what business is easier to start: online course business

by Lou Wintheiser 8 min read

What are some successful businesses that offer online courses?

Examples of very successful businesses that offer online courses include these top-ten selected by the eLearning Industry for 2016: BusinessWire reports that TutorGroup is worth $1 billion. TutorGroup is the largest English language online education platform in the world.

How do I start an online course business?

Start an online courses business by following these 9 steps: STEP 1: Plan your business. A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and ... STEP 2: Form a legal entity. STEP 3: Register for taxes. STEP 4: Open a business bank ...

Is it worth it to start an online business?

This being said, although starting an online business may give you unique flexibility, it also means working extremely hard to find clients, market your services and maintain steady cash flow. Online businesses aren't for everyone.

Is there an online business idea for me?

With the immense growth of the internet and technology in general, there's an online business idea out there for everyone, regardless of your experience or prior work history.

Which course is best for online business?

10 Best Online Business CoursesFundamentals of Finance and Accounting.Business Intensive (Strategy & Business Management)Introduction to Negotiation.Work Smarter, Not Harder.Become a Digital Marketer.Sales Training.Essential Public Speaking.Brand Identity and Strategy.More items...•

What courses should I take to start my own business?

8 Classes You Need to Take to Become an EntrepreneurFinance and accounting. ... Marketing. ... Economics. ... Management. ... Public speaking. ... Writing and composition. ... Computer science. ... Any American history course.

How do I start an online business course?

7 Steps to Building a Successful Online Course BusinessStep 1: Decide what to teach. ... Step 2: Validate market demand. ... Step 3: Create a compelling and unique brand. ... Step 4: Build your audience. ... Step 5: Create an online course. ... Step 6: Focus on customer success. ... Step 7: Scale your business.

Is selling online courses profitable?

Are online courses profitable? Yes. They're actually one of the best business models you can adopt as a digital business because they're in demand and more and more people are willing to pay top dollar for them.

What is the easiest business to start?

16 Easy Businesses to StartEvent Planning. ... Gardening and Landscaping Services. ... DJing. ... Painting. ... Yoga Instruction. ... Local Tour Guide. Image (c) Zero Creatives / Getty Images. ... Tutoring. Tutor helping one of her students. ... You Don't Need Much Money But You Do Need... Couple running small gardening business.More items...•

Which business course is best?

Best Business Majors/ SpecializationsAccounting. A degree in accounting aims to teach students how to create financial reports, follow accounting standards and practices, and even carry out audits. ... Management. ... Human Resources (HR) ... Economics. ... Entrepreneurship. ... Supply Chain Management. ... Business Administration.

How much money do online courses make?

Your online course could earn anywhere from a $0 – $50k+ per month. Many course creators will earn $1 – 5k/month and there are numerous examples of online course teachers earning $10k – $50k per month.. There are lots of factors that will determine how much you can earn by selling online courses.

What makes an online course successful?

Interactive, collaborative environment. Interaction between students, and between student and teacher are critical to promoting deeper learning. Be sure to include interactive lessons, group projects, hands-on labs, class discussions, and private chats that students can use to connect directly with their teacher.

How much does it cost to create an online course?

It can cost anywhere from $200 to $10,000 to create an online course. The main source of expenses is the labor involved, followed by the equipment and software. If you are creating the online course yourself and not paying someone else to do it, this means that other than your time there are very few expenses involved.

What online courses are in demand?

Top Trending Online CoursesData Science. ... Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. ... Big Data. ... Business Intelligence. ... Cloud Computing. ... Project Management. ... Software Development. ... Full-stack development.More items...

What makes the most money selling online?

Top 7 Ways to Make Money OnlineAffiliate Marketing. You may already know that affiliate marketing is one of the oldest online moneymakers out there. ... Selling on Amazon, eBay, Etsy, and Cragslist. ... Blogging. ... Niche E-commerce. ... Your Own YouTube Channel. ... Selling E-books. ... Develop Apps.

Is selling courses a good business?

Yes, they are. Online courses offer one of the best business models to digital entrepreneurs. The demand is rising and people are more than willing to pay for them, and they are one of the top ways to make money online.

How do you create and sell an online course?

In this article, you'll find an overview of the 10 major stages of online course creation:Pick the perfect course topic.Ensure your course idea has high market demand.Create Magnetic and Compelling Learning Outcomes.Select and Gather your Course Content.Structure Your Modules and Course Plan.More items...•

How can I start a business for free?

26 Businesses You Can Start for FreeBlogging. While not a new concept, monetized blogging is always a popular option for an essentially no-cost business. ... In-home child care. ... In-home dog care. ... Pet services. ... Dog training. ... Freelance writing. ... Freelance editing. ... Resume building.More items...

