So, you’ve created your online course. You’ve poured hours into recording videos, designing lessons, and writing worksheets. But now comes the big moment, launching it into the world.
And if we’re being honest, that’s the part most creators find intimidating.
You might be wondering:
- “Did I set up everything correctly?”
- “How do I make sure people actually buy it?”
- “What if no one signs up?”
The truth is, launching a course isn’t just about hitting “publish.” It’s a process, and when done right, it can transform all your hard work into real results.
In this complete guide, you’ll find the ultimate course launch checklist, a step-by-step breakdown that helps you prepare, promote, and profit from your online course with confidence.
Why You Need a Course Launch Checklist
A course launch checklist is like your personal roadmap. It keeps you organized, reduces overwhelm, and ensures you don’t miss any important steps before, during, and after your launch.
When you have a checklist to follow, you can focus on what really matters, connecting with your audience, selling your course, and helping your students succeed.
Whether you’re launching your first course or your fifth, this guide will walk you through each phase clearly.
Phase 1: Pre-Launch Preparation
Before you start talking about your course publicly, you need to make sure everything behind the scenes is solid. This is where your preparation sets the foundation for a smooth launch.
1. Define Your Course Promise
Every strong launch starts with a clear, compelling course promise, the main result your students will achieve.
Ask yourself:
- What transformation does my course deliver?
- Can I express that in one powerful sentence?
For example:
“Learn how to build a high-converting personal brand online, even if you’re starting from zero.”
Your course promise should make potential students think, “That’s exactly what I need.”
2. Validate Your Course Idea
Don’t skip this step. Before you invest heavily in marketing, make sure people actually want what you’re selling.
Here’s how to validate fast:
- Ask your email list or audience if they’d be interested.
- Run a simple poll or social media post about your topic.
- Offer a short free workshop or mini-course to test interest.
- Look for competitors, competition is a good sign that demand exists.
If people respond positively, you know your topic has real potential.
3. Choose the Right Platform
In 2025, you have tons of great course platforms to choose from such as SchoolMaker, and many more.
Here’s what to look for:
- Easy video uploads and module organization
- Reliable checkout and payment options
- Built-in email or automation tools
- Analytics to track student progress
- Support for upsells or bundles
If you plan to grow long-term, pick a platform that integrates easily with your marketing tools.
4. Build a High-Converting Sales Page
Your sales page is where most people decide whether to buy or click away. Make it count.
Here’s a simple, proven structure:
- Hook: State your course promise clearly.
- Problem: Describe the challenges your ideal students face.
- Solution: Introduce your course as the answer.
- Results: Show benefits and real-world transformations.
- What’s Included: Break down modules and bonuses.
- Credibility: Share your story, testimonials, and proof.
- Guarantee: Offer a risk-free refund period (30 days works great).
- CTA: Add multiple “Join Now” buttons throughout the page.
👉 Pro tip: Keep it visual. Use screenshots, short clips, and bullet points to help readers scan and understand quickly.
5. Set Up Your Payment and Checkout Process
Nothing kills momentum like a broken checkout link.
Before launch day, double-check that:
- Payments process correctly (test with your own credit card).
- The thank-you page and confirmation emails are working.
- Any coupon codes or discounts are applied properly.
- Enrolled students instantly receive login details.
Do a few test purchases from different devices to be sure everything flows smoothly.
6. Create a Pre-Launch Email List
Even if you don’t have a huge audience, building an email list before launch is key.
Here’s how to grow it quickly:
- Offer a free lead magnet (like a checklist, mini-guide, or short video).
- Share it on your social platforms with a signup link.
- Engage your subscribers with weekly tips related to your course topic.
By the time you launch, you’ll have a warm audience ready to buy, instead of starting from scratch.
7. Prepare Your Marketing Materials
Gather everything you’ll need before your launch begins, so you’re not scrambling at the last minute.
Create or schedule:
- Promotional emails (3–5 minimum)
- Social media posts
- Short video teasers
- Testimonials or beta student quotes
- Course visuals (banners, graphics, mockups)
The goal is to have your content lined up in advance, so you can focus on engaging with people during the actual launch.
Phase 2: Launch Week
You’ve done the groundwork, now it’s time to open the doors. This is where excitement builds and all your prep pays off.
