In today’s digital learning era, creating and selling online courses is a powerful way to share knowledge and earn passive income. If you want to create an online course and make money, platforms like Udemy, Teachable, and Coursera offer excellent tools to help you design, publish, and market your course to a global audience.
Whether you’re an expert in coding, digital marketing, photography, or personal development, this guide will walk you through how to create and sell your own online course — with examples and best practices for each platform.
Step 1: Choose the Right Platform
Before you create your course, choose a platform that fits your goals:
Udemy: Best for beginners looking for a large audience. Udemy handles marketing but takes a 50% share from organic sales.
Teachable: Ideal for creators who want full control and branding. You keep 100% of the revenue (minus transaction fees).
Coursera: Best for institutions or professional educators. Invitation and approval are required.
Example: If you’re an individual instructor new to online teaching, Udemy is the easiest to start with. If you want full branding and control, Teachable is your best bet. If you’re working with a university or organization, Coursera is ideal.
Step 2: Identify Your Course Topic
Choose a topic you’re passionate about and skilled in. Research what learners are looking for.
Tools to Help:
- Google Trends – to check course demand
- Udemy Marketplace Insights – to view top-performing courses
- Quora or Reddit – for niche-specific queries
Example: If you’re a web developer, you might consider a course like “React.js for Beginners” or “Full-Stack Development with MERN Stack.”
Step 3: Plan Your Course Content
Structure your course into logical parts:
Introduction – Set learner expectations
Modules or Sections – Divide your topic into manageable parts
Lessons – Break each section into short, digestible content (5–15 minutes)
Quizzes/Assignments – Add interactive elements to enhance learning
Sample Course Outline
Course: Learn Digital Marketing from Scratch
- Section 1: Introduction to Digital Marketing
- Section 2: SEO Fundamentals
- Section 3: Social Media Marketing
- Section 4: Google Ads Basics
- Section 5: Email Marketing Strategy
- Section 6: Final Project + Certification
Step 4: Record High-Quality Videos
Your videos should be clear, well-edited, and professional.
Tips for High-Quality Video:
- Use a good microphone (e.g., Blue Yeti, Lavalier mic)
- Record in a quiet, well-lit space
- Use screen recording tools like OBS Studio, Camtasia, or Screencast-O-Matic
Editing Tools:
- DaVinci Resolve (Free)
- Filmora
- Adobe Premiere Pro
Pro Tip: Keep videos short, engaging, and focused. Add subtitles and clear visuals for accessibility.
Step 5: Build and Upload Your Course
Udemy:
- Sign up at Udemy.com
- Click “Teach on Udemy” and start creating your course
- Upload videos, set pricing, and publish after a basic review
Teachable:
- Sign up at Teachable.com
- Create a school, customize branding
- Upload your curriculum, set pricing plans, and launch
Coursera:
Coursera requires an invitation and is best suited for institutions. Apply via their Coursera Partner Program.
Step 6: Set Pricing and Monetization
Udemy Pricing:
- Suggested range: $19.99 to $199.99
- Revenue is split 50/50 if sold through Udemy’s marketplace
Teachable Pricing:
- You choose: free, one-time payment, subscriptions, or payment plans
- No revenue cut (except transaction fees)
Coursera Pricing:
- Determined by Coursera and the institution
- Often free to audit, with paid certification
Step 7: Promote Your Course
Regardless of the platform, promotion is essential for success.
Promotion Strategies:
- Share on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook
- Create a YouTube channel with related content
- Offer coupon codes and early bird discounts
- Build an email list using Mailchimp or ConvertKit
- Launch a blog with SEO-optimized articles
Example: Create a free eBook or host a webinar to collect emails and offer your course at a discount to early subscribers.
Step 8: Optimize for SEO and Engagement
Make your course discoverable and engaging.
SEO Tips:
- Use keywords like “Beginner,” “Certification,” “Complete Course,” or “2025”
- Write clear course titles and descriptions
- Add tags and categories for visibility
On Udemy and Teachable:
- Use compelling copy in course titles and introductions
- Include strong visuals and captions
Step 9: Gather Reviews and Improve
Positive reviews help build trust and boost rankings.
Tips:
- Ask early users to leave honest reviews
- Offer small incentives like free downloads or bonus material
- Continuously update your content based on feedback
Step 10: Scale Your Success
Once you find success with your first course, it’s time to grow.
Ways to Scale:
- Create course bundles
- Launch a membership or subscription model (especially on Teachable)
- Collaborate with other instructors
- Repurpose content for blogs, YouTube, or eBooks
Final Thoughts
Creating and selling online courses on platforms like Udemy, Teachable, or Coursera can be a fulfilling and profitable venture. With proper planning, great content, and consistent marketing, you can build a strong brand and reach thousands of learners worldwide.