Interested in creating an online course but unsure if there is demand for it? It’s a question that everyone who designs an online course has to answer: will people want to buy it?

Before putting in the time and effort to create your goods, make sure your target market wants them first. If you truly want to help your audience and potential students, you must have a thorough understanding of what they want and need.

When you validate a course idea, what you’re really doing is making sure there are people out there who are willing to pay for the course you’re offering.

Take a look at these methods for verifying your online course concept. Using all of them isn’t necessary; however, try and complete at least 3 of these. 

#1 Do a web search

Always start with Google. First, find out if there are any existing courses on your chosen subject.

If so, this is good! It validates your idea by confirming that there is already a market. Remember that no one will deliver your topic exactly like you. Not the lesson list, but your personality and individuality will sell your course. 

#2 Talk to your clients

Set up coffee or phone calls with some of your clients and talk about their challenges, needs, and fears.

Listen more than speak. Allow them to think and share fantastic insights with you.

Look out for phrases like “I’m embarrassed to say this, but…” or “I wish I had…”

Those are the golden nuggets that will assist you in realizing if your idea is right for your audience.

#3 Make a poll/survey

Assuming you already have an audience or wish to educate on a particular topic, a survey can provide wonderful insights.

Online surveys are simple to create using free resources like http://www.surveymonkey.com.

Ask your audience a couple of questions (maximum 5) such as:

  • What is their current major challenge?
  • Their biggest fear
  • What do they need?
  • Where do you see yourself in 1 years time?

Remember not to ask them what they WANT. People don’t know what they want or how to solve their problems. So you ask what their issue is.

“If I asked people what they want, they would say a quicker horse,” stated Henry Ford.

After creating your survey, you can email it to your existing clients, embed it on your website, or share it on social media.

#4 Create a freebie linked to your course topic

A freebie is something you give away to your target audiences for free, such as a PDF guide, masterclass, or email challenge.

Offering a freebie linked to your course idea can be a terrific approach to validate it. Why should individuals join up for your freebie if they won’t pay for a course on the same topic?

The freebie must be strongly tied to your course idea and must clearly demonstrate the value you would provide through a course. This is the place to put some of your best course content.

Create a beautiful landing page for your freebie and promote it in your newsletter and social media.

#5 Sell your course ahead of time.

Pre-selling will allow your target audience to purchase your course before you ever build it. So if no one buys, you haven’t wasted time and effort developing it.

When pre-selling, give your early buyers extra value (additional content, 1-on-1 coaching, or a unique price).

If you obtain no pre-orders, you should abandon this course idea. If you get few responses, take it as a sign that you need to improve your course’s value.

You don’t have to employ all of the ways to validate your course proposal. Depending on your course idea and target market, some will make more sense than others. I would always interview a few members of my target demographic. This has helped me clarify what I provide and better understand my audience, and I highly suggest it.