Sell an Online Course
Package what you already know.
Turn a specific skill into a structured online course. Sell on your own site, Teachable, or Gumroad.
As a course creator, your day-to-day involves researching your topic, structuring your content, recording videos, and engaging with students. You'll also spend time marketing your course through social media, email campaigns, and partnerships. Effective time management is key, as balancing content creation with administrative tasks can be challenging. Be prepared to adapt your approach based on student feedback and market trends.
The demand for online learning is surging, especially post-pandemic, as more individuals seek to upskill from home. This trend is supported by the growing acceptance of remote education and the UK government's push towards lifelong learning. Now is an opportune time to package your knowledge into a course, as potential learners are actively seeking convenient online solutions.
The ideal founder for this venture is someone with expertise in a specific field, whether it’s marketing, coding, or wellness. You should be comfortable with technology and have a willingness to engage with your audience. Expect to invest around 10-15 hours a week, especially during the initial stages of course development and marketing, to build a solid foundation for your business.
In the first 12-24 months, you could realistically generate between £5,000 to £20,000, depending on your marketing efforts and the size of your audience. By refining your course and expanding your offerings, you may see significant growth, particularly if you diversify into multiple courses or membership models.
- Teaching
- Marketing
£100–£500 per sale
Gross margins can be around 70-80%, depending on your pricing and costs.
The online learning sector in the UK is booming, with a projected growth rate of 8.2% annually. The post-pandemic shift towards digital solutions means more people are willing to invest in online education.
Target customers are typically professionals aged 25-45 looking to enhance their skills or pivot careers. They value flexible learning options that fit around their busy lives.
The UK e-learning market is estimated to reach £10 billion by 2025, reflecting a growing trend in digital education. In 2020, 52% of UK adults reported taking part in some form of online learning.
Revenue & pricing
You can charge a one-off fee for access to the course or implement a subscription model for ongoing content. Bundling courses or offering advanced coaching can also enhance revenue potential.
- Basic Course: £100 for a self-paced video course with downloadable resources.
- Premium Course: £250 for a video course plus live Q&A sessions and community access.
- Comprehensive Package: £500 for a multi-module course with personal feedback and one-on-one coaching.
- Membership Model: £30/month for access to a library of courses and exclusive webinars.
Costs
- Domain Name & Hosting100
- Course Creation Software (e.g., Teachable)180
- Basic Marketing (ads, social media tools)100
- Video Recording Equipment (microphone, camera)100
- Graphics/Design Software (e.g., Canva Pro)20
- Teachable Subscription39
- Marketing Tools (e.g., Mailchimp)30
- Website Maintenance10
- Content Creation Tools (e.g., Canva)12
First steps
- 1Validate with a free guide
- 2Build the curriculum
- 3Pre-sell before recording
- 4Launch via email list
Your first 90 days
- Research potential course topics and validate with target audience feedback.
- Create a simple landing page to capture email sign-ups.
- Develop an outline and curriculum for your course.
- Start building a community on social media to generate interest.
- Launch a free guide related to your course to attract leads.
- Finalize and record course content.
- Set up your chosen platform (e.g., Teachable) and upload course materials.
- Pre-sell the course to your email list to gauge interest and secure initial sales.
- Implement a marketing campaign to drive traffic to your course launch.
- Launch the course officially and monitor student feedback for improvements.
How to get customers
Email Marketing
Use your email list to announce the course launch and offer early-bird discounts.
Social Media
Leverage platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn to showcase course content and engage with potential customers.
Webinars
Host free webinars to provide value and promote your course at the end.
Content Marketing
Start a blog or YouTube channel to share insights related to your course topic, driving traffic to your site.
Tools you'll actually use
| Tool | Cost | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Teachable | 39 | A user-friendly platform for hosting and selling online courses. |
| Mailchimp | 30 | For managing email campaigns and audience engagement. |
| Canva Pro | 12 | To create professional-looking graphics and course materials. |
| Zoom | 14 | For live Q&A sessions or webinars with students. |
| Tide | 0 | For easy business banking and managing your income. |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Failing to validate course ideas before investing time and resources.
- Overcomplicating the course structure, leading to confusion.
- Neglecting marketing efforts until after the course is created.
- Ignoring student feedback and not making necessary adjustments.
- Underestimating the time needed for effective course promotion.
How to scale this
- 1Start with one course focused on a specific skill or niche.
- 2Gather testimonials and refine your course based on feedback.
- 3Introduce additional courses or advanced modules to existing students.
- 4Consider creating a membership model for ongoing revenue.
Risks & mitigations
Low course sales
Focus on validating your course idea and building an audience before launch.
High competition
Differentiate your course with unique content or niche focus.
Burnout from content creation
Plan a realistic schedule and consider outsourcing tasks as needed.
Technical issues with platform
Choose reliable platforms and invest time in learning their features.
UK legal & compliance
- Register for VAT with HMRC if your turnover exceeds the threshold, currently £85,000.
- Consider business insurance to protect against potential claims.
- Ensure compliance with GDPR when handling customer data, including consent for email marketing.
- If using a membership model, ensure adherence to consumer rights regulations.
FAQ
Do I need to be an expert to create a course?
While expertise helps, being knowledgeable and passionate about a topic is crucial.
How do I market my course?
Utilise social media, email marketing, and partnerships with influencers or blogs in your niche.
Can I update my course after launch?
Yes, regularly updating your course based on feedback can enhance its value.
What if no one buys my course?
Reassess your marketing strategy and consider additional validation with your audience.
How much time will I need to invest?
Expect to dedicate 10-15 hours weekly initially, decreasing as you streamline processes.
Ready to start this one?
Every business idea on this site needs two things from day one: a separate business bank account and a way to float expenses. Here are the two we recommend.
Tide Business Bank Account
The UK's most popular digital business bank account — free, opens in 5 minutes.
Free cash when you spend £100 in your first 30 days + deposit £5k in a Tide Instant Saver.
- Free business current account — no monthly fee
- £200 free cash (spend £100 in 30 days + deposit £5k)
- No credit check required to open
- Open your account in under 5 minutes
- Free bank transfers for your first year
Capital on Tap Business Credit Card
The UK's highest-rated business credit card — 1% cashback, up to £250k credit, no annual fee.
Worth £75. Awarded after your first card transaction within 30 days.
- 7,500 bonus reward points (worth £75) on first transaction within 30 days
- 1% uncapped cashback on every pound you spend
- Credit limits from £1,000 to £250,000
- No joining fee or annual fee
- Free additional employee cards