8. Announce with Confidence
Start by sending an email to your list and announcing it on every channel you use.
Keep your message simple:
- Re-state your course promise.
- Explain who it’s for.
- Share why you created it.
- Include a direct link to the sales page.
Example email subject lines:
- “It’s live! 🎉 My new course is officially open”
- “Ready to [achieve the main result]? Enrollment is now open!”
And don’t forget to show your face, a personal video or post can make a huge difference.
9. Create Urgency (The Ethical Way)
Evergreen courses are great for passive income, but live launches often need a sense of urgency to drive sales.
You can do this in several ways:
- Offer a limited-time discount or early bird price.
- Include bonus materials for those who enroll within a specific window.
- Close enrollment after a certain date (if you’re running a cohort).
Urgency works best when it’s genuine. Avoid fake timers, just communicate clearly when your offer ends.
10. Go Live and Engage Daily
During your launch week, show up everywhere.
Ideas to keep energy high:
- Host a live Q&A or webinar explaining what the course covers.
- Share behind-the-scenes clips of your journey creating it.
- Highlight student results or testimonials daily.
- Repost your most successful content on different platforms.
You want people to feel your excitement, enthusiasm sells.
11. Handle Objections Proactively
People hesitate before buying, and that’s completely normal.
The key is to address their doubts directly. Here are common objections and how to counter them:
Objection
How to Respond
“I don’t have time.”
Emphasize that the course is self-paced.
“I’m not sure it’ll work for me.”
Share testimonials and your guarantee.
“I can find this online for free.”
Highlight your structured approach and personalized guidance.
“It’s too expensive.”
Break down the value, e.g., lifetime access, community, templates.
Include answers to these questions on your sales page, FAQs, and in your launch emails.
12. Offer a Strong Guarantee
A clear refund policy helps reduce buyer hesitation.
For example:
“Try the course for 30 days. If you don’t love it, we’ll give you a full refund, no questions asked.”
It shows confidence in your product and builds trust with your audience.
Phase 3: Post-Launch Optimization
Once your launch window closes, your work isn’t over, it’s just beginning. This is when you review, refine, and prepare for your next round.
13. Welcome and Onboard New Students
First impressions matter. A great onboarding experience can turn one-time buyers into lifelong fans.
Here’s a quick onboarding checklist:
- Send a friendly welcome email with clear login instructions.
- Include a short “Getting Started” video to orient new students.
- Remind them of where to find help or support.
- Encourage them to introduce themselves in the community or comment section.
Students who feel supported from day one are far more likely to complete your course.
14. Collect Feedback and Testimonials
Ask for honest feedback early on, ideally after the first module or two.
You can use a simple survey asking:
- What are you enjoying most so far?
- What could be improved?
- Would you recommend this course to a friend?
Not only does feedback help you improve, but great student quotes make powerful testimonials for your next launch.
15. Review Your Metrics
Check your analytics to understand how your launch performed:
- How many visitors landed on your sales page?
- What was your conversion rate?
- Which emails or posts drove the most signups?
- What was your total revenue?
This data tells you exactly what worked, and what to improve next time.
16. Plan Your Evergreen Strategy
After your launch, don’t let your course gather dust.
Turn it into an evergreen funnel by automating the process:
- Create an on-demand webinar or free mini-course that leads to your main course.
- Set up an email sequence to nurture new subscribers.
- Use social media content and SEO to drive consistent traffic to your sales page.
This way, your course keeps selling even while you sleep.
17. Keep the Momentum Going
Finally, stay visible and continue nurturing your audience. Share student success stories, release updates, or even launch a related mini-course or coaching offer.
The best online course creators treat every launch as a stepping stone, not a one-time event.
Downloadable Course Launch Checklist
We’ve also created PDF and Microsoft Word versions of this checklist for you to download and check as you complete each task
Course Launch Checklist PDF Download
Course Launch Checklist Docx Download
Conclusion
Launching a course doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With the right checklist, you can move step-by-step, stay organized, and actually enjoy the process.
Remember; preparation builds confidence, consistency drives results.and your students’ success is your best marketing tool.
So, study this checklist, start ticking boxes, and get ready to share your course with the world. Your next big launch could be the one that changes everything.
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