In this article
In this article
Creating an online course can be an exciting venture, but many creators spend months building their course only to launch it and hear crickets. That’s why learning how to presell a course is a game-changer. Pre-selling allows you to validate demand, generate revenue upfront, and build a committed student base before your course is even complete. In this guide to pre-selling, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to confidently presell a course and set yourself up for a successful launch.
Why You Should Presell a Course
When you presell a course, you flip the traditional launch model. Instead of investing months into creating content with no guarantee of sales, you first confirm that there’s an audience willing to pay. This approach:
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Validates your course idea before spending too much time on it
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Generates upfront revenue to fund production costs
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Creates urgency and excitement among potential students
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Builds a community before the course is even launched
In short, pre-selling reduces risk and increases your chances of success.
Step 1: Define Your Course Idea and Audience
The first step in how to presell a course is having a clear and valuable topic. Choose something that solves a specific problem for a defined audience. For example, instead of creating a generic “Digital Marketing” course, focus on “Instagram Growth for Small Business Owners.”
To identify your ideal audience:
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Define their demographics (age, profession, location)
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Understand their pain points and challenges
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Research what they’re already buying and learning
When you narrow your focus, your pre-selling pitch becomes more compelling.
Step 2: Validate Your Course Idea Before Selling
A crucial part of the guide to pre-selling is validation. You can do this by:
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Creating polls or surveys for your audience
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Hosting a free webinar and seeing how many sign up
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Posting about your course idea on social media and measuring interest
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Asking your email list to join a waitlist
If you receive enthusiastic responses, you know it’s worth moving forward.
Step 3: Build a Compelling Offer
When you presell a course, you’re asking people to invest before the content is complete. This means your offer must be irresistible. Include:
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A clear outcome: What will they achieve by the end?
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Bonuses: Early access, extra resources, or one-on-one calls
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Limited spots or early-bird pricing to create urgency
Make sure your pre-sale offer clearly communicates the transformation your students will experience.
Step 4: Create a Pre-Selling Page
Your pre-selling page is where interested buyers will make the decision to purchase. It should include:
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A strong headline that captures attention
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A description of the problem your course solves
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An outline of what’s included
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Testimonials or case studies (if available)
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Clear pricing and purchase options
Even though your course isn’t finished, your sales page should inspire trust and confidence.
Step 5: Promote Your Pre-Sale Offer
Promotion is key in how to presell a course successfully. Use multiple marketing channels to reach your audience:
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Email marketing: Send a series of emails explaining the benefits and urgency
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Social media: Post about your offer, use stories, and share behind-the-scenes updates
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Webinars: Host a live event to educate and pitch your course
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Collaborations: Partner with influencers or industry peers to expand reach
Consistency is crucial. Don’t just post once—build anticipation over days or weeks.
Step 6: Collect Payments and Enroll Students
Once people start signing up, make the payment process smooth. Use trusted payment gateways and confirm enrollments immediately. Keep communication open by sending welcome emails and letting them know what to expect next.
Step 7: Deliver on Your Promise
Pre-selling is only successful if you deliver high-quality content as promised. Create a timeline for releasing your modules and stick to it. Keep students updated on your progress so they feel part of the journey.
Extra Tips for a Successful Pre-Sale
To make the most of this guide to pre-selling, consider these additional strategies:
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Offer a Beta Version – Give early buyers a discounted rate in exchange for feedback.
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Leverage Scarcity – Limit spots or bonuses to encourage quick action.
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Show Social Proof – Share early student testimonials or success stories.
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Use Countdown Timers – Deadlines boost conversions.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When You Presell a Course
Even experienced course creators can make errors during pre-selling. Avoid:
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Overpromising and underdelivering
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Not validating the idea before selling
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Failing to communicate clearly about delivery dates
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Ignoring feedback from early buyers
Remember, your early customers are your brand ambassadors—they can make or break your future sales.
Tools to Help You Presell a Course
Several tools can make the pre-selling process easier:
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Kajabi / Teachable / Thinkific – For hosting your pre-sale page and processing payments
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ConvertKit / Mailchimp – For email campaigns and audience building
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Zoom / WebinarJam – For hosting live webinars
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Canva – For designing promotional materials
Using the right tools ensures a smooth experience for both you and your students.
How Long Should a Pre-Sale Last?
The length of your pre-sale depends on your audience and marketing plan. Many creators run pre-sales for 7–14 days to maintain urgency. Too short, and people may miss it; too long, and the excitement fades.
Turning Pre-Sale Buyers into Long-Term Students
One benefit of learning how to presell a course is that your early buyers often become loyal customers. Treat them well by:
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Delivering exceptional value
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Asking for feedback and acting on it
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Offering discounts on future courses
This builds trust and creates a community that supports your future launches.
Conclusion
Knowing how to presell a course is one of the most powerful strategies for online educators. By validating your idea, crafting an irresistible offer, and promoting it effectively, you reduce risk and build a strong foundation for your course. Use this guide to pre-selling to turn your ideas into income—before you even create the first lesson.
Next steps
The online course industry is booming, but here’s the hard truth—most courses don’t make it.
Over 85% of online courses fail to retain students, and a major reason is poor platform usability and lack of engagement.
Research shows that the average completion rate for online courses hovers around 15%, with some dropping as low as 3-5%.
The solution? An intuitive platform, interactive content, and a smart marketing strategy.
And Graphy solves exactly this.
Graphy has helped over 200K creators launch and sell their AI-first courses, webinars, memberships and other digital products.
