Let’s face it, sometimes running a business can feel like a never-ending hamster wheel. Scaling feels out of reach. You’re constantly trying to carve out more time, or worse, trying to trade hours for dollars. If that sounds familiar, I’m here to tell you there’s another way. And it’s one that doesn’t require you to sacrifice even more of your precious time.
Enter the world of online courses.
Online courses are a powerful way to monetize your expertise, create scalable income, and reach more people—without working longer hours. It’s about working smarter, not harder. Today, I’m going to walk you through the process of designing, creating, and launching your own online course. Plus, if you have ADHD (or if you’re like me, you sometimes struggle with focus and overwhelm), I’ll share some marketing strategies designed to help you stay on track without losing your sanity.
By the end of this post, you’ll be armed with all the tools and strategies you need to turn your expertise into an income-generating online course. Ready? Let’s dive in!
Why Online Courses?
First things first: Why an online course? Why not coaching, consulting, or another revenue stream? Well, online courses offer a few unique benefits that make them ideal for female entrepreneurs who value freedom and flexibility.
- Scalability: Unlike one-on-one services where your income is limited by how many hours you can work, an online course can reach hundreds, even thousands, of people simultaneously. This means that once your course is created, you can continue earning money without constantly trading time for dollars.
- Passive Income: While creating the course takes some upfront work, the magic happens after you launch. You can automate your sales process and earn income on autopilot—even while you sleep.
- Impact: Sharing your expertise through an online course allows you to help more people. If your passion is helping others (which I know it is), this lets you spread your message far beyond your local community.
- Credibility: Offering an online course positions you as an expert in your field. It establishes your authority, attracts more clients, and increases your visibility.
How to Know If You’re Ready to Create an Online Course
Before we jump into the step-by-step process, let’s address an important question: Are you ready to create an online course?
You might be thinking, But Cassi, I’m not an expert yet. Here’s the thing: If you’ve got knowledge, skills, or experience that can help someone else achieve their goals, solve a problem, or make their life better, then you’re an expert. Your audience doesn’t need you to be perfect—they need you to show up authentically and offer value. The truth is, the best online courses come from real-life experiences, so don’t let imposter syndrome hold you back!
Now that you’re clear on your expertise, let’s break down how to turn that into a course that sells.
Step 1: Designing Your Online Course
When designing an online course, the goal is to create a structured, step-by-step process that takes your students from where they are now to where they want to be. The better you can do this, the more successful your course will be. Here’s how to start:
Identify Your Niche
The first step in creating a successful online course is choosing the right niche. A niche is a specific segment of your market. Rather than trying to appeal to everyone, focus on a specific group of people who need what you have to offer. This allows you to create content that speaks directly to your ideal audience.
Consider:
- What problems are you solving?
- What is your unique expertise?
- Who are you most passionate about helping?
Example: If you’re a business coach for new entrepreneurs, your niche might be helping women build and launch their first online business while managing family responsibilities.
Define Your Course Outcome
Next, you need to determine what your students will achieve by taking your course. The clearer you are about this outcome, the easier it will be to create content that delivers results.
Ask yourself:
- What transformation will my students experience?
- What specific problem will my course solve for them?
Be specific. Your course outcome should be a tangible result your students can achieve. For example, instead of a vague outcome like “learn to run a business,” you might say, “create and launch your first e-commerce store in 60 days.”
Break It Down Into Modules
Now it’s time to break your course into bite-sized modules. Each module should build on the previous one, guiding your students step-by-step toward the course outcome.
Here’s a simple structure:
- Module 1: Introduction to the course and foundational knowledge
- Module 2: Deeper dive into the subject (strategy, mindset, or skill-building)
- Module 3: Practical implementation (action steps, exercises, templates)
- Module 4: Final project, advanced techniques, or real-life case studies
Pro tip: Don’t overwhelm your students with too much information. Focus on teaching one thing at a time, and keep your lessons short and actionable. Remember, your students are busy women like you!
