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Launching an online course is exhilarating—and nerve‑wracking. There’s nothing worse than pouring your heart (and hours of your time) into building an online course, only to launch it and hear crickets. But what if you could generate real sales before creating a single lesson?

That’s not just a dream. Pre‑selling allows you to validate your idea, earn income up front, and create powerful momentum before your course ever goes live. It’s a strategy I’ve used for my own programs and one I teach inside The Ultimate Course Creator’s Hub—our membership community for course creators. The first online course and coaching program I pre‑sold was called 5‑Figure Genius Academy. That one sale changed everything. It gave me the clarity, confidence, and proof I needed to move forward—and it set the foundation for every course launch I’ve done since.

You’re here because you have a gift to share. Your course is your vessel. Let’s make sure your message reaches the people who need it—and earns for you before you even press record.

Below are eight clear, doable steps to pre‑sell your next course like a pro. Whether you’re building your very first offer or scaling your business, these steps help you move fast, build with confidence, and sell with integrity.

1. Get Crystal Clear on the Promise of Your Course

Your course isn’t just about information—it’s about transformation. Start with the end result. What will your students walk away with? How will their life, business, or mindset be better after taking your course?

Ask yourself:

What am I helping people achieve?
What problem does this solve for them?
What makes my approach different?

You don’t need a perfect pitch—just a clear promise that speaks to the heart of your ideal student.

“People don’t buy courses; they buy transformations. Make your promise crystal clear so they know exactly what’s on the other side.”

Need help refining your course promise? The One Hour to Course Clarity Workshop will get you course clarity fast. This guided workshop walks you through mapping your course in just 60 minutes and is free for members inside the Hub.

2. Create a Pre‑Sell‑Ready Version of Your Course

You don’t need the full course to start selling. Depending on your audience, you might choose to deliver the content live each week to create urgency and connection, or drip pre‑recorded lessons for more flexibility. Both approaches work—just pick the one that fits your energy and your students’ learning style. You just need the first step and a path forward.

Here’s what to prepare:

A course outline with 3‑5 key modules
A clear start date or content‑delivery plan
The first module (recorded or taught live)
A simple PDF or checklist to guide early students

Bonus tip: Let your audience know they’re getting in early. Frame it as exclusive access, VIP pricing, or even a “founding member” experience. If you need tech that’s simple and scalable, consider an all‑in‑one platform like TekMatix (affiliate link) to house your course, deliver content, and handle payments without overwhelm.

3. Set the Right Price (and Make It a No‑Brainer)

People are happy to pay for clarity, access, and momentum. You’re not charging for perfection—you’re offering a fast‑track to a desired result.

Ideas to make your pre‑sell irresistible:

Offer a limited‑time discount. Reward early adopters for saying yes before the course is built.
Include a private Q&A call or live feedback session. Access to you makes the offer more valuable.
Cap the number of early seats. Scarcity encourages quick decision‑making.
Offer a payment plan—even on lower‑cost offers. It lowers the barrier to entry without devaluing your work.

Set the price high enough to validate demand—but low enough to encourage early action. For example, if you plan to sell your course at $497 when fully launched, consider offering it for $147–$197 during pre‑sell. I dive deeper into pricing strategy in my Ultimate Course Creator’s Toolkit — grab the free planner to map out your course and plan your pricing.

4. Build Your Pre‑Sale Funnel (It Can Be Simple!)

You don’t need a fancy system to launch a successful pre‑sale. But you do need a few key elements:

A landing page with your course promise, outline, timeline, bonuses, and a clear call to action.
A lead magnet like the Ultimate Course Creator’s Toolkit to attract and warm up your audience.
A 3‑part email sequence to convert leads into buyers.

Want my exact system? Watch the How to Pre‑Sell with 3 Emails training (linked in the video section above) for templates you can use today. And if building the tech yourself feels overwhelming, I offer done‑for‑you setup services to get your course delivery and automations set up inside TekMatix—the all‑in‑one platform I trust and recommend—so you can focus on teaching.

