So, you're an expert in your field and keen to help others by turning that knowledge into an online course? That's awesome! You're joining a global community of passionate educators, sharing their skills and making a real difference. And, hey, if it can generate some leads and make you a bit of money on the side, that's a nice bonus!

‍

But here's the kicker - being a business whiz doesn't automatically mean you're a natural at creating engaging content. You're a pro at what you do, know your audience, and are buzzing with ideas. Now the challenge is figuring out how to get all that goodness out of your head and into an exciting, easy-to-digest online format.

‍

In this article, we'll venture together into conceptualizing and generating content for your online course. We will delve into understanding your audience, organizing your course, adding extra resources, writing engaging content, and creating exciting videos.

‍

Remember, like anything else, creating content that gets your students pumped to learn is a skill - the more you practice, the better you get! There's a lot to figure out, so if your first course isn't a blockbuster, that's okay. Keep your spirits up because once you've created your first course, there's no going back - you'll be a changed person! Get ready for an adventure!

‍

I. Set the Tone

Course Objectives:

Let's start at the beginning - understanding the 'why' behind your audience choosing your course is crucial. It's essential to define your course's learning outcomes. What skills or knowledge will your students possess by the end of this journey? These objectives will be your guiding star, shaping all the content you create for your course.

‍

Bridging Knowledge Gaps:

As a seasoned expert, you carry a trove of knowledge that feels as natural as breathing. This means you'll need to pinpoint areas of your expertise that you may unintentionally overlook. By "overlook," I mean the aspects of your industry and skill set that seem so apparent to you that you forget others might not be aware of them. These are the intangibles - the insights you 'know' that might not have an easy explanation. These hidden gems will elevate your course content and differentiate it from others.

‍

Here are some prompts to help uncover potential gaps in your audience's knowledge, the areas where you may be assuming they already have an understanding:

• Remember your early days in the industry or just learning your craft. How did that feel?
• What were the key insights that made everything 'click' for you?
• Which parts of your learning journey were challenging in the beginning?
• When you discuss your topic with someone outside your industry, what clarifying questions do they ask? What do you wish they already knew to make the conversation flow better?

‍

These prompts will help you brainstorm overlooked areas. Once identified, these insights can be incorporated into your course outline to provide a richer learning experience.

‍

Defining What You Mean:

Before plunging into your course outline, you'll also want to reflect on your unique use of words or phrases. It's not about presenting dictionary definitions; it's about clarifying your specific meaning, like when I defined "overlook" earlier. The language you use in teaching can carry varied connotations for different people. Misunderstandings can lead to unexpected learning outcomes. Hence, make it a habit to regularly clarify your terms to ensure everyone is on the same page.

‍

What Features Will You Use?:

You can add many things to your online course to make it a more well-rounded learning experience.

‍

Consider establishing an online space for your students, such as the Groups that SocialGlow provides. An online community will complement what you’re teaching and allow your students to dive deeper into the topic amongst each other and foster meaningful connections with you!

‍

Also, adding gamification to your course will help keep your students motivated and on track.

‍

Deciding early on whether you will be using these features will help you with decisions around structuring your course.

‍

Length of Your Course:

Generally, staying in the 10 to 25-hour range for your online course is ideal. It gives you enough time to invest in all the topics you plan to teach while forcing you to keep things punchy and quick. You don’t want to drone on and lose your students. Having a goal length before you start outlining will help you decide what’s essential and what’s not. It’ll save you some time later in the editing phase.

‍

II. Outlining Your Course:

After reflecting on the points above, it's time for a brain dump. Jot down all the thoughts and ideas swirling in your head about the topic you want to teach. Unleash your creative beast! This exercise doesn't require grammatical perfection; it's all about transferring your thoughts onto the page.

‍

Following the brain dump, it's time to organize. What are the primary topics and themes? Create a new document, label it with these categories, and then transfer the relevant chunks of information into bullet points under the appropriate headings. As you organize, you'll begin to see an outline taking shape. Each category morphs into a chapter, each bullet point into a lesson.

‍

Next, start rearranging the categories in a sequence that best facilitates your students' learning journey. This will also highlight any areas needing expansion or reduction. Each lesson should seamlessly build on the last, fueling anticipation and curiosity. Your aim is to imbue your students with a sense of continuous progress and accomplishment.

‍

With a satisfactory sequence in place, dedicate some time to delineate the learning objectives for each lesson. Knowing these will aid you when expanding these sections, as you'll have clarity on what to include.

‍

Don't fret over the section titles just yet. Once all your content is laid out, you'll have a clearer picture of what title will strike the right balance between captivating and informative.

‍

III. Providing Additional Resources:

Contextualizing Information:

Beyond the primary content, consider the larger context where your expertise exists. What supplemental resources could you provide to deepen students' comprehension and facilitate the application of their newly acquired skills? Whether it be pertinent articles, illustrative case studies, or hands-on exercises, aim to compile a rich array of additional materials to enhance their educational journey.

‍

With SocialGlow, incorporating these supplemental resources into your course is a breeze. You can effortlessly upload files such as .pdf, .jpg, .doc, .xml, and more. These attachments will appear as tidy, clickable links beneath the video lesson. Plus, you can add Action Items, essentially a to-do list, allowing students to tick off tasks as they complete their supplemental work.

