Developing an Online Course or Companion Study Guide

Our last newsletter explored ways to leverage your book to create passive income streams. Today, we will look at one more: developing an online course and/or companion study guide for your book.

An online course or study guide adds depth and dimension to your book's content, providing readers with a more immersive learning experience, enabling them to dive deeper into the subject matter and apply the concepts in a structured manner. By offering supplementary materials, you demonstrate your commitment to your readers' learning and success and establish yourself as an authority in your field.

It’s a proven fact: creating a companion study guide or developing an online course can significantly boost your book's visibility and attract a wider audience. When you promote your course or study guide, you also effectively market your book. This cross-promotion can lead to increased book sales and greater exposure for your work. Additionally, offering a course or study guide can differentiate your book from competitors, making it more attractive to potential readers and buyers.

From a financial perspective, an online course or study guide is an excellent source of passive income. Once you've invested the initial time and effort into creating the content, it can generate revenue for years to come with minimal ongoing effort. You can sell your course or study guide on various platforms, such as your website, online learning marketplaces, or on Amazon alongside your book. This diversification of income streams reduces your reliance on book sales alone and provides a more stable financial foundation.

Sometimes, the best way to present study material for your book is in the book itself, as you are writing it, by including a study guide at the back of the book or discussion/study guide questions at the end of each chapter. In our experience, books with this extra material better lend themselves to bulk sales—that is, to book clubs, study groups, Bible studies, churches, business organizations, nonprofits, etc., buying multiple copies of your book for group study and discussion.

To create a successful online course or companion study guide, start by identifying the key concepts, strategies, or lessons from your book that would benefit from further exploration. Break down these topics into manageable modules or sections, and develop engaging content that complements your book. This could include videos, audio files, worksheets, quizzes, or interactive exercises. Ensure that your course or study guide is well-structured, easy to navigate, and provides tangible value to your readers.

For authors who want expert input and guidance in this endeavor, Inspira offers online course development through an affiliate partner. Please reach out if you would like more information!

Additionally, our affiliate partner, Course Creek, offers a free online course outline generator. We encourage you to give it a try and let them know Inspira sent you!

Developing an online course or companion study guide for your book is a smart strategy to create passive income streams and enhance the value of your work. So, if you haven't considered this option yet, now is the time to explore the possibilities and take your book to the next level!

Is a study guide or online course a logical next step for your existing book? We’d love to talk and explore the possibility with you!