How long does it take to develop an online course?

It can take anywhere between 3 days to 2 months to create an online course, assuming that you are working on it full time. A mini-course covering a very narrow topic can be produced in only 3 days or less, while a complete in-depth 20h masterclass covering all levels can take several months to produce.

How do I become a course creator?

Here are the multiple steps involved in starting a career as an online course creator:Step 1 - Market research.Step 2 - Understand your student.Step 3 - Create free content.Step 4 - Understand SEO.Step 5 - Create a sales funnel.Step 6 - Build a brand.Step 7 - Build a community.Step 8 - Validate your course ideas.

What are the costs involved in opening an online courses business?

For level one self-directed online courses the costs are to create the course materials, build a website, and create an online marketing campaign w...

What are the ongoing expenses for an online courses business?

The ongoing expenses are: A high-quality Internet connection that allows for a fast response and large bandwidth for web hosting. Allow $1,000 per...

Who is the target market?

Contracting with an organization(s) to create online training courses for new employees, and continuing educational courses for existing employees,...

How much can you charge customers?

Level one and level two self-directed courses start at around $9.99 and go up to about $499 if certification is the goal. Video conferencing course...

How much profit can an online courses business make?

Some people are comfortable making a few hundred dollars profit per month. Others make hundreds of thousands of profit per year. The largest compan...

How can you make your business more profitable?

Continue to offer new and exciting courses to past customers. Sell materials related to the course content. Expand from teaching individuals to get...

Is this Business Right For You?

Online courses are created by people with a considerable amount of expertise and experience in the field they wish to teach. As such, having a nich...

What happens during a typical day at an online courses business?

The activities differ, depending on the type of online courses offered. For level one self-directed courses, most of the processes are automated. A...

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful online courses business?

It helps if you have expert knowledge in a specific niche or if you can hire those who have this expertise to help you. For level one self-directed...

What is the growth potential for an online courses business?

Depending on the market niche, the potential for growth is excellent. Examples of very successful businesses that offer online courses include thes...

What is online course?

Online courses are popular for corporate training, continuing education purposes, self-improvement, learning foreign languages, hobbies, and “how-to” instructions for a variety of projects.

What are the best resources for entrepreneurs?

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need. Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

How much money did the eLearning industry make in 2015?

Global Industry Analysts, Inc. reported the global, online, eLearning industry was over US $107 billion in revenues during 2015. There are plenty of opportunities to make money with an online courses business. Online courses may lead to earning a degree, getting certification and/or completing legal requirements.

How much do you pay for internet marketing?

For Internet marketing, allow a minimum of $500 per month for the most basic advertising. Successful online courses businesses spend $5,000 per month on marketing or more. To pay instructors, allow $30 per hour for their class teaching time.

Why do businesses need insurance?

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

What is a strong brand?

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

Can you create an online cooking course?

The course materials may come from your professional efforts and be an extension of them. For example, if you are a great chef, you can create an online cooking course to teach some of your best techniques in preparing recipes. Some courses require a teaching certification.

What is online course business?

An online course business is an effective way to reach out to people who are looking to improve themselves. If done correctly, your satisfied students will be singing praises, and these can serve as your own proof of success.

What is online course management software?

An online course management software is an application for managing educational courses, distributing assignments, administering assessments to students, and facilitating feedback on student performance. It’s also designed to handle course registrations, payments, website tracking, and reporting.

What is Thinkific online?

Founded in 2012, Thinkific is a versatile platform that allows you to build, sell and manage courses online. You can make courses with videos, photos and/or downloadable documents to engage your students with interactive multimedia course content. It also provides support to your online marketing campaigns with its sales page builder and automation tools, albeit it doesn’t have a local online marketplace.

What is a business plan?

Your business plan is the heart of your company. It guides you through each phase of building an online school, from creating a blueprint for how you want to structure, manage and grow your business.

What is a bank account and credit line?

A bank account and credit line dedicated to your business allows you to separate your personal assets from your company’s assets. It provides some degree of personal asset protection in case your company is found liable for fraud or debts.

How much does online learning increase retention?

Based on a study, online learning can increase retention rates up to 60% as compared to in-person settings with only 10%. Moreover, online learning is less time-consuming as it only requires 40% to 60% less study time than traditional classrooms. It’s because students can pace themselves, re-read the material, skip, or advance through the chapters whenever they want.

Do I need an EIN for an LLC?

However, only businesses with employees are eligible to apply for an EIN through the IRS. If you’re a single-member LLC or a sole proprietor without employees, then you do not need to get an EIN.

What is an Online Training Business?

An online training business or online course business is a structured progression through course material or a topic. Each course builds on prior concepts, getting your participants closer and closer to mastering your topic, and has a clear beginning, middle, and end.

