12 Time Saving Ways to Promote Your Course

Launching a course is exciting, but promoting it? That can feel like a whole other challenge. You’ve heard the usual advice “build an audience, start a podcast, grow your social media…” 

But let’s face it you need results now, not in a year! If you’re looking for quick, simple ways to promote your course without feeling swamped, you’re in the right place.

Here are 12 easy strategies to start promoting your course today without burning yourself out!

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1. Repurpose Your Online Course Content Materials

Repurposing your content is one of the easiest and most efficient ways to promote your course. You’ve already created the materials, so let’s make them work harder for you! 

Here’s how you can repurpose your course content:

Webinars

A webinar is one of the most effective ways to build trust and authority while giving your audience a sneak peek at what your full course has to offer. Here’s how to repurpose your content into a compelling webinar:

• Choose a Module: Pick a particularly valuable or high-impact module from your course to serve as the foundation for your webinar. You can teach part of it live or offer insights that leave your audience wanting more.
• Free or Paid?: You can offer your webinar for free to build your email list or charge for it to monetize right away. A free webinar is an excellent lead magnet that gives potential students a taste of your teaching style.
• Add a CTA: At the end of the webinar, invite participants to enroll in the full course. Since they’ve already seen the value you provide, they’re more likely to invest in the complete program.

Social Media Snippets

Let’s face it…people love quick, digestible content on social media, and your course is full of it! Here’s how to repurpose it for platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or LinkedIn:

• Short Video Clips: Pull out key moments or lessons from your course and turn them into 30- to 60-second video clips. Share them on Instagram Reels, TikTok, or YouTube Shorts. These platforms love short, attention-grabbing content, and these clips will leave viewers wanting to learn more.
• Quotes and Tips: Pull out one-liners or key takeaways from your lessons and turn them into shareable text posts or carousel slides on LinkedIn or Instagram. Add relevant hashtags to increase visibility.
• Teasers for Longer Content: Show sneak peeks or highlights from your course to build intrigue. These bite-sized snippets are perfect for keeping your course top of mind for your followers.

You can also read more about How to Create a Content Repurposing Strategy by clicking here.

Infographics & Graphics 

Not everyone has time to watch a video or read a long post, but everyone loves a good infographic! Here’s how to repurpose your course material into attention-grabbing visuals:

• Key Points as Infographics: Simplify complex ideas from your course into an easy-to-follow infographic. Infographics are perfect for sharing on Pinterest, LinkedIn, or Twitter, where people love visually rich content that explains things clearly.
• Step-by-Step Processes: If your course teaches a specific process or method, break it down visually into easy-to-understand steps. Create a series of graphics or an infographic that walks users through these steps, teasing what they could fully learn by taking your course.
• Quotes and Highlights: Turn key quotes or student testimonials into sleek, shareable graphics. A strong visual paired with a meaningful quote can work wonders for sparking interest.

2. Create a Launch Calendar Focused Solely on Promotion

A well-thought-out launch calendar ensures you stay consistent and organized when promoting your course. It will help you in staying organized and building momentum around your course. It also breaks down your promotional efforts into manageable, strategic steps, so you’re not scrambling at the last minute.

Here’s how to set one up:

Step 1: Pre-Launch, Build Anticipation

The pre-launch phase is all about creating buzz and anticipation for your course before it officially drops. You want to warm up your audience and get them excited about what’s coming. 

This phase can last anywhere from 2-6 weeks, depending on how much hype you want to generate.

Teasers and Sneak Peeks: Give your audience a taste of what’s to come! Share behind-the-scenes content like a look at your course creation process, snapshots of modules, or exclusive sneak peeks of lessons. You could even release short teaser videos or free downloads related to your course topic to get people curious.

Blog Posts & Social Media Content: Start publishing content related to your course to educate your audience and build authority in your niche. For example, if your course is about productivity, post helpful blog articles or social media tips around that theme. Subtly link these posts back to your course without giving too much away just yet.

Email Teasers: If you have an email list (and you should!), send out teaser emails that hint at the course launch. Share how your course will solve a big pain point or fill a gap your audience has been struggling with. Maybe even drop a countdown timer in your emails to build excitement.

