The online education market is expanding rapidly, and course co-producers play a crucial role in launching successful courses. But what exactly does a co-producer do, and how can you make money in this field? In this guide, we’ll break down the responsibilities of a course co-producer and outline strategies for maximizing profits.
What is a Digital Course Co-Producer?
A course co-producer is a professional who collaborates with an expert or content creator to develop, market, and sell an online course. The co-producer typically handles the business, marketing, and technical aspects of the course, while the expert focuses on delivering the content.
This partnership allows experts to monetize their knowledge without dealing with the complexities of course production, while co-producers earn a share of the revenue for managing the backend operations.
Key Responsibilities of a Course Co-Producer
If you’re considering becoming a course co-producer, here are the main tasks you’ll be responsible for:
1. Market Research & Course Validation
Before creating a course, it’s essential to ensure that there’s demand for the topic. Your job as a co-producer is to:
✅ Conduct keyword research to find trending topics.
✅ Analyze competitors on platforms like Udemy, Teachable, and Coursera.
✅ Create surveys or pre-launch pages to test interest.
Validating an idea prevents wasted time and effort on courses that might not sell.
2. Structuring the Course & Managing Production
Once the course idea is validated, the next step is to plan its structure. This includes:
📌 Defining modules and lessons for a logical learning flow.
📌 Choosing the best format (video, audio, slides, live sessions).
📌 Organizing recording schedules and ensuring the expert delivers content on time.
📌 Managing video editing, graphics, and presentation slides.
3. Hosting and Platform Selection
A course needs a reliable hosting platform where students can access the content. As a co-producer, you’ll choose the best platform based on budget, features, and scalability. Popular options include:
- Teachable – Best for branding flexibility.
- Thinkific – Good for automation and marketing tools.
- Kajabi – All-in-one solution for courses, sales pages, and email marketing.
- Udemy – Marketplace with built-in traffic but limited pricing control.
You’ll also manage the technical aspects, such as uploading course materials, setting up student access, and handling customer support.
4. Marketing and Sales Strategies
Marketing is one of the most crucial aspects of course co-production. Your primary goal is to ensure the course reaches the right audience and generates sales. This involves:
✅ Creating high-converting sales pages – Writing persuasive copy that highlights the course benefits.
✅ Running paid ads (Facebook, Google, Instagram) – Driving targeted traffic to the sales page.
✅ Email marketing campaigns – Nurturing leads with a well-planned email sequence.
✅ SEO & content marketing – Using blog posts, YouTube videos, and podcasts to attract organic traffic.
✅ Affiliate partnerships – Collaborating with influencers and content creators to promote the course.
5. Managing Course Launches & Promotions
There are different launch strategies you can use to sell courses:
🚀 Live Launch – A limited-time promotion with a webinar or live event.
📈 Evergreen Funnel – A course available year-round, using automated email sequences.
💰 Limited-Time Discount Offers – Creating urgency with special deals.
You’ll oversee the entire launch process, track conversions, and optimize the campaign for better results.
6. Handling Customer Support & Engagement
Providing excellent customer support ensures high student satisfaction and retention. Your job includes:
📌 Responding to student inquiries.
📌 Managing refunds and troubleshooting technical issues.
📌 Encouraging engagement in course communities (Facebook groups, Slack, Discord).
A great student experience leads to positive reviews and higher conversions for future launches.
How Do Course Co-Producers Make Money?
There are multiple ways to monetize your skills as a course co-producer. Here are the most common revenue models:
1. Revenue Share Model (Most Common Approach)
This is the most popular method, where you and the expert split course profits based on a pre-agreed percentage.
📌 Typical revenue split:
🔹 50/50 – If both parties contribute equally.
🔹 60/40 – If one side is doing more work (e.g., the expert only records content while the co-producer handles everything else).
Example:
If a course sells for $500 and generates 200 sales, the total revenue is $100,000. If you have a 50/50 split, you earn $50,000.
2. Upfront Payment Model
Instead of a revenue share, you can charge a flat fee for your services. This is ideal for experts who want full course ownership.
📌 Example pricing:
🔹 $3,000 – $10,000 per course (depending on complexity).
3. Hybrid Model
Some co-producers charge an initial setup fee + a percentage of profits.
📌 Example:
🔹 $2,000 upfront + 30% of sales revenue.
This ensures you get paid immediately while also benefiting from long-term sales.
4. Retainer Model
For experts with multiple courses, you can charge a monthly retainer to manage their courses, marketing, and customer support.
📌 Typical retainer fees:
🔹 $1,500 – $5,000/month, depending on workload.
5. Selling Your Own Courses
Once you master course production, you can create and launch your own digital courses on topics like:
- “How to Become a Course Co-Producer”
- “Masterclass on Marketing & Selling Online Courses”
- “Facebook Ads for Course Launches”
This allows you to build passive income without relying on experts.
How to Get Started as a Course Co-Producer
If you’re ready to enter this field, follow these steps:
Step 1: Learn the Fundamentals
✔ Study online courses on marketing, sales funnels, and course creation.
✔ Follow industry leaders in digital education.
✔ Join Facebook groups and forums related to course production.
Step 2: Build a Portfolio
✔ Start by working with a small expert or content creator to gain experience.
✔ Create case studies showing how you helped increase course sales.
✔ Collect testimonials from satisfied clients.
Step 3: Find Experts to Partner With
✔ Reach out to coaches, consultants, YouTubers, and bloggers.
✔ Offer your services with a clear value proposition.
✔ Focus on experts who have knowledge but lack technical and marketing skills.
Step 4: Choose a Monetization Model
✔ Decide whether to work on a revenue share, upfront payment, or hybrid model.
✔ Ensure the contract clearly defines responsibilities and payment terms.
Step 5: Launch & Scale Your Business
✔ Test different marketing strategies.
✔ Automate processes to handle multiple projects at once.
✔ Scale by working with multiple experts or launching your own courses.
Final Thoughts
Course co-production is a highly profitable field with endless opportunities. By mastering marketing, sales, and project management, you can help experts turn their knowledge into revenue while earning a substantial income.
Are you ready to start your journey as a course co-producer? Find your first expert today and take the first step toward building a successful business in the digital education industry! 🚀
