You don’t need a ring light, a six-figure launch, or a cult following to create and sell an online course that makes real money. You just need a brain, a system, and the guts to hit record. Plus, with the right steps, it’s easier than most people think.
The online education market is exploding. According to Devlin Peck, the global e-learning space has grown by over 900% since 2000. That’s not a typo. The money is real, the demand is rising, and excuses? Not welcome here.
This guide isn’t about fluff. It’s not for people who want to sound smart instead of being helpful. If you want to create something that actually helps people—and makes you money in the process—you’re in the right place.
We’re building courses that solve problems, not stroking egos.
Let’s get into it.
🎧 Prefer Audio?
Here’s a quick walkthrough of this guide to creating and selling your first online course.
Note: This is a short overview. For the full breakdown, keep scrolling or read the full post below.
Step 1: How to Pick a Problem That Sells in Your Online Course
“Follow your passion” is how broke people start.
Want a course that actually sells? Start with a real-world problem.
Don’t teach guitar if your only angle is “learn chords.” Instead, teach “How to land $500+ wedding gigs using three simple setlists.” That’s specific. That’s bankable.
People don’t care how passionate you are. They care about how fast you can help them win.
Ask yourself:
- What problem have I solved that others struggle with?
- What shortcuts did I discover that others are still searching for?
- What’s something I can confidently walk someone through from zero to win?
Your personal story can inspire, but your offer needs to deliver.
Still stuck? Go to Reddit, Quora, or TikTok comments. People literally spell out what they’re struggling with. Solve that.
Step 2: Validate Your Online Course Idea Before You Build It
Unfortunately, most wannabe course creators disappear here.
They spend months making something nobody asked for. They build it, polish it, and hope it works. Then complain when nobody buys it.
Don’t fall into that trap.
Validate before you build. Here’s a quick test method:
- Build a one-page landing page describing the course outcome.
- Add a waitlist form (name + email).
- Run $50 in Meta ads or post in 2-3 relevant Facebook groups.
- Give it 3-5 days. If you collect 30+ signups? You’re onto something.
If nobody bites? It doesn’t mean you suck. It means you dodged wasting 40 hours.
You can also pre-sell. Offer an early-bird discount to the first 10 buyers. If they swipe their cards, your idea’s legit.
So don’t skip this. After all, it’s the difference between making income and wasting energy.
| Step | What to Do | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 🔗 Landing Page | Create a 1-page course preview + outcome | Gives people a reason to care (or not) |
| 📝 Waitlist Form | Add a form for name + email | Test real-world demand fast |
| 💸 Run $50 Meta Ads | Target your ideal audience | Use as a green light to proceed |
| 💬 Post in 2–3 FB Groups | Share with relevant communities | Free organic traffic and feedback |
| 📊 30+ Signups in 3–5 Days | Offer early-bird pricing for the first 10 buyers | Proves your course solves a real problem |
| 🛒 Pre-Sell with Discount | Offer early-bird pricing for first 10 buyers | Track interest before you build |
Step 3: Structure Your Online Course Like a GPS, Not a Textbook
You’re not writing a curriculum. You’re guiding someone from Point A to Point B.
Think transformation, not information.
Here’s a simple course layout:
- Intro — Set expectations and preview the outcome.
- Module 1: Setup — Eliminate confusion. Lay the foundation.
- Module 2-4: Execution — This is the core path. Deliver the win.
- Module 5: Refinement — Optimize and scale.
- Bonuses — Templates, swipe files, calculators, walkthroughs.
- Wrap-up — What’s next? Upsell? Affiliate links? Community?
Each video should be short and sharp (5–10 minutes). That’s enough time to teach and still hold attention.
Add screen recordings, PDFs, and checklists. These feel tangible. They add value.
Make it so clear that a high schooler could follow it, because clarity keeps people moving forward. Because sometimes, that’s exactly who’s buying.
Step 4: Record Your Online Course With What You Have
Still waiting for the perfect camera setup? You’re stalling.
Most profitable course creators started with their phones and a $25 mic. The audio matters more than the visuals.
Record your face. Record your screen. Talk like you’re coaching a friend.
Here’s what to get right:
- Clear audio — Use a lav mic or even wired earbuds.
- Good light — Face a window. Don’t film in a cave.
- Minimal background noise — Mute dogs, babies, and fans.
Use Loom, OBS, or Zoom for screen sharing. Don’t overthink it.
Done is better than perfect. Launch now, upgrade later.
| Element | Quick Tip |
|---|---|
| 🎤 Audio | Use a lav mic or wired earbuds — clarity > gear |
| 💡 Lighting | Face a window for natural light |
| 🔇 Background Noise | Eliminate pets, fans, or distractions |
| 🖥️ Recording Tools | Use Loom, OBS, or Zoom for screen sharing |
Step 5: Choose the Right Platform to Create and Sell an Online Course
Where should your course live?
Here’s a rundown:
- Gumroad: Great for beginners. Simple interface, fast to set up.
- Teachable: More features. Good for drip courses and payment plans.
- Kajabi: Full-stack solution. Pricey but powerful.
- Podia: Underrated. Great UI and solid community features.
- Self-hosted WordPress + plugins: Maximum control, but more tech involved.
