Queue the cringe emojis 😬😬😬.

We get it, selling and marketing aren't the fun part of the process. But, to run a successful online business you have to promote what you create. And one of the most effective marketing strategies you can use starts before you open the doors.

Ideally Your Pre-Marketing Strategy Starts 6 Months Out

Effective marketing for your online course doesn't happen overnight. It requires strategic planning and the right execution. Ideally, you should start your pre-marketing strategy at least six months in advance.

This ample time allows you to lay down a solid foundation, understand your target audience, build a strong email list, and create hype around your online course.

During this period, you should focus on content marketing efforts like blog posts, social media marketing, and outreach to potential students. Engaging with your prospective customers early on helps you shape your course content according to their needs and boosts your potential conversion rates when you launch.

Additionally, nurturing relationships with your audience through an ongoing email campaign can will help convert future customers faster because they're already familiar with your course and topic.

The broad marketing strategy outline for 6 months

It’s a good practice to utilize a combination of marketing strategies during these six months. Consider breaking each month into a multi-channel approach that includes video content, free webinars, guest blogging, or podcast interviews to reach wider audiences.

These efforts contribute to establishing yourself as a subject matter expert and make your courses profitable when they go live.

You don't have to have a larger audience to start, you can build your audience over time starting 6 months out from your course launch date.

What are 26 subtopics around your online course topic?

If you're quick, you know that 26 is the amount of weeks in 6 months (great job, you!) So, how can you break down your online course topic into 26 pieces of educational content you can share with your target audience?

Use ChatGPT to come up with pieces of content!

If you're a fan of ChatGPT, you can do some immediately brainstorming using a prompt like the following:

Hey there, I'm trying to come up with 26 subtopics around my online course topic of [insert course topic here]. Can you give me a list of 26 subtopics and for each subtopic give me an idea of an Instagram Reel, a YouTube Video, and an Email Marketing Email I could write?

That prompt alone will give you a ton of ideas that you can then start posting and publishing across various marketing channels every week for 26 weeks.

The 4-6 Weeks Before Your Launch are the MOST Critical

The final stretch before you ask your target audience to buy your online course is the 4-6 weeks leading up to your launch date. This is a make-or-break period for your online business.

During these 4-6 weeks, this is the big picture:

• Your online course platform should have your course buttoned up

• You should test your sales funnel thoroughly

• You should focus heavily on email marketing

• Your prospective customers should see you in their social media feeds

• Any other marketing campaigns should be executed

That's the big picture, let's break down why these 4-6 weeks are so important...

Your audience needs to be warmed up to your offer

Your ideal customer's email inbox and social feed is overflowing with marketing messages. It's your job to help your prospective customers see your email marketing content and all other pieces of content on a consistent basis so you stand out.

If you don't have an effective marketing strategy that starts weeks before your launch, your target audience is barely going to notice your messages on launch day. Not only that, but you're also wasting precious time educating them about your course during the launch when you could've been doing that weeks in advance.

Don't be afraid to teach 25% of what you're selling in your course

One effective strategy to entice potential students is to share a substantial part of your course content – up to 25%, free of charge for the 4-6 weeks leading up to the official launch.

This is not giving away your secrets for free; rather, it's a powerful demonstration of the quality and value of your entire course. By providing a taste of what’s in store, you showcase your expertise and allow your potential customers to experience firsthand how they can benefit from your course.

This approach will reduce purchase hesitations and establish your credibility with your target customers.

We highly recommend using email marketing, social media apps, and any other marketing channels to provide 4-6 weeks of lead-up value.

Should you share the price of your course ahead of time?

Transparency about the pricing of your online course can be beneficial. Revealing the price ahead of time allows you to filter your prospective customers, leaving you with a pool of ideal customers that are more likely to convert because they consider your course within their budget.

Sharing the cost can also be used as a marketing tool to create urgency—if there's an early-bird discount or exclusive bonuses.

Pricing itself is a powerful marketing tool. You can do yourself a lot of favors by making sure your audience knows exactly what to expect well in advance.

Pre-Marketing Will Generate More Sales

In the competitive world of selling online courses, pre-marketing is a critical tactic to generate more sales. By fostering anticipation and interest before a course is launched, creators can cultivate a target audience of potential customers eager to engage with their content.

In the pre-marketing stage, having an email list and sending a weekly email campaign are invaluable. We'd say this is a non-negotiable!

Content marketing, too, plays a significant role. Publishing blog posts or video content that aligns with the subject matter of the course not only establishes authority but also attracts a wider audience.

Social media marketing complements these efforts by reaching out to audiences through various platforms, allowing creators to leverage different marketing tools to connect with potential students in their preferred online spaces.

All content created in the pre-marketing stages should provide value and insights, positioning the course creator as a thought leader in the field, and helping prospective customers recognize the benefits of the course.

By employing these strategic marketing efforts, online course creators can significantly enhance their visibility and sales potential.

Pre-Marketing Strategies for Online Courses Recap

• If you don't have one, start building an email list at least 6 months out

• Create a targeted email campaign and social media content based on course subtopics for months leading up to your launch

• Consider publishing valuable blog posts and video content as well

• Establish an email marketing strategy and social media marketing plan for the 4-6 weeks before launch

• Offer early access or discounts

• Launch!

These simple steps heighten interest and provide a foundation for a successful online course business.