Step 2: Creating Your Online Course
Once your course is designed, it’s time to bring it to life. This is the fun part—creating the actual content that your students will engage with. Here’s how to do it:
Choose the Right Format
The beauty of online courses is that they come in all shapes and sizes. You can create:
- Video lessons (the most popular and engaging)
- Downloadable PDFs or worksheets (great for hands-on learning)
- Audio lessons (perfect for students on the go)
- Live sessions or Q&A calls (to build community and offer personalized feedback)
Choose the format that feels most comfortable to you and best suits your topic. If you’re camera shy, for example, start with audio or written content. As you gain confidence, you can add video later.
Plan Your Course Content
You already have your course modules outlined, so now it’s time to plan the content for each module. Ask yourself:
- What specific information or steps do students need to know to achieve the outcome of this module?
- How can I make the content engaging and easy to understand?
- What examples, exercises, or templates can I provide to make the learning process smoother?
Break down each module into lessons or sections. Keep each lesson short (10-15 minutes) to avoid overwhelming your students. Each lesson should end with a clear action step, so students know exactly what to do next.
Batch Your Content Creation
To save time and stay organized, try batching your content creation. This means setting aside specific days to record your videos, create worksheets, or write your lessons. Trust me, this is a huge time-saver, especially if you tend to get distracted easily (hello, fellow ADHD entrepreneurs!).
Tools for Course Creation
You don’t need fancy equipment or software to create your online course. Here are a few simple tools to get started:
- Video recording: Loom, Zoom, or your smartphone camera
- Course hosting platforms: Teachable, Thinkific, Kajabi (These platforms allow you to upload your course content, manage payments, and track your students’ progress)
- Design tools: Canva for creating beautiful PDFs, worksheets, and graphics
Remember, you don’t have to create everything from scratch. Use templates and repurpose content you’ve already created (such as blog posts, presentations, or social media content).
Step 3: Launching Your Online Course
You’ve designed and created your course—now it’s time to share it with the world! Launching your course is one of the most exciting (and nerve-wracking) parts of the process, but with a solid plan, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
Build a Pre-Launch Buzz
Before you open enrollment for your course, spend time building excitement and buzz. This is known as the pre-launch phase, and it’s crucial for attracting students who are ready to buy as soon as you launch.
Here’s how to create a successful pre-launch:
- Tease your course: Start talking about your course on social media, your email list, or your blog. Share behind-the-scenes content, such as sneak peeks of your course modules, video clips, or personal stories about why you created the course.
- Offer a freebie: Create a free downloadable resource (like a checklist or workbook) that gives your audience a taste of your course. This also helps grow your email list so you can market your course to more people.
- Host a webinar or live workshop: Offer a free training that gives your audience valuable information related to your course topic. At the end of the training, introduce your course as the next step for those who want to go deeper.
Set Up Your Sales Funnel
A sales funnel is simply the journey your potential students take from discovering your course to enrolling. Here’s a simple funnel you can set up:
- Lead magnet: Offer a freebie (like the one mentioned above) in exchange for an email address.
- Email nurture sequence: After someone signs up for your freebie, send them a series of emails that build trust and offer more value.
- Course pitch: In the final emails, introduce your course and explain how it can help them achieve their goals.
Make sure to highlight the benefits of your course, address any objections (such as price or time), and include a limited-time bonus or discount to encourage early sign-ups.
Choose a Launch Strategy
When it comes to launching your course, you have a few options:
- Open-and-close cart launch: Your course is only available for a limited time (e.g., 7 days). This creates urgency and encourages people to sign up before the doors close.
- Evergreen launch: Your course is always available for purchase. This allows you to make sales consistently, but it doesn’t create the same sense of urgency as a limited-time launch.
Both strategies work well—just choose the one that fits your business model and lifestyle.
Marketing Strategies for ADHD Entrepreneurs
If you’re like me, you know that traditional marketing advice can feel overwhelming—especially if you have ADHD or struggle with focus. The idea of sticking to a rigid marketing plan, staying consistent, and doing “all the things” can make you want to hide under a blanket. I get it!
That’s why I’ve developed some marketing strategies that work for entrepreneurs who crave flexibility and need to keep things simple.
