Tag Archives: Create

How to Create Online Courses from Your Writing

How to Create Online CoursesLearning How to Create Online Courses

Everything you write can be repurposed into another format, allowing you to create many types of content for your audience. Today let’s discuss how to create online courses based on your writing. I’ve actually done this successfully several times myself and want to share how this will be effective to build your business. It all comes down to choosing the topic you will teach to others, creating an outline to work from, and then preparing the material you will use during your online course.

Most likely you write about many topics under the umbrella of your overall topic. For instance, my overall topic is internet or online marketing, but within that I write about blogging, publishing, affiliate marketing, list building, information products, social media, traffic generation, video marketing, traffic generation, and so much more. When I set out to create an online course I am focusing on just one aspect of my business. This is based on what my clients have been asking me about most during the previous month or so, what is needed by my community, and how I wish to position myself in my business.

The next step is to create a tight outline of exactly what I want to include in my online course, as well as what information I will exclude. I have learned over the years that having a thorough and complete outline is crucial to this process turning out well. Dividing your online course into logical sections is a part of this, and making sure that you start at the beginning of your topic instead of somewhere in the middle is also very important.

Finally, it’s time to create your online course. I name my course, purchase a domain name, set up a site with a sales page and a membership site, and create a slide presentation. This may seem like a lot of work the first couple of times you go through it, but finally it will all fall into place like clockwork, I promise. Learn the rhythm of creating presentations that appeal to your audience and everything else will come together seamlessly.

As you can see, learning how to create an online course can be easier and more simple than you might have previously thought possible. Take the time to choose a topic that you know enough about to teach to others and that will position you as an authority on that topic. And make sure your audience is interested in learning all about the topic before you choose it. Start creating your outline right away, making sure to write down every single thought and idea that could be included. You will find that the outlining of your course allows you to think back to ideas, concepts, and strategies you may be taking for granted right now. Then, create your online course by adding content to your membership site, as well as by teaching webinars live. Don’t forget to add additional content and materials, such as study guides, templates, workbooks, checklists, and short videos.

Now you know how to create an online course to build your business. What other questions do you have for me on this topic?

I’m Connie Ragen Green, online marketing strategist, bestselling author, and international speaker on the topics of entrepreneurship and inner game mind shifts. Let’s connect to see how I may best serve you in the near future. And be sure to check out my Really Simple Online Courses training course.

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How to Create an Autoresponder Series

How to Create an Autoresponder SeriesLearning How to Create an Autoresponder Series

When is the last time you reviewed your autoresponder messages? While it’s great that you can simply “set it and forget it,” if you don’t take the time to review your results, you’re very likely leaving money on the table.

And if you don’t have a solid autoresponder series in place, you’re definitely missing out!

Start by considering why your subscribers joined your list in the first place. What was the offer she opted in for? Your autoresponder sequence should build on that, leading naturally from one offer to the next while providing additional value.

For example, if you offer a quick start guide to Facebook advertising as your opt-in incentive, then in your follow-up emails you can add value and build your passive income by:

  • Sharing resources for graphics—both free and paid
  • Reviewing a course you took on advertising
  • Sharing copywriting tips and a link to a great book about the subject
  • Providing case studies about your success with ads, with an offer for a full-training program
  • Detailing your opinion on a new tool, such as a retargeting pixel manager

All of this content is a natural follow-up to the guide your readers initially opted in to receive, so it’s welcome information for them, as well as an opportunity for you to earn some passive income by including affiliate links.

If you don’t yet have an opt-in offer on your website, you can create one in just a few hours. It doesn’t have to be complex or even comprehensive. In fact, short content often makes a more compelling offer, so consider:

  • Checklists
  • Worksheets
  • Mindmaps
  • Resource guides
  • Audio or video replays

If you’re lacking for ideas or content, check out some PLR (private label rights) content from Coaching Sticky Glue or Lead Magnets as a starting point. This can be quite helpful whether you’re a new online entrepreneur or a seasoned marketer. Then all you need to do is drive traffic to your free offer. What could be easier? (Or more passive!)

Knowing how to create an autoresponder series and then actually setting it up is invaluable to your business. What are your thoughts on this topic?

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Create an Irresistible Giveaway

Create an Irresistible GiveawayIf you create an irresistible giveaway, will people visiting your blog, squeeze page, shy-yes page (this is a term I don’t hear much any more), or other website be more likely to join your list by opting in? In a word – yes. However, asking readers to allow you into their inbox requires an incentive worthy of their trust. Gone are the days when you could simply say, “Get our weekly newsletter,” and have a flood of subscribers. Today’s subscribers are much more discerning, and with overflowing inboxes (more on that later on) a problem for all, it’s more important than ever to create an offer that readers simply cannot refuse.

But don’t think you have to go all out and write a three hundred page eBook or provide a 6-module training course as your opt-in incentive. Quite the contrary, as today’s subscribers are in a hurry, and are often much more likely to need (and use) a simple checklist, worksheet, or resource guide. While that three hundred page eBook might sit unread and unused on her hard drive, a checklist your subscriber can turn to again and again will often be seen as much more valuable and will allow you to connect more quickly with them.

You probably already know exactly what your ideal client wants and needs—even if you don’t recognize it quite yet. Think about:

  • The most commonly asked questions in your help desk. If you’re continually fielding questions about the tools you use to run your business or which of your training programs are best for a beginner, then it’s easy to see that a resource guide would be well received.
  • Frequent thread topics in your Facebook groups or niche forums. Chances are you’ll see the same questions pop up again and again. For example, if your clients are virtual assistants, you know that just about every day someone asks, “Where can I find my first client?” A one-page, “How to land your first client” guide is the perfect incentive for this market.
  • Client surveys you’ve conducted. If you’ve been in business for a while, you’ve most likely used this tool to find out more about your potential customers. Take the opportunity to read through the responses and see:
    • What is the most pressing problem your market faces?
    • What language do they use to describe the issues they face?
    • Which resources would make it easy for them to move to the next level in business or in life?
  • Competitor’s offers. Take a look at what other coaches offer, but rather than aiming to duplicate their efforts, ask yourself where the gaps are in information, and how you can fill those holes.

You don’t have to create something from scratch either. You can design a new opt-in incentive quickly by repurposing other content. For example:

  • Repackage a free webinar & worksheet
  • Compile a series of blog posts into a PDF
  • Brand and package the checklists and worksheets you use in your own business
  • Offer a free chapter of your latest book

[Be sure to download my latest Focus Guide on Repurposing Your Content]

Exercise: Create Your Opt-In Incentive

Using the ideas here, decide what offer is likely to be most compelling (and useful) to your ideal client.

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