How to Choose the Right Course Format for Your New Course

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.
Your Buyer
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.
Your Content
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
screenshare video. By the same token, if you’re asking clients to work through a
discovery process, a fillable worksheet is a must.
Your Comfort Zone
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.
Beyond the obvious format choice, you also have to consider how you’ll present the
material. Again, you have a variety of options.
Email Delivery
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.
Membership Site
A more sophisticated option 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.

Zip File Download
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 does she want, and how does she want it
delivered? Do that, and you’ll be well on your way to launching a successful course.