When I first transitioned from a high school classroom to the world of online education, I thought I had it all figured out. After all, teaching is teaching, right? Well, not exactly. I quickly learned that while the core skills of being an educator—explaining concepts, breaking down complex ideas, and keeping learners engaged—are essential, the medium of online courses comes with its own unique challenges.
Creating an engaging online course isn’t just about throwing content onto a platform and calling it a day. It’s about understanding your audience, crafting a narrative, and delivering value in a way that keeps learners hooked. Along the way, I’ve made plenty of mistakes (like my infamous first attempt, which was basically a glorified PowerPoint presentation) and learned some valuable lessons. Here’s how I turned those lessons into success—and how you can do the same.
Where It All Began: My First Online Course Flop
Let me take you back to my very first attempt at creating an online course. I was brimming with excitement and convinced that my teaching background gave me an edge. The topic? Productivity tips for professionals. The execution? A disaster.
I recorded hours of dry, lecture-style videos where I talked at the camera with no visuals, no interactivity, and absolutely no enthusiasm. I uploaded the course to a platform, hit “publish,” and sat back, waiting for the flood of enrollments and glowing reviews. Instead, I got… crickets. The few students who did sign up didn’t finish the course, and the feedback was painfully honest: “Too boring,” “hard to stay engaged,” and “not worth the price.”
At first, I was crushed. But instead of giving up, I treated it as a learning experience. I realized that creating an engaging online course required more than just transferring classroom lessons to a digital format—it required rethinking how I delivered value to my learners.
Lesson 1: Know Your Audience Inside and Out
One of my biggest mistakes was assuming I knew what my audience wanted. I had chosen a topic that I found interesting but didn’t take the time to understand my learners’ needs, pain points, or goals.
For my second course, I started by surveying my potential audience. I asked questions like:
- What challenges are you facing?
- What skills do you want to learn?
- What formats do you prefer for learning?
The insights I gathered were eye-opening. For example, I discovered that many of my potential students wanted shorter, actionable lessons they could fit into their busy schedules. Armed with this information, I was able to tailor my course content to meet their needs.
Lesson 2: Craft a Story, Not Just a Curriculum
In my first course, I approached the content like a textbook: structured, informative, and painfully dry. What I didn’t realize was that online learners crave connection, and one of the best ways to create that connection is through storytelling.
For my second attempt, I started each module with a personal story or real-world example. For instance, when teaching a lesson on time-blocking, I shared how I once double-booked myself for a webinar and a family dinner and ended up eating pizza in the car while trying to connect to Wi-Fi. The students loved it. Suddenly, I wasn’t just a faceless instructor—I was someone they could relate to.
Lesson 3: Make It Interactive
One of the most powerful lessons I learned was that passive learning doesn’t work in the online world. In a classroom, you can rely on eye contact, body language, and real-time feedback to keep students engaged. Online, you have to work harder.
Here’s what I added to my courses to make them interactive:
- Quizzes: Short, fun quizzes at the end of each module to reinforce key concepts.
- Worksheets: Downloadable resources that allowed students to apply what they learned.
- Discussion Boards: A space for students to ask questions and share insights with each other.
These elements transformed my courses from passive lectures to active learning experiences.
Lesson 4: Keep It Visual
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that people love visuals. My first course was a monotonous string of me talking into the camera. By my second course, I had discovered the magic of slides, graphics, and animations.
For example, when teaching about goal setting, I created a colorful, easy-to-follow roadmap graphic that broke the process into steps. Not only did this make the content more engaging, but it also helped students retain the information better.
Lesson 5: Build a Community
One of the unexpected joys of online education has been building a community around my courses. Initially, I thought students would sign up, watch the videos, and move on. But I quickly realized that learning is a social experience, and creating opportunities for connection makes a huge difference.
I started hosting live Q&A sessions where students could ask questions and interact with me in real time. I also created private groups where students could network, share progress, and cheer each other on. The sense of camaraderie these communities fostered was incredible—and it kept students coming back for more.
Practical Tips for Creating an Engaging Online Course
If you’re thinking about creating your own online course, here are some actionable tips based on what I’ve learned:
- Start Small: Focus on a specific topic and build from there. Trying to cover too much can overwhelm your students.
- Invest in Quality Tools: You don’t need Hollywood-level production, but a good microphone and basic editing software go a long way.
- Prioritize Engagement: Think about how you can make each lesson interactive, whether through quizzes, challenges, or group discussions.
- Get Feedback: Ask your students what they liked and what could be improved. Use their feedback to refine your course.
- Focus on Outcomes: Always ask yourself, “What value am I delivering?” Your course should help students achieve a specific goal.
Why This Journey Matters
For me, creating engaging online courses isn’t just a business—it’s a way to connect with people and make a difference. Every time I hear from a student who says, “This course changed the way I approach my work” or “I finally feel organized for the first time in years,” it reminds me why I do this.
Turning my classroom teaching experience into a thriving online education business has been one of the most rewarding journeys of my life. And if I can do it—with all the mistakes and missteps along the way—you can too.
