In this post, I'll guide you through the step-by-step process of creating your first online course. Creating and selling an online course is one of the best ways to monetize your YouTube channel, providing you with a steady stream of revenue.

I have no issues with online coaching and paid communities—I use both myself. However, the beauty of online courses is that they are evergreen products. Once created, they can generate revenue day after day, week after week, and month after month, all on autopilot. Plus, they become an excellent entry point to upsell students into higher-value paid communities and coaching packages.

For instance, I offer a $10k coaching package, and one thing all my clients have in common is that they first purchased a course from me. So, in this post, I’ll walk you through the four-step process for creating your online course. Plus, if you stick around to the end, I'll answer some common questions from my current students about course creation.

Creating a Course: The 3 Main Steps

1. Course Creation
2. Recording Your Course
3. Uploading Your Course

1. Course Creation

This is the most crucial part of the process because a high-quality course is essential for high sales. The easiest way to start is by building out the Modules and Lessons first. These are your main teaching points.

Why This Is Important

Before diving into the finer details, it's best to plan out the main points and topics. Once you have this outline, you can build upon each point and lesson.

How to Do It

• Outline Your Course: Create a Google Doc and start listing your modules and lessons.
• PowerPoint Slides: Once your outline is complete, start putting together your PowerPoint slides. Remember, your course doesn’t need to be a work of art. Focus on practical teaching presented in an easy-to-follow way.
• Get Feedback: Before recording, ask family and friends to review your course outline and slides. Ask questions like:
  • Does this make sense to you?
  • Have I missed anything?

2. Recording Your Course

This step often stresses people out, but it’s actually one of the easiest parts. Here’s how to do it:

Practical Steps

For my courses, I do a voice-over on my PowerPoint presentations without any video. Here’s why:

1. Ease of Creation: No need to worry about video or lighting.
2. Better Learning Experience: Students can focus on the content.

Equipment Needed

• USB Microphone: I started with a Blue Yeti USB microphone (US$130) and now use a RØDE XDM-100 Professional USB Dynamic Microphone (US$195).
• Recording Software: Use free programs like GarageBand for audio and Loom or QuickTime Player for screen recording.

Recording Tips

• Record your voice while going through the slides.
• Don’t stress about getting it perfect on the first take. You can edit out mistakes, ums, and long breaks.
• Use free tools like iMovie or Adobe for editing.

3. Uploading Your Course

Once your course is complete, it’s time to upload it to your platform of choice. I use Kajabi, which I highly recommend. You can access Kajabi Kickstarter for free using the link in the description, which provides step-by-step guides.

Additional Tips

• Include Downloadables: Add your PowerPoint slides as downloadable PDFs.
• Welcome Video: Record a welcome video to greet your students.

FAQs

Should my course be faceless? Yes, it’s perfectly fine. Here’s why my courses are faceless:

• It’s easier for students to focus on the learning material.
• Recording is simpler without worrying about lighting or video quality.
• Your students already know you from your other content.

How do I present my course?

• I use PowerPoint slides.
• Include an intro video.
• Choose a platform with good layout options; I prefer Kajabi.

That’s it! Follow these steps, and you’ll be on your way to creating a successful online course.

Happy course creating!