1. Keep It Simple
The most important thing is to keep your marketing simple. You don’t need to be on every social media platform, create a million pieces of content, or follow a complicated marketing funnel. Instead, focus on one or two platforms where your audience hangs out, and do those well.
For example, if Instagram is your jam, focus on building relationships with your followers through Stories, Reels, and DMs. If you love writing, focus on blogging and email marketing. Don’t overcomplicate things.
2. Batch Your Marketing Tasks
Just like with content creation, batching your marketing tasks can help you stay focused and avoid distractions. Set aside specific times each week to create and schedule social media posts, write emails, or engage with your audience.
This way, you can get into a flow state and complete all your marketing tasks in one go, rather than jumping in and out of them throughout the day.
3. Use Automation to Stay Consistent
Let’s be real: Staying consistent can be a challenge when you’re juggling a million things. That’s why I recommend using automation tools to help you stay on track. Tools like Buffer, Later, or Hootsuite allow you to schedule your social media posts in advance. Email marketing platforms like ConvertKit or Mailchimp can automate your email sequences.
With automation, you can “set it and forget it,” freeing up your mental energy for more important tasks.
4. Lean Into Your Strengths
One of the biggest advantages of having ADHD is that we tend to be creative, intuitive, and great at thinking outside the box. Use that to your advantage in your marketing!
Rather than trying to follow someone else’s marketing formula, lean into your strengths. Maybe you’re amazing at connecting with people one-on-one—focus on building relationships and networking. Maybe you love speaking—try hosting webinars or going live on social media. Marketing doesn’t have to look a certain way. Do what feels natural to you.
Ready to Monetize Your Expertise?
Creating and launching an online course is one of the most powerful ways to scale your business and create the financial freedom you crave—all while sharing your expertise with the world. Yes, it takes time and effort to design, create, and launch your course, but the rewards are more than worth it.
Whether you’re a new entrepreneur just getting started or a seasoned business owner looking to scale, an online course can help you reach more people, make a bigger impact, and build a business that works for you—not the other way around.
So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to take action and monetize your expertise through an online course. You’ve got this, and I’m cheering you on every step of the way!
FAQ
1. Why should I create an online course for my business?
Creating an online course allows you to scale your business, generate passive income, and share your expertise with a larger audience. It offers a way to monetize your knowledge without trading hours for dollars, creating more freedom and financial security.
2. How do I choose a topic for my online course?
Start by identifying your niche and expertise. Think about the problems your ideal audience faces and how your course can provide a solution. The more specific your topic, the easier it will be to attract your target students.
3. What is the best format for my online course?
The format of your online course depends on your strengths and audience needs. Common formats include video lessons, downloadable PDFs or worksheets, audio lessons, and live Q&A sessions. Mix and match formats to create an engaging learning experience.
4. How long does it take to create an online course?
The time it takes to create an online course varies depending on the scope of the course and your availability. On average, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to design, create, and launch a course.
5. How do I market my online course if I struggle with focus and overwhelm (e.g., ADHD)?
For ADHD entrepreneurs, keeping marketing simple and batching tasks is key. Focus on one or two platforms where your audience spends time, use automation tools to stay consistent, and lean into your strengths like creativity and relationship-building to create an authentic marketing strategy.
6. What are the benefits of launching an online course vs. offering one-on-one services?
Online courses are scalable, meaning you can reach more people without being limited by your time. They also create opportunities for passive income and can position you as an expert in your industry, helping you attract more clients and grow your business.
7. What’s the difference between an open-and-close cart launch and an evergreen launch?
An open-and-close cart launch offers your course for a limited time, creating urgency and encouraging immediate sign-ups. An evergreen launch keeps your course available for purchase year-round, providing a steady stream of income without the pressure of limited-time enrollment.
8. What tools do I need to create an online course?
You can start with simple tools like Loom or Zoom for video recording, Canva for designing PDFs and worksheets, and course hosting platforms like Teachable, Thinkific, or Kajabi to deliver your content and manage payments.
9. How can I build pre-launch excitement for my online course?
To build pre-launch buzz, tease your course on social media, offer a freebie related to your course topic, and host webinars or live workshops to give potential students a preview of your course’s value.
