Creating courses
From first idea to finished course: structure, video, certificates and everything that carries students to the end.
An online course rarely fails because of its topic. It fails because students drop out after the third lesson, either because the structure loses them or because the tech gets in the way. The articles here walk the whole path from the first outline to the certificate: how to cut learning goals into modules, how long a lesson should run, how to record video without renting a studio, and how to use assignments and exams so they carry people instead of scaring them off.
I write from building MemberArea and from the courses customers run on it. Every article names the concrete steps rather than the theory behind them. Where a platform feature is meant, the setup comes with it. Where another tool fits better, that is in there too.
How to Build a Self-Paced Online Course Without Video
Build a self-paced online course without video: why text works, which formats to mix, how to structure it, and how to keep students engaged.
Online Employee Training: E-Learning That Scales
Online employee training instead of classroom seminars: how companies digitise onboarding, compliance and development in a scalable, compliant way.
How to Create an Online Course That Sells in 2026
A practical, step-by-step guide to building a profitable online course: validating your idea, structuring the curriculum, recording lessons, and launching to your first paying students.
How to Sell Your Online Course: 8 Routes to First Customers
Selling an online course: 8 proven routes to your first customers, from email and webinars to affiliates, SEO and a planned launch.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a lesson be?
Short enough to fit into a break. Six to twelve minutes per video works best in practice, and anything longer is better split into two lessons with their own goal. What matters is not the runtime but that each lesson answers one question and ends with a clear next step.
Do I need expensive gear for good course videos?
No. A microphone close to your mouth and a window for light do more than any camera. Sound carries the impression, resolution does not. You can record on the computer you already own and cut it in the MemberArea studio.
How do I keep students from dropping out?
With structure and feedback. Visible progress, one assignment per module and a message when someone has been away for two weeks keep more people in the course than any extra lesson. A certificate at the end gives the whole thing a destination.
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