The e-learning industry is growing rapidly, and online courses have become one of the best ways to share knowledge while generating passive income. However, creating a successful online course is not easy. It requires expertise, time, technical skills, and marketing strategies to stand out in a competitive market.
Many course creators struggle with the production and promotion of their courses, which is why co-production has become an increasingly popular approach. Course co-production allows experts and business professionals to collaborate, leveraging each other’s skills to create and sell successful online courses.
If you’re interested in course co-production but don’t know where to start, this guide will walk you through the basics, from what it is to the steps you need to take to become a successful course co-producer.
What is Course Co-Production?
Course co-production is a business model where two or more people collaborate to create, launch, and market an online course. This collaboration allows each person to focus on their strengths, making the process more efficient and increasing the chances of success.
In most co-production partnerships, there are two main roles:
- The Producer – The person who has the knowledge and expertise to create the course content. This can be a coach, consultant, teacher, or industry expert who wants to share valuable knowledge.
- The Co-Producer – The person responsible for other aspects of the business, such as marketing, sales, platform management, and customer support. The co-producer helps ensure the course reaches the right audience and generates revenue.
This model benefits both parties. The expert (producer) can focus on content creation while the co-producer handles the business side of things. When done right, course co-production can be highly profitable for both partners.
Why is Course Co-Production a Great Opportunity?
No Need to Be an Expert in Everything
One of the biggest challenges of creating an online course is that it requires a combination of skills: content creation, video production, sales strategies, technical knowledge, and customer support. With co-production, you don’t need to master everything—you can focus on what you do best while your partner handles the rest.
Lower Upfront Costs
Creating a high-quality online course can be expensive. From hiring video editors to running ads, the costs add up quickly. Co-producing a course allows you to share these expenses, making it a more affordable way to enter the online education market.
Faster Time to Market
Many experts have valuable knowledge but never launch a course because they lack time or technical skills. As a co-producer, you can help speed up the process by handling the production and marketing aspects, allowing the expert to focus solely on teaching.
Higher Revenue Potential
With multiple people working on a course, you can create better content, reach a larger audience, and optimize marketing efforts. This often leads to higher sales and long-term profitability.
Scalability and Recurring Income
Once a course is created, it can be sold repeatedly without additional effort. A well-structured course can generate passive income for years, making it an excellent long-term investment.
How to Get Started as a Course Co-Producer
1. Identify Your Strengths
Before looking for a partner, it’s important to understand what you bring to the table. Some key skills that make a great co-producer include:
- Marketing expertise – Knowledge of digital marketing strategies, including social media, SEO, and email marketing.
- Technical skills – Experience with Learning Management Systems (LMS), video editing, and course platforms.
- Sales and persuasion – Ability to craft compelling sales pages, write effective ad copy, and close deals.
- Project management – Strong organizational skills to keep the course production on track.
If you have expertise in any of these areas, you’re already well-positioned to become a course co-producer.
2. Find the Right Course Creator
The next step is to find a subject matter expert who has valuable knowledge but needs help producing or marketing a course. Here are some ways to find potential partners:
- Social media – Connect with industry experts on LinkedIn, Facebook groups, and Twitter.
- Online communities – Join forums and groups related to e-learning, coaching, and digital marketing.
- Networking events and webinars – Attend events where educators and business owners gather.
- Course marketplaces – Look at instructors on platforms like Udemy and Teachable who might need marketing or production help.
3. Define Roles and Responsibilities
Before starting a partnership, it’s essential to establish clear roles. Here are some key responsibilities to discuss:
- Who will create the course content?
- Who will handle video recording and editing?
- Who will manage marketing and advertising?
- How will customer support and technical issues be handled?
- What will the revenue-sharing agreement be?
Having a contract or written agreement can help avoid misunderstandings later.
4. Choose the Right Course Platform
Selecting the right Learning Management System (LMS) is crucial for hosting and selling the course. Some of the best platforms include:
- Teachable – Great for course hosting and sales.
- Thinkific – Allows full customization and branding.
- Kajabi – An all-in-one platform with marketing tools.
- Udemy – Offers a large audience but has pricing restrictions.
Choose a platform that aligns with your goals and technical skills.
5. Validate the Course Idea
Before creating a course, it’s essential to confirm there is demand for it. You can validate a course idea by:
- Conducting keyword research with Google Trends.
- Analyzing competitors’ courses to see what’s popular.
- Surveying potential students to gauge interest.
- Creating a free mini-course to test engagement.
6. Develop a Strong Marketing Strategy
Marketing is one of the most critical aspects of selling a course. Here are some effective strategies:
- Email marketing – Build an email list and send valuable content.
- Social media advertising – Use platforms like Facebook and Instagram to run targeted ads.
- Content marketing – Write blog posts, create YouTube videos, or start a podcast.
- Affiliate marketing – Partner with influencers or experts to promote the course.
7. Launch and Optimize the Course
After launching the course, track key metrics to measure success. Focus on:
- Conversion rates – How many visitors turn into buyers.
- Student feedback – Reviews and testimonials to improve course quality.
- Sales trends – Identifying which marketing channels are most effective.
Adjust your strategy based on the data to improve future launches.
Final Thoughts
Course co-production is an excellent way to enter the online education industry without having to create a course from scratch. By partnering with an expert and leveraging your skills in marketing, sales, or technical support, you can build a profitable business in the e-learning space.
Now that you understand how course co-production works, are you ready to take the next step and start building your first successful course partnership?