How to Pre-Sell a Course in 12 Simple Steps
If you’ve ever thought about creating a course but felt overwhelmed before even building it, you’re not alone. Many people hesitate because they’re unsure how to sell something that doesn’t exist yet.
But here’s the deal: pre-selling your course can save you time, money, and a lot of headaches. Stick with me, and I’ll show you simple steps to get people excited and eager to buy, even before you finish creating the content.
In the next few minutes, I’ll give you a quick preview of how to craft a clear plan, build buzz, and turn potential students into early supporters—so your course sells itself from day one.
Key Takeaways
- Pre-selling shows if there’s real interest before creating your course, saving time and money. Successful pre-sales can bring in thousands and help validate your idea.
- Have a clear course outline with specific modules and lessons. This builds trust and gives potential buyers a concrete idea of what they’ll get.
- Highlight what makes your course unique. Emphasize your special experience or niche angle to stand out and attract the right students.
- Set a fair price with discounts for early buyers. Offering limited-time deals encourages quick commitments and builds momentum.
- Spread the word using social media, email, collaborations, and ads. Multiple channels help reach more potential students fast.
- Create free content like webinars or sample lessons. These build trust, excite prospects, and push them toward buying.
- Share testimonials and success stories from early testers. Social proof helps overcome doubts and boosts conversions.
- Host live Q&A sessions to answer questions and build trust. Engaging with your audience in real-time makes them more likely to buy.
- Follow up with interested leads via email. Keep them engaged with value, special offers, and updates to turn hesitation into sales.
1. Understand the Importance of Pre-Selling Your Course
Pre-selling your course isn’t just about making quick cash; it’s a smart way to test your idea and see if there’s real interest before you dive into full development.
People often get nervous about pre-selling, but data shows it can bring in anywhere from $4,000 to over $60,000 in the early stages, which helps validate your pricing and content.
If you’re unsure whether your course idea is worth investing time into, pre-selling is a low-risk way to get feedback and even secure early revenue—think of it as testing the waters to see if there’s a demand.
Set realistic expectations for pre-sales: it’s about building momentum and trust with early adopters, which can lead to better sales and feedback down the line.
To do this well, communicate honestly about what your course will offer and when, and don’t shy away from sharing your journey—people love to support creators who are transparent from the start.
2. Create a Clear Course Outline
Before you even think about launching your pre-sale, you need a course outline that shows what learners will actually get and how it will help them. No vague promises here.
Break your course into logical sections or modules, each with specific outcomes, so potential students can see the value right away.
If you haven’t outlined your content properly, you risk confusing your buyers or, worse, promising something you can’t deliver. Take time to map out topics thoroughly.
For a simple start, draft a bulleted list of lessons or topics, then fill in details like key takeaways and supporting materials—this makes your course feel more tangible.
Include sample lessons or snippets if you can; it helps people understand what they’ll be learning and increases the chances they’ll buy during your pre-sale.
3. Define Your Unique Value Proposition
What makes your course different from all the others out there? This is the question your pre-sale messaging should answer clearly.
Your unique value proposition (UVP) is what will make someone choose your course over the hundreds of options online.
Maybe you have a specific teaching style, real-world experience, or a niche angle that’s underserved—highlight these aspects at every touchpoint.
For example, if you’re teaching a course on productivity for busy entrepreneurs, emphasize how your method saves time compared to generic guides.
Clarity on your UVP not only attracts the right people but also helps you carve out a space in a competitive market—it’s what makes your pre-sale pitch stick.
13. Set a Realistic Pricing and Discount Strategy
Pricing your course correctly can make or break your pre-sale success, so don’t just pick a number out of thin air.
Look at your market—if your niche is worth hundreds or even thousands, a lower introductory price can attract early buyers and build momentum.
Offering a discount of 20%–50% off the final price during pre-sale often encourages people to commit early, especially if you communicate a limited-time deal.
For example, setting a presale price at $197 for a course that will cost $297 later taps into the “getting in early” mindset.
Also, keep your minimum thresholds realistic—if you need just 10 students to cover costs, aim for that and be transparent about your goals.
Use tools like [pricing calculators](https://createaicourse.com/how-to-price-your-course/) or test different price points with smaller groups to see what sticks.
14. Use Multiple Marketing Channels to Spread the Word
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket—spread your message across several platforms for better reach.
Social media channels like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn are great for nurturing curiosity and engaging different audiences.
Send out email campaigns to your list—if you don’t have one yet, now’s the time to start building it because email remains one of the most effective channels.
Leverage partnerships, guest appearances, or collaborations with related creators or brands—that expands your reach fast.
And don’t forget paid ads! Tiny budgets on Facebook or Google can add rocket fuel to your pre-sale efforts.
15. Use Content Marketing and Free Resources
Content marketing isn’t just about blogging; it’s a smart way to show your authority and build trust.
Create free webinars, mini-courses, or sample lessons that give a sneak peek of your class—these build excitement and reduce risk for buyers.
Blog posts, podcasts, and videos about your niche help attract organic traffic and show why your course is worth it.
Sharing success stories or case studies from early-testers can push hesitant prospects over the edge.
Just make sure your free resources lead back toward your pre-sale page—think of it as guiding them down the path to buy.
16. Leverage Testimonials and Social Proof
People want to know others have had a good experience before they commit.
If you already have a small group of testers or beta students, ask them for reviews or feedback.
Share these testimonials prominently on your landing page and across your marketing channels.
Use real numbers—like how a student improved their skills or achieved results—because concrete proof beats vague promises.
As you gather more feedback, update your testimonials to keep the momentum going, and watch conversions rise.
17. Engage Your Audience with Q&A and Live Sessions
Answering questions in real-time builds trust and reduces doubt.
Hold live Q&A sessions via Zoom, Instagram Live, or Facebook to address concerns and highlight the benefits of your course.
This also creates a sense of community and exclusivity, making early buyers feel like insiders.
Prep a few common questions about pricing, content, or your background so you can respond confidently and transparently.
Plus, recording these sessions can be repurposed into content that attracts even more interest.
18. Follow Up and Nurture Your Leads
Not everyone will buy on the first pitch, and that’s okay.
Use email sequences to nurture those who showed interest but didn’t buy right away—share more benefits, success stories, or limited-time offers.
Offer personalized discounts or mini-consultations for those who seem close but still hesitate.
By maintaining consistent communication, you keep your course top of mind and increase the likelihood of converting later on.
Tools like [email automation](https://createaicourse.com/learn-and-earn-money/) can help you stay organized without drowning in manual follow-ups.
FAQs
Pre-selling helps gauge demand, builds early interest, and funds the development process. It also creates momentum for a successful launch and shows potential students there’s active interest in the course.
Focus on a clear headline, highlight benefits, include testimonials or social proof, and have a strong call-to-action. Make sure the design is simple and mobile-friendly to maximize conversions.
Use time-limited discounts, early-bird pricing, and countdown timers. Clearly communicate deadlines and the benefits of acting quickly to motivate potential buyers to commit.
Share sneak peeks, success stories, and valuable content related to your course. Use email updates and social media to keep potential students interested and excited until the launch.