How to Create Online Courses That Transform Your Students (and Your Revenue)

Expert insights from yoga teacher trainer and instructional designer Rachel Scott on building courses that actually work

As a wellness professional, you’ve probably felt the tug toward creating an online course. Maybe you want to reach more people, generate income when you’re not teaching face-to-face, or share your expertise in a deeper way than a single workshop allows.

But if you’ve ever stared at a blank screen wondering where to start, you’re not alone. Creating an effective online course is more than just recording some videos and hoping for the best. It requires thinking like an educator, not just a teacher.

In a recent OfferingTree webinar, Rachel Scott—yoga teacher trainer, instructional designer, and creator of multiple successful online programs—shared the framework she wishes she’d known when she first started creating courses. Here’s what every wellness professional needs to know about building courses that actually transform students.

Why Online Courses Matter for Wellness Professionals

Most wellness professionals are paid by the hour. You show up, teach a class, run a workshop, and earn your fee. While this direct exchange has its rewards, it can make building financial resilience challenging.

Online courses offer a different path. They allow you to:

• Reach more people beyond your geographic location
• Generate revenue when you’re not physically present
• Package your expertise in a way that creates lasting transformation
• Build your brand and establish authority in your field

But here’s the key: people aren’t taking your course because they can’t find the information elsewhere. They’re investing in your course because they want your unique perspective and they need you to organize the information for them.

The Great Mistake Most Course Creators Make

When Rachel first created a teacher training program, she made what she calls “the great mistake”—thinking that great education was about everything she could give to her students. She wanted to download her entire brain into the program.

The result? A messy, overwhelming experience that required constant revision.

The breakthrough came when she realized that education isn’t determined by what the teacher says or does. It’s determined by what the student can do as a result of their time with you.

This shift from teacher-focused to student-focused thinking changes everything about how you approach course creation.

Start With the End in Mind

Before you create a single piece of content, ask yourself: In two years, what do I want my students to be able to do? What do I want them to remember about their experience with me?

This isn’t about vague goals like “feel more confident” or “understand yoga better.” You need to get specific about measurable outcomes.

Instead of thinking “my students will know how to teach yoga,” think “my students will be able to teach Warrior II using direct language, teaching from the ground up, and addressing at least two common misalignments, to a group of 10 or more students in a studio setting.”

Notice the difference? The second version tells you exactly what success looks like, how to measure it, and under what conditions it needs to happen.

The Secret Tool: Learning Objectives

Learning objectives might sound academic, but they’re your secret weapon for creating courses that actually work. An effective learning objective has three parts:

1. What the student will do (the measurable action)
2. How well they need to do it (the standard for success)
3. Under what conditions (the context where they’ll perform)

Here’s why this matters: when you get crystal clear on your learning objectives, the rest of your course practically writes itself. Your assessments become obvious, your content modules organize naturally, and you stay focused on what truly matters for student success.

Yes, creating learning objectives is painstaking work. But it’s the foundation that makes everything else easier.

Keep Everything Aligned

Once you have clear learning objectives, everything in your course should work together toward those goals. This means:

• Your content directly teaches what students need to know
• Your activities let them practice what they’ll be assessed on
• Your assessments measure the exact skills from your objectives
• Your materials support the learning process

This alignment keeps you from the “kitchen sink” approach where you try to teach everything you know. Remember, your students are busy—they might be managing their course with a baby in one arm and coffee in the other. The clearer and more focused you are, the better their experience will be.

Rethink Assessments

If you’re creating a certification course, assessments are non-negotiable. But even for non-certification courses, don’t dismiss assessments entirely. They serve important purposes:

• They help students recognize their own growth
• They create a sense of accomplishment
• They keep students engaged in the learning process
• They give you valuable feedback about your course effectiveness

For online courses, consider simple assessments like reflection questions, practice submissions, or peer sharing rather than formal tests.

Why Your Best Online Courses Still Include You

Here’s a reality check: the most successful online courses aren’t “set it and forget it” programs. They still involve the instructor.

Rachel recommends a hybrid approach: pre-recorded content delivered week by week, combined with live touch points like weekly group calls. This approach works because:

• Students chose your course to connect with you
• Live interaction improves completion rates
• You can provide real-time feedback and support
• It creates accountability that keeps students moving forward
• Having start and end dates creates urgency for enrollment

Building Courses in OfferingTree

One of the biggest advantages for OfferingTree users is having everything in one platform. You can create beautiful course pages, organize content into modules, accept payments, and manage your entire business without juggling multiple tools.

OfferingTree’s course features make it easy to:

• Create visually appealing course sales pages
• Organize content into logical modules and lessons
• Embed videos, PDFs, and other resources
• Set up payment plans for higher-ticket courses
• Manage student access and progress

The drag-and-drop interface means you can easily reorder content as your course evolves, and the templating system helps you maintain a consistent look throughout your program.

Practical Tips for Getting Started

Keep videos short. Educational videos should be 3-6 minutes maximum. Your students’ attention spans are limited, and shorter videos are more digestible.

Focus on one clear outcome per module. Don’t try to teach everything at once. Each section should build toward your larger learning objectives.

Plan for community. Consider how students will connect with each other and with you throughout the course.

Start simple. Your first course doesn’t need to be your magnum opus. Create something focused and effective, then build from there.

The Bottom Line

Creating an online course isn’t just about sharing what you know—it’s about designing an experience that transforms your students. By thinking like an educator rather than just a teacher, starting with clear learning objectives, and maintaining focus on student outcomes, you can create courses that truly serve your community while building a sustainable income stream.

The wellness world needs more educators who understand how to create meaningful transformation. With the right approach and tools like OfferingTree to support your technical needs, you can join their ranks.

Ready to start building your first online course? Explore OfferingTree’s course creation features and see how easy it can be to bring your vision to life.

This post was inspired by a webinar with Rachel Scott, yoga teacher trainer and instructional designer. Rachel offers a comprehensive course on online course creation and provides free 15-minute consultations for educators at RachelYoga.com. 

About Our Host

Rachel Scott combines thousands of hours of teacher training experience with her academic expertise (MSc Online Education) to help yoga teachers and studios create transformational educational experiences. She supports students, teachers, and trainers to share their passion, find their voice, and inspire others. 

In addition to authoring five books, she has written for Yoga International, YogaUOnline, and the Huffington Post, and exuberantly shares her knowledge through her coaching, YouTube channel, online courses, and free online classes. 

Rachel is also an OfferingTree user!

Learn more about Rachel Scott: 

• Website: Rachel Yoga
• Social Media: @rachelscottyoga