Step 2: Launch Week, Go Big!

Launch week is all about going all-in and getting as many eyes on your course as possible. This is where your calendar really kicks into high gear with a coordinated series of actions designed to create urgency and excitement. Here’s how to crush it during launch week:

Promotional Emails: Schedule a series of well-timed emails to announce your course, explain its benefits, and drive sales. Ideally, you’ll send at least 3-5 emails throughout launch week, including a final reminder just before your special launch offer expires.

Social Media Posts: Plan multiple posts across all your platforms—Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn—to announce your course. Use a mix of promotional graphics, behind-the-scenes videos, and direct CTAs. Don’t forget to use stories, Reels, and live features to reach even more people!

Live Events: Host live Q&A sessions, webinars, or even Instagram/Facebook Lives to connect with your audience in real-time. This is a great way to address any questions or concerns, demonstrate the value of your course, and generate excitement. These events help create a sense of community around your course.

Countdowns and Timed Offers: Nothing builds urgency like a countdown! Include timers in your emails or on your course page to remind people that your launch offer (think early bird pricing or special bonuses) is limited-time only.

Step 3: Post-Launch, Keep the Momentum Going

Just because launch week is over doesn’t mean the promotion stops. In fact, the post-launch phase is crucial for picking up those late buyers who might need a little more convincing. Here’s how to maintain that momentum:

Share Testimonials and Success Stories: Start showcasing feedback from the early students or beta testers. Real-life testimonials provide powerful social proof and can tip the scales for those who are still on the fence about buying.

Highlight Student Wins: If you’re able to, share how your first students are benefiting from your course. Maybe they’ve achieved some early results or completed the first few modules with glowing feedback. Sharing these stories helps potential buyers visualize their own success with your course.

Offer Limited-Time Bonuses: Keep the energy alive by offering limited-time bonuses after the official launch, like an exclusive coaching session or bonus material for those who enroll in the next few days.

Follow-Up Emails: Send follow-up emails to your list with success stories, additional information, or even answers to common objections that may have prevented them from enrolling during the initial launch.

A strong post-launch push can often bring in as many (or more) sales than the actual launch week!

3. Tease Your Course to Your Email List

If you have an email list, use it to build anticipation for your course. People on your list are already interested in what you have to offer, so teasing them about your upcoming course is a no-brainer:

• Share sneak peeks like behind-the-scenes content or snippets from the course.
• Drop hints about the problems your course will solve.
• Use personal stories or case studies to show how the course can transform their lives.
• Send out a series of countdown emails leading up to your course launch, creating urgency and excitement.
• Offer your email subscribers special pricing or bonuses that won’t be available to the general public.
• Share fun or relatable content about how you’re preparing for the course launch, such as setting up your workspace or finalizing the modules.
• Invite your email list to a live webinar or Q&A session where you answer their burning questions and give a preview of what the course will cover.

This gets your audience excited before you officially launch, making them more likely to buy when the time truly comes.

4. Create a Waiting List

A waiting list helps build urgency and demand for your upcoming online course. It gives you a clear idea of how many people are genuinely interested in signing up, which can help you better prepare for the launch. Knowing that you already have a group of eager participants can provide a boost in confidence and even give you insights into the level of interest in different aspects of your course.

A waiting list creates a sense of exclusivity. People love feeling like they’re getting special treatment, and by offering early access or bonuses to those on the waitlist, you can foster that feeling. It also triggers a psychological effect, scarcity. When potential customers see that there’s a list, they understand that spots are limited, which can increase their urgency to sign up before it’s too late.

Also, it primes your audience for the launch by making them feel like they’re a part of something exciting before it even begins. Regular updates, sneak peeks, or exclusive content sent only to those on the waitlist add to that feeling of being “in the know.” By the time your course officially opens, your waitlist audience is already warmed up and ready to buy, increasing the chances of conversion.

5. Add a Course Page to Your Main Website

Your course should have a dedicated page on your website where potential buyers can learn everything about it. Make sure the page is easy to navigate and find, either through your main navigation menu or as a prominent link on your homepage. 

