How to guide your participants step by step to their goal
Do you want your customers to not only buy from you, but also become true fans?
To achieve this, you need a quality online course , and it is only as effective as its course structure!
There is a fine line between boredom and excessive demands when it comes to online courses. To ensure that your work is rewarded in the end, it's a good idea to think carefully about the perfect course structure. We are happy to help you so that your project goes through the roof.
What do you need to do? First, keep reading!
How do I create the perfect structure for my online course?
The perfect course structure guides your participants through your online course in a simple, exciting and goal-oriented way. At this point, we assume that you already know the topic of your course and who it is aimed at. Clearly defining your target group is important so that you can address them directly. If you need a little help with this, feel free to click through our blog. You'll find lots of interesting articles about creating your online course here.
But now let's talk about your course structure!
1. what scope should your online course have?
Think about the scope of your online course. If you can report endlessly on your favorite topic, that's great, but please split up your knowledge for your viewers.
It's better to divide your online course into several parts that are only released to your community one after the other. This will build up excitement and anticipation, similar to a series.
Dividing the course into individual modules and lessons naturally takes some work, but it's worth it and fun! Since you already know what content your online course will have, you can now easily break it down into exciting chapters.
2. create a logical outline
Divide your course into meaningful sections. A visualized outline can help you to structure your course clearly. A common thread and a logical structure make your online course customer-friendly and demonstrate your expertise.
How deeply would you like to delve into the topic, and how many units should your online course have?
It is better to include less content in a module than too much. We will tell you which tools you can use to create an outline under point 4.
3. define a clear goal
The goal of your online course shouldn't just be in your mind's eye. It's the best lure for your participants, because that's exactly where they want to go!
You are welcome to wave the target flag briefly but vigorously in the course description, your teaser and right at the start of your online course. However, it is important that you keep this promise and build your course in a goal-oriented way! 🏁
Here again, an important tip comes into play: keep it short! Dividing your community into modules and smaller lessons will give them a greater sense of achievement on the way to their goal.
4. create a script and a mind map
A script will help you avoid verbal stumbling blocks when recording the videos. It is important to always remain natural. Please do not use too many technical terms and do not read scientific texts aloud in your course. You should know the script so well that you can recite it from memory and do not need to read it.
A mind map can also help you structure your online course! It's a matter of personal preference which tools you prefer to use to create your perfect course structure. Mind maps help you find your way through the jungle of structures and leave plenty of room for cool ideas. Whether you visualize your mind map by hand or using an app is up to you.
It is the beginning that we have to overcome in order to take the second step. If you don't know where to start, a mind map is always good. Once you've written out your ideas, you'll find it easy to create an outline.
Helpful questions for creating a perfect course structure
Asking the right questions will get you to your goal faster.
If you don't know exactly where to get input for your mind map or outline, ask yourself the following questions and brainstorm:
- What topic is my course about?
- Which division do I think makes sense? / At what point can I perhaps even divide my course to build up tension?
- How deeply do I want to go into the topic in the individual modules?
- What content do I talk about and what do I present, e.g. as infographics, memes or short videos?
- Where can I break up the course, e.g. with a short quiz or a test?
How can I divide my online course logically?
Here are four helpful tips for keeping your course structure clear:
- Divide your video into modules with individual lessons
- Keep it short!
- Test your viewers - with a sure instinct
- References to the target, even more often
1. various modules with individual lessons
Online courses that are too long can bore your participants, overwhelm them or cause them to switch off - all of which you don't want to achieve with your online course.
The division into different modules and lessons adds excitement: your community celebrates a few smaller milestones (perhaps in a separate member area) up to the total sense of achievement at the end of your course. If you manage to get them excited about your content, your participants will become real fans. They'll be looking forward to the next module and the next lesson they can learn from you. 📚
2. keep it short!
Snack content is the magic word. Design modules and lessons like tasty little snacks. Learning a 5-minute lesson in one bite is also possible in between. This also makes it easier for your course participants to return to the content later and look at it again. What's more, your course sells better in snack form, as the amounts are divided between the individual modules. 🤏🏽
You can also use snack content within your videos.
For example, in the form of memes, short videos or info cards. This loosens up your online course.
3. test your viewers - with sensitivity
Challenge your participants from time to time to check their level of knowledge without overwhelming them.
A friendly test or quiz at the end of a module contributes to interaction and a better learning experience. 🔝
4. references to the target, even more often
Your online course should greet your participants with a nice welcome and introduction. Here you can explain in more detail what the title of your course already reflects: The exact course objective. 🎯
What can your participants look forward to? What are their prospects and how will they get there?
By guiding them through crisp modules and interesting lessons with a logical structure. Always keeping the goal in mind.
Tips & tricks for your perfect course structure
Don't worry, you don't have to navigate the course jungle alone. We are here to help you, and so are many others.
It's not the person who knows everything who is smart, but the person who knows who to ask!
You should also definitely try out a few different options. This will help you find the right tool for creating your perfect course structure. As already mentioned, a mind map can help you get started on creating the perfect course structure.
But maybe you don't like the idea of a mind map and would rather start with a structured outline. Just as you tailor a production plan for your online courses, you can now make a plan for the individual videos. Helpful tools to get you started include MindMeister and Miro.
We hope you enjoyed reading this.
Best regards
Your Memberspot Team
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