youtube channel
Source: forbes.com
You might be surprised to know that YouTube is the second-most popular search page after Google. This is because millions of people constantly keep searching for different kinds of videos, mostly educational ones.
Perhaps even you might have typed phrases like “how to” on the Youtube search bar. So take advantage of this booming platform and keep creating informative Youtube videos.
You can even start by making one-minute videos called Youtube Shorts and engage with your customers first. Show yourself, your team, and other important aspects of your company in the videos.
Over to you…
It might seem tough to successfully run an online courses business, but the most important mantra is never giving up.
Even if some of your promotion strategies aren’t going well, figure out the problems and try to troubleshoot them. Only through patience and dedication will you be able to develop your company.
