Tools and Software Needed to Create and Sell a Course Online

You’re reading this because you want to create an online course and need some assistance getting started. Well, let me assure you that you are not alone. In reality, hundreds of thousands of individuals are feeling overwhelmed. The road to developing an online course is simpler than you may imagine, and there are tools and software available to make the process easier for both you and your consumers.

There is a widespread misconception in the online course community that in order to create a decent course, you must use the finest and most costly software available. Many people believe that if you don’t have access to or the funding for pricey software, you can’t create a successful course. That is not entirely correct. In this post, I’ll show you all of the free and low-cost tools and software you’ll need to develop, deliver, and monetize your first online course in the coming weeks.

1. Udemy

This website is committed to providing a platform for you to teach and learn from others. It is a free online learning platform that allows you to build courses and classes. You may monetize the site by selling your courses. However, it also enables you to freely share your information. So, if you want to start teaching people without investing in a course, Udemy is the greatest option.

2. Teachable

Teachable is a popular LMS for online course producers nowadays. It was designed to make the process of developing an online course simple and straightforward. It is easy to use and offers a free trial plan to get you started. It enables you to build many courses at once and add modules, quizzes, and other features. It includes everything you need to deliver your first online course, including an editor, themes, and a marketplace where you may sell courses to others. It also allows teachers to set up payment plans, monitor student progress, and provide certificate programs.

3. Screencast-O-Matic

Screencast-O-Matic is a simple web application for instantly creating a video of whatever is on your computer. It enables you to record both your computer screen and audio at the same time. I’ve been using it for a few months, and it’s a fantastic little tool. Before I began using this, I was making videos using Camtasia, which was a headache for a variety of reasons, including the fact that it’s a large, bulky tool that’s also quite costly. Screencast-O-Matic is completely free and simple to use!

4. Smartphone

One of the most difficult aspects of course development is video recording. You’ll need a nice camera and a microphone. However, recording a video is not as complicated as it may seem. You can do it with your phone. I used my iPhone to record the video for my first course. There are other free video-shooting applications available on the Android and iOS app stores.

5. Google Slides

Google Slides is a popular tool for producing presentations and slideshows, and it is available on both desktop and mobile platforms. It’s similar to PowerPoint, except it’s developed by Google. It also supports collaborative presentation editing, allowing you to share a presentation with your team and have them offer comments, thoughts, and ideas.

6. Canva

Have you ever considered that creating a basic infographic is too difficult? Canva is one of the greatest apps to utilize if you need to quickly produce a graphic or video for your online course. Canva is a free online graphic design tool that can be used to generate any sort of visuals for your online course. Canva has over 60 million active users and has been operational for more than ten years. It includes hundreds of professionally designed templates for creating infographics, social media graphics, and even slides for your online course. Canva may also be used to create graphics for websites and email newsletters. You may also choose the file type for your designs (e.g., JPG, PNG, PDF, etc.) and have Canva optimize your graphics for you.

7. Unsplash

You can’t seem to discover any free stock photographs on the internet? Unsplash is a website that allows you to free download hundreds of high-quality stock pictures. This website has been functioning for over 9 years and has become one of the most popular free stock picture websites. Many major companies have utilized this website.

So, what makes Unsplash unique? You may download photographs in a variety of sizes from our website, and you won’t have to worry about copyright concerns. The nicest part about Unsplash is that it is constantly updated with fresh photographs. As a result, you’ll never run out of creative ideas for integrating photographs into your course.

8. Zoom

Zoom is a video conferencing software that may be used for live meetings, seminars, training sessions, and conferences. It enables participants to converse, watch presentations, and take notes together. It also features a screen sharing option that enables you to share your computer’s screen. Because it is so simple to put up, this is an excellent tool for teaching live classes. You may get a trial version of Zoom and start using it right now. You may buy the premium edition whenever you’re ready to publish your course.

9. Calendly

It will save you time by arranging calls with prospective students and customers. When you book a meeting with someone, you don’t have to email them links back and forth to attempt to schedule the meeting and then ask them to choose a time. This avoids the need for unwanted communications and enables the individual to plan a meeting on their own time.

10. ConvertKit

ConvertKit is an excellent solution for novices who do not yet have a subscriber list. It is my favorite email marketing tool and has a plethora of useful features. It interfaces with all of the platforms I use and provides several automation possibilities. Their autoresponder series enables you to establish automation depending on actions taken by a subscriber rather than a predetermined time range. For example, you may set up an automated to send a welcome email to new subscribers, followed by an email every three days, and so on. Alternatively, you may program a sequence of emails to be sent automatically depending on a subscriber’s behavior in your course, such as when they reach a certain lesson. Furthermore, the platform is rapidly expanding, there is excellent support staff, and their pricing is really reasonable.

11. Zapier

Zapier is one of the most popular technologies used by online course makers today. It’s a solution that connects your online applications so you can automate your workflow. For example, if you wanted all new customers who made a purchase on your website to be instantly added to a ConvertKit mailing list, just create a zap that connects your ConvertKit and Teachable accounts, and you’re good to go. Zapier is fantastic since it has a vast range of connectors with major apps, allowing you to be quite creative with your workflows. When you sign up, you receive free access to the Zapier dashboard and a monthly limit of 5 zaps, but you can always upgrade to Pro for unlimited zaps.

12. Evernote

Evernote is one of the finest tools for organizing all of your ideas, articles, and research when developing your course. It is an excellent tool for taking notes and brainstorming. I use it for the latter, although it may be used for either. It combines a virtual storage container, a to-do list, a notepad, and a research center. To-do lists, notes, photographs, audio clips, and voice recordings are all possible. It is a free tool accessible on all platforms (mobile and desktop) that enables you to simply store all of your work in one organized location.

