01-25-2019 06:51 AM - edited 08-21-2021 05:36 AM
Go to solution
Some version of this question is one of the most common by instructors so I thought I would write this, which is a summary of advice from many experienced instructors.
I have compiled a list of things you can or should do to market your course. None of these are short term or an instant path to riches. But, they are things that work if you are serious about building an online business on Udemy. Think strategically, not short term. It often takes a few years of effort to begin to make a significant return on your efforts.
The above is only my advice, but informed by the experience of many other successful instructors,
Larry Miller
Solved! Go to Solution.
10-25-2019 12:20 PM
Go to solutionover again until it is autamatic
04-18-2019 10:49 AM
Go to solutionVery well written. Thanks a lot for sharing.
04-24-2019 01:55 AM
Go to solutionThanks a lot Mr.Miller,
I will start working on your advice
Best regards
Vinod KJ
04-30-2019 04:58 PM
Go to solutionLOVE IT! thanks Larry! much appreciated- I do a lot of this already- but a few extra gorgeous gems in there that I hadn't thought of - thanks so much for sharing!
05-02-2019 02:49 AM
Go to solutionThank you for the guidance.
05-03-2019 10:53 PM
Go to solutionThanks for advice
05-31-2019 12:48 PM
Go to solutionExcellent post thanks for sharing
01-02-2021 11:44 AM
Go to solutionthanks for valuable advice
07-04-2019 03:20 AM
Go to solutionThis is really important information! Thanks for posting!
07-09-2019 07:31 AM
Go to solutionI would just add that Reddit is a great place to find people whose problems tiur course can help fix. I give people advice and feedback on Reddit every Wednesday. You get the odd troll but that's life online!
09-05-2019 01:31 PM
Go to solutionGood post Larry!
Agree with pretty much all your points; my takeaway: don't waste money on FB ads directly; also I appreciate the hindsight to only offer FREE coupons to those who have visited/liked our course-related Facebook page - great idea.
Thanks!
Susan
07-23-2020 02:28 PM - edited 07-23-2020 02:28 PM
Go to solutionHi Susan,
I am currently using Facebook ads and honestly it doesn't work. Although there have been hundreds clicks on my course's link but none of them purchase it!
Most of my students come from the affiliate marketing program.
Could you explain me any reason why FB ads don't work?
Or we cannot trust FB on the statistic number that they show us?
Many thanks.
10-15-2019 12:15 PM
Go to solutionI liked and very nice tips to consider during preparation of the course and after publishing.
Thanks alot for these points.
@LawrenceMMiller wrote:
Some version of this question is one of the most common questions by instructors on the old forum so I thought I would repeat it here for others to reference.
I have compiled a list of things you can or should do to market your course. None of these are short term or an instant path to riches. But, they are things that work if you are serious about building an online business on Udemy.
- First and most important BE an expert in your topic. Read, study, and demonstrate state of the art knowledge in your field. If you aren’t this… nothing else is likely to work.
- Be sure that your course landing page communicates your expertise… “Why should I listen to you?” And, be sure that your course landing page communicates the “benefits” of your course, not merely the “features” of your course. Customers buy benefits, not features!
- Remember that most of your future students will be on Udemy searching for something. That “something” are key words that they will put into the search bar. Think carefully about the key words your future students may be search for and be sure they are in your title and/or your subtitle. This is how students will find you.
- Your promo video is what catches students after they land on your page. Spend ten times the amount of time perfecting your promo video as you do on any other lecture. State the benefits of your course, your qualifications, and invite them to join you. These are more important than outlining all the topics (features) of your course. Also, remember that buying decisions are not simply “rational” decisions; they are emotional decisions, and that is about how you make them feel!
- Be your own “brand manager” and build your brand. Brands are built over time by building trust in your marketplace. Brand value is created by being trustworthy, creating consistent value for your customers, over time. The most successful instructors are focused on “marketing”, not just “selling.” Know the difference.
