Ep. 2974 - Q&A: “Where should I host my online course?”
Feb 21, 2025
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A history professor grapples with the decision of where to host his online course. The discussion reveals the trade-offs between popular platforms like Udemy and independent hosting options. Insights on attracting an audience for niche topics unfold, highlighting the delicate balance of reach versus control. Listeners are treated to valuable advice on maximizing revenue potential while maintaining creative control over their course content.
Choosing between established platforms like Udemy and independent services involves trade-offs between audience reach and control over course content.
Specializing in a niche topic enhances audience engagement and marketing effectiveness, making it crucial for online course creators.
Deep dives
Choosing the Right Platform for Online Courses
When deciding how to host an online course, it's essential to weigh the options between using established platforms like Udemy and more independent services such as Thinkific or Kajabi. Established platforms offer a built-in audience, which can help creators reach potential students who may not know about them otherwise. However, this comes at the cost of reduced control over course structure, pricing, and intellectual property, as creators must adhere to specific platform rules. On the other hand, independent platforms afford more autonomy, allowing course creators to maintain higher revenue and more flexibility in their marketing, but they require more effort to build an audience and handle logistics.
The Importance of Specialization
Specialization plays a crucial role in attracting a targeted audience for an online course, particularly when the subject matter is niche, such as a history course. Creators are encouraged to focus on a specific area within their expertise to stand out and connect with learners genuinely interested in that particular topic. Starting with a distribution platform can be beneficial for initial exposure, but as expertise and audience grow, transitioning to a more controlled platform could lead to increased revenue and a more personalized learning experience. Leveraging specialization not only helps in course design but also enhances marketing strategies, making it easier to engage with an audience that shares a passion for the subject.
In this episode, we help a history professor decide how to launch an online course. Should he use a big platform like Udemy or host it independently—and how can he attract an audience for a niche topic?
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