13. Google Drive

If you want to build and offer a course online, you will need a location to store all of the files that will be used in your course. Google Drive is a cloud-based storage service that allows you to centrally store, manage, and share your files and documents. It’s free and simple to use. Set up an account and make sure you understand how to use Google Drive since here is where you will store all of your files.

14. ClickUp

ClickUp is a project management and collaboration solution that runs in the cloud. It is basic, straightforward, and adaptable to any project. ClickUp is ideal for project management, from monitoring blog material to preparing an online course. It has a very short learning curve, and anybody can rapidly learn how to use it.

Conclusion:

Finally, this is not intended to be a complete list of every tool and program available. That would need a full book. However, I’ve simply covered the fundamental tools and software required to properly offer a course online. You can develop a course, offer it online, and charge a very reasonable fee with the correct tools and software. The fact is that the tools you utilize to produce and sell an online course are unimportant. What counts is how you utilize them and what they include that enables you to use them successfully.

 

References:

https://sellcoursesonline.com/how-to-create-an-online-course-for-free#7-unsplash

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The Benefits of Beginning an Online Course

Starting an online course is a terrific way to increase your online presence and maybe get on the radar of other content creators—and it’s a definite way to stand out.

Running an online course has several benefits. One of the most essential is that running an online course from anywhere in the globe is considerably simpler. Another significant advantage of online courses is that there is no need to bother about arranging lessons or traveling to meet with students in person. There are several reasons why you should provide an online course. But one thing is certain: the most important reason for the success of online courses is that they enable you to make passive money while learning a new skill and having fun.

In this tutorial, we’ll look at what distinguishes an online course from a regular brick-and-mortar school and how that might help you decide which route to follow.

1. Be your own boss:

You may create your own timetable by creating an online course. This means you can work whenever you want and at whatever hours you choose. You are also free to teach whenever you choose, as long as you are accessible to answer questions. Many individuals choose to teach online since it allows them more flexibility. The convenience of online education is enormous.

2. Reach a larger audience:

The internet offers a worldwide platform for you to share your expertise with others all around the globe. Online courses allow you to reach a much bigger audience than conventional education programs. You may reach a worldwide audience at the same time as you teach the curriculum to a small group of pupils. This allows you to educate more individuals, potentially increasing your revenue. Furthermore, when consumers buy a course from you, they are more likely to suggest it to others, increasing your exposure even further.

3. Share your passion:

There are several benefits to creating your own online course. Perhaps the most compelling reason to create your own online course is to share your passion with the rest of the world. You may educate others about your interests and assist them in learning new skills. This may be very gratifying on both a personal and professional level. Nothing beats the satisfaction of seeing students who attend your course achieve new heights.

4. Build your brand:

Building a brand for yourself is critical because it allows you to be recognized as an expert in your area. A brand is a persona that you develop for yourself. It comprises your personality, expertise, reputation, and style, in addition to your physical appearance. You may make more money and become more successful if you develop a brand. You may build a personal brand in a variety of ways. One method is to create an online course.

Creating and teaching an online course might help you establish a reputation as an expert in your subject. When you create your own online course, you are establishing your unique brand and authority. You are the expert as an educator, and others will turn to you for advice and direction.

5. Increased revenue potential:

One of the most significant advantages is the possibility of higher income. You may charge a fee for access to your material if you create a well-crafted course. This might be a very profitable approach to monetize your experience and knowledge. Furthermore, online classes may assist you in developing a devoted following of students eager to learn from you. This may lead to other sources of revenue, such as consultancy or speaking engagements.

When you offer your classes online, you get to retain all of the money you make. Nobody can take it away from you. You have more options than if you offered them offline. People used to be restricted in where they could sell their books or items. That is no longer an issue. The Internet allows you to sell to individuals all around the globe. It also allows you to sell yourself more effectively. You may leverage the Internet’s power to spread the word about your online course and raise your revenue.

6. Increased credibility:

An online course demonstrates that you are an expert in your subject and are committed to educating others. It boosts your reputation and makes you more appealing to prospective pupils. You have complete control over the content, delivery, and timetable, allowing you to demonstrate your knowledge to prospective students. You also get to establish a community of people who are interested in what you have to offer.

My authority as an expert in my area was enhanced when I established my own online course. Potential leads might tell that I was serious about my profession and capable of teaching others. In addition, I had complete control over the material and the whole experience for my pupils. This enabled me to design a course that was genuinely targeted to their requirements.

7. Increased Opportunities:

A course is a self-created instructional tool. People nowadays use online courses to learn about a variety of topics. If you have a love for something and want to share it with others, you may make it into a course. You may sell your courses, which will allow you to make more money. Additionally, some individuals make a full-time job by designing courses.

Online education might provide you with new opportunities. It enables you to communicate with a huge number of individuals at any time. If you are strong at talking, educating, or sharing knowledge, this may be a terrific method to expand your influence, make new contacts, and create new business prospects.

In reality, online courses are increasingly commonplace in practically every major business. For example, if you check your Gmail inbox every day, you will notice at least one email from an online course.

Conclusion:

To summarize, there is no question that online learning has been around for quite some time. However, it has recently gained popularity due to the flexibility and ease it enables in learning. Online learning allows students to study at their own speed without the constraints of travel, time, or money that conventional classes impose. This is why it is exploding in the present generation.

References:

https://www.learndash.com/7-reasons-to-create-your-first-online-course/

https://www.podia.com/how-to-create-sell-profitable-online-course/benefits

https://www.learnworlds.com/7-reasons-every-entrepreneur-launch-online-course/

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