Are you ready to start earning from your expertise and become a course creator? The first crucial step is creating your online course. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about how to create your first online course, including planning, recording, and uploading your course to a platform like Kajabi.

Why Creating an Online Course Is More Than Just a "Quick Cash Strategy"

While some people promote the idea of “getting rich quick” by creating a course with AI and posting it on Instagram, most of us in the course creation world know this approach doesn’t work long-term. True online course creation requires strategy, quality, and genuine value for your students.

In this blog post, I’ll walk you through the three essential steps to build a course that generates real impact and income:

1. Planning Your Course
2. Recording Your Course
3. Uploading Your Course to an Online Platform

Step 1: Planning Your Online Course

Planning is the foundation of successful online course creation. Here are some key factors to consider:

• Identify your target audience: Who is your ideal student? Understand their pain points and what they’re seeking to learn.

• Define the course outcome: What transformation will your course provide? Focus on a clear result that students can achieve after completing your course.

• Outline your course content: Break the material into digestible modules and lessons. Structure it logically so students can easily follow the steps toward their goal.

• Incorporate engagement: Keep students motivated by adding quizzes, worksheets, or activities. Engagement drives completion rates, which in turn boosts student satisfaction.

Step 2: Recording Your Course (Presentation Options)

Now that you’ve planned your course, it’s time to record. There are several presentation formats to choose from, each offering a unique way to engage with students:

• Video only (face-to-camera): This option creates a personal connection and can build trust with your students.

• Presentation with a video window: Share your screen with presentation slides while also appearing in a small video window. This is great for courses with a lot of visuals or tutorials.

• Voice-over slides: Speak over your presentation slides without appearing on camera. This is ideal if you’re camera-shy or if the visuals are more important than your presence on-screen.

👉 The Easy Way to Record YouTube Videos: A Step-by-Step Guide for Efficient Video Production

Why I Recommend Presentation with a Video Window

For most course creators, I recommend using a presentation with a video window. It provides a professional learning environment and minimizes distractions, while downloadable slides enhance the learning experience. This format also works well for students who prefer audio-only lessons while on the go.

Step 3: Uploading Your Course to an Online Platform

With your course recorded, it’s time to upload it to a course creation platform. I highly recommend Kajabi, which is an all-in-one solution for uploading your course, managing your students, and handling payments.

Kajabi offers a free 14-day trial, which you can try out here. This gives you time to get familiar with the platform and set up your course.

When uploading your course, follow these steps:

• Organize modules and lessons: Make sure your content is structured in a way that flows logically from one lesson to the next.

• Include downloadable resources: Worksheets, PDFs, or slides help students retain the information and refer back to key concepts.

• Set up pricing and payment options: Decide whether you’ll offer a one-time purchase, subscription, or membership access to your course.

Bonus Tip: Promote Your Course

Once your course is live, it’s time to promote it! Use email marketing, social media, and SEO strategies to drive traffic. I recommend linking to your course in every blog post or YouTube video to keep a steady stream of students signing up.

Conclusion

Creating your first online course takes time, but by following these three steps—planning, recording, and uploading—you can successfully launch a course that showcases your expertise and helps your audience achieve real results.