What Makes an Online Course Successful?
Want to Create a Kick-Ass Online Course?
March 9, 2022
Simple Ways to Choose the Right Online Course Title
May 25, 2022
This is a BIG question … and one we’re asked many times while working with clients. I wish I could tell you there is a perfect recipe to follow. Often the answer is "it depends." It depends on the subject matter, it depends on the audience, or maybe it depends on the modalities you're using to teach the course (or all the above). The great news is I can share with you what key ingredient you must have to create a great online course. I'm also going to provide you with some examples of courses that do an amazing job implementing this!
The key ingredient is ENGAGEMENT! Without student engagement it would be extremely difficult to classify a course as great or successful.
By definition, to engage is to occupy, attract, involve, or participate or become involved in something.
In an online course this can be described as a "Learn/Do" process, action, or framework. Students are not only learning by reading, listening and/or watching … they are actively taking part in the course. They are applying what they are learning. Why should you care if they are applying what they're learning? Here are few important reasons:
It increases the student's retention rate.
It helps keep students actively focused.
It provides reinforcement and a sense of instant accomplishment when you allow participants to practice and apply what they’re learning as they move through the course materials.
Now we know what the special sauce is … and we know why it's an important ingredient! I'd like to introduce you to some PHENOMENAL friends of mine, tell you how they’ve created engagement in their courses, and why I consider their courses to be successful! As a long-time course creator, I usually have a hard time just being a student. It's difficult not to also evaluate a course while I'm taking it; however, with the courses I'm using as models I can honestly say I just find myself immersed in the experience which means I'm totally, 100% "engaged"!
First, meet Andi Eaton and Nadia Bullock! These beautiful, magnificent ladies started Seachangers, which "offers a sacred space for women to unite and design a future where they live on their terms with passion and purpose." It's a collective community with a monthly membership, courses, co-working sessions and more. I've been a student in many of their courses but I'm going to highlight one in particular: The Opulent Shift. This is a 90-day hands-on mentorship course where you'll create your own strategy following their unique Seachanger Method. You can learn more about the program and all their offerings at seachangerscollective.com!
Let's review some of the ways they utilize engagement in this course:
- 1:1 and 2:1 coaching sessions
- Group strategy sessions with meditation & breathwork
- 1 monthly Women's Circle
- Access to their other courses and resources
- Group breakout sessions
- Unlimited questions to Nadia & Andi via dm group for 90 days
- A robust workbook that guides you through the process
Through every step of this course there are journal and reflection prompts, in-class exercises, homework activities, opportunities to collaborate with others in the program, and lots of access to Andi and Nadia. It is truly a unique, exciting, and fulfilling experience! You are learning so much from them and others and about yourself during the process and always excited for the next step, the next live session, the next chance to work with the rest of the group!
As instructors and mentors, they put so much of themselves in this course … they are invested in you as part of their community … they are invested in engaging their students.
Next up is Courtney Thomas, a beautiful soul! She is the founder of The Bodhi Effect and a brilliant Mindfulness Coach and Kundalini & Meditation instructor. Courtney offers coaching, programs, workshops, and access to The Bodhi Effect Virtual Studio for a huge library of online yoga & meditation in-demand classes. I've worked with Courtney in 1:1 intuitive coaching sessions that were beyond inspirational. She truly helped me identify and face my limiting beliefs and gave me courage to take inspired action. I've also taken her programs. I'm going to highlight her Manifest YOU program today, but you can learn more about all she offers at thebodhieffect.com! Manifest YOU is a 21-day online course "that sets the groundwork for you to manifest the life you desire."
Courtney builds in engagement in various ways:
- Daily emails with instructions, methods, and more
- Self-paced video lessons that include questions & reflection prompts so you can communicate with her on your progress
- Encouraging students to develop daily movement and meditation practices
- The option to add 1:1 sessions
- Support from Courtney and other manifesters
- Guided meditation & breathwork
- Guided Kundalini practices
- In-depth course workbook with prompts for daily journaling activities
Courtney is a gifted instructor who puts her heart and soul into her programs. She has such a calming presence and offers you encouragement at just the right times. Her programs are thoughtfully organized and designed with her ideal audience in mind!
While they've used various techniques in their courses, they have the following common elements that are also critical to success:
They are showing up authentically, encouraging collaboration, and supplying multiple ways to engage.
They are building relationships with their students and nurturing those relationships in many different formats (e.g., course, social media, etc.).
I'm sharing these examples and the ways these talented and lovely women are engaging students not only to showcase what makes an online course a success, but also to inspire you to find ways to incorporate engagement in your courses too! TLC has implemented the E4 Instructional Design System™ and we share this method & process with our clients. This emphasizes the importance of ensuring your courses engage, educate, entertain, and empower your audience.
Here is a short list of other engagement techniques you can consider to teach/share/engage:
Integrating a "live" component
Chat/SMS Text feature
Homework
Group work
Journal prompts
Reflection prompts
Break-out sessions
Collaboration on private forum
1:1 coaching
Exercise uploads for review, sharing, or grading
Email
Apps like Telegram, Clubhouse, etc.
Podcasts with way like, share, comment
Surveys
Follow-up evaluations
You need to find what works for you and your audience and implement it … don’t worry about what others are doing. Your program is unique and the way you inspire your students to "learn and do" should be unique too! We love to collaborate on engagement techniques … shoot us a DM @creative.tlcmediadesign and let's chat about options!
