If you think that creating a new online course is difficult, then you are in for some serious trouble after it because marketing it is much more challenging.
Most eLearning businesses have a poor user-base, which makes it evident that marketing online training courses will take a toll on them. What does your strategy include: paid or unpaid advertising, or both? The right marketing approach is to incorporate all the marketing tools available at your disposal in the correct ratio to ensure promising results.
The three major aspects of your Learning Management (LMS) software for your oline course are as follows:
Integration
Integration of LMS with enterprise software is essential to enhance the user experience and benefits of the program. This is a very promising feature of any LMS software program because it enables the organization to make the most of the LMS software. Certain organizations may require a learning management system but not a reporting system, so they will prefer an LMS software which can be integrated with their enterprise reporting program.
User experience
User experience is the key to sales because when the consumers are satisfied with a product or service, they refer it to their friends and help build a positive reputation of the brand. Your online course should be designed carefully to ensure a positive user experience; be it the layout of the program or its features.
Re-evaluate and revise
Take customer feedback very seriously to make sure that you can re-evaluate your products and services, and improve them significantly. Negative feedback will help you more in improving the software, which will then enhance the user experience notably
Now that you are aware of the correct approach, read ahead to learn about the marketing strategy that will help you convert customers:
Search engine optimization
Commonly known as SEO, is the most significant part of any digital marketing strategy. It includes keyword search, crawl errors, broken links, page speed and directing all the digital content to the website to increase the traffic. Not many businesses are aware of eLearning management systems, which makes it essential for every LMS vendor to observe the market thoroughly to identify potent keywords, mend all broken links and ensure utmost traffic to the website.
Misconception- You only need SEO to increase your sales significantly and not any of the tools mentioned below. Every marketing tool offers different benefits, so don’t put all your eggs in one basket; diversify to amplify.
Blogs and articles:
Sharing content, both online and offline, is crucial to inform your target audience about the features and benefits of your LMS software. Be it website blogs or guest posts on various other websites; your content should be genuine and appealing enough to inform and attract your target audience.
Misconception- You can write false claims or incorrect information in your blogs and articles, as far as they convert customers. You need to understand that your blogs and articles will represent your LMS software, and any incorrect information will affect its credibility.
Niche-specific PPC advertising campaigns
The eLearning industry’s PPC network is extensive and untapped; making penetration challenging for every LMS vendor. This is where a niche-specific PPC advertising campaign steps in. The ad needs to be business (industry) specific, i.e., jargons, designs and content should cater to only one industry at a time. This approach will help you gain customers in no time because you will be providing exact solutions to the ones, who are looking for those answers.
Misconception- PPC campaigns do not need to be niche-specific, and even a generalized PPC ad can generate the same results. Niche-specific ads are no doubt a more impactful approach than generalized ads.
Social media promotion
The social media platforms are home to more than a billion users worldwide; however, the competition is higher than ever as well. Similar to niche-specific PPC campaigns, your social media strategy should also target specific groups to make sure that your LMS software can help their business by improving their practices as well as employee performances. Your content should be crisp and appealing, i.e., directly inform your audience about the features and benefits of your LMS software and provide a CTA (call-to-action) in the end.
Misconception- CTA integration is irrelevant to social media posts. However, CTA facilitates website traffic and sales.
Word of mouth promotion and referral
Word of mouth (WOM) promotion and referrals are the most credible strategies to gain new customers. If you can ensure a positive user experience, then WOM can be expected without any hassles; however, referrals often require digital incentives like brand integration with the LMS, collaboration on social media or fee waive off for a fixed time period. The returns of both these strategies are desirable, so don’t hold back.
You can depend solely on WOM promotion to enhance sales, and there is no need for incentives when it comes to referrals. Digital incentives appeal businesses to refer your LMS software over others, and a well-designed LMS layout & relevant features ensure customer retention and WOM promotion.
Conclusion
Now that you are aware of the work that is ahead of you once the LMS software program is created, you surely understand the hassles that will follow. Well, hard work ensures promising results! None of the marketing tools mentioned above is impossible to utilize, so invest sufficient time and money in your marketing strategy to enhance your LMS software sales significantly.