Simple Ways to Choose the Right Online Course Title
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If you're thinking about (or already in the process of) creating an online course or offer this is for YOU! While it may not be as hard as naming a child, puppy, or your business, choosing the best title for your course can be tricky. It also requires keeping your audience in mind and some research.
Should it be clever or catchy? Should it be direct and obvious? How can you make your course/offer stand out? We have some info, tips, and tools that will help you generate the "right" title for your offer. Remember, these are guidelines not rules. There are always exceptions so I say ... know the rules (or guidelines in this case) and learn how to break them when you need to!
Tip 1: When Clever and/or Catchy Work
If you have a large email list and/or a large following on social where your ideal people are already familiar with what you do you can definitely make "clever & catchy" titles work in your favor. However, keep in mind, this is assuming your ideal people are also your target audience for this new course offering. If you're going after a different audience it may be best to hold off on this type of title.
In most cases, even if you have lots of followers & subscribers you'd still like to add to your growing list. If this is true then try not to make the title so ambiguous that new people can't figure out what the course topic is. At the very least, make sure newbies would be intrigued by the name to learn more!
And don't forget the power of 2 or 3 when creating a title. Here are some examples:
- Eat, Pray, Love
- Pride and Prejudice
- The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
- Wine and Cheese
- Smarter, Faster, Better
Pick two or three key components or features of your course that you want to highlight. Play around with how you can come up with a memorable title that includes these elements.
Tip 2: When Direct and Obvious Are Better
If you are trying to build a list, gain followers, and/or market your offer to a cold or new audience you may see better results with a title that is apparent. Use a title that conveys the main topic or goal/outcome of your course. Remember, at this point your marketing to the "masses" or your niche. Be clear and concise. You can add clever & catchy in other places.
Like mentioned in Tip 1, you can also try creating 2 or 3 elements that help describe your course. The key here is to remember your marketing strategy and make sure your choices are still evident.
Tip 3: Don't Overlook the Power of Subtitles
You can easily select a title that clearly describes your course ... yes, it may not seem as sexy but it is noticeable. You can add in the sexiness, excitement, and catchiness in your subtitle. Use it everywhere to help market your course, product, or offer! Subtitles are especially powerful when you include results buyers can expect. Take a look at a few simple examples below:
- Master 10 Steps to Beautiful Shots Every Time in Just 4 Hours!
- Create Amazing Courses that Produce Powerful Impacts, Engage Students, and Provide Measurable Results!
- Everything you need to start your business, from planning to landing clients quickly!
Notice something in common? These subtitles talk about results students can expect after they complete the program. This is a dynamic marketing message you should certainly take advantage of for your own offer.
Tip 4: Use SEO Keywords
You'll likely be promoting your offer via blogs, social posts, ads, and a sales page. SEO will help your course show up in search results and they definitely play a huge role in your promotions. Include your main key phrase in your course title. Then blast it everywhere else to help with rankings. It also improves the odds that potential buyers will see your ads and "click" to learn more about what you're offering.
Tip 5: Create a Stunning Sales Page
This is where you can include all the juicy stuff about your course/offer. You can link to it in all your marketing, from your website, and more. Your sales page doesn't have to be fancy or difficult and time-consuming to create. But it does need to be detailed. It should be well-designed. It should include pain points your audience may be experiencing and how you're going to provide them help. It should include what they're going to learn, how the course is structured, and what results they can expect after completion. Most importantly, include your "BUY NOW" button above the fold and towards the bottom. People who already know they want to purchase or make a quick decision will appreciate having immediate access to purchase as soon as they access your page. Others may want to read all the details of your offer and will end with an option to purchase. Make it easy for them!
Before we move on to some tools you can use for generating titles, let's just touch on a few key things to remember:
- Keep your title short & sweet
- Make it something that is easy to remember and say out loud
- Ensure it's relative to the course ... nothing too ambiguous
- Be specific and creative (especially in your subtitles)
- Use strong, clear words and phrases to grab attention
- Know and remember who your intended audience is -- write for them
- Course titles/subtitles should spark interest
Things to Try
Other things you can try are using online name generators. There are an overwhelming number to choose from and we found most aren't great for actually generating course titles but depending on your course topic you may achieve better results. Here are a few you can check out if you're interested:
Google Keyword Planner (BONUS: This allows you to do more research including number of searches conducted on your keywords, competition for using the word(s), and more.)
Business Name Generator
WeShare Course Name Generator
Another option is using power words in your title and subtitle. Power words help you make a strong connection with potential clients. These words can also help you generate a title people can't resist checking out. Here are some lists you can reference:
The Complete List of Power Words
Positive Power Words List
Your course title is an important component in creating and selling your online course. Following the tips we've provided will help you not just quickly generate a title, but the "right" title for the people that are out there waiting to buy your course.
If you know someone else who could benefit from this information please feel free to share and show us some LOVE! Have a great week and talk soon!
