How to Create and Host a True Online Masterclass

How to Create and Host a True Online Masterclass

Online masterclasses are an excellent way for brands to offer their target audience an engaging and interactive learning experience while generating income. The best part about creating and hosting masterclasses is that you don’t have to follow a predefined format or structure. This means you can create a masterclass based on your expertise and what your target audience is interested in watching.

However, creating and hosting a true online masterclass yourself can be pretty daunting, especially if this is your first time doing so. In this article, we’ll go through the steps to create and host a true online masterclass for your business.

Let’s get started!

Step #1: Decide on a topic

One of the first steps to creating a masterclass is deciding on the main topic based on what your target audience might be interested in. A great way to get started is by researching your competitors or taking inspiration from successful masterclasses. This way, you know precisely what masterclass topics sell the best or what your target audience is willing to pay for. Researching competitors also makes it easier to understand how to make your masterclass unique and different.

 

It would help if you also considered the value your masterclass will provide your target audience and the benefits they will gain. For instance, if you choose a simple topic that users can read about or watch free videos online, not many people will be willing to pay for your masterclass.

Once you have a clear idea of the topics you want to work on, you can validate masterclass topic ideas using your target audience. An effective way to do this is by creating focus groups and conducting surveys, as it gives your target audience a chance to participate in your masterclass topic validation process. For instance, you can ask your target audience to choose between various topics using polls and start creating a masterclass on the topic with the most votes.

Step #2: Choose a structure for your masterclass

Now that you have a clearer idea of your masterclass’s topic, it’s time to choose a structure that resonates well with your target audience. This means you must consider the content type you want to include in your master class. For example, if your target audience wants to view video lessons with slideshows, you must incorporate that into your masterclass.

While choosing a specific content format or structure for your masterclass is excellent, you must also consider what format works best for showcasing your masterclass topic. Ideally, you want to make your masterclass as engaging as possible while being informative for your target audience.

In addition to this, you also need to decide on various elements that you’ll add to your masterclass so it’s more valuable for your target audience. For instance, the length of your masterclass, the certifications users will receive upon completion, or the additional resources you’ll provide on top of the masterclass content. This is important for encouraging your target audience to sign up for your masterclass and lets you justify a higher price according to the value you’re offering learners.

Step #3: Create high-quality content

With a clear idea of the topic and the structure of your masterclass, it’s finally time to start creating high-quality content for it. Before you begin, it’s essential to think about the resources or equipment you need to create content. This depends on the masterclass format you choose or the content you want to include in your masterclass.

For instance, if you add a webinar to your masterclass, you will need the required recording equipment, such as a camera, microphone, and video editing software. Similarly, if you only want to add e-books or text-based content to your masterclass, consider hiring an expert writer to create high-quality content or blog posts.

When creating content for your masterclass, ensuring it aligns with the outline you created or follows the primary structure you decided on earlier is crucial. For example, if you want to make an hour-long masterclass, you must record video lessons accordingly.

Step #4: Price your masterclass

When setting a price for your masterclass, there are a few factors you need to consider before you decide on a final price point. One of the first things is the materials or preparation required to create the content for your masterclass. This can include hiring speakers or the equipment you will use to create your masterclass. It would help to consider how long your business takes to generate the masterclass and how much other competitors charge for the same offering.

Since masterclasses have premium content, charging a higher price than regular online courses is justified. However, you still don’t want to overcharge or blindly set high prices, as it can scare away your target audience and leave a wrong impression on your business. Instead, it’s better to charge a realistic price for the value you’re offering to your target audience and price your masterclass according to the industry standard.

Step #5: Choose a solid hosting platform

Once you’ve created and priced your masterclass, you must consider choosing a solid hosting platform. Two main options for hosting masterclasses are online course platforms and LMS systems. The main difference is that online course platforms offer simple functionality for creating and selling masterclasses. On the other hand, LMS systems are much more detailed and come pre-built with features like hosting online communities and selling memberships. Depending on what suits your masterclass and your target audience, both options work equally well for hosting masterclasses.

Additionally, you might want to consider a few key features, such as ease of use, interactive learning functionality, payment options, site performance, and security, when choosing a masterclass hosting solution for your business.

