How to Choose the Right Course Format for Your New eCourse

Video? Audio? Written? Live?

When it comes to creating course content, you have a dozen or more options, and all of them are useful in their own way, so how can you choose? There are three primary considerations.

Chances are, your ideal client has a clear preference in format. Some people love watching videos, while some prefer to skim through written instructions. Some people learn best by doing, with a checklist as a guide. Still others much prefer to have audio they can consume while doing other things. Knowing what format your ideal client prefers is key to the format you choose to deliver your ecourse. Not sure what they prefer? Ask them by sending out a quick survey or email.

Let’s face it, some information lends itself well to certain formats, and simply won’t work in others. It’s difficult to explain how to use software, for example, without a ​step-by-step video. By the same token, if you’re asking clients to work through a discovery process, a fillable worksheet is a must. Understanding how to best convey what you're hoping to teach is another essential key to the format you choose to deliver your ecourse.

While your biggest consideration should be your clients and their needs, your preferences matter too. If you aren’t comfortable with video, then it’s a safe bet you’ll procrastinate getting your course done, and stress over it unnecessarily. By the same token, if writing isn’t your forte, trying to force yourself to create 50 pages of content is going to be frustrating. Fortunately, you can outsource your ecourse developement so that if writing isn't your thing or you're not strong on camera, you can still create an ecourse in your clients' preferred learning styles.

Beyond the obvious format choice, you also have to consider how you’ll present the material. Again, you have a variety of options.

This is the simplest method of eCourse delivery. All it takes is an autoresponder set to go out on the schedule you choose, and a series of messages with your training materials. You can include attachments as well (although your delivery rates may suffer) or you can link to a page where buyers will find more resources, such as video or downloadable files.

A more sophisticated option to deliver your eCourse is to set up a membership portal where buyers can log in to retrieve their material. This gives you the option to deliver the content all at one time if you prefer, and also allows you to better protect your content from unauthorized access.

If your eCourse is small, or if you aren’t concerned about overwhelming your buyers, a zip file download is a viable option. In this case, you simply set up delivery through your shopping cart by providing a link where buyers can download the entire course. This format works best if your course does not include a video element, because the download could be too large for those with a slow internet connection.

The bottom line is this: When you’re planning your eCourse, your most important consideration is your buyer. What do​ they want, and how do​ they want it delivered? Do that, and you’ll be well on your way to launching a successful course.

Need more help? Check out my FREE webinar "5 Reasons You Don’t Need A Big List To Launch A Product & Make Money"