003: How to choose your course niche

niche online course podcast Sep 20, 2023

Finding Your Profitable Online Course Niche

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Are you thinking about creating an online course but don't know what it should be about? Don't worry--you're not alone! Choosing your online course niche can feel intimidating.

Maybe you have zero ideas and feel like you aren't qualified to teach anything, or maybe you have way too many ideas and can't decide what to choose. In this episode, we're going to walk through the four steps that will help you land on the perfect, profitable niche for your online course.

Step 1: Brainstorm your passions, skills, and experiences

We're going to start with a brainstorming session. Grab a sheet of paper, divide it into three columns, and start writing down your thoughts.

In the first column, list things you're passionate about--your hobbies, interests, and the stuff you'd chat about with your friends. If you had some free time, what would you choose to do? Maybe it's baking, playing an instrument, or gardening--write it all down.

The second column is for your skills and knowledge. Don't sell yourself short--you're probably more skilled than you think! Think about your current or past jobs, your educational background, any certificates you've earned, or even special skills you've honed over the years.

Finally, in the third column, write down your life experiences. What challenges have you faced? What have you overcome? Maybe it's something like divorce, weight loss, organizing a chaotic space, or navigating the ups and downs of parenting a toddler.

Step 2: Assess profitability factors

Now that you have your three columns filled in, let's talk about profitability. It's likely that not everything on your list would be a profitable online course, so it's time to start crossing things off.

Here are three profitability factors to consider:

1. Does it solve a need vs. a want?

Can your chosen niche address a need? Needs are things that relate to money, health, or relationships. If the things on your list are a "want" right now, could you find a way to turn them into a need? A small change could make a big impact on the outcome for your students!

2. Are others successful?

Do some research to see if someone else has succeeded in this niche. If someone else has found success, that means people are willing to pay for help in this area. And just because there's competition doesn't mean you can't thrive too. Your unique approach, personality, and teaching style can set you apart.

3. Do people actually want this?

Are people actively searching for solutions in your niche? Use tools like Ubersuggest.com or AnswerThePublic.com to see what people are searching for on the internet. If people are asking questions on the internet, then there's probably a demand for an online course on this topic.

Step 3: Find the sweet spot

Now, it's time to balance what you're excited about and profitability. You want to be passionate about what you'll be teaching for the next few years, but you also want it to make sense financially.

Think about whether you enjoy the topic, know enough about it, and can see yourself building a business around it. Don't choose a topic you hate or don't have the appropriate credentials to teach just because it would be profitable. Choose something that you care about, that you know (or can learn) enough to teach about, and that will also earn money for you and your family.

Step 4: Make sure it's measurable

Finally, make sure your chosen topic has a measurable course outcome. Potential students need to know what specific results they can achieve by taking your course. If you ask one of your students whether they were successful after taking your course, they should be able to say "yes" or "no" because the outcome of the course is so clear.

For example, learning how to knit, learning how to use Google Analytics, getting children to sleep through the night, or having less fights with a spouse--these are all clear, measurable outcomes. Either these things were achieved or they were not achieved.

Things like "improving your life" or "becoming a better parent" are too vague and can't be measured. If your course outcome sounds something like this right now, think about how you can make it more specific.

Once you've completed these four steps, trust your gut and choose your online course niche. Remember, you don't have to be an expert; you just need to be one step ahead of your students. You can always learn more and get better as you go.

Ready to take the plunge and start teaching your passion? Embrace the process, find your niche, and get ready to make a real impact with your online course! And if you still need some inspiration, check out our list of 100 Profitable Online Course Ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

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