008: Course Launch Success: The Ultimate Guide to Marketing an Online Course

Are you intrigued by titles promising the “number one secret” to success? We often approach such claims with a healthy dose of skepticism. In this blog, we’re about to unveil a genuinely powerful secret that can make or break your journey in marketing an online course. So, are you ready to discover the number one secret to marketing your online course? Let’s dive in!

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The Importance of an Audience

Picture this: You’ve spent weeks or even months creating an incredible online course with an irresistible offer. But when you finally launch it, the sound of crickets is all you hear. It’s a nightmare scenario for course creators, and it’s precisely why you might have hesitated to start your online course journey. But don’t let this fear hold you back. The key to ensuring your course gets the attention it deserves is having an audience. The question is, how do you build that audience?

The Number One Secret Revealed: Email Marketing

The answer lies in having an engaged and nurtured email list filled with the right people. Yes, you heard it right – email marketing is the number one secret to successfully marketing and selling your online course. You might think of email marketing as old-school, but it’s far from obsolete. In fact, it remains the most effective way to reach and engage your potential customers. Here’s why:

1. Ownership

Unlike social media followers, who can disappear if your account gets shut down, you own your email list. You can take it with you, even if you switch email service providers.

2. Email’s Prevalence

Consider these stats – 92% of online adults use email, and 61% of consumers prefer being contacted by brands via email. Furthermore, 99% of email users check their inbox daily, often multiple times.

3. Email First

58% of users check their email before social media or news. It’s where they expect to find important information and promotions.

Getting Started with Your Email List

Starting an email list might seem daunting, but it’s actually straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get going:

1. Choose an Email Service Provider

There are various options available, including ConvertKit, Flodesk, and Kajabi. Choose one that suits your needs and budget.

2. Create a Lead Magnet

A lead magnet is something you offer in exchange for a person’s name and email address. Make sure it directly relates to your course topic.

3. Set Up the Technical Side

Create a landing page where people can sign up for your lead magnet. Most email service providers offer tools to set up these pages. Also, set up automated email delivery for your lead magnet.

4. Grow Your List

To increase your potential buyers, actively work on growing your email list. Keep in mind that, on average, 1-10% of your email list may eventually purchase your course. 

Integrating Email List Building with Course Creation

Now, you might be wondering when to build your email list – before or after creating your course. The answer? Do both simultaneously. Once you’ve chosen your course idea and niche, set up your email list. Start building your audience while also working on your course outline and initial modules. Consider launching before completing the course to gauge interest and ensure your course is in demand.

And there you have it – the number one secret to online course success is having an email list filled with the right people. The key is to nurture them, offer a lead magnet related to your course, and ensure you’re not launching to crickets. Building your email list is the foundation of your course’s success. So, don’t wait any longer – get started today and set yourself up for a successful course launch! Stay tuned for our upcoming episode on organic ways to grow your email list without using ads. Your journey to a thriving online course starts now!

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About Lindsay

Former teacher Lindsay Bowden, standing and holding a teacher resource, helping educators learn how to sell on TPT
Lindsay is a former high school math teacher turned full time online biz owner. She has earned over $320K in revenue from Teachers Pay Teachers.

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Lindsay has been creating math resources for over 10 years and now helps other teachers and moms create and sell their own digital products. Shop my resources or learn how to monetize your skills!
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