Starting a digital course can be both exciting and overwhelming. Trust me, I know! I’m here to tell you that the excitement stays with you even long after you’ve conquered the overwhelm. You just need a great plan. The very first stop on your road to digital course success is nailing down the exact topic for your course.

With endless possibilities, how do you determine what to teach? Finding your unique voice and niche is key to creating a course that is engaging, valuable, and fulfilling to teach. Here’s a guide to help you discover what you should teach in your digital course, with some advice and practical examples thrown in for you!

Identifying your passions and expertise is the first step in determining what to teach. Your enthusiasm and knowledge are the foundations of a successful course.

By focusing on what you love and what you’re good at, you’ll naturally create a more engaging and authentic learning experience for your students. Here are some ways to identify your passions and expertise.

1. Reflect on Your Interests

Your course should be something you are passionate about. Passion translates into enthusiasm, and enthusiasm is contagious! Start by making a list of topics you love and enjoy discussing. Here are a few examples to get your wheels rolling:

If you love cooking and spend your weekends experimenting with new recipes, a course on gourmet cooking techniques might be perfect for you. Sharing your culinary adventures and expertise can inspire others to elevate their cooking skills.

Are you an avid traveler who’s visited dozens of countries? You could create a course on budget travel tips and tricks. Sharing your travel hacks and experiences can help others explore the world without breaking the bank.

If you find joy in gardening and have transformed your backyard into a green paradise, a course on urban gardening could be your calling. Teaching others how to grow their own food in small spaces can be incredibly rewarding and impactful.

2. Leverage Your Skills and Experience

Consider the skills and knowledge you have that others find valuable. Think about your professional background, hobbies, and life experiences. I’m adding a few examples below, but the sky is the limit on the topics you could choose from!

If you have years of experience in graphic design, you might teach a course on creating stunning visual content for social media. Your expertise can help aspiring designers and small business owners enhance their online presence.

If you’re an elementary teacher with a knack for making learning fun, you could create a course for parents on how to support their children’s education at home. Your experience in the classroom can provide valuable strategies and activities for engaging young learners and reinforcing their skills outside of school.

If you’re proficient in home organization and have a talent for creating functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces, you could develop a course on decluttering and organizing your home. Your expertise can empower individuals to transform their living environments, leading to increased productivity, reduced stress, and a greater sense of well-being.

3. Seek Feedback from Others

Sometimes, we’re too close to our own strengths to see them clearly. Ask friends, family, and colleagues what they think you are particularly good at. They will be happy to tell you! (Hot Tip: They probably ask for your help or advice in this area often anyway!)

Your colleagues might point out your exceptional organizational skills, suggesting a course on productivity and time management. Helping others optimize their time can lead to significant improvements in their personal and professional lives.

Friends who have always admired your fashion sense might encourage you to teach a course on personal styling and wardrobe building. Sharing your style tips can boost others’ confidence and help them express themselves through fashion.

Family members who have benefited from your fitness advice might inspire you to create a course on developing a sustainable workout routine. Teaching others how to stay fit and healthy can have a profound impact on their well-being.

Assessing market demand ensures that your course idea has a potential audience. By understanding what people are interested in and what they need, you can create a course that not only fulfills your passions but also meets the demand in the market. Here’s how to assess market demand effectively.

1. Research Popular Topics

Investigate what topics are currently in demand. Use platforms like Udemy, Coursera, and Skillshare to see which courses are popular and what students are eager to learn.

With the rise of remote work, there’s a growing interest in productivity and time management techniques for working from home. Creating a course focused on optimizing productivity in a remote work environment could cater to the needs of professionals adapting to this new way of working.

The health and wellness industry is experiencing a surge in demand for mental health resources. A course on stress management, mindfulness practices, or emotional resilience could resonate with individuals seeking support for their mental well-being.

Sustainability and eco-friendly living are increasingly important topics for many people. A course on sustainable living practices, such as reducing waste, adopting green energy solutions, or ethical consumerism, could attract individuals looking to minimize their environmental impact and live more consciously.

2. Analyze Search Trends

Use tools like Google Trends and keyword planners to find out what people are searching for. This can give you insights into potential course topics that have high interest.

