It’s no secret that when you create an online course, you’re able to share your expertise with your target audience while also generating income. But whether you’ve done it a time or two before or this is your first time giving it a shot, there are certain pitfalls you have to watch out for to ensure that it surpasses its full potential.
At One Forty Films, we’ve helped a ton of different clients from a vast array of industries push out online courses that not only look great, but perform well, too. Here are the top three mistakes we urge business owners to avoid when developing their next online course project.
Lack of Focus
One of the most common errors we see is trying to cover too many topics at once. And we get it! It can be tempting to include everything you know about a particular subject in your course. Unfortunately, this can be super overwhelming for students. Instead, keep your target audience engaged by honing in on one particular subject.
For example–let’s say you’re a private chef looking to create an online course for your personal brand. Instead of focusing on teaching your target audience how to bake pastries, you teach them how to make one kind of pastry. Or let’s say you’re an interior design firm. Instead of creating an online course on how to design a home, try something a little more specialized, like “Your Step-by-Step Guide to Designing a Mid Century Modern Home”.
Whatever topic you choose, ensure your content is organized logically and follows a clear path from start to finish. All these preparatory steps will do wonders to help your students stay engaged and motivated throughout the course.
Pro Tip: Script everything out before you start to create an online course. We know, we know–this can be a tedious thing to tackle. But at the end of the day, this is one of the most tried-and-true methods to provide instant structure to your online course (or any video production project, for that matter!).
Poor Production Quality
Another common mistake business owners make is overlooking production quality. While the quality of your content is important, it’s also crucial that your course looks and sounds professional. This means investing in good lighting, a quality microphone, and editing software to ensure your videos are clear, crisp, and engaging. Additionally, be sure to include engaging visuals such as graphics, illustrations, and animations that help illustrate your ideas. Poor production quality can be a major turn-off for potential students, so make sure to invest time and money into this aspect of your course.
One of the best ways to avoid this is by partnering with a trusted videographer. Having industry professionals by your side when you create an online course will help you save money, time, and energy. Trust us–it’s worth the investment!
No Interaction
Another common error we see frequently when people choose to create an online courses is failing to provide opportunities for interaction or engagement. It is critical to incorporate interactive elements, such as quizzes, exercises, and discussion forums so students can apply what they’ve learned and interact with other students. This not only makes the course more engaging, but it also helps students learn and retain information more effectively.
Create an Online Course – Stress-Free
If you choose to create an online course, get ready for a really rewarding experience. However, it’s important to avoid these common mistakes so your online course ultimately succeeds. If you’re looking for a videographer to help bring your online course to life, our expert team here at One Forty Films would be more than happy to lend a hand. Get in touch with us here and we can get the ball rolling on helping you make the best online course yet!
