When creating an online course to sell there are two major challenges. First, you have to create a course worth buying. This requires market research and crafting your value statement in a way that resonates with your audience.

The second major challenge is getting customers. Specifically, marketing your course.

When you market anything online there isn’t just one way to do it.

You should have multiple approaches to your marketing efforts all running at the same time – but not too many as you don’t want to get stretched to thin.

You may find that in the beginning you have various strategies:

• Networking on LinkedIn
• Blogging and article writing
• Facebook Ads
• Google Adwords
• Posting in forums
• Purchasing ad-space on related websites

If possible I would advocate this approach initially, especially during the early phases of your course. You should measure the impact of each channel so as to gain a better idea as to what works with your audience.

For example, after 30-60 days you may see that Facebook and forums are generating the most leads. You can then cut out the other items and focus more resources on the avenues that work.

The secret to marketing is that there is no secret. It takes a lot of trial and error. You will never know if something works for you unless you give it a shot.

The most important thing is that you try something. If your budget is tight then you may need to work your way up to paid ads. Pick the methods that require a little more “elbow grease” like content marketing and solid SEO practices.

As you start to sell some courses you can then reinvest in other methods.