​​Do you need social media to launch a course?

Using social media when launching a course is not an absolute necessity, but it can be a highly beneficial and effective strategy. Social media platforms have become integral to marketing and promotion in today’s digital age, and they offer several advantages for course creators. However, I never want you to feel like you HAVE to use social media to launch. My philosophy is that if your energy is positive and you’re happy while launching, you’re definitely likely to be more successful.

Let’s take a look at the benefits of social media when launching a course:

• Wider Reach: Social media allows you to reach a broad and diverse audience. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok have millions or even billions of active users, giving you the potential to connect with people from various demographics and geographic locations that you otherwise would not have “run into”. The long game of figuring out the algorithm to meet these newer people though can prove to be tough.
  
• Engagement and Interaction: Social media enables direct interaction with your target audience. You can engage in conversations, answer questions, address concerns, and build a community around your course. This engagement fosters a sense of trust and authenticity. Hell, some of my best friends are now “strangers” from the internet. I no longer have co-workers and spent a lot of my time DM’ing and VM’ing people all over the United States to chat. So much so that we even formed a little something called The Book Club (take a look if you like to read … or like to talk to other online business owners!).
  
• Cost-Effective Marketing: Compared to traditional advertising methods, social media marketing is often more cost-effective. Many social media platforms offer both free and paid advertising options, allowing you to choose a budget that suits your needs. Plus you have the ability to control your own options. Yes, the algorithm is a pain in the ass, but ultimately it is YOUR choice what is put out for the world to see. And it can be absolutely free in building your like, know and trust factor through connections on social media.
  
• Content Sharing: Social media is an ideal platform for sharing content related to your course. You can post blog articles, videos, infographics, and other engaging materials to showcase your expertise and generate interest in your course. When launching a course, membership or an offer, it is important to warm your audience up for a period of time and not just “spring” your offer on them. This can be done by several of the methods listed above, such as sharing educational and inspirational content with your audience.
  
• Analytics and Insights: Most social media platforms provide detailed analytics and insights that allow you to track the performance of your social media campaigns. You can measure engagement, click-through rates, and other key metrics to refine your social media strategy. During a launch especially, you should absolutely be paying attention to what type of content is converting well for your audience. Not sure which numbers to track? Snag my small business KPIS to know exactly what numbers to track in your business.
  
  

While social media can be a powerful tool for course and offer promotion, it’s essential to use it strategically.

Here are some tips to make the most of social media when launching a course:

• Choose the Right Platforms: Select the social media platforms that align with your target audience. Not all platforms will be equally effective for every audience. Think about your ideal client and where they hang out. If your ideal client seems to only hang out on Facebook, then consider developing your Facebook audience more than your Instagram, for example.
  
• Create a Content Calendar: Plan your social media content in advance. A content calendar can help you maintain consistency and ensure that your messaging aligns with what you want to offer to your audience. Not to mention, creating a content calendar in advance will alleviate so much stress because you won’t be scrambling to create content as you launch your offers.
  
• Engage Authentically: Be genuine and authentic in your interactions on social media. Engage with your audience, respond to comments, and provide value. People are realizing what is authentic and inauthentic marketing practices and transparent marketing is more important than ever. Be yourself – everyone else is already taken!
  
• Run Contests or Giveaways: Contests and giveaways can generate excitement and encourage user participation. They can also help you expand your social media following. I would revert to the rule above though about engaging authentically. Giveaways can truly create buzz and excitement around your account when done in moderation.
  
• Collaborate with Influencers: Partnering with other  industry experts can extend your reach and credibility. Getting in front of other peoples’ audiences who would also be potential clients and interested in your offers is a great way to expand your reach, gain more followers and get in front of new eye balls!
  

While you don’t need to use social media to launch a course, it can significantly enhance your marketing efforts. And increase your chances of success. It’s essential to approach social media strategically. Tailor your approach to your target audience, and use these platforms as a valuable complement to your overall course launch strategy. Remember, at the end of the day, people want to know exactly WHO they are buying from as much as WHAT they are purchasing. People buy from people.

Thinking of launching a course? Check out my {free} full course launch checklist!