Who Me, Teach an E-Course?
Yes, YOU.
You have knowledge. You know stuff. You've thought about teaching that stuff to others. It's quite likely people have even said to you, "You should be teaching this stuff!"
You might even be able to make money from it, and without needing a classroom!
Have you ever wondered about creating an online education website but didn't know where to start? Building an e-course may not be as difficult as you think, especially if you've ever worked with a WordPress website.
All you'll need is the LifterLMS plugin––the magic to make it happen.
What is an LMS and What Does It Do?
LifterLMS is the most customizable e-course builder plugin for WordPress. First, let me note here that LMS means "Language Management System." But if even you've never set up an online course, don't be intimidated by this label. LifterLMS will take you step-by-step through each process you need to know to create an e-course, no matter how simple or ambitious your e-course plans are.
Designed with the user in mind, it offers features that make it easy for anyone to create, manage, and sell online courses whether they are an experienced online educator or a novice. Depending on your needs, Lifter's intuitive interface can help you:
- create modules and lessons
- sell (or offer) free courses
- embed videos
- give quizzes
- offer coupons
- award badges and include gamification
- host community forums
- set up membership tiers with different pricing structures
LifterLMS is Super Customizable
Disclaimer... I'm an admitted LifterLMS fangirl because I've worked with them as a freelance copywriter for a few years now, writing many of their Success stories that are based on user interviews. I am always impressed by what these course creators have achieved, thanks to the breadth of this software's capabilities.
People of all technical levels have built vastly different online education websites with it, to teach everything from software (read about several approaches here) to coaching, spiritual guidance, household cleaning, mobile home flipping, adult education, online marketing, estate planning, English as a Second Language... even fishing!
Since LifterLMS integrates seamlessly with other WordPress plugins and themes, users can easily incorporate it into most existing WordPress sites.
Granted, content and organization will rest on you. And if you want video in your course you will either have to get comfortable on camera or learn to utilize animation designed for education. You also have to market your course.
But once it is up you will have evergreen content for future revenue. Depending on your topic you may need to update content at times, and some people choose to keep adding more lessons. It's your choice.
LifterLMS will take you step-by-step through each process you need to know to create a course, no matter how simple or ambitious your e-course plans are.
Tiers Without Tears
Even in online education, one size often does not fit all, and tiers are great for flexibility in pricing. They allow course creators to set up different levels of memberships according to need.
One example would be to offer a free level to pique interest, engage, and build an email list, and then another level to access paid courses. Often a creator will also have a more exclusive level for one-on-one coaching. Or a specific level for the community forum where members have group access to you and the opportunity to discuss topics with others.
One course creator I know has only one level and one course––a free one. He currently uses it to build his email list and drive traffic to his already-established YouTube channel. But he may expand in the future with paid courses. It will be easy for him to build on top of what he already has, using tiers to keep his free course and encourage learners to move on to paid courses.
Speaking of tiers, LifterLMS itself does offer different levels of course creation as well, but you can always start at the free level and choose add-ons as you need them.
You will have evergreen content for future revenue.
Why Not Just Use an Online Teaching Platform?
Oh boy. I wrote a whole article on using WordPress vs an online SaaS (software as a service), but the short version is this question: Do you want to own your course website, or just rent it? LifterLMS uses the WordPress platform, which is open-source, free, nearly infinitely customizable, and allows for future growth along with your business. The flexibility afforded by WordPress is the reason it powers 44% of websites globally.
This is not to say that a platform like Kajabi or Teachable is not the right choice for some. However, there are limits to customization, and if at some point a course creator wants to grow beyond what they can do there, it may not be easy to export their hard work.
Since LifterLMS integrates seamlessly with other WordPress plugins and themes, users can easily incorporate it into most existing WordPress sites.
They're Gosh Darn Nice (Or, Support, Support, Support)
Finally, while diving into online course creation with a tool like LifterLMS may be simpler than you imagined, there are times when one needs help. I know how critical it is for me to have access to support when using a tech tool, especially when it's new to me. Support is always mentioned in the user interviews I have listened to. People say how much they appreciate the response time, accessibility, and helpfulness of the Lifter technical staff.
Lifter also has its own "Academy" with free in-depth lessons on how to use the plugin's many features and marketing ideas. Their weekly "We'll Be Live" group videos on YouTube invite people to ask anything they might be struggling with. Everyone I have dealt with at Lifter, from the partners to the support, have been a pleasure to work with. Bottom line: the LifterLMS crew care really about course creators succeeding.
So, what will you be teaching us in the future?
Transparency notice: Links in this article may be affiliate links, and I may receive a commission if you choose to purchase the premium versions of the software.