How to Sell Video Courses Online The Right Way

In recent years, video courses have surged in popularity as an effective way to deliver engaging and interactive online learning experiences. With advancements in technology and the increasing demand for flexible education options, video courses have become a preferred medium for both educators and learners. In this article, we’ll explore the nuances of selling video courses online and provide valuable tips and resources to help you succeed in this fast-growing industry.

Why are video courses so popular?

Video courses offer a multitude of advantages that make them highly sought after by learners. Just think how many times you have flipped open YouTube and typed in “How to….”.

Engagement: Video content has the power to captivate learners by integrating visual, auditory, and textual elements, creating a multi-sensory learning experience. One of the reasons delivering video content is so engaging is because many of us have been conditioned by social media platforms like YouTube, Instagram and TikTok to engage with video.

Flexibility: Video courses provide flexibility in terms of when and where learners can access content, allowing them to learn at their own pace and convenience. Online learners can rewatch, pause and take notes all while sitting on the couch enjoying a nice glass of ice tea.

Improved Retention: Studies have shown that learners are more likely to retain information presented in video format due to its dynamic and immersive nature.

Demonstration and Examples: Videos can effectively demonstrate complex concepts, processes, or practical skills through real-life examples, enhancing understanding and application.

To tap into the popularity of video courses, it is essential to understand how to create compelling videos and select the right platforms for hosting and publishing your content.

How to create the videos for your video course?

Scripting and Planning: Start by creating a clear outline for your video course, breaking it down into coherent modules or lessons. Prepare a script or outline for each video, ensuring a logical flow of information. Be sure to checkout our article: Foolproof Formula for a Great Course Outline.

Equipment and Setup: Invest in good-quality equipment, including a camera with high resolution, a microphone, and appropriate lighting. Choose a quiet and well-lit location for filming. Be sure to checkout our resource list.

Engaging Presentation: Be confident, enthusiastic, and engaging on camera. Use visuals, graphics, animations, and live examples when necessary to enhance the learning experience.

Video Editing: Use video editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro, ScreenFlow, Camtasia or iMovie to enhance the visual appeal of your videos. Edit out any mistakes, add captions or subtitles, and create a polished final product. Also don’t forget to add an intro video to brand your video.

Resource for Learning Video Creation: For comprehensive guides and tutorials on video creation, checkout Sean Cannell from ThinkMedia, an expert in video creation. He has a ton of tips and tutorials for creating awesome video.

Where do you host your video course videos (free platform vs paid hosting)?

Choosing the right hosting platform for your video course is critical to ensure a smooth viewing experience for your students. You have two options: free platforms or paid hosting services.

Free Platforms: Platforms like YouTube or Vimeo offer free hosting options, making it an attractive choice for those on a tight budget. However, free platforms may come with limitations like ads, limited control over privacy settings, and a lack of customization options. Also keeping your videos private so that access is limited to those who purchased the course is pretty much impossible with these types of platforms.

Paid Hosting Services: Paid hosting services, such as AWS S3 or Digital Ocean are much better options. However, these are only video hosting platforms to serve your videos which means you need a platform to sell and display your videos in an online course format. We highly recommend AWS S3.

Where do you publish your video course (WordPress vs. Service)?

After creating your video course, you need to decide where to publish it. Two popular options are WordPress with an LMS plugin or a paid service like Kajabi.

WordPress with LMS Plugin: WordPress, combined with a powerful LMS plugin like WP Courseware, offers a powerful solution for publishing and selling your video courses. It provides tons of customization options, flexibility in course structure, and integration with other WordPress plugins and themes.

Paid Services: Paid services like Kajabi offer an all-in-one platform for course creation, hosting, and marketing. These services often provide intuitive course builders, customizable templates, marketing features, and analytics. However, they may come at a higher cost compared to self-hosted solutions. Also, you really need to be cautious when using these platforms as you may not technically own your content. Be sure to read the terms and conditions before you use a platform like this.

The choice between WordPress with an LMS plugin versus a paid service ultimately depends on your specific needs, budget, and technical expertise. In any case you will want to take a closer look at WordPress + WP Courseware for a more budget friendly option with unlimited customization options.

How do you protect your videos from being shared across the internet?

Protecting your videos from unauthorized sharing is a concern for many course creators. While it is impossible to completely prevent piracy, there are measures you can take to mitigate the risk.

Video Watermarking: Add a visible watermark to your videos, which makes it more difficult for unauthorized sharing to go unnoticed.

Restricted Access: Implement restricted access by hosting your videos on a platform that allows you to limit viewership to registered users enrolled in your course. Wistia offers this type of service, however, their video hosting platform is not very budget friendly.

Signed and Expiring Video URLs: Consider using signed and expiring URLs with AWS S3. These URLs are set to expire with in a specified time limit and will not work once they expire. S3 Media Maestro is the perfect solution which integrates your WordPress website with Amazon Web Services. S3 Media Maestro gives you the ability to upload your videos to AWS S3 and serve up your videos with signed and expiring URLs to prevent internet sharing.

Monitoring and Enforcement: Regularly search for unauthorized copies of your videos online and issue takedown notices. Utilize digital rights management (DRM) services to monitor and prevent unauthorized distribution. This is much easier said than done.

Selling video courses online offers an exciting opportunity to share your expertise with a global audience and generate income. By understanding the appeal of video courses, creating high-quality videos, choosing the right hosting and publishing platforms, and implementing video protection measures, you can establish a successful online course business. Remember, no strategy is foolproof, and staying vigilant against unauthorized sharing is always ongoing process. We wish you the best of luck on your video courses. Remember if you have any questions, feel free to drop us an email.