The Real Truth Success online: What Every Course Creator Needs a Blog (Part 2)

Starting an online course business feels like stepping into a digital gold rush.

Everyone's talking about passive income, scaling to six figures, and building the laptop lifestyle. But here's what most gurus won't tell you: 95% of your time will be spent marketing, not creating courses.

This harsh reality hit me during a recent coaching session with aspiring course creators. While they were obsessing over perfect video quality and course curriculum, their biggest challenge wasn't technical—it was getting people to actually find and buy their courses.

Part 1 of the Blog

The Marketing Reality Check That Changes Everything

Let me paint you a picture that might sting a little. You spend 10 hours creating an amazing course. Now, according to industry standards, you need to spend 90 hours marketing it. That's not a typo—it's the brutal math of online business success.

There are over 600 million active blogs worldwide, with around seven new posts published daily, and approximately 7.5 million blog posts daily are being published. Your course isn't just competing against other courses—it's fighting for attention in an ocean of content.

But here's the encouraging news: 58% of B2B marketers reported increased sales and revenue in 2023 thanks to content marketing, and businesses that blog consistently see 13x more positive ROI than those that don't.

Why Most Course Creators Fail (And How to Avoid Their Mistakes)

The biggest mistake I see course creators make is building in isolation. They create what they think people want instead of what people actually need. Here's what successful creators do differently:

They Build Systems, Not Just Courses

Smart course creators understand that success comes from creating an entire ecosystem. Your course is just one piece of a larger puzzle that includes:

Lead magnets that capture interested prospects
Email sequences that nurture relationships
Blog content that demonstrates expertise
Community spaces that create connection
Social media presence that amplifies reach

The beauty of using an all-in-one platform like Zenler is that you can build this entire ecosystem without learning multiple tools. The blog function integrates seamlessly with the email marketing features, so when someone reads your blog post and opts into your lead magnet, they automatically enter your nurturing sequence. It's like having all the pieces of your marketing puzzle click together effortlessly.

76% of B2C marketers claim to have used blogs to distribute content in the past 12 months, making it the 2nd most popular distribution channel. This isn't coincidence—it's strategy.

They Focus on One Clear Message

I've watched too many creators try to be everything to everyone. They offer courses on productivity, wellness, business, and personal development all at once. Then they wonder why nobody buys anything.

Successful creators pick one problem and solve it exceptionally well. Everything—their opt-in gift, mini-course, blog posts, and social media—speaks to that single issue. 83% of marketers say it's better to focus on quality rather than quantity of content, even if it means posting less often.

The Blog Strategy That Actually Sells Courses

Here's where most course creators get blogging wrong: they write random posts hoping something sticks. Instead, create what I call a "content campaign"—a series of interconnected blog posts that all point toward your course.

The good news? You don't need to juggle multiple platforms to make this work. Modern course platforms like Zenler have built-in blogging functionality that makes content creation seamless. Instead of managing a separate WordPress site, email platform, and course hosting, everything lives under one roof. You can publish a blog post, capture leads with built-in forms, and direct readers to your course—all without leaving the platform.

The Magic of Strategic Blog Series

The average blog post is around 1,400 words, but length isn't the secret sauce. Connection is. When you create a series of 5-6 related posts that build on each other, something magical happens:

Internal linking power: Each post strengthens the others
Trust building: Readers see your expertise develop across multiple touchpoints
Natural course promotion: Each post can reference your course without being salesy

74% of bloggers use 1-3 images per post, but the real engagement comes from value, not visuals.

The Curated Post Secret

One strategy that consistently works is creating a "master post" that links to all your individual posts. Think of it as your greatest hits album. This single post can drive traffic to your entire content library while positioning you as the go-to expert in your niche.

What makes this especially powerful on platforms like Zenler is the internal linking capability. When all your content lives on the same domain, search engines recognize these connections, boosting your overall site authority. Plus, the platform's drag-and-drop editor makes creating these interconnected posts surprisingly simple—no coding required.

Social Media Without the Overwhelm

97% of bloggers use social media to enhance their blog's exposure, but you don't need to be everywhere. Pick one platform where your audience lives and dominate it.

For course creators, I typically recommend:

YouTube for comprehensive tutorials and building authority
LinkedIn for B2B course topics and professional development
Instagram for lifestyle and creative courses
Facebook for community building and older demographics

The Batch Creation Method

Stop posting randomly. Instead, create 6-8 pieces of social content at once, schedule them out, and focus on engagement. 65% of bloggers use AI in some capacity to streamline their content creation process.

The key is reusing and repurposing. That blog post becomes a video, an Instagram carousel, three quote graphics, and an email newsletter. One piece of content, multiple touchpoints.

Email Marketing: Your Secret Weapon

While everyone's chasing social media followers, smart course creators are building email lists. Here's why: email marketing shines even brighter, with an average ROI of $38 for every $1 spent.

Your email strategy should include:

The Welcome Series That Sells

When someone opts in for your free resource, they're hot prospects. Don't waste this opportunity with a boring "thanks for subscribing" email. Create a sequence that:

Delivers immediate value
Shares your story and builds connection
Introduces your paid course naturally
Includes links to your best blog content

The Blog Announcement Strategy

Every time you publish a blog post, email your list about it. Not with a boring "new post" subject line, but with curiosity-driven headlines that make them want to click.

The Pricing Psychology Most Creators Get Wrong

68% of businesses see an increase in content marketing ROI thanks to using AI, but technology can't fix bad pricing strategy.

Most new course creators either:

Underprice because they don't believe in their value
Overprice because they want to appear premium

The sweet spot for your first course? Between $19-$97. This price point removes friction while still positioning your course as valuable. You can always create premium offerings later.

The Long Game That Pays Off

Building a successful course business isn't a sprint—it's a marathon. Over 55% of marketing experts say it takes 3–9 months to gain initial traction for a new blog, and significant traction can take over a year.

But here's what keeps successful creators going: they measure leading indicators, not just sales:

Email list growth
Blog traffic increases
Social media engagement rates
Course completion rates
Customer feedback scores

The Compound Effect in Action

Every blog post you write, every email you send, every social media post you share compounds over time. Companies that maintain a blog see a 55% increase in website visitors and a whopping 97% more links directed to their site.

Six months from now, that blog post you write today could be the reason someone finds your course and changes their life.

Your Next Steps Start Today

Success in the course creation business comes down to consistency, not perfection. Here's your action plan:

Choose your niche: Pick one problem you solve exceptionally well
Set up your hub: Use a platform like Zenler where your blog, courses, and email marketing work together seamlessly
Create your lead magnet: Offer a free resource that demonstrates your expertise
Start your blog: Publish helpful content consistently using the built-in blogging tools
Build your email list: Capture leads and nurture relationships with integrated automation
Launch small: Start with a mini-course under $50
Scale systematically: Add premium offerings as you grow

The advantage of choosing a platform with built-in blogging functionality is that you're not starting from scratch each time you want to add a new marketing element. Everything connects, everything talks to each other, and you can focus on what matters most—creating valuable content and serving your students.

Nearly half of the marketers say their content marketing budget will increase in 2025. The businesses thriving are those investing in content, community, and genuine value creation.

The course creation opportunity has never been bigger, but the competition has never been fiercer. Success goes to those who understand that building a course business is really about building relationships, one valuable piece of content at a time.

Are you ready to stop dreaming and start building? Your future students are waiting for the solution only you can provide.

Categories: : Zenler Events, Zenler Marketing Help/Advice