- Identify Facebook and LinkedIn groups related to your subject matter. Join them. Participate in discussion.
- Demonstrate expertise by publishing a blog/website with your biography, articles you have written, a page for your courses, and regular blog posts that are educational, value-adding posts. Google the names of some of the more successful instructors and you will find their personal websites.
- Then, share these blog posts or articles with all relevant groups on LinkedIn or FB. Your LinkedIn page should have articles by you, on your area of expertise. Prove that you are a “thought leader” in your field.
- Build your own email list be capturing visitors to your website. I use Sumo, but there are other WordPress plugins to do this… oh, use WordPress for your blog. You don’t have to be a web development expert to create a WordPress website.
- Your Udemy students are your own mail list in that you can send both educational and promo announcements. As you build the number of students there is a multiplying effect when you share what you write.
- Develop additional courses in your area of expertise. The more courses you have the easier it is to launch a new course by marketing to your current students.
- Obviously, do a great job of developing your on-camera presence and your courses. Engage in continuous improvement. Alexa Fischer’s Confidence on Camera course is excellent for improving your on-camera presentation skills.
- Develop a YouTube channel where you can upload the introductory lecture(s) to your courses and include a link, with a discount coupon, to your Udemy course.
- Develop a Facebook discussion page for your students and to publish articles (the same ones as on your blog page and LinkedIn page.
- Watch Scott Duffy’s course on Udemy SEO Marketing.
- It is a consensus of experienced instructors that paid Facebook ads do not work.
- Do not give away of free courses or thousands of free coupons. Those who take these coupons are not likely to go through the course and are likely to leave poor reviews. Give away a few free coupons to those on your personal FB page, those who know you, and may go through the course and may give a good review. This is something to do only at the first launch of a course.
- Do not even think about purchasing reviews!!! They are now spotted and removed by Udemy’s Trust and Safety group.
- Have patience… you are building a business and like starting any business, it is not a get rich quick thing. It takes patience and persistence. Udemy is not a path to quick riches and it is not “passive income.”
The above is only my advice, but they are informed by the experience of many other successful instructors,
Larry Miller
11-15-2019 10:49 PM
Go to solutionIt was really helpful especially for someone like me (beginner) and absolutely I'll will give them a try and find out the out comes. Because, without trying a strategy it will be too early to jump into conclusion.
Thank you Mr. Lawrence M. Miller
01-01-2020 06:24 AM
Go to solutionNice one! Thanks for sharing
02-08-2020 05:49 AM
Go to solutionThank you. I am new here and for someone like me, these are highly valuable suggestions. Thank you so much for taking the time to share this with the community.
02-08-2020 06:02 PM
Go to solutionnice; and, also, if I could add: don't let One course determine the feasiblity of your teaching efforts. Have a couple of courses on--before, you panic!
02-08-2020 06:15 PM
Go to solutionThank you. Yes, I am already developing my next course.
02-14-2020 10:02 AM
Go to solutionOne of the best advice I have got now .. Thanks a lot, how come I haven't read this since and to think I almost made a mistake .. Thank you sir more new tips you have learnt will go a long way ..
02-23-2020 08:12 AM
Go to solutionThank you Lawrence for sharing all these poins in detail
03-18-2020 09:10 AM
Go to solutionThank you so much.
04-06-2020 06:23 PM
Go to solutionLawrence, I just had my course published on Udemy and your post is the first I'm reading in the Instructor Club. I am ready for a highly successful launch and I very much appreciate your recommendations, particularly the insight about "free" and coupon use. Thanks so much!
Dianne Collins, Creator of QuantumThink®
04-18-2020 02:38 AM
Go to solutionThank you
04-19-2020 12:34 AM
Go to solutionDefinitely, it was a great post and you are awesome. Thanks
04-21-2020 11:12 AM
Go to solutionThese are great advices
Thank you so much
04-27-2020 06:13 AM
Go to solutionwonderful suggestions Dear Larry
i have just started 2 days back and was trying to send a message through announcements but could not find thw way.