This page should include:

A Detailed Course Description

Your course description should clearly outline what your course is about, why it’s valuable, and how it addresses the needs of your audience. This is your chance to communicate not just the “what” but the “why” . Why should they care, and what makes your course different from others? Use clear, engaging language to spark interest and excitement.

What They’ll Learn (Outcomes and Transformations)

This section is where you highlight the concrete results students can expect from your course. Don’t just list topics; focus on the transformation they’ll experience by the end. 

For example, instead of saying, “You’ll learn time management,” say, “By the end of this course, you’ll master time management techniques that will allow you to take control of your schedule and increase your productivity.” Make it clear what students will walk away with and how it will improve their personal or professional lives.

Pricing Options

Clearly display the price of your course (everyone hate it when others don’t display the price!!), but also offer flexible payment plans if possible. Pricing is often a big deciding factor, so breaking down the price into smaller, manageable payments can encourage more sign-ups. If you offer any special pricing, like early-bird discounts or tiered packages with added bonuses, make sure that information is easily visible.

Student Testimonials

Social proof is incredibly powerful. Include testimonials from past students who can vouch for the value of your course. Real-life feedback helps build trust and shows potential buyers that others have benefited from your material. If possible, feature a mix of written and video testimonials for maximum impact. 

Information About Bonuses or Additional Resources

Sweeten the deal by highlighting any bonuses or extra resources you offer with the course, such as workbooks, templates, access to a private community, or live Q&A sessions. Clearly list these perks so potential students can see the added value they’ll get from purchasing your course.

6. Offer a Module as a Freebie

Offering a free module is like giving a free sample…it shows potential students the value of your course and builds trust. People are more likely to commit to a purchase if they know what they’re getting. 

This freebie can also be used as a lead magnet to grow your email list. Once they’ve experienced one module, they’ll want the rest!

7. Guest Podcasting

Don’t have time to start your own podcast and promote your course? Of course you don’t, No worries! You can guest on existing podcasts in your niche. Podcasting is an effective way to reach new audiences. Find podcasts that align with your course topic and pitch yourself as a guest. 

When you’re featured, you can:

1. Share valuable insights from your course.
2. Mention your course during the conversation.
3. Direct listeners to your course page for more information.

This is a low-cost, high-impact way to promote your course without needing to build an audience from scratch.

8. Add Bonuses

Everyone loves getting extra value! Adding bonuses to your course can make it even more appealing. Consider offering:

• Exclusive worksheets or templates.
• A private community or group coaching.
• Live Q&A sessions or bonus videos.
• Access to guest expert interviews.
• One-on-one coaching session.
• Access to tools or software

Bonuses provide additional reasons for people to buy, especially if they’re on the fence.

9. Get Referral Partners

Referral marketing is powerful because it taps into word-of-mouth trust. Reach out to referral partners like influencers, coaches, or other business owners who share your audience but aren’t direct competitors. Offer them a commission or incentive for each person they refer who enrolls in your course. This allows you to reach a wider audience without doing the heavy lifting yourself.

10. Ask YouTubers and Bloggers to Review Your Course

Influencers in your niche can help you reach new audiences by reviewing your course. Reach out to YouTubers and bloggers who cover topics related to your course and offer them free access in exchange for an honest review. Their audience trusts their recommendations, and a positive review could drive more sign-ups.

11. Showcase Reviews and Testimonials

Social proof is key when it comes to promoting your course. Share reviews and testimonials from students who’ve already taken your course.

When you share testimonials, you’re offering potential students a glimpse into the real, transformative experiences others have had. It allows them to picture themselves succeeding in the same way, easing any doubts or fears they may have about investing in the course.

12. Get a Speaking Gig

Speaking at industry events (even virtual ones) positions you as an expert in your field. Reach out to event organizers for conferences, webinars, or summits and pitch yourself as a speaker. Choose a topic that aligns with your course so you can naturally mention it during your presentation. After you’ve wowed the audience with your expertise, direct them to your course lead magnet or it could be directly to your course landing page.