If search trends show a spike in searches for “remote work productivity,” a course on optimizing productivity while working from home could be timely and relevant. As more and more companies adopt remote working, many are looking for ways to maintain efficiency outside the traditional office.

Increased searches for “DIY home decor” might suggest a market for a course on creating stylish home decorations on a budget. This can attract a creative audience looking to personalize their living spaces.

If “healthy meal prep” is trending, a course offering meal planning and preparation tips for busy professionals could be in high demand. Helping people eat healthily despite their busy schedules can be a game-changer for their lifestyle.

3. Validate Your Idea with Potential Students

Before fully committing to a course idea, validate it by reaching out to potential students. If you already have an email list, or a social media following, try these suggestions on for size. You’ll be able to quickly gauge the interest from your audience by using surveys, social media polls, or even one-on-one conversations.

Create a survey to ask your email subscribers which topics they would be most interested in learning about. Their responses can guide you toward a topic that has a ready audience.

Post a poll on your social media channels to see what your followers are keen to learn from you. Engaging with your audience directly can provide immediate and honest feedback.

Host a free webinar or workshop on your potential course topic to see the level of engagement and interest. This can help you assess the demand and refine your course content based on real-time feedback.

Aligning your course with your long-term goals ensures that all your hard work contributes to your broader aspirations. Whether it’s advancing your career, adhering to your personal values, or serving your target audience, your course should fit into your bigger picture. Here’s how to align your course with your long-term goals.

1. Consider Your Career Aspirations

Think about how your digital course can align with and support your long-term career goals. Your course should ideally help you advance in your career or open new opportunities.

If you aim to become a thought leader in digital marketing, a course on advanced social media strategies could enhance your reputation and visibility in the field. Establishing yourself as an expert can lead to speaking engagements, consulting opportunities, and more.

Aspiring to write a book on personal finance? Teaching a course on budgeting and saving money can build your credibility and audience. Sharing your expertise through a course can lay the groundwork for your future book launch.

If you dream of starting a consultancy business, a course on strategic business planning could help you attract your first clients. Demonstrating your knowledge through a course can establish trust and credibility with potential clients.

2. Align with Personal Values and Mission

Your course should resonate with your personal values and mission. Teaching something that aligns with your core beliefs will make your work more meaningful and satisfying. When you’re teaching from the heart, it easily comes through to your students! Here are a few examples:

If you’re passionate about mental health advocacy, develop a course that educates others on mental health awareness, coping strategies, and destigmatization. By sharing your knowledge and experiences, you can contribute to a more supportive and understanding community.

If empowering women and promoting gender equality align with your values, develop a course focused on women’s leadership and empowerment. Provide guidance, mentorship, and tools to help women advance in their careers and achieve their goals.

If you believe in lifelong learning, a course on skills development for continuous professional growth could be your perfect match. Encouraging others to keep learning aligns with your belief in the importance of ongoing education.

3. Think About Your Audience

Consider who your ideal students are and what they need. Creating a course that meets the specific needs of your target audience will increase its relevance and impact. Making an impact in the lives of others is the most rewarding and fulfilling endeavor we can pursue, as it allows us to leave a lasting legacy of positivity, inspiration, and empowerment. This feeds my soul! Take a look at these examples to help see how you can design your own impact:

If your audience consists of young professionals, a course on building a successful career early on could be highly beneficial. Providing guidance on career development can help them navigate the challenges of entering the workforce.

For an audience of busy parents, a course on managing work-life balance effectively might be very appealing. Offering strategies for balancing professional and personal responsibilities can resonate deeply with them.

If your followers are primarily creatives, a course on overcoming creative blocks and staying inspired could resonate deeply with them. Helping creative individuals maintain their inspiration can enhance their productivity and fulfillment.

Finding your voice and determining what to teach in your digital course site is a journey of self-discovery and market research. Reflect on your passions and expertise, assess market demand, and align your course with your long-term goals and values.

By following these steps, you’ll create a course that is not only successful, but also fulfilling to teach. Remember, your unique voice is what will make your course stand out and truly impact your students.

I’m teaching a free workshop soon to help you map out your course and scale it to a six-figure side hustle. I’d love for you to join me! Go get on the waitlist here for Building Your Six-Figure Side Hustle because seats will be limited!

Happy teaching!