Complete beginner's guide from $0 to your first sale
Selling online courses has never been more accessible. In 2026, anyone with expertise can monetize their knowledge and build a profitable online business.
This guide walks you through every step of the process.
Step 1: Choose Your Course Platform
1Select the Right Platform
Your platform choice affects your pricing, features, and profits. Here's how they compare:
Platform
Price
Transaction Fees
Best For
Podia
$39/mo
0%
Beginners
Teachable
$0-119/mo
0-5%
Growing businesses
Kajabi
$149/mo
0%
All-in-one
Thinkific
$0/mo
Free plan available
Free hosting
Step 2: Plan Your Course
2Define Your Outcome
What will students achieve? Be specific
Who is your ideal student? Create a persona
What problems do you solve? Focus on outcomes
3Outline Your Content
Start with the end goal and work backward
Break content into modules and lessons
Include practical exercises and action items
Plan for 30-60 minutes of content per module
Step 3: Create Your Content
4Production Basics
Video: Use your phone or webcam, good lighting, clear audio
Audio: Invest in a decent microphone ($50-100)
Slides: Keep them simple and visual
Screen recording: Use Loom or OBS for software demos
Step 4: Set Up Your Sales Funnel
5Build Your Funnel
Lead magnet: Free content to capture emails
Email sequence: Warm up prospects over 5-7 emails
Landing page: Clear benefits and social proof
Checkout: Seamless payment processing
Step 5: Price Your Course
💰 Pricing Strategies
Low ticket ($47-97): Easy to sell, higher conversion
Mid-tier ($197-497): Balance of value and accessibility
High-ticket ($997+): Premium positioning, more support
Payment plans: Increase conversion by 20-30%
Step 6: Market Your Course
6Promotion Strategies
Pre-launch: Build an email list of 500+ before launching
Webinars: Host free workshops to demonstrate expertise
Content marketing: Blog posts, YouTube videos, podcasts
Affiliates: Partner with creators to promote your course
Paid ads: Facebook, YouTube, or Google ads
Recommended Platforms
Platform
Why We Recommend
Podia
20%
Simplest for beginners
Teachable
30%
Most popular, great features
Kajabi
29%
All-in-one marketing suite
💰 Want to promote course platforms? Join affiliate programs for recurring commissions!