Pro tip: Start with the easiest. Don’t build a skyscraper before testing the ground.
Make sure the platform supports:
- Coupons
- Upsells
- Affiliate tracking
- Mobile access
And ideally, host a community too. Learning sticks better when people feel seen.
Step 6: Price Based on Results, Not Length
This isn’t about how many hours of video you have. No one cares about 47 hours of fluff.
They want results. Period. And if you’re going to create and sell an online course, your pricing needs to reflect the value of the transformation you’re offering.
So, consider how much your outcome is worth:
- Can it help someone make money?
- Can it save them time or frustration?
- Can it unlock opportunities they didn’t have before?
That’s your value.
Suggested pricing bands for those looking to create and sell an online course:
- Quick wins: $27–$97
- In-demand skills: $197–$497
- Big transformation: $997+
According to an article written by Kajabi, most successful course creators earn between $1,000 and $10,000 per month.
If you plan to create and sell an online course, price with confidence. People pay attention when they pay money.
This isn’t about how many hours of video you have. No one cares about 47 hours of fluff.
They want results. Period.
Think about how much your outcome is worth:
- Can it help someone make money?
- Can it save them time or frustration?
- Can it unlock opportunities they didn’t have before?
That’s your value.
Suggested pricing bands:
- Quick wins: $27–$97
- In-demand skills: $197–$497
- Big transformation: $997+
According to Kajabi, most successful course creators earn between $1,000 and $10,000 per month.
So price with confidence. After all, people pay attention when they pay money.
Step 7: Launch Your Online Course Like You Mean It
Posting a link on Instagram is not a launch. That’s wishful thinking.
You need a runway. You need drama. You need urgency.
Here’s a 7-day pre-launch plan:
- Day 1-2: Share a relatable story tied to your course topic.
- Day 3: Post tips or mini-lessons from the course.
- Day 4: Go live. Answer questions. Hype the result.
- Day 5: Announce bonuses for early signups.
- Day 6: Show testimonials, even if from beta users.
- Day 7: Set a deadline. Post a countdown. Push DMs.
Use every tool: IG stories, TikTok, email, DMs.
Make it feel like a real event. Because it is.
Step 8: Get Feedback on Your Online Course, Improve, and Relaunch
Your first version is the beta. Not the final draft.
The beauty of online courses? You can improve them after launch.
Ask your students:
- What was confusing?
- Where did you get stuck?
- What do you wish you had?
Use their answers to:
- Re-record sloppy lessons
- Add new modules
- Create cheat sheets and walkthroughs
Then do it again. And again.
Every launch should be sharper than the last.
Courses aren’t static. They’re products. Improve or get left behind.
Why Now Is the Best Time
Let’s talk urgency.
The e-learning market was worth $166.6 billion in 2023, according to a study about Market Size and Trends in 2025. That number is only going up.
We’re in a trust shift. People don’t want theory. They want practical. Fast. Direct.
Degrees are losing relevance. People want job-ready skills. Business skills. Digital skills. No fluff, no debt. Want ideas on what to teach or build around? I broke down 25 digital business models that are actually working in 2025.
If you can teach a shortcut that saves people time, earns them money, or gives them confidence? You’re in business.
And once you build it? You own it. You sell it forever.
That’s why I create. That’s why I teach. Because recording once and earning forever is freedom.
I’ve lived in luxury condos in Southeast Asia with no boss, no safety net—just plays that work.
If I can do it, you can too. But only if you move.
Case Study: How One Course Made $4K in 30 Days
Meet Lina. She was a virtual assistant with a knack for automating repetitive tasks in Google Sheets. People constantly asked her, “How do you do that so fast?”
Instead of offering one-on-one help, she created a course: “Google Sheets Automation for Freelancers”.
She pre-sold it using a simple landing page, posted tips in VA groups, and collected 53 email signups. She offered a $79 early-bird discount to the first 15 buyers. All 15 slots were gone in 24 hours.
She launched the full version two weeks later. Within 30 days, she made $4,032 from something she built in her pajamas.
No studio. No massive following. Just a skill, a system, and a problem she knew how to solve.
❓ Common Questions
What if I’m not an expert?
You don’t have to be. You just need to know more than the person you’re teaching. Teach beginners. Stay one step ahead.
Do I need a big audience to sell?
Nope. You need a clear message, a specific result, and a few channels where your ideal customers hang out.
What if nobody buys?
Good. That means your idea needs refinement. Validate early and adjust fast. That’s how you win.
How long should the course be?
Long enough to deliver the result. That’s it. Don’t pad. Don’t fluff. Just teach what works.
Can I use AI to help build the course?
Absolutely. Use AI to outline, script, edit, or brainstorm. Just make sure your content still reflects your voice and real experience.
🧠 Final Thoughts: Why Creating and Selling Online Courses Builds Lasting Income
Creating an online course is digital leverage.
You take one set of knowledge, press record, and convert it into a machine that works while you sleep.
This isn’t about going viral.
It’s about building assets that print when the algorithm sleeps.
You don’t need to be a guru. You don’t need perfect hair or 100K followers.
You just need:
- A problem worth solving
- A structure that guides
- The guts to launch it
That’s it.
So, build the shortcut.
Package the value.
Hit publish.
Move fast. Teach real. Get paid.
