Bundling! Not only fun to say, but fun to do – with your online courses, that is!
In the world of online education, bundling courses is a powerful strategy to attract and retain students, as well as maximize sales. By packaging related courses together, educators like you can offer more value, increase their sales, and enhance the learning experience for their students.
ThriveCart provides an excellent platform to bundle your courses in the most effective ways possible. In this article, we’ll explore five of those awesome ways to bundle your courses to maximize value and drive your business forward.
1. Thematic Bundles: Grouping by Subject Matter
Thematic bundling is a straightforward yet highly effective approach. This method involves grouping courses that share a common theme or subject matter. For instance, if you offer courses on digital marketing, you can bundle courses on social media marketing, content marketing, and SEO. The key here is to ensure that the bundled courses complement each other and collectively provide comprehensive coverage of the topic. That way, you make the most out of a segment of your audience who wants to deep-dive on a wider topic.
Advantages:
- Enhanced Learning Experience: Students get a holistic understanding of the subject.
- Increased Perceived Value: A bundle that covers all aspects of a topic is more appealing than individual courses.
- Simplified Marketing: It’s easier to market a comprehensive package to potential students interested in that particular subject.
Example: A “Complete Digital Marketing Mastery” bundle could include courses on SEO, Google Ads, Social Media Strategies, and Email Marketing. This not only provides a full-spectrum education but also increases the overall ticket price – it’s a win-win!
2. Skill Level Bundles: Catering to Different Expertise Levels
Skill level bundling involves grouping courses according to the learner’s expertise—beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. This approach caters to students at different stages of their learning journey, providing a clear pathway for progression. When you bundle courses on a topic for every skill level you increase the amount of potential time a student spends with your materials, fostering loyalty and winning a customer for life. Don’t worry about “giving everything away” all at once – when they finish your advanced course, they’ll be ready to eat up any supplementary courses you put out.
Advantages:
- Targeted Learning Paths: Students can choose a bundle that matches their current skill level and advance systematically.
- Customer Retention: By offering advanced courses, you encourage students to stay with you as they grow.
- Increased Sales: Students are more likely to purchase a bundle that promises continued learning opportunities.
Example: A “Web Development Bundle” could be divided into Beginner (HTML, CSS basics), Intermediate (JavaScript, Responsive Design), and Advanced (React, Node.js). This ensures that learners can start from scratch and progressively build their skills with your content, and be ready to buy your smaller, more niche courses down the line.
3. Seasonal or Limited-Time Bundles: Creating Urgency
Creating a sense of urgency can be a powerful motivator for potential buyers. Seasonal or limited-time bundles tap into this by offering special course packages that are only available for a short period. These can be aligned with holidays, end-of-year sales, or any other significant dates. Check your industry – have any new developments come out? New tools or tech people need to learn? Do you teach crafts or cookery that could be spring or Christmas themed?
Advantages:
- Increased Sales: Urgency can drive quick decision-making, leading to increased sales during the promotion period.
- Enhanced Marketing Opportunities: Seasonal themes can be leveraged for marketing campaigns, making them more relatable and appealing.
- Customer Engagement: Limited-time offers can bring in new students who might have been a bit more reluctant to purchase at full price.
Example: A “New Year, New You” bundle available only in January could include courses on productivity, personal development, and goal setting. This taps into that irresistible New Year’s resolution mindset, encouraging people to invest in their self-improvement.
4. Cross-Disciplinary Bundles: Expanding Horizons
Cross-disciplinary bundles combine courses from different fields to provide a well-rounded educational experience. This approach is particularly useful for students looking to diversify their skill set and gain knowledge in multiple areas, or for those subjects that commonly grow arms and legs. Think about gardening, for example – there’s hard landscaping, design, horticulture and botany elements.
Advantages:
- Broader Audience Appeal: Attracts students interested in learning about more than one subject.
- Value Addition: Demonstrates a unique value proposition by offering diverse content.
- Upsell Opportunities: Can lead to increased sales of individual courses within the bundle.
Example: A “Startup Success Bundle” could include courses on Business Planning, Digital Marketing, Financial Management, and Leadership Skills. This bundle provides aspiring entrepreneurs with a toolkit of essential skills needed to launch and grow a successful business.
5. Lifetime Access Bundles: Long-Term Investment
Offering lifetime access to a bundle of courses can be a highly attractive proposition for students. This strategy emphasizes long-term value and commitment to continuous learning, and helps foster customer loyalty. Not sure what course you’ll release in future? Now that pressure’s taken off, because you already have the income! This works best for those industries and subjects that are always changing, or develop at a rapid pace.
Advantages:
- Perceived Value: Lifetime access is highly appealing as it allows students to revisit the content anytime.
- Customer Loyalty: Encourages students to invest in your platform for the long haul.
- Premium Pricing: Justifies a higher price point due to the added value of lifetime access.
Example: A “Tech Subscription” bundle could offer lifetime access to a collection of courses on software development, data science, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. This not only attracts tech enthusiasts but also professionals looking to stay updated with ongoing advancements in their field.
Create Course Bundles with ThriveCart
Ours is an excellent tool for implementing these bundling strategies effectively. ThriveCart Learn comes with every standard account, with everything you need to create and sell course bundles. You can leverage ThriveCart’s features such as:
- Custom Checkout Pages: ThriveCart allows you to create custom checkout pages that highlight the benefits and contents of your bundles. Use these pages to showcase testimonials, course details, and limited-time offers to increase conversions.
- Upsell and Downsell Funnels: With ThriveCart, you can create upsell and downsell funnels to maximize your revenue. Offer additional related courses or add-ons at a discounted price during the checkout process to enhance the bundle’s value.
- Automated Follow-Ups: Utilize ThriveCart’s automated follow-up sequences to engage with students who have shown interest in your bundles but haven’t made a purchase yet. Send personalized emails with special offers or additional information to convert leads into customers.
- Affiliate Management: ThriveCart’s robust affiliate management system allows you to recruit and manage affiliates who can promote your bundles. Offer attractive commissions to your affiliates to expand your reach and boost sales.
- Detailed Analytics: ThriveCart provides detailed analytics and reporting tools to track the performance of your bundles. Use these insights to optimize your offerings, pricing, and marketing strategies.
Want to learn more? Try ThriveCart today!
