5 Myths About Online Course Creation

Online courses are the new generation of education. Instead of spending thousands of dollars on a university degree, more and more people are turning to online courses to upscale and change the direction of their careers and their lives.

The online education industry is exploding right now as creators and students realize the benefits and value of these courses and reap in the rewards. However, there are still some people that are being held back from getting their message and passion out there due to some misconceptions that they believe about creating an online course that is simply not true!

So this article is all about de-bunking those myths that are stopping you from realizing your potential when it comes to transforming your income and business.

Myth #1: “I’m Not An Expert!”

“I’m not qualified.”

“I don’t have a degree or credentials in this area.”

Do these statements sound familiar? Just because you don’t have a piece of paper confirming your ability and experience, doesn’t mean you don’t have anything to offer. In fact, course creators who have recently figured things out make better teachers, as they can still relate to their audience and address their pain points.

Students want to hear from someone who has “been there, done that” so they can learn from their unique experience rather than things taught in books or from “experts” who have been around for decades and can’t even remember or connect with the problems their target audience is going through right now.

Even if you’re just a few steps ahead of someone in your understanding of a topic, you can teach it! People want the fast-track to success.

Plus, there is at least one thing that you know better than most. What’s something you can explain with your eyes closed? We’re sure someone would pay to learn that.

Myth #2: “I Don't Have Enough Time to Create an Online Course”

Did someone make up a rule stating that you have to have a lot of free time to create an online course that we don’t know about? The truth is most people who create courses are not able to dedicate all their time and attention to the project. They have a business to run and family commitments.

Keeping a schedule and organizing yourself in an efficient way can make your course a reality, even when you feel like you have no time. Work out a timeline (eg. course research, course outline, course content, and course launch) and dedicate as much time as you can afford each week. Outsourcing tasks to freelancers can also help speed up the process when you are tight on time.

The best courses are short and sweet, because people are mainly interested in the outcome your course provides, not spending months to actually get to that outcome.

Simplify your course idea, keep it concise, and realize that a great course can be created in just a matter of course in some cases!

Myth #3: “People Can Find What I Teach for Free Online”

While it’s true that there is so much free information out there these days thanks YouTube, Google, etc, people invest in online courses because they want more than the basic content they find through watching free videos or reading blogs. They are looking for a guide and to invest in someone who they can truly learn from.

Your course is here to help them take the shortest path to their goal. It houses all of the information they need in one place, and they gain value from the clear-cut path that you will layout for them.

This is where finding your unique ‘niche’ and value comes to play as you build up that sense of connection, community, and trust with your ideal audience.

Myth #4: “I Don't Have an Existing Audience”

First of all, you don’t need a huge audience or email list to get started! Sure, you should work on building it up over time but don’t let that stop you from creating your course now.

Having a smaller audience that is really interested in you and what you have to offer are more likely to convert to paying customers than having a large list who just feed off of your free stuff and not interested in investing.

Here’s a secret: With the right online course niche, you can get in front of people actually looking for your topic. The audience will seek you out so you don’t have to chase people!

Myth #5: There's Too Much Competition

It seems like everyone is jumping on the online course bandwagon these days and offering amazing high-value courses at every angle. But have you ever asked yourself the question as to why this is? It’s because there is a demand! This is a good thing. There is a huge market out there looking for the skills and experience that you can offer to them.

Focus on what makes you stand out from all the noise and what you have to offer that others don’t - your personality, your personal experience, and how you can relate to your audience.