Passive Income with an Online Course That Sells

Creating online courses that sell isn’t just about sharing knowledge—it’s about solving problems and delivering life-changing transformations. If you’ve ever dreamed of building an e-learning business that generates passive income for years to come, you’re in the right place. I’ve used the following strategies to scale and grow my own online course business and now, it’s your turn to learn how to do the same.

Let’s dive into the step-by-step process to create online courses that sell:

1. Know the Transformation Your Online Course Will Provide

Every successful online course starts with a clear understanding of the transformation it will deliver. Think about it: if someone is willing to pay for your e-learning program, they’re not just buying information—they’re buying a solution to a problem.

For example, if you help people grow their Instagram account, the transformation might be: “Go from 0 to 10,000 engaged followers in 90 days.” The problem your audience has is clear: they don’t know how to grow their Instagram. Your online course is the roadmap to solve that problem and you are now an online trainer.

Action Step: Ask yourself, “What specific result will my students achieve after taking this online course?” Write it down in one sentence.

2. Identify the Problem Your Audience is Facing

Once you know the transformation, you need to understand the problem your audience is struggling with. This is the pain point that will drive them to seek out your online course.

Here’s a pro tip: Go to Google and type in the exact solution your ideal customer would be searching for.

For example, if your online course is about growing an Instagram account, your audience might be typing things like:

• “How to get more Instagram followers”

• “Best Instagram growth strategies”

• “How to go viral on Instagram”

  
  

These search terms are golden! They tell you exactly what your audience is looking for and they form the foundation of your online course content.

Action Step: Spend 10 minutes on Google searching for the problem your audience is facing. Write down the top 5 phrases they’re likely searching for.

3. Create a Freebie That Solves a Small Piece of the Problem

Everyone likes free! Create a freebie. This will become the gateway to your online course. It’s a small but valuable piece of content that solves a tiny part of your audience’s problem. This could be a checklist, a cheat sheet, a short video tutorial, or a PDF guide.

Using the Instagram example, your freebie might be: “5 Proven Strategies to Double Your Instagram Followers in 30 Days.”

This freebie does two things:

1. It builds trust by providing immediate value.

2. It positions you as the expert who can help them achieve the full transformation.

   
   

Action Step: Create a simple freebie that addresses one specific aspect of your audience’s problem. Use the search terms you found on Google to guide your content.

4. Build Your Online Course Around the Transformation

Now that you know the problem and the transformation, it’s time to know how to write an online course. As an online course designer, you should create a step-by-step roadmap that takes your students from where they are now to where they want to be.

Design your online course into modules that logically flow from one to the next. Each module should solve a specific piece of the problem and bring your students closer to the transformation.

For example:

• Module 1: Optimizing Your Instagram Profile for Growth

• Module 2: Creating Content That Engages and Converts

• Module 3: Mastering Instagram Reels to Go Viral

• Module 4: Building a Community of Engaged Followers

  
  

Action Step: Outline your online course modules based on the steps required to achieve the transformation. Keep it simple and actionable. Build it on a free LMS platform like Virtual Pro Learn (VPL).

5. Launch Your Online Course and Put It on Autopilot

Once your online course is created, it’s time to launch it. A successful launch involves building anticipation, creating urgency, and delivering value. But here’s the best part: after your launch, your e-learning program can run on autopilot and earn you passive income! Autopilot is passive income which is money in the bank!

I haven’t live-launched one of my online courses in over two years, and it still makes sales every single day. That’s the power of creating an e-learning program that solves a real problem—it continues to sell long after the initial launch. You continue to make money as you sleep.

Action Step: Use email marketing, social media, and a sales funnel to promote your online course. Once it’s live, focus on driving traffic and let the course do the rest.

6. Scale and Grow by Solving the Next Problem

Once your first online course is successful and you've become an online trainer, it’s time to think about how to scale and grow. Ask yourself: “What problem does my audience now have after taking this e-learning program?”

For example, if your first online course was about growing an Instagram account, your next course might be about monetizing that audience. This creates a natural progression for your students and opens up new revenue streams for you, adding to your ability to earn even more passive income.

Action Step: Survey your existing students to find out what problem they’re facing next. Use their feedback to create your next online course.

Final Thoughts

Creating online courses that sell is all about understanding your audience’s problems and delivering a clear, actionable solution. By following these steps, you can create an e-learning program that not only sells but continues to generate passive income for years to come.

Remember, the key to success is taking action. Start by identifying the transformation your online course will provide, and build from there. If you’re ready to scale and grow your e-learning business, the time to start is now. VPL allows you to start a free trail to build your online course so there isn't even any financial risk.

Here’s to your success! 🚀

P.S. If you found this post helpful, share it with someone who’s ready to scale and grow their own e-learning empire!