Want to build and release an online course in 2024? Got the motivation, the platform, the know-how – you just don’t know where to start?
It can be paralyzing when you’re not sure what to write your course about. You may be a total expert in your niche, but sometimes it’s hard to know where to begin teaching others what you know.
The good news is, there’s a ton of ways you can explore your subject matter in order to discover what online course you should create for your audience first.
In this guide, we’ll give you the best course ideas to spark your creativity and help you decide what topic resonates most with you and your potential students. Let’s dive into the exciting world of online course creation!
Explore Your Niche
Whether any online course you make is successful depends on your passion and expertise. Take a moment to reflect on what truly excites you. Whether it’s your professional skills, a hobby you’ve mastered, or a unique life experience, identifying your niche is the first step.
It’s possible that your ideal first course topic is staring you in the face: ask yourself, if I was a student just getting started in the area, what would I want to learn? And from there, think about the unique spin you can put on it from your own lived experience.
Example: If you’re an avid photographer, consider a course on “Mastering Photography: From Basics to Creative Composition.”
Identify Pain Points
What problems can you solve for your audience? Is there a particular challenge that gives younger or less-experienced people in your niche a real headache which you’ve overcome?
Consider the struggles people face within your niche and tailor your course to address those pain points. Solving real-world problems not only adds value but also ensures a high level of engagement. Once people see you as the go-to guy with all the answers, trust will build in your brand and it’ll be easier selling future courses based on that reputation.
Example: In the fitness realm, you could create a course titled “How to Get Started Weightlifting: Avoiding Common Injuries”.
Look at What’s Popular
There’s nothing wrong with following trends, especially when you’re starting out. Releasing a course about popular topics or the more “basic” skills in your niche can be a great way of testing the waters, seeing if you like this whole course creation business anyhow, and making a name for yourself.
Online learners often seek courses that enhance their core skills, and that means there’s always demand for topics you (because you’re an expert!) might think are too “easy”. Think about your own learning experience and how you’d improve on it, if you could start over.
Example: For those skilled in graphic design, a course titled “How to Begin Photoshop” could be a great place to start.
Lifestyle and Hobbies
Not everyone wants a hard-core course about cutting-edge techniques or career-defining moves: some people just want to learn a new hobby to unwind with in the evenings, and haven’t got the time to wade through a hundred YouTube tutorials!
Similarly, some people need to learn about very specific topics such as home organization in a bungalow, or interior decoration for 18th century chateaus. Hobbies and lifestyle topics attract enthusiastic learners looking to explore new interests or enhance existing ones – so don’t feel trapped in your career when looking for course options.
Example: Consider a course like “Urban Gardening 101: Cultivating Green Spaces in Small Living Areas” for gardening enthusiasts.
Soft Skills and Personal Development
Helping individuals grow personally and professionally is a thriving niche. Cover topics like time management, goal setting, or mindfulness to empower your audience to lead more fulfilling lives.
Soft skills are some of the most in-demand when it comes to careers as well, and some of the hardest to teach. But if you’ve got a knack for this space, you could create a course that leads to real-world opportunities.
Example: Consider a course titled “Mindful Management: Remembering the Human to Boost Your Bottom Line”.
Tell Your Unique Story
Your personal experiences and unique perspective mean you can create a course like no other. Maybe you’re stuck in the mindset that everything that can be shared about your niche has already been told. Consider your life, and ask yourself: have you gone through a particularly unique experience others could benefit from?
Authenticity resonates with your audience on a deeper level, making the learning journey more relatable. There’s a million courses out there on survivalism, prepping and making bug-out-bags: but if you’ve ever truly experienced a survival situation in which those techniques came in handy, you can use your story to bolster what would otherwise be a cookie-cutter course.
Example: If you took an unorthodox route into your career, a course titled “Transitioning from the Military to Internet Marketing” could inspire and guide others in this unique situation.
Niche within a Niche
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking courses shouldn’t be too obscure – as much as there are people looking for general knowledge packaged in an easily accessible way, there are others who need hyper-specific advice!
A niche within a niche allows you to cater to a specific audience looking for the kind of knowledge it took you years to obtain and refine. Don’t be afraid of niching down too hard: after all, you can release a more general course later down the road to get more leads.
Example: In the realm of cooking, a niche within a niche could be “Plant-Based, Gluten-Free Italian Cuisine”.
Webinars and Live Sessions
Just got something to share? Find in-person events more valuable? Depending on your audience, you can make a lucrative income stream from courses that are simply recorded webinars with live Q&A sessions.
With participants interacting in real-time, this making the learning experience more dynamic. Your content will be supplemented by others, and you’ll be helping them along the way without having to create all the learning materials necessary for a traditionally structured course. Offer a transcript afterwards for even more value.
Example: For a course on entrepreneurship, host a monthly live Q&A session where participants can seek advice and share experiences.
What’s your course idea?
As you embark on the exciting journey of creating your first online course, remember that the key to success lies in passion, authenticity, and a genuine desire to help others learn. Explore the diverse range of ideas presented here, but let your creativity and expertise be your guide.
Whether you’re nurturing students through a skill development journey, sharing insights from your unique perspective, or incorporating the latest trends and technologies, your online course has the potential to make a significant impact.
And remember – there’s no better platform to unleash your creativity, connect with your audience, and enjoy teaching others than on ThriveCart Learn, available for one low-cost lifetime license. Check it out now.
