How to Presell Your Online Course Before It's Finished

Even if you feel like a beginner.

You're sitting at your desk, brimming with excitement about this course idea you've been dreaming up for months. You can already picture the impact it’ll have, the emails from grateful students, the Stripe notifications… but then, that sneaky little thought creeps in:

"Can I really do this?"

Trust me, I’ve been right where you are. The course creation journey is wildly exciting but also a lot. You’re pouring your heart into something you hope will sell—but what if it doesn’t?

Let’s pause and breathe, friend. Because there’s a strategic little secret that’ll help you move forward with confidence (and even start earning before you create a single module).

It’s called preselling—and it’s about to change the game for you.

Why You Should Validate Your Course Idea First

Before you ever ask someone to pull out their credit card, let’s make sure your course actually solves a real problem your audience wants help with.

Course validation is the foundation. It’s how you go from “I think this could work” to “I know people want this.”

Ask yourself:

• What questions do people always ask me?

• What have I personally overcome that others are still struggling with?

• Is there a gap in the market no one is addressing in my way?

Once you’ve confirmed there’s a need, you’re not guessing anymore—you’re building something with purpose.

What Does It Mean to Presell a Course?

Preselling is simply offering your course for sale before it's completely built. Not in a scammy way—you're transparent about it being a beta or early access group—but you’re giving people the opportunity to raise their hand and say, “Yes, I need this!”

It’s like test-driving your idea with a small group, while also funding the time it’ll take to build it.

Here’s how to do it well:

1. Craft an Offer That Speaks to the Heart

What keeps your ideal client up at night? What are they Googling at 2 a.m.? Your offer should feel like a lifeline to them—clear, specific, and deeply helpful.

Talk directly to those struggles you know all too well (your own story or your clients’ stories can guide you here).

2. Start the Buzz

Don’t wait until everything’s polished. Let people in on the journey.

Start sharing that you’re building something behind the scenes. Use your email list, Instagram Stories, blog posts, and casual conversations. Show sneak peeks, ask for feedback, and invite people to join a founding round or beta group.

3. Offer Early Access + Bonuses

Incentivize the early birds with something special—maybe a bonus workbook, a free live Q&A, or discounted pricing for beta students. This builds urgency and makes them feel like insiders.

4. Deliver Value Right Away

Even during presale, give people something valuable:

• A free training

• A mini workbook

• A resource list

• Access to the first module or lesson

This builds trust and gets them excited for what’s coming.

Starter Tools for a Simple Presale

You don’t need to overthink this. Here’s a bare-minimum starter kit I recommend for getting your course off the ground:

• Email Marketing
  You’ll need a way to collect emails and communicate. I recommend Flodesk for its ease and beautiful design—it also has a checkout feature so you can collect payments without a full course platform.

• Video Hosting
  Use Zoom to run and record your live sessions. It’s easy, free for shorter sessions, and perfect for beta rounds.

• Workbooks + Resources
  Canva is your best friend here. Use their templates to design PDFs and share content as you build.

• Course Platform (Optional for Later)
  If you want an all-in-one system that handles emails, checkout, landing pages, and course delivery, I recommend Kajabi. Their Kickstarter Plan gives you 14 days free—which is more than enough time to start earning before your trial is up.

Common Myths About Preselling

You might be thinking:

“But I don’t have testimonials.”
“I haven’t taught this before.”
“I’m not an expert.”

Let me stop you right there.

If you’ve walked the path your ideal student is on now, that’s enough. You don’t need credentials—you need clarity. Be honest about where you’re at, be crystal clear on what outcome your course will help them achieve, and serve with your whole heart.

Ready to Plan Your Course with Confidence?

You don’t have to figure this all out alone. Inside my Course Launch Workbook, I walk you step-by-step through the entire launch process—from idea to offer to income. It’s perfect for solopreneurs who want to teach what they know and launch a simple, heart-led course that sells.

Hi, I’m Christina—designer, strategist, and your website’s new best friend.

I help solopreneurs build beautiful, intentional websites that actually work for their business (without the tech overwhelm). When I’m not designing in Squarespace, you’ll find me homeschooling my kids with a coffee in hand and cozy slippers on my feet.

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