15 types of online courses

In the world of online education, choosing the right format is crucial for your program's success. While traditional video courses are often the first format that comes to mind, there are many other options that might better suit your situation and objectives.

1. Traditional Video Courses

Video courses represent the traditional model of online education. Their main advantage lies in their automated nature: once created, they can be sold for months or years without additional effort. However, their initial creation requires considerable time investment.

Time rating: 8/10
Revenue rating: 8/10

2. Live Workshops

Live workshops are an excellent entry point into the world of online courses. These are essentially paid webinars lasting 2-3 hours that allow you to quickly share expertise while validating market interest. Preparation is quick (6-8 hours maximum), offers great flexibility, and allows rapid testing of new ideas.

Time rating: 9/10
Revenue rating: 5/10

3. Ebooks

Ebooks represent an accessible online course option but have significant limitations. Their perceived value is generally low, making them difficult to sell at a higher price point. An ebook priced at $39 seems expensive, while the same content in video format can easily sell for $69 or more.

Time rating: 4/10
Revenue rating: 3/10

4. Traditional Books

Publishing a traditional book with a publisher can bring strong credibility, but it's one of the least profitable options in terms of time investment return. The writing and publishing process can take over 6 months for relatively modest revenue. It's more of a positioning tool than a primary source of income.

Time rating: 3/10
Revenue rating: 2/10

5. One-on-One Coaching

One-on-one coaching offers the advantage of requiring no preparation and allows effective monetization with a small number of clients. It's an excellent way to understand market needs and is relatively easy to sell in certain sectors. However, it's time-consuming and difficult to scale.

Time rating: 4/10
Revenue rating: 7/10

6. Group Coaching

Group coaching represents a natural evolution of one-on-one coaching, offering better scalability while maintaining personal interaction. More affordable pricing for clients allows reaching a wider audience.

Time rating: 5/10
Revenue rating: 8/10

7. Complete Coaching Programs

These programs constitute the most comprehensive formula, combining video courses, active community, and coaching sessions. They offer maximum perceived value and enable the best results for clients.

Time rating: 6/10
Revenue rating: 10/10

8. Hybrid Courses

Hybrid courses combine pre-recorded video content, support community, and asynchronous coaching through weekly consultations. This format offers an excellent balance between scalability and personalization.

Time rating: 7/10
Revenue rating: 9/10

With SchoolMaker, you can offer hybrid courses with several bundles that include access to:

Courses
Community
Coaching
Lives
Videos Q&A.

Your bundles are fully customizable. A duration of access can be defined for each content (lifetime, limited-time, subscription).

9. Cohort Programs

These intensive programs run for a set duration (6-12 weeks) with live content delivery and an active community. They require strong instructor involvement but can generate impressive results.

Time rating: 5/10
Revenue rating: 9/10

10. Masterclasses

Masterclasses allow collaboration with recognized experts to enrich your course offerings. This format is particularly effective for borrowing expert credibility and diversifying your catalog.

Time rating: varies by format
Revenue rating: varies by expert

11. Subscription Models

The subscription model presents specific challenges, notably high churn rates and the need for continuous content creation. The average cart value is often lower than other formats.

Time rating: 5/10
Revenue rating: 6/10

12. Paid Communities

The paid community model requires minimal content creation and focuses on member interactions. Maintenance is minimal, but revenue potential remains moderate.

Time rating: 10/10
Revenue rating: 6/10

13. In-Person Immersions

Immersions offer a unique experience and can command premium prices. This format clearly distinguishes itself from classic online offerings.

Time rating: 6/10
Revenue rating: 7/10

14. Bootcamps

An intensive format over 3-9 months, bootcamps are particularly well-suited for learning technical or practical skills. They require significant organization but can generate substantial revenue.

Time rating: 3/10
Revenue rating: 8/10