14th October 2020

10 Killer Ideas for Marketing Your Online Course

10 Killer Ideas for Marketing Your Online Course

This year, almost every education provider has turned to online learning to replace face-to-face teaching. But how do you market your e-learning courses? Here are 10 ingenious ways!

 

Why create an online course?

 

With the major rise in technology, the focus today is not whether e-learning benefits your business; the real issue is whether you can afford NOT to join the trend.

From engaging with your customers, to increasing your authority within your chosen subject, the benefits are invaluable for you and your students.

The financial value can be significant, too, as it generates another stream of income and can reduce costs on your current learning solutions.

Take IBM for example, who saved roughly $200million after switching to e-learning.

But before you head off and start building your course content, there’s some vital marketing tools you MUST consider first.

 

1. Treat it like a product launch

 

A product launch is an exciting time for any marketer. There are tons of creative ways you can build hype and generate interest in your upcoming product or service.
One of the key things to do at this stage is build an email list. Give your followers and website visitors an incentive to subscribe to your email list. This could include a discount on your first course, or exclusive content such as videos, blogs, etc.


Regularly post teasers on your social media pages, post blogs with course content and send a press release to influencers within your subject.

 

2. Learning Management System

 

A Learning Management System (LMS) is a software application which assists in the creation, distribution, and execution of education content.

The main advantages of using an LMS is that is has a public facing course directory, making it easy for users to browse the courses. It can also incorporate your branding to help strengthen your organisation’s reputation within the subject.

Designing online content that uses the ‘SCORM’ standard means your content can send tracking information to and from the Learning Management System.

 

3. Ability to Book Online

 

It is a bad candidate experience if pupils have to phone up to enrol on the course. Especially if the operating times are limited or the caller must wait in a queue. A full sign-up process online is much better than taking bookings over the phone and is also better for your brand reputation and image.

This website we built for CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply) allows their 200,000 members to book on a range of e-learning courses. These include 250 short courses, as well as e-learning which is specific to certain CIPS qualifications.

To meet the needs of their global audience, the courses were made available to purchase in different currencies.

 

4. Use social media to promote

 

Regardless of which social media platform you use for your business, you should announce teaser information about your online course early on. Use videos and blog posts to interact with your followers and build up large interest in your course.

One tip is to create a private Facebook group for your students. It’s a free solution to build a community on a platform most people already use. Then as people in your group start connecting, they’ll tell their network about your class.

 

5. Login through Social Media Account

 

As well as giving your students the option to create an individual account, encourage them to sign up through their social media profile. Signing up through a social media account can make the candidate more likely to share the course with their social network. You could even prompt them to do this with pop-ups.

 

6. Run a Regular Webinar

 

A webinar is an online video seminar, which can be recorded or broadcast live. Typically, these are broadcast through YouTube Live, Google Hangouts, WebinarJam and GoToWebinar.

If used correctly, a webinar not only stamps your authority on your niche subject, but it can also act as a powerful marketing and lead generation tool.

Webinars act as a quick, interactive way of learning and can bring a group of professionals together and discuss your subject. This could then lead to discussions about your course or its content.

Another benefit is that the webinar content can be used in other forms such as a blog, video or infographics to engage with your prospective audience.

 

7. Create a course sales page

 

Recently, PSP designed and developed a modern Ecommerce site for the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT).

The website showcases their six short courses and one bundle course. Each listing includes thorough course details and a short video explaining what students will learn on the course so they can pick the course which is right for them.

Linking back to the webinar section, a sales page works as a perfect landing page when promoting your online courses. Direct your contact list

You can view that website here: http://store.aat.org.uk

 

8. Add a student testimonial

 

Rather than you bragging about how good your course is; let your students and graduates do it for you.

Feedback, reviews, and testimonials are some of the biggest ways people gain trust in a company or service. An effective testimonial will tell your prospective candidates what the course involves, and entice them with positive feedback.

For an effective testimonial, ask the student to suggest specific things. Such as the quality of the teacher, what they learned and what they have achieved because of the course.

 

9. Paid advertising

 

Paid advertising is ideal for targeting specific audiences and hitting as many people within your target demographic as possible.

Social media adverts and Google adverts are the most popular methods of paid advertising and are simple to set up for beginners.

For any campaign – paid or unpaid – it’s important to track your results. Whether that’s through Google Analytics or trackable links.

 

10. Publish a course promotion video

 

Ideally, the course promotion video should be hosted by the teacher and break down the key aspects of the course and what the students will get out of it. It’s an ideal opportunity to further cement your organisation as the ‘go-to’ authority for your chosen subject and convince prospective candidates they are choosing a course that’s right for them.

 

Need more help?

 

PSP has experience in developing fully-functioning CRMs and LMSs. By utilising our vast strength in depth, we have worked with major education providers and delivered successful IT solutions across the education sector.

Speak to our team of professionals to find out more. Phone 01775 722377, or email sales@psp-it.co.uk

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