Step #6: Promote your masterclass

Before you launch or start hosting your masterclass, you need to promote it and encourage more people to join so it’s profitable for your business. One of the most effective ways to promote your masterclass is using content marketing strategies. This way, you encourage more people to pay for your masterclass, help build more brand authority, and boost site traffic.

You can also leverage email marketing to send promotional messages to your target audience and inform them about your masterclass. In addition, you can offer a special discount for people who register for your masterclass the day it’s announced to encourage more subscriptions. This way, you can encourage more users to subscribe to your newsletter while incentivizing them to join your masterclass. Additionally, posting paid ads on social media platforms helps you reach your target audience quicker but at an increased cost for your business.

Step #7: Host your masterclass

Hosting your masterclass is straightforward if you’re properly prepared, especially with a solid hosting platform. However, there are a few tips you should keep in mind when hosting your masterclass.

First, you must ensure your masterclass is on track with the significant plan or format you decided on earlier. This also means ensuring no media playback errors, issues with account logins, and timeline delays. While most of these issues can be avoided by using a professional masterclass hosting solution, it’s essential to keep a check on your subscribers and make sure the experience they’re receiving matches their expectations.

It’s also a great idea to integrate social media when you’re about to host your masterclass. This not only helps create hype around your masterclass launch but is a great way to keep subscribed users informed about the launch time of your masterclass.

Step #8: Gather feedback

When the masterclass is over and finished, you must ask your target audience essential questions to gather feedback.

For example, you can create a “How was your experience?” survey and let users tell you precisely what you did right and how their experience could’ve been better. This way, you can improve your next masterclass launch and encourage more people to join.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I create an online masterclass?

A: To create an online masterclass, start by choosing a niche, planning your masterclass content, and deciding whether it will be live or pre-recorded. Then, create a landing page, build an email list, and promote your masterclass.

Q: What are the essential steps to create a successful masterclass?

A: The essential steps to create a successful masterclass include defining your niche, planning your content, building a landing page, promoting your masterclass, and delivering high-quality content that adds value to your audience.

Q: How can I host a live masterclass?

A: To host a live masterclass, you need to choose a platform for streaming, plan your content carefully, engage with participants, and ensure that you have a stable internet connection to deliver a seamless experience.

Q: Why is creating a lead magnet for my masterclass important?

A: Creating a lead magnet is essential as it helps build your email list by offering value to potential participants in exchange for their contact details. This can significantly impact the success of your masterclass.

Q: What are some examples of successful masterclass topics?

A: Successful masterclass topics can range from cooking and photography to business strategies and personal development. Choosing a topic that resonates with your audience and offers unique insights or skills is crucial.

Q: How can I promote my online masterclass?

A: You can promote your online masterclass through social media, email marketing, collaborations with influencers, creating targeted ads, and leveraging your network to reach potential participants interested in your topic.

Q: What should I consider when planning the content for my masterclass?

A: When planning the content for your masterclass, consider creating a step-by-step guide, incorporating video tutorials, providing downloadable resources, and ensuring that the information you impart aligns with the objectives of the masterclass.

Q: What is the significance of having a masterclass landing page?

A: A masterclass landing page serves as a dedicated space to showcase your masterclass details, capture leads, and provide essential information to potential participants. It’s a crucial element in promoting and selling your masterclass.

Q: How can I ensure the success of my masterclass?

A: To ensure the success of your masterclass, you should create engaging and valuable content, effectively market your masterclass, engage with your audience, and continually seek feedback for improvement.

Q: How do I market a masterclass effectively?

A: You can market a masterclass effectively by defining your target audience, creating a compelling sales pitch, utilizing social media and email marketing, collaborating with industry influencers, and offering early-bird discounts or bonuses to attract participants.

Conclusion

Creating a successful online masterclass comes down to the value you’re offering your target audience and the benefits users will gain after the experience.

Whether creating a masterclass on the topic you’re knowledgeable about or choosing the hottest-selling topic in your industry, keeping your target audience part of the idea validation process is essential. This way, you encourage more users to pay and join your masterclass.

Finally, you want to focus on choosing a solid masterclass hosting platform so the end-user experience isn’t compromised. The better the experience your target audience has, the more likely they are to join your next masterclass!

What kind of masterclass are you thinking of creating? Let us know in the comments box below.