5. Start Talking About It (Even If You’re Nervous)

Pre‑selling only works if people know about it. You don’t need a massive audience to get results. Start small, but start now. Try these:

Post on social media: “I’m working on a new course to help you [result]. Want early access?”
Email your list (even if it’s tiny): Invite them to join you behind the scenes.
Go live and share the ‘why’ behind your course: If you’re nervous about going live, start with a simple script: “Hey friends! I’m creating a new course because I’ve seen so many people struggle with [insert problem], and I know this can help. I’m looking for a few early students to join me while I build it out. You’ll get access to everything first and shape it with your feedback.” Keep it casual and heartfelt—you’re not selling, you’re inviting.
Create mini videos answering common questions or objections.

“People buy energy and confidence—not polish. Show up real, and they’ll follow.”

6. Onboard Early Students Like They’re VIPs

Your first students are gold. Treat them like insiders, cheerleaders, and collaborators.

Here’s how:

Send a warm welcome email that explains exactly what happens next.
Create a private group or chat thread for accountability and feedback.
Release Module 1 with clarity and enthusiasm.
Automate what you can using tools like TekMatix—but keep the personal touch.

These students will become your best testimonials, affiliates, and future case studies. Invest in them now and they’ll invest back in your success.

7. Gather Feedback & Social Proof As You Go

Don’t wait until the course is over—ask for feedback as soon as possible. Try questions like:

What made you say yes to this course?
What was your biggest win from Module 1?
What would make this even more helpful?

Use their words to improve your content and your marketing copy. Bonus: ask for testimonials while the experience is fresh. Feature them on your sales page to build trust and social proof. Place them near your call to action, use a rotating carousel, or sprinkle them throughout the page so visitors continually see real outcomes and relatable stories.

8. Relaunch with Confidence (and Better Conversions)

Now you’ve got:

A validated course idea
Real students with real feedback
Social proof you didn’t have before

You’re ready to:

Raise your price with confidence.
Add new bonuses or payment plans.
Build a full sales funnel and relaunch to your list or audience.

Want to scale this with ease? Join The Ultimate Course Creator’s Hub—our membership community for course creators where you’ll find templates, coaching, community, and tech support to build a profitable course business without burning out. If you’re ready for deeper training, join Course Creators Academy for step‑by‑step training for coaches and educators. And when you’re prepared to launch big, explore the Signature Course Launch System—our flagship program for high‑impact course launches.

Wrap‑Up: Your Pre‑Sell Playbook

Here’s your step‑by‑step at a glance:

Clarify your course promise
Outline your MVP version
Set a compelling pre‑sale price
Build your funnel (simple is fine!)
Promote it with heart and transparency
Welcome early students with intention
Collect feedback + social proof
Launch the full course with confidence

Your Next Best Step

Ready for step‑by‑step help creating, launching, and selling your course with confidence? Join me inside the Ultimate Course Creators Hub—your all‑in‑one home for support, strategy, and sustainable growth.

Because here’s the truth: your course isn’t just a product. It’s your legacy. It’s how you help others rise, create impact, and build a life of freedom. Whether you’re doing this for yourself, your family, or the clients you’re meant to serve—this is your calling. Your destiny.

With love and strategy,

Shannon x

🚀 Let’s Take Action — Here’s What To Do Next

You’re building something powerful — don’t stop here.
Choose the step that will move your course, your business, and your income forward:

👉 Download the Free Ultimate Course Creator’s Toolkit

Start your course with structure and strategy using my planner, trainings, and bonus resources.
Grab the free toolkit here »

👉 Join The Ultimate Course Creator’s Hub (Monthly Coaching Membership)

Get templates, tools, weekly coaching, live workshops, and tech support inside our creator community.
Join the Hub here »

👉 Join Course Creators Academy (Self-Study or Group Coaching)

Build, launch, and scale your course with a proven step-by-step system — even with a small audience.
Explore Course Creators Academy »

👉 Check Out TekMatix — The All-In-One Platform I Recommend

Sell, market, automate, email, host, and deliver your entire course ecosystem in one place.
See why I use TekMatix »

👉 Book a One-on-One Strategy Call

Need clarity, a custom plan, or help mapping out your funnel or course? I’ll guide you step-by-step.
Book your private strategy session »

👉 Browse My Online Shop — Templates, Funnels & Digital Products

Done-for-you designs, systems, and tools to help you implement faster and increase your revenue.
Shop digital products & templates »

You’re never alone on this journey — choose your next best step and let’s keep building your course business together.

How to Pre‑Sell Your Online Course Before You Record a Single Lesson: 8 Steps to Start Selling Your Course Before You Build It