Are you considering creating a course on Udemy but aren’t sure where to start? In this short post, I’ll walk you through the four steps that’ll help you choose the perfect course topic and title that will resonate with your audience and help you succeed on Udemy.
Before we jump in, you might want to read about my overall course strategy with Udemy because I have a slightly different approach from others.
Step 1: How to Choose a Course Topic
Picking the right topic for your course is the foundation of your success on Udemy. To help you make the right decision, you’ll need to look at three key aspects: Interest, Experience, and Market.
1. Interest: What Are You Passionate About?
Start by identifying what topics genuinely interest you. These can be subjects you enjoy talking about, activities you love doing, or things you regularly read or consume. Your interest doesn’t have to be an all-consuming passion; it’s about finding something you genuinely like and want to explore further.
2. Experience: What Do You Know?
While you don’t need to be an expert, having a level of experience in the chosen topic is crucial. You should have enough knowledge to share valuable insights with your audience. People tend to trust instructors who have proven expertise in the subject matter.
3. Market: Is There Demand?
Consider whether there’s an active market for the topic you’re considering. Are people searching for courses on this subject? Check Udemy’s Marketplace Insights tool to gauge the demand. Courses that solve problems or address specific needs tend to perform well.
Finding the Sweet Spot
The intersection of your interest, experience, and a viable market is the sweet spot for a successful course. When all three factors align, you’re more likely to create a course that resonates with your audience and leads to better engagement and sales.
Optional Criteria for Success
While the three main criteria above provide a solid foundation, there are three additional optional criteria that can enhance your chances of success:
1. Job or Business Relevance: If your course aligns with a professional career or business, it can lead to speaking engagements, career advancement, and more.
2. Corporate Focus: Udemy has enterprise clients who might subscribe to your course if it caters to corporate needs. This can lead to more visibility and revenue.
3. Evergreen Topic: Choose a topic that remains relevant over time, reducing the need for constant updates due to changing trends or technologies.
Step 2: Narrowing Down Your Course Topic
Once you’ve identified a general topic, it’s time to narrow it down. This step involves focusing on your audience and the specific outcome you want to provide them.
1. Audience: Who Are You Teaching?
Define your target audience. Instead of aiming for a broad demographic, identify a more specific subset of people who will benefit the most from your course. This makes your content more relevant to a smaller audience.
2. Outcome: What Will Your Audience Gain?
Think about the outcome you want to deliver. How will your course transform your students’ lives or skills? Finishing the sentence “My course will help the <target audience> with <this outcome>” can clarify your direction.
Examples of Narrowing Down Topics
General Topic: Team Communication
Narrowed Topic: Help remote teams communicate effectively via email
General Topic: Book Publishing
Narrowed Topic: Assist US-based full-time employees in writing and publishing their first book on Amazon
By defining your audience and outcome, you’re crafting a clear path for your course’s content and purpose.
Step 3: Leveraging Market Insights & Analytics
Understanding your market is crucial for creating a successful course. This section will introduce you to various methods for researching and analyzing your market using both subjective and objective approaches.
1. Subjective Methods: Scratching Your Own Itch
Look at problems you’ve encountered in your field and how you can provide solutions. Consider the questions people ask you frequently, as they indicate areas of interest and need.
2. Objective Methods: Data-Driven Research
Utilize Udemy’s Marketplace Insights tool, which provides valuable data about student demand, competition, and conversion rates for specific topics. Explore the top search keywords, conversion rates, and enrollment sources to gain insights into your chosen field.
3. Analyzing Competitor Courses
Study successful courses on Udemy and other platforms like LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, and Skillshare. Analyze their reviews, ratings, and content to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement.
4. Google Trends and Keyword Planner
Use tools like Google Trends and the Keyword Planner to identify search trends and popular keywords related to your topic. This can help you optimize your course title and content for better search engine visibility.
5. Amazon Books Research
Research books related to your course topic on Amazon. Analyze their ratings, reviews, and table of contents to gather ideas for your course content and structure.
Step 4: Crafting an Effective Course Title & Subtitle
Your course title and subtitle play a crucial role in attracting potential students. Follow these guidelines to create a compelling title that captures attention and accurately represents your course.
1. Focus on Keywords
Start with a focus keyword that reflects your course topic. Incorporate this keyword into your title, subtitle, and URL for better search engine optimization.
2. Maximize Characters
Make the most of the available character limits for the title (60 characters) and subtitle (120 characters). Utilize relevant keywords and phrases to provide a clear overview of your course’s value.
3. Explain the Outcome
Clearly state the outcome your course offers. Potential students should know what they’ll achieve after completing your course.
4. Define the Audience
Specify the target audience your course caters to. This clarity helps potential students identify if the course is right for them.
5. Grab Attention
Consider adding a creative or attention-grabbing element to your title. This could be humor, intrigue, or an enticing promise.
6. Incorporate Keywords
Include additional keywords from your research in your subtitle. This enhances your course’s visibility on both Udemy and search engines.
By following these steps, you’ll create a compelling title that accurately represents your course’s value and entices potential students to enroll.
If you’d like to learn more, check out “Create & Sell an Online Course on the Side” to learn how to publish bestselling courses on Udemy