‍

Exclusive Course Content:

While you may have a treasure trove of excellent content spread across multiple platforms, it's crucial to make the content of your course distinct and customized to your students' requirements. You want to create an environment where they feel they're gaining access to something uniquely crafted for their personal growth and progression. By maintaining the course's exclusivity, you enhance its value and showcase your dedication to its success.

‍

IV. Crafting Written Content:

Infusing Your Voice:

It's time to put your thoughts into words and write each lesson in your outline. As you write it out, it is time to embrace your unique voice and perspective. Share personal anecdotes, provide relatable examples, and express your passion for the subject. Remember, your students chose your course because they want to learn from you specifically, so let your personality shine through.

‍

Written Guidance:

Writing out exactly what you're going to say in your videos, instead of winging it, not only helps you come across as more prepared in your videos, but you can also add the transcript later on as another resource for your students—enhancing the value of their experience. Transcripts support different learning preferences. This thoughtful addition allows students to read along, take notes, and review the material at their own pace. Providing written guidance enhances the overall learning experience and ensures that students have a valuable resource at their fingertips.

‍

With SocialGlow, you can easily copy & paste the transcript you've written in this process section when setting your course. Once the course is saved, the transcript appears in an easy-to-find tab that your students can follow while watching the lesson video.

‍

V. Producing Engaging Videos:

Create Your Recording Space:

Lights, camera, action! Create a dedicated space for recording our videos. You want your videos to have a consistent background that matches your style.

Ensure that the lighting is flattering. Taking advantage of window lighting is a great way to enhance the experience.

Invest in a good microphone so your audio is crisp.  

‍

Practice & then start recording:  

Your written out lesson plan will become your video script. Make sure to read through and do practice runs that help you get into the practice of sounding more conversational and excited rather than just reading off a teleprompter. Having your written content appear spontaneous is a skill that will help inject personality and relatability. Remember, your enthusiasm and genuine passion will captivate your students and keep them returning for more.

‍

Polishing Your Course:

While we all strive for perfect recordings, a touch of editing can make a world of difference. It allows you to iron out errors, enhance audio quality, and embed visual aids such as slides or graphics to underscore crucial points.

‍

Establish a well-ordered folder system to house your raw footage, audio files, images, and other media assets. This tidy organization will be a time saver when hunting for specific files during editing.

‍

Once you've imported your footage into your editing software, commence by pruning extraneous parts from each clip. Remove any moments where you paused for thought or took a hydration break.

‍

Incorporate transitions between clips to ensure a smooth visual journey and sustain viewer interest. Employ effects to accentuate the content, such as overlays, text animations, or image zooms. However, use these sparingly to prevent them from stealing the spotlight from the main content.

‍

Include visual aids, like slides or screen recordings, to bolster your explanations and provide visual context. Sync these elements with your narration to foster a seamless learning experience.

‍

There's an array of online resources suggesting suitable editing software for beginners. Alternatively, you could invest in hiring a professional video editor. You'll ensure your videos project a polished, professional image by devoting time to post-production.

‍

That said, thorough script planning and careful content sequencing can minimize the need for intensive video editing. This approach is ideal for beginners uncertain about video production. Remember, video editing is a skill honed over time. Don't lose heart if your first attempts aren't flawless. Continually experiment, learn from tutorials, and solicit feedback to refine your editing prowess. With each new project, you'll gain confidence and enhance the quality of your course videos.

‍

VII. Uploading and Enhancing the Visual Experience

Once your videos are polished and primed, it's time to upload them onto your selected course platform, like SocialGlow. Make sure you're well-acquainted with the platform's specifications, ensuring your videos comply. By presenting your wisdom in a user-friendly format, you enable your students to kick-start their learning journey with ease.

‍

Creating Engaging Thumbnails

Don't underestimate the power of first impressions - they matter even post-purchase. Craft visually appealing thumbnails for each lesson to intrigue your students and give them a sneak peek of what lies ahead. Think of these thumbnails as enticing gateways into the reservoir of knowledge you've meticulously prepared.

‍

Choose a high-resolution still from your video that symbolizes the content or captures a visually engaging moment. Ensure the image is sharp, well-lit, and visually compelling.

‍

Highlight the central element or subject of your video prominently in the thumbnail. This could be a shot of you, a striking visual, or an intriguing scene that encapsulates the video's core message.

‍

Bold, vibrant colors tend to draw the eye. Play around with color combinations that either align with your branding or provoke emotions relevant to the video's content.

Think about adding text to the thumbnail for added context or to draw attention with an enticing title. Opt for a clear, legible font that enhances the thumbnail's overall aesthetic. Keep the text succinct and easy to read, ensuring it pops against the background.

‍

Aim for a consistent visual style across your thumbnails to foster a cohesive and recognizable brand identity. This can be achieved via color schemes, fonts, or graphic elements that harmonize with your overarching branding and video content.

‍

Bravo on crafting such irresistible content for your online course! By understanding your audience, injecting your unique personality, and structuring your course effectively, you've brought an unparalleled learning experience to life. But remember, this isn't the end of the road. Keep engaging with your students, actively seek feedback, and fine-tune your content for sustained success. Seize this chance to make a difference, letting your passion for teaching permeate every aspect of your course. Your students are poised to embark on this thrilling journey with you - let's make it memorable!

‍