It is important to market your online course to attract new customers. It’s a vital part of authority marketing.
But it can be tough, especially at the beginning. Big bang PR/marketing often needs connections and investments. However, you don’t have to dive in with a big budget right away.
Start by using strategies that will give you traction. That way when you do invest to scale up your success, you’ll know where to focus your efforts.
Here are 5 proven strategies to get started:
A great way to build your credibility and connect with potential customers is by sharing your knowledge consistently.
Write a weekly blog post on topics related to your course.
Then link to that content and post short articles on platforms like LinkedIn and X/twitter. For every blog you write, make sure you publish at least 2 LinkedIn and X posts.
The choice of social media platform will depend on your niche. For some, Instagram may be better. But try to choose a maximum of 2. Trying to do too many is likely to overwhelm you. You can always add more channels once you build a good routine.
Example: If you’re a leadership coach with a course on leadership, you could write a blog about “5 Mistakes New Managers Make and How to Avoid Them.” Share this on LinkedIn and X with a quick personal story or insight. Over time, your audience will see you as an expert, and this trust can lead to sales.
Pro tips:
Modern Pro Tip: These days, your social media posts should have the essence of your blog included. So don’t just post a liner with a link to your blog. Instead post a proper summary of your blog. And also post a link. That way readers get value right away, and the more qualified ones will click through.
People love free resources, especially when they offer valuable insights.
Take a few key points from your course and bundle them into a short ebook.
Offer it as a free download in exchange for an email address, and now you have a list of potential leads.
Example: A consultant who teaches digital marketing could create an ebook titled “The 7-Step Guide to Building Your First Email Marketing Campaign.” This gives potential customers a sneak peek into your expertise and piques their interest in your full course.
Once you have their email, you can nurture those leads with a follow-up sequence, giving them more helpful tips while subtly promoting your paid course.
Checklists are incredibly popular because they’re easy to use and offer instant value.
Create a downloadable checklist that walks people through a process you teach in your course.
This not only provides immediate value but also gives potential customers a preview of what they’ll learn.
Example: If your course is about improving productivity, create a checklist titled “10 Steps to Boost Your Productivity Today.” Promote it as a free resource on social media or your website. By providing a quick win, people are more likely to trust you and consider purchasing your course.
If you’re comfortable speaking to an audience, webinars or podcasts are excellent ways to expand your reach and build authority.
These platforms allow you to connect directly with your audience, answer questions, and showcase your expertise.
After all, authority building is accelerated when people see you being embraced by other experts.
Example: If you’re a health coach, you could host a free webinar on “How to Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle While Working Full-Time.” Promote it across social media and through your email list. The attendees of the webinar will likely be interested in your course because they’ve already invested time in learning from you.
Guest appearances are another great strategy. Look for podcasts that cater to your audience and pitch yourself as a guest.
Being featured on someone else’s platform can help you reach people you otherwise wouldn’t.
Getting published in third-party blogs or industry publications boosts your credibility and exposes you to new audiences.
Many publications are looking for expert voices to contribute articles, and this can be a key way to grow your visibility.
Example: If you teach financial literacy, you could write an article for a finance blog about “How to Start Investing in Your 30s.” Include a call to action at the end that encourages readers to download your free ebook or sign up for a webinar. This approach establishes you as an authority and funnels new leads into your system.
Pro tip: 4 and 5 are very powerful but are not easy because they need you to reach out and face frequent rejection. Try starting with those you know professionally. They know you already so are more likely to give you a chance. If you’re unsure where to start, consider hiring a virtual assistant to help you find opportunities or teach you how to pitch your articles effectively. As you progress, you would hire a PR expert.
Another highly effective tool for attracting new customers is creating an online quiz or maturity model using the Evalinator platform.
Quizzes are engaging and can help you generate qualified leads by providing potential customers with insights that relate to your course.
Example: If you offer a course on personal development, create a quiz titled “What’s Your Personal Growth Score?” Based on the results, your quiz takers will see how your course can help them achieve their goals. This is a fun and interactive way to nurture leads, and you can follow up with personalized content to drive conversions.
By using these strategies, you can steadily grow your customer base without feeling overwhelmed.
Something done is better than perfect. So don’t fall into the trap of planning all the little details. Your job is to start becoming visible.
Take action today, and over time, you’ll start seeing the results.
One of the easiest things to do is to create a quiz and promote it. It raised curiosity and you generate qualified leads.
Create an expert online quiz within 60 minutes with a 14 day risk-free trial. We are here to help!