Can you help me fix the issue. I am not sure its activated to me or not?
with best & Kind Regards
Oh one more question I could find price of Camptasia $100 at some page of Udemy How can I buy this software through Udemy
God bless you Sir
04-27-2020 10:10 AM
Go to solutionI don't know the answer to either of these questions.
You can always contact support@udemy.com for help.
08-21-2020 07:53 AM
Go to solutionThanks for this post
04-30-2020 12:37 PM - edited 04-30-2020 12:39 PM
Go to solutionJust at the right time for me. Many thanks
05-19-2020 01:43 PM
Go to solutionGreat advice here, thanks Lawarence for sharing. I will definately be applying these marketing tips.
05-25-2020 07:52 AM
Go to solutionthis is really informative. thanks.
05-27-2020 07:21 PM
Go to solutionHi Lawrence,
Very well written and to-the-point post. Thanx a lot for sharing.
I got my first course published a day ago. Though I have offered a few discounted coupons to people I know might show interest of learning, however, I feel I need access to students from all over. Creating a separate FB/LinkedIn Page part is also done where I am now sharing links to my course. But till now course got 0 reviews and in the search list too it's not easily found. I a, very much worried and I fear that if my course won't be seen to students coming on Udemy, how are they going to enroll for it?
03-30-2024 01:38 AM
Go to solutionHello Piyush
Don't worry too much about the reviews.
When I published my course to Udemy, I had similar problems of anxiety.
Udemy still stands to be the best platform for both teachers and learners from my experience.
Keep on advertising your course and your day will come.
05-29-2020 02:09 AM
Go to solutionto be honnest, I found most of what you said a total waste of time. I have no idea why so many people here clapped their hands.
You find tones of exactly the same banalities on the net, just do a google search 😞
05-29-2020 04:28 PM
Go to solution@Cristi S. I wrote the original message a couple years ago, to be helpful to new instructors. I didn't write to win applause from you or anyone else. Obviously, it was helpful to a good number of new instructors. If it wasn't helpful to you, that is fine.
Perhaps you can share your own more brilliant and creative ideas that have helped you be a successful instructor.
06-15-2020 01:06 PM
Go to solutionThanks for this.
I recently just published my first course featuring a Games Writer, 3 students so far. Just wondering how I could increase sign-ups. It's about Narrative Design and Games Writing.
06-24-2020 04:12 PM
Go to solutionThank you for sharing this is a very informative post. I have been doing several Facebook adds and I have been battling with whether they work or not.
@LawrenceMMiller wrote:
Some version of this question is one of the most common by instructors so I thought I would write this, which is a summary of advice from many experienced instructors.
I have compiled a list of things you can or should do to market your course. None of these are short term or an instant path to riches. But, they are things that work if you are serious about building an online business on Udemy. Think strategically, not short term. It often takes a few years of effort to begin to make a significant return on your efforts.
- First and most important BE an expert in your field of knowledge. Read, study, and demonstrate state of the art knowledge in your field. If you aren’t this… nothing else is likely to work.
- Be sure that your course landing page communicates your expertise… “Why should I listen to you?” And, be sure that your course landing page communicates the “benefits” of your course, not merely the “features” of your course. Benefits are how this course will personally benefit me. Customers buy benefits, not features!
- Remember that most of your future students will be on Udemy searching for something. That “something” are key words that they will put into the search bar. Think carefully about the key words your future students may be searching for and be sure they are in your title and/or your subtitle. This is how students will find you.
- Your promo video is what catches students after they land on your page. Spend ten times the amount of time perfecting your promo video as you do on any other lecture. State the benefits of your course, your qualifications, and invite them to join you. These are more important than outlining all the topics (features) of your course. Also, remember that buying decisions are not simply “rational” decisions; they are emotional decisions, and that is about how you make them feel!
