Course Creation Checklist: Never Miss a Step

Creating a course feels overwhelming until you have a system. This checklist has helped hundreds of creators launch successful courses without missing critical steps. Print it, bookmark it, use it.

Phase 1: Validation & Planning ✓

Market Research (Week 1)

• [ ] Identify target audience pain points
• [ ] Research competing courses (price, content, reviews)
• [ ] Survey potential students (minimum 20 responses)
• [ ] Validate willingness to pay (pre-sell 3-5 spots)
• [ ] Define transformation promise clearly
• [ ] Create student success metrics
• [ ] Document objections and concerns

Content Planning (Week 2)

• [ ] Create course outline (modules and lessons)
• [ ] Define learning objectives for each module
• [ ] Plan exercises and assignments
• [ ] Determine course duration and pacing
• [ ] Identify needed resources and tools
• [ ] Create content production schedule
• [ ] Design assessment methods

Phase 2: Content Creation ✓

Module Development (Weeks 3-6)

For each module:

• [ ] Write lesson scripts/outlines
• [ ] Create slide presentations
• [ ] Record video content
• [ ] Design worksheets/templates
• [ ] Build quizzes (if applicable)
• [ ] Create action items
• [ ] Develop examples and case studies

Supporting Materials

• [ ] Welcome video/message
• [ ] Course navigation guide
• [ ] Resource library compilation
• [ ] Bonus materials
• [ ] Certificate template
• [ ] Community guidelines
• [ ] Technical requirements doc

Content Quality Check

• [ ] Audio quality acceptable
• [ ] Video resolution clear
• [ ] No major editing errors
• [ ] Consistent branding
• [ ] Accessible formatting
• [ ] Mobile-friendly delivery
• [ ] Closed captions (if needed)

Phase 3: Platform Setup ✓

Selgora Configuration

• [ ] Create course in dashboard
• [ ] Upload all content
• [ ] Set up module structure
• [ ] Configure drip schedule
• [ ] Add lesson descriptions
• [ ] Set completion requirements
• [ ] Test student experience

Sales Page Creation

• [ ] Write compelling headline
• [ ] Define transformation clearly
• [ ] List course curriculum
• [ ] Add instructor bio
• [ ] Include testimonials (if available)
• [ ] Create FAQ section
• [ ] Add guarantee terms
• [ ] Set up payment options

Pricing & Offers

• [ ] Set course price
• [ ] Create payment plans (if applicable)
• [ ] Design early-bird offer
• [ ] Plan launch discount
• [ ] Create bundle options
• [ ] Set up order bumps
• [ ] Configure affiliate program

Phase 4: Pre-Launch Preparation ✓

Marketing Assets (Week 7)

• [ ] Email announcement sequence (5-7 emails)
• [ ] Social media graphics
• [ ] Launch countdown graphics
• [ ] Testimonial graphics
• [ ] Bonus reveal images
• [ ] Webinar slides (if applicable)
• [ ] Affiliate resources

Launch Sequence Planning

• [ ] Set launch date
• [ ] Create launch calendar
• [ ] Schedule email broadcasts
• [ ] Plan social media posts
• [ ] Book podcast interviews
• [ ] Arrange affiliate promotions
• [ ] Schedule webinars

Technical Testing

• [ ] Test payment processing
• [ ] Verify email automations
• [ ] Check mobile experience
• [ ] Test video playback
• [ ] Confirm download links
• [ ] Verify access controls
• [ ] Test support systems

Phase 5: Launch Week ✓

Day -7: Pre-Launch

• [ ] Send teaser email
• [ ] Share behind-the-scenes content
• [ ] Open early-bird list
• [ ] Brief affiliates
• [ ] Test all systems again

Day 1: Launch Day

• [ ] Send launch email (morning)
• [ ] Post on all social channels
• [ ] Go live (if planned)
• [ ] Monitor for technical issues
• [ ] Respond to questions quickly
• [ ] Send reminder email (evening)

Days 2-5: Momentum

• [ ] Share student wins
• [ ] Address common objections
• [ ] Add new bonuses
• [ ] Send daily emails
• [ ] Create urgency
• [ ] Host Q&A session

Day 6-7: Final Push

• [ ] Last chance emails
• [ ] Cart close countdown
• [ ] Final live session
• [ ] Remove bonuses gradually
• [ ] Close cart on time

Phase 6: Post-Launch ✓

Week 1 After Launch

• [ ] Welcome new students
• [ ] Send onboarding sequence
• [ ] Host kickoff call
• [ ] Gather initial feedback
• [ ] Address tech issues
• [ ] Celebrate in community

Ongoing Optimization

• [ ] Analyze launch metrics
• [ ] Document lessons learned
• [ ] Collect testimonials
• [ ] Update sales page
• [ ] Improve weak lessons
• [ ] Plan next launch
• [ ] Create evergreen funnel

Quick Launch Formulas

The Beta Launch (2 Weeks)

Week 1: Validate & Create Outline Week 2: Pre-sell & Start Creating Ongoing: Build with students

The Standard Launch (8 Weeks)

Weeks 1-2: Validation & Planning Weeks 3-6: Content Creation Week 7: Pre-Launch Prep Week 8: Launch Week

The Premium Launch (12 Weeks)

Weeks 1-3: Deep Research & Validation Weeks 4-8: High-Quality Production Weeks 9-10: Pre-Launch Campaign Week 11: Launch Week Week 12: Post-Launch Optimization

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Creating without validating Fix: Pre-sell before you build

Mistake 2: Perfectionism paralysis Fix: Launch at 80% perfect

Mistake 3: No launch plan Fix: Use this checklist

Mistake 4: Ignoring student feedback Fix: Iterate based on results

Mistake 5: One-and-done mentality Fix: Plan for multiple launches

Your Success Metrics

Track these to measure success:

• Enrollment numbers
• Completion rates
• Student satisfaction scores
• Testimonial generation
• Revenue per student
• Refund rates
• Referral rates

Emergency Fixes

Low enrollments?

• Revisit pricing
• Improve value proposition
• Add urgency/scarcity
• Increase social proof

High refunds?

• Survey unsatisfied students
• Improve onboarding
• Set better expectations
• Enhance content quality

Low completion?

• Shorten lessons
• Add accountability
• Improve engagement
• Simplify content

Remember This

A launched course can be improved. An unlaunched course helps no one.

Use this checklist to launch with confidence, then iterate based on real feedback.

Your knowledge deserves to be shared. This checklist ensures you share it professionally.