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Getting Your Mindset Right

The first thing to consider is how ready you actually are to start an online business. Have you done this kind of thing before? Are you completely new to making money online?

Figuring Out Your Course Topic

Now that you know you can create a profitable online course, what will you teach?

Researching Your Topic and Competitors

When you know your topic or at least have a topic idea, then it's time to find out what the other people teaching this subject online are covering.

Setting Your Goals

By this point, you should have a pretty good idea of some of the specifics you’ll be teaching in your online classes. That’s good, great even...

Creating the Course Content

Perfect! We’ve made it to the juicy part of actually getting in front of a camera and sharing what you know.

Selling The Course

Having your online course business started means now you have to get students/customers into the thing.

Sustaining Your Community

As you make sales and your course starts gaining traction, you’re going to feel great, but you don’t want the journey to end there.

Revenue Expectations

We've interviewed several different founders in the online courses business and asked them how much $ they're making today.

Setting Up Your Online Courses Business (Formation and Legal)

When it comes to setting up your business, you may find yourself in a place where you have to make some financial and legal decisions.

Determine Which Business Bank Account You Need

There are hundreds of banks out there, and it can be overwhelming to find one that's right for your business.

How To Price Your Online Course

One of the most challenging aspects to starting an online courses business is determining how much to charge for your online course.

Write a Business Plan

Writing a business plan from the start is critical for the success of your online courses business.

Identify Target Customer

A very critical piece in building online courses business is to identify your ideal target customer.

How Much Does It Cost To Start An Online Courses Business

If you are planning to start an online courses business, the costs are relatively low. This, of course, depends on if you decide to start the business with lean expenses or bringing in a large team and spending more money.

Do I need a physical storefront for an online business?

None of these online business ideas require a physical storefront and for some ideas, so you don't even have to offer a physical product, just a service. Not to mention, if you’re working from home you can set your own hours, be your own boss and claim home office tax deductions. So, if you're ready to get started on your dream ...

Can I publish a book on Amazon?

If company blog posts aren’t your style, then you might consider writing and publishing e-books instead. With Amazon and other websites around, self-publishing has never been easier than it is today. If you think you’ve got something interesting or useful to say — and you believe other people will think so, too — then writing e-books could become a lucrative business.

Is online fitness training real?

Online fitness trainer. “Online fitness training” might seem like an oxymoron, but it’s a real industry — and if you’re invested in online business ideas, then don’t overlook it . If fitness and health is your passion, then serving as a fitness trainer to clients could be a fulfilling career.

Is stock trading a hobby?

Like internet domain name selling, stock trading could be a casual online hobby or a career. If you’re willing to put in the time and you’re talented at carrying out deep research and predicting trends, you could turn this side hustle into a full-time gig.

Is data entry a good idea?

Data entry. Although it doesn’t pay the best, data entry is an online business idea where you can easily work from home. If you’re looking for a job that won’t require much time or attention from you, and that you can make predictable income from while at home or traveling, then data entry is a good place to start. 25.

Is virtual bookkeeping hard?

Although entering the industry as a virtual bookkeeper or accountant can be tough because of competition from foreign contractors, there are firms that offer these services. You also might be able to take your current clients, if you’re already operating as an accountant, and offer to cut their costs by working from home or remotely elsewhere.

Is it easy to start an online business?

One of the most common online business ideas around, starting an e-commerce store is relatively easy and cheap — at least when compared to opening up a brick-and-mortar store. If you’re handy or creative, you could craft your products and sell them on sites like Etsy, Amazon or eBay, straight out of your home.

What is a desire to build their courses easily in the platform?

A desire to build their courses easily in the platform – usually with a heavy emphasis on video – rather than in an external authoring tool. An emphasis on self-paced, one demand course – the ability to add social learning elements or to deliver facilitated online courses is a “nice to have” that often goes unused.

Is online education a business?

Online education has become big business in higher education and one of the places it is having a major impact is in the departments and divisions of continuing education at many schools. In some cases, these divisions have become real “cash cows” by, for example, offering online certificate programs that align with employer needs.

Is LMS good for extended enterprise?

Most traditional corporate LMSes are not all that well suited for handling extended enterprise, so if you are lucky, you will either have in place a system that is or have an L&D department that is on board with implementing a new system. Some of the main ones to consider in this category include: Docebo. eFron t.

The Why: What is the Purpose of Your Course?

There are many different reasons why creating an online course is a great idea. But your reason for doing it is what matters because:

The What: What are You Going to Teach?

What you are teaching in your online course depends on both what you are well-suited to teach and who you are teaching it for. You can teach a topic in which you have years of professional experience (expertise) as a way to guide others in your field. You can teach something you are passionate about or something you have personal experience with.

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