How Much Can You Make Selling Online Courses?

How much money can you really make by selling online courses? Many people wonder if teaching online can bring in good income. Creating and selling courses online has turned into a major source of income.

In a report by Global Market Insights, the online learning market was valued at over $250 billion in 2020.

Experts predict it will grow even more, making it a good time for course creators to take advantage of this opportunity. Some teachers and creators have earned thousands per month, while others have made steady earnings by reaching the right audience.

How To Calculate Revenue For Your Online Course

Revenue = (Visitors × Conversion Rate) × Price of Course

To find out how much money you can make from your online course, it’s important to know not just the price and number of students, but also how many people visit your course page and how many of those visitors actually buy the course. This is where the conversion rate comes in.

Formula for Conversion Rate:

Conversion Rate = (Number of Buyers ÷ Number of Visitors) × 100

For example: If 50 out of 1,000 visitors buy your course, the conversion rate would be

Conversion Rate = (50 ÷ 1,000) × 100 = 5%

Adjusting for Discounts or Fees:

If you offer a discount or use a platform that takes a fee, the final revenue might change.

For example: If you offer a 20% discount, so your course price drops to $120. Using the same 100 buyers, your revenue would be

Revenue = 100 buyers × $120 = $12,000

Factors That Affect Your Potential Revenue

You will have to consider a lot of factors that affect your potential revenue when you sell online courses.

Course Price

The price you set for your course has an impact on your potential earnings. You should decide on a price based on the depth of your content and worth the value. It should be somewhat similar to the cost of similar courses.

If your course offers a lot of detailed information or has extra features like downloadable resources, you can charge a higher price.

On the other hand, a basic course or shorter course might need a lower price to appeal to more people.

Traffic to Course Page

How many people visit your course page plays a big role in how much you can make. The more visitors you have, the more likely you are to make sales. You can increase traffic by promoting your course regularly, creating valuable free content, and growing your online presence.

Social media, blogs, and email lists are common ways to bring people to your course page. Running ads can also help you reach more visitors if you want quicker results.

Discounts and Offers

Offering discounts or special promotions can boost sales, but they might lower your earnings per sale. While a lower price can attract more buyers, you need to balance it with your overall goals. If the price drop leads to more students, it can still result in higher overall revenue.

You might also offer bonuses, such as extra content or resources, to encourage more people to buy without lowering the price.

Platform Fees

If you choose to sell your course through a platform, there may be fees that reduce your earnings. Some platforms take a percentage of each sale. If you sell on your own website, you keep more of the money, but you’ll also need to handle the technical side of things, including marketing and payments.

Each of these factors affects your potential revenue. By working on each one, you can boost your chances of making more from your online course.

Is Selling Online Courses Profitable?

Yes, selling online courses can be profitable if you plan carefully and put in the effort. Online courses provide a great business opportunity for digital creators. With growing demand, many people are ready to pay for valuable learning experiences.

  1. Low upfront costs: You do not need a large investment to start. Creating course materials can be done with basic tools. Platforms for hosting courses are often affordable or even free.
  2. Unlimited sales potential: You can sell your course to as many people as possible without needing to create it again. Once your course is live, there are no limits on the number of buyers.
  3. Flexible pricing: You have control over the price of your course. You can charge based on the value of your content, giving you the option to set high or low prices depending on your audience.
  4. Passive income
    Once your course is live, it can bring in money without much ongoing effort. You only need to update the content occasionally or answer student questions.
  5. Various platforms to sell on
    You can use popular platforms like Udemy, Teachable, or sell on your own website. Each option allows you to reach different audiences and potentially increase sales.
  6. Marketing helps increase sales
    If you promote your course well, you can boost sales. Social media, email lists, and ads can drive more visitors to your course page.
  7. High demand for online learning
    Many people want to learn new skills, making online courses a popular option. If you create a course on a topic people are interested in, you are more likely to make sales.
  8. Multiple earning methods
    You can offer coaching, live webinars, or other services along with your course. These extra services can increase your overall earnings.

Increasing the Value of an Online Course

  1. Offer downloadable resources
    Include worksheets, guides, or templates that students can use outside the course. These extras can make the course more useful.
  2. Add real-life examples
    Show practical examples that students can relate to. This helps them apply what they learn to real situations.
  3. Include quizzes or assessments
    Quizzes or short tests help students check their progress. This adds more interaction and helps them stay engaged.
  4. Offer live Q&A sessions
    Host live sessions where students can ask questions in real-time. This personal touch adds more value to the learning experience.
  5. Give feedback on assignments
    Offer personalized feedback on any assignments or projects students submit. This helps them improve and feel more supported.
  6. Offer different course formats
    Provide video lessons, audio files, and text-based materials. This allows students to learn in the way that suits them best.
  7. Add certificates of completion
    Give students a certificate once they finish the course. This adds a sense of achievement and can be valuable for their career or education goals.

Conclusion

Revenue from an online course can vary depending on the price, number of students, conversion rate, and traffic to your course page.

A well-priced course, with the right promotion and a good conversion rate, can bring in a significant amount of money.

Each of these factors works together to determine how much you can earn from your online course.