Creating Online Writing Courses in 7 Simple Steps

Creating an online writing course can feel overwhelming—I get it. You’re probably wondering where to even start or doubting if anyone would really sign up. Trust me, we’ve all been there.

The good news is, creating your course doesn’t have to be complicated or frustrating. Stick around, and we’ll walk through clear steps so you can confidently build, launch, and grow a course people will love.

Ready? Let’s jump straight into it.

Step 1: Choose an Online Course Platform for Your Writing Course

Selecting the right platform is the first big decision you’ll make, so let’s keep it simple and useful.
Consider your budget, technical skills, and course requirements when choosing an online course platform.
User-friendly, beginner-friendly platforms like Udemy, Teachable, and Coursera offer all-in-one solutions, including built-in hosting, payment processing, and easy-to-use editors.
Think about whether you prefer a marketplace approach like Udemy’s built-in audience or if you’d rather have full design control and branding opportunities provided by a platform like Teachable or Kajabi.
Also, make sure the platform integrates easily with tools you might already use, such as email services (e.g., MailChimp), webinars (Zoom), or payment gateways (PayPal and Stripe).
For example, if you’re planning to regularly run webinars and workshops, a platform with strong live interaction capabilities will be critical.

An excellent trick is using popular platforms that writers and bloggers recommend because they’re well-tested and have thriving communities that offer advice and troubleshooting tips.
Take advantage of free trials and demo versions before making your final selection to make sure the platform truly fits your needs.

Step 2: Plan the Structure and Content of Your Writing Course

Before creating anything, take a step back and outline clearly what your students are going to achieve by the end of your course.
Ask yourself: What’s their starting point, and what clear transformation will they experience after completing your course?
From there, segment your content into organized modules or chapters, each designed around specific goals and tangible writing skills.

Make each module build logically on the last, gently guiding students from beginner to more advanced topics.
For instance, a fiction writing course could start with “Basics of Story Structure” and then move towards “Developing Compelling Characters,” and finally tackle the ins and outs of advanced dialogue and scene creation.
If you’re stuck on creating compelling practice scenarios for students, you might find inspiration from these creative winter writing prompts, or you could incorporate ideas like the ones in this handy list of horror story plot ideas.

Remember to set realistic expectations regarding how much content students can handle per module—usually around 2 to 4 hours per week is manageable.
Real-world examples, sample texts, case studies, and clear-as-day instructions will ensure your content is practical, actionable, and easy to absorb—without overwhelming them.

Step 3: Create Engaging Lessons and Materials

Okay, let’s talk content creation—because a course without engaging, valuable content won’t go far.
When recording video lessons, don’t stress too much about producing Hollywood-style content; just make sure they’re clear, friendly, and visually appealing enough (good lighting, clear audio, and no distracting backgrounds).
Mix up your content types regularly: short videos, concise PDFs, interactive quizzes, worksheets, short assignments, and even creative group work help keep students excited and motivated.

A great, often overlooked tip is to provide “bite-sized” content—videos less than 15 minutes are perfect, because learning sessions have stronger impact when concise and focused.
AI-powered quiz builders and feedback tools can also work wonders by automatically providing instant feedback to your students, significantly increasing their learning satisfaction and engagement.
According to industry research, implementing artificial intelligence into your lessons boosts student engagement by a significant 80%.

Don’t limit yourself to typical lecture-style lessons—think about offering downloadable resources like helpful cheat sheets or reference guides students can refer to long after they’ve finished your course.
If you’re covering advanced topics like book creation, think about including practical guides, like how to publish a coloring book or straightforward, step-by-step instructions on how to format manuscripts.
Taking these extra steps not only adds huge value to your course but ensures practical, hands-on learning for students eager to improve their writing.

Step 4: Set Up Your Course Pricing and Payment Options

Working out the right pricing for your writing course can feel like guesswork, but here’s how you make it easier.

First, research what others in your niche charge; visit popular platforms like Udemy or Teachable to see prices for comparable courses.

Don’t undervalue your efforts—remember, online education is booming, projected to reach $203.81 billion by 2025, and people expect quality learning, so price accordingly.

Payment options absolutely matter. Think about including multiple gateways like PayPal and Stripe, and allow for monthly installments to make your course affordable to more learners.

A quick tip: testing different price points early can reveal what resonates best—so experiment with early bird pricing or discounts to see what pulls students in.

And, though you may initially hesitate, offering a money-back guarantee (30-day refund policy) reassures potential students and can significantly boost your enrollments.

Step 5: Promote and Market Your Online Writing Course Effectively

Creating fantastic writing lessons is only part of the puzzle—you need to actively market your course to get the word out.

A smart first step is building anticipation; tease the course using blog posts, email newsletters, and posts on platforms where your audience hangs out, like Facebook writing groups or Instagram.

Consider collaborating with influencers or bloggers who have audiences similar to yours, or even make use of affiliates, letting them promote your course for a small commission.

Also, think about hosting webinars or free live workshops to offer sincere value upfront, encouraging attendees to enroll for deeper learning.

Spice things up regularly by sharing your students’ success stories or posting their testimonials—social proof has powerful effects on course bookings.

And always make sure your messaging clearly showcases how your course solves specific writing problems your ideal students face—not simply listing features.

Step 6: Launch Your Writing Course and Gather Student Feedback

Launching day might give you jitters, but here’s a smooth way to approach it.

Choose your launch date thoughtfully—midweek typically sees higher engagement than weekends, when people are busier with non-screen activities.

Keep your first batch of students manageable to truly connect with each one and quickly address early feedback.

Provide a personal touch—email new enrollees, thank them for joining, offer support, and ask directly how you can improve their learning journey.

Use a simple post-module feedback survey—tools like Typeform or a straightforward Google Form work great for this—to understand exactly what’s working and what needs tweaking.

Act promptly on insightful feedback, keeping your first students happy and turning them into enthusiastic promoters of your course.

Step 7: Improve and Grow Your Writing Course to Reach More Students

Growing your course doesn’t mean constantly creating new stuff—it means making steady improvements based on stats and student feedback.

Given that AI integration in online learning boosts student engagement by 80%, think practically about integrating easily accessible AI tools to create interactive quizzes or realistic writing exercises.

Offer additional specialized course modules based on feedback or market demands—for example, adding content on how to get a book published without an agent might appeal significantly to aspiring authors.

Continuously interact with your student community through Q&A sessions, forums, or social groups, keeping them engaged well after they finish the course.

Take advantage of referrals—students satisfied with their own progress often naturally recommend your course, so create a referral reward system as an extra motivator.

Lastly, simply stay enthusiastic, approachable, and consistently supportive, ensuring your course becomes something that truly improves people’s writing—because in the crowded online education market, authentic care sets you well apart.

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