Create your first video course
So, you want to create a video course, but you're stuck on the most important part — the idea. Whether you're a coach, designer, developer, or just someone with a skill to share, the hardest step is figuring out what to teach.
Finding the right course idea isn't just about picking something you know well. It's about discovering that sweet spot where your expertise meets a real market need — something people are actively looking for and willing to pay for.
This guide will show you 10 smart, practical ways to unlock your next winning course idea. Plus, you'll learn how to avoid wasting time on ideas that don't sell, and how to spot the difference between topics you're passionate about and topics that actually convert.
Let's get started.
A great course idea isn't just about what you know — it's about what your audience desperately needs. It's the foundation for everything: your content, marketing, pricing strategy, and ultimately, your course sales.
Here's the thing most first-time course creators get wrong: they assume that if they're passionate about a topic, others will be too. But passion without market demand is just an expensive hobby.
If you skip this step, you might pour hours into a course that nobody buys. That's a lot of wasted time and effort. We've seen countless creators spend months perfecting courses on topics that seemed "obvious" to them, only to launch to crickets.
On the flip side, when you hit the sweet spot — a topic people crave, that you love teaching, and that solves a real problem — everything else becomes easier. Your lessons flow, your marketing feels natural, your audience sticks around, and most importantly, people actually buy your course.
The best course ideas typically share three characteristics:
What do people ask you about all the time? Are there common questions in your inbox or social media? These recurring questions often reveal a clear course idea sitting right under your nose.
Start by going through your:
Look for patterns. If five different people have asked you how to do the same thing, that's a potential course topic. If you find yourself explaining the same concept repeatedly, that's your audience telling you what they need.
For example, a graphic designer getting lots of questions about logo design might create a course called "The Complete Guide to Designing Killer Logos." But don't stop at the surface level — dig deeper. Are they asking about logos because they're starting a business? Because they want to freelance? Because they're unhappy with what they paid someone else to create?
The deeper you understand the why behind the questions, the better you can position your course.
Pro Tip: Save screenshots or notes from real audience questions. These can inspire not just course ideas, but also your course titles, sales copy, and even specific lesson topics later. Real questions from real people are marketing gold.
If you already have a blog, YouTube channel, or social media presence, check which posts or videos perform best. Those topics are proven winners — and they show what your audience already cares about.
Here's how to dig into your analytics:
But don't just look at vanity metrics. The best course topics come from content that generates engagement — comments, questions, and requests for more information.
For instance, if your Instagram post about "5 Productivity Hacks for Remote Workers" got tons of comments asking for more tips, that's a clear signal for a productivity course. If your YouTube video on "Setting Up a Home Office" has hundreds of comments asking about specific equipment or layout advice, there's your course idea.
Advanced tip: Look at the comments and questions on your popular content. They'll often reveal sub-topics and specific pain points you can address in your course.
Sometimes, the easiest way to know what people want is just to ask. Send a simple survey or poll asking, "What's your biggest challenge with [your niche]?" This direct approach can reveal exactly what people need help with.
Here are some effective ways to survey your audience:
Email surveys: Send a 3-5 question survey to your email list. Keep it short and specific. Instagram Stories polls: Use the poll sticker to ask yes/no questions or the question sticker for open-ended responses. LinkedIn posts: Ask thought-provoking questions in your posts and engage with the responses. Facebook Groups: Join relevant groups (or start your own) and ask what people are struggling with.
Frame your questions around problems, not solutions. Instead of asking "Would you be interested in a course about email marketing?" ask "What's your biggest challenge when trying to grow your email list?"
Tools like Google Forms, Typeform, and even Instagram polls make this easy and fast. But here's the key: the responses don't just tell you what to teach — they tell you what language your audience uses to describe their problems. This becomes invaluable for your marketing copy later.
Bonus tip: Offer a small incentive for survey completion, like a free resource or early access to your course.
Platforms like Udemy, Skillshare, and Teachable are goldmines for idea validation. Search for courses in your niche and look for those with high ratings, lots of reviews, and many students. That's a clear sign there's demand.
Don't copy these courses — but look for gaps or opportunities to:
For example, if you see lots of general "Learn Photoshop" courses, you might create "Photoshop for Real Estate Photographers" or "Photoshop Photo Restoration for Genealogy Research."
Pay special attention to:
Research tip: Look at courses with 3-4 star ratings. The negative reviews will tell you exactly what's missing from existing offerings.
Reddit, Facebook Groups, LinkedIn Groups, and industry-specific forums are packed with people sharing challenges, asking questions, and looking for solutions. Spend time lurking, and you'll start to see patterns.
