3 Mistakes To Avoid When Starting An Online Course
So, you’ve decided to create an online course? That’s fantastic! 🎉 Welcome to a world where your knowledge can reach students worldwide, all from the comfort of your home (in pajamas, if that’s your thing). But before you dive into recording your first module, let's make sure you sidestep a few of the biggest mistakes that could send your course spiraling into chaos. Trust me, I've seen it all.
Creating an online course is more than just dumping knowledge into a series of videos. It takes planning, strategy, and—most importantly—avoiding these three common pitfalls that many first-timers fall into. Ready to set yourself up for success? Let’s break down the top three mistakes so you can steer clear of them from the start. Oh, and don’t worry, we’ll sprinkle in some laughs along the way.
Mistake #1 - Skipping the outline
You know that saying, “Fail to plan, plan to fail”? It applies big time when it comes to building a successful online course. One of the biggest mistakes newbies make is diving headfirst into content creation without a clear outline—or worse, without even knowing what they want to teach in the first place.
Think of your course outline like the GPS for your journey. Without it, you’ll just end up driving in circles, and so will your students. A clear outline helps you organize your thoughts, ensures your modules flow logically, and gives your students a roadmap for success. It’s like building the skeleton before you add all the muscle and skin.
Humor aside, I once had a client who jumped straight into filming videos without any plan. He had great energy but soon realized the lessons were all over the place—more like a Netflix binge session gone wrong than a coherent course. By the end, his students were as lost as he was!
Pro Tip: Start with a simple structure:
Introduction
Key concepts or lessons broken into manageable modules
Clear takeaways and assignments to reinforce learning
Having a solid course outline will save you time, energy, and keep your students engaged from start to finish.
Mistake #2 - Overloading with content
It’s tempting to squeeze every single ounce of knowledge you have into your course. You’re passionate about the subject, and you want to share all the details. But here’s the truth: more is not always better.
Overloading students with information is like trying to fit the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy into a single lecture. Sure, it’s epic, but you’ll probably lose your audience halfway through. Instead of impressing them with your encyclopedic knowledge, you’ll end up overwhelming them to the point of no return.
Keep it simple. Focus on the most crucial lessons your students need to walk away with. Break the information into bite-sized, manageable pieces. Not only will your students absorb the material better, but they’ll also feel more motivated to keep going.
Quick Story: I once reviewed a course where the instructor tried to teach the history of everything. Spoiler alert: the course was six hours long, and the drop-off rate after the first hour was brutal. It’s like ordering a buffet when you only have room for one plate—save the second and third helpings for future courses. 😉
Pro Tip: Aim for clarity and brevity. Cut out the fluff, and focus on practical, actionable lessons that students can apply immediately. You can always offer deeper dives in future courses or bonus modules.
Mistake #3 - ignoring student engagement
Creating a course isn’t just about you sharing your knowledge; it’s also about making sure your students are engaged and interacting with the material. Unfortunately, many course creators overlook this crucial element, thinking that as long as they’re delivering content, students will automatically follow along. Spoiler alert: they won’t.
Think of it this way—your course should feel less like a one-man show and more like a conversation. If students aren’t engaging (whether it’s through quizzes, discussions, or assignments), they’ll likely zone out and stop halfway through your course. Worst case? They might never finish at all.
Case in point: I once had a client who crafted an online course that was packed with great information but didn’t offer any way for students to interact with it. The result? Students felt like they were attending a never-ending lecture. Engagement was low, and course completion rates dropped like a stone.
Pro Tip: Add interactive elements to your course, like quizzes, discussion forums, or assignments that encourage students to apply what they’ve learned. This keeps them interested, active, and coming back for more. Your students are way more likely to complete the course (and recommend it to others) if they feel involved.
The bottom line
Starting an online course is exciting, but it’s easy to fall into some common traps. Remember to always plan your course with a clear outline, avoid overloading your students with too much information, and prioritize student engagement to keep them hooked. If you can dodge these three mistakes, you’ll be on your way to creating an online course that’s both effective and enjoyable for your students.
Need help crafting the perfect course? Or maybe you're just not sure where to start? Book a free consultation with me today, and let's chat about how I can help you turn your knowledge into a course that shines!