- Be your own “brand manager” and build your brand. Brands are built over time by building trust in your marketplace. Brand value is created by being trustworthy, creating consistent value for your customers, over time. The most successful instructors are focused on “marketing”, not just “selling.” Know the difference.
- Identify Facebook and LinkedIn groups related to your subject matter. Join them. Participate in discussion.
- Demonstrate expertise by publishing a blog/website with your biography, articles you have written, a page for your courses, and regular blog posts that are educational, value-adding posts. You can see mine at ManagementMeditations.com. It is only one possible model, but I am sure there are better ones. Google the names of some of the more successful instructors and you will find their personal websites.
- Then, share these blog posts or articles with all relevant groups on LinkedIn or FB. Your LinkedIn page should have articles by you, on your area of expertise. Prove that you are a “thought leader” in your field.
- Build your own email list be capturing visitors to your website. I use Sumo, but there are other WordPress plugins to do this… oh, use WordPress for your blog. You don’t have to be a web development expert to create a WordPress website.
- Your Udemy students are your own mail list in that you can send both educational and promo announcements. As you build the number of students there is a multiplying effect when you share what you write.
- Develop additional courses in your area of expertise. The more courses you have the easier it is to launch a new course by marketing to your current students.
- Obviously, do a great job of developing your on-camera presence and your courses. Engage in continuous improvement. Alexa Fischer’s Confidence on Camera course is excellent for improving your on-camera presentation skills.
- Develop a YouTube channel where you can upload the introductory lecture(s) to your courses and include a link, with a discount coupon, to your Udemy course.
- Develop a Facebook discussion page for your students and to publish articles (the same ones as on your blog page and LinkedIn page.
- Watch Scott Duffy’s course on Udemy SEO Marketing.
- It is a consensus of experienced instructors that paid Facebook ads do not work.
- Do not give away of free courses or thousands of free coupons. Those who take these coupons are not likely to go through the course and are likely to leave poor reviews. Give away a few free coupons to those on your personal FB page, those who know you, and may go through the course and may give a good review. This is something to do only at the first launch of a course.
- Do not even think about purchasing reviews!!! They are now spotted and removed by Udemy’s Trust and Safety group.
- Have patience… you are building a business and like starting any business, it is not a get rich quick thing. It takes patience and persistence. Udemy is not a path to quick riches and it is not “passive income.”
The above is only my advice, but informed by the experience of many other successful instructors,
Larry Miller
06-26-2020 12:08 PM
Go to solutionThank you so much ! I needed this 😄 God bless
06-27-2020 02:53 PM
Go to solutionThanks Larry for these very helpful tips. I'm going to put some into practice and see better results.
07-02-2020 10:30 PM
Go to solutionGreat advice, that helped a lot as I have been making courses for the last 3 years and there are a couple of things you mentioned that I haven't been doing 🤙🏽
07-03-2020 08:10 AM
Go to solutionGoodone.. thought provoking and indeed useful..
07-06-2020 01:31 AM
Go to solutionSuperb article. Thanks a lot. I really needed those information.
08-06-2020 07:38 AM
Go to solutionThank you - just got my first course approved today! I have a lot to learn and I know that marketing is one of my weakest areas - so thank you so much for this!
08-08-2020 02:35 AM
Go to solutionWow, Sir! Thanks
08-12-2020 09:39 AM
Go to solution08-13-2020 05:39 AM
Go to solutionGreat. Thank you for Sharing.
09-01-2020 12:34 PM
Go to solutionHi Larry,
Thank you so much. It is great to get this kind of information.
Marty!
09-09-2020 08:20 AM
Go to solutionThanks a lot Lawrence for this amazing list. Very kind. of you. GOD BLESS
09-15-2020 10:04 AM
Go to solutionVery valuable advices.
09-16-2020 12:47 AM
Go to solutionDear @LawrenceMMiller ,
Read every point clearly and thoroughly. Well explained and as a new instructor, learnt and understood many things to take care while creating our further courses.
Thanks,
Aadi Puttaswamy
Founer, iTech Analytic Solutions
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