Here are some specific places to look:
Reddit: Subreddits like r/entrepreneur, r/freelance, or niche-specific communities Facebook Groups: Industry-specific groups, local business groups, professional development groups LinkedIn Groups: Professional associations, alumni groups, industry networking groups Discord Servers: Many niches have active Discord communities Slack Communities: Professional communities often have active Slack groups
For example, if you notice multiple posts in a writers' group asking how to land freelance gigs, that's a course idea waiting to happen. If you see repeated questions in a photography group about pricing their services, there's your course topic.
Look for:
Pro Tip: Keep a swipe file (Google Doc or Notion page) to collect these insights. Screenshot interesting discussions, save compelling questions, and note patterns you see. Over time, it'll be a treasure trove of potential ideas.
Think about your own journey. What problems did you face and solve? What mistakes did you make that others could avoid? If you figured something out, chances are others need the same guidance.
This approach works particularly well because:
For example, if you transitioned from corporate life to freelance consulting, and it took you months to figure out pricing, onboarding, and client management, that's a goldmine course idea. Your journey becomes the course structure:
Important: Don't just teach what you learned — teach how you learned it. The process of discovery is often as valuable as the end result.
Frame it right: Position yourself as someone who's a few steps ahead, not an guru who's unreachably successful. People want to learn from someone who recently solved their problem.
What's trending in your industry? New tools, platforms, or techniques? Trends can be a shortcut to relevance, but it's essential to add depth and specificity. Instead of just explaining what a trend is, teach how to actually use it effectively.
For instance, instead of a generic "Introduction to ChatGPT" course, create:
Here's how to spot and capitalize on trends:
Google Trends: See what people are searching for in your niche Twitter/X: Follow industry hashtags and thought leaders Industry Publications: Read trade magazines and blogs in your field Conferences and Events: See what topics are being featured YouTube: Check what topics are getting lots of views in your niche
The key: Don't just ride the trend — add your unique perspective, combine it with your existing expertise, or apply it to a specific industry or use case.
Warning: Avoid trends that are too new or too saturated. You want trends that have proven demand but aren't oversaturated with content yet.
Competitors don't spend money on ads unless the course idea is working. Check out Facebook Ad Library, Google Ads, and Instagram promoted posts in your niche. What courses are being pushed? These insights reveal what's in demand.
Here's where to look:
Also, note the ad language and positioning. How are successful creators framing their courses? What outcomes are they promising? What pain points are they highlighting?
Look for:
This isn't about copying — it's about understanding what resonates with your shared audience.
Before committing to a full course, offer a free mini-course or live workshop. Promote it via email, social media, or your website, and see how many people sign up. If interest is high, you've got a winner.
This approach also helps you:
For example, if you're thinking about creating a course on "Building a Freelance Writing Business," offer a free 3-day email series on "Landing Your First Freelance Writing Client." If hundreds of people sign up and engage, you've validated demand.
Make it valuable: Don't just use the free content as a teaser. Deliver real value that helps people achieve a small win. This builds trust and makes them excited for more.
One of the fastest ways to stand out is to combine two skills or niches into a unique course idea. This helps you target a very specific audience — and often, less competition means more room to shine.
For example:
This method works because:
How to find good combinations:
You'll be spending hours creating and promoting this course. If you pick a topic just because it seems profitable but you're not genuinely interested, you'll burn out quickly. Your lack of enthusiasm will show in your content, and students will notice.
Even if an idea seems great, always validate it before committing. What seems obvious to you might not resonate with your audience. Use the validation methods we discussed above.
"How to Start a Business" is too vague and has too much competition. "How to Start a Freelance Writing Business" is specific and targeted. The more specific you can be while maintaining sufficient market size, the better.
Balance your interests with what your audience wants to learn. The best course ideas sit at the intersection of your expertise, your passion, and market demand.
People don't buy courses for information — they buy them for transformation. Make sure your course idea leads to a clear, specific outcome that your audience values.
Once you've identified a promising course idea, Teeeach makes it incredibly easy to test and launch your course. Unlike bloated platforms with dozens of features you don't need, Teeeach focuses solely on helping you sell and stream video courses effectively.
With Teeeach's simple setup, you can:
The best part? You can start with a simple course structure and add content over time. Test your idea with a mini-course, then expand it based on student feedback and demand.
Remember: Teeeach handles all the technical complexity — payments, VAT, video hosting, and delivery — so you can focus on what matters: creating great content and validating your course ideas.
Here's your step-by-step plan to find and validate your next course idea:
Week 1: Research and Gather
Week 2: Narrow and Validate
Week 3: Commit and Plan
Week 4: Test and Iterate
Next up: Stop Wasting Time: Validate Your Online Course Idea Before You Create
This article is part of the Ultimate Guide to Creating and Selling Online Video Courses. Explore other parts of the guide: