In the rapidly growing world of online education, coproduction of digital courses has emerged as a smart way for experts and entrepreneurs to create and sell courses together. Whether you are a specialist in a field but don’t know how to launch an online course, or you’re a marketer looking for valuable content to sell, coproduction can be the perfect solution.
In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about coproduction of digital courses, from what it is to how to get started and succeed.
What Is Coproduction of Digital Courses?
Coproduction is when two or more people collaborate to create and sell an online course. Typically, one person is the content expert (who teaches the subject), and the other is the coproducer, who handles all technical and marketing aspects, like launching, selling, and managing the course.
Instead of working alone, both partners share responsibilities, risks, and profits. This model allows people with different skills to unite and create high-quality courses.
Key Roles in a Coproduction
- Content Creator (Expert): Provides all the knowledge and expertise.
- Coproducer: Manages marketing, sales, technical setup, and sometimes customer support.
Why Coproduce a Digital Course?
There are many reasons to coproduce a course instead of doing it solo:
- Leverage complementary skills: If you are a great teacher but bad at tech or marketing, a coproducer helps fill the gap.
- Shared workload: You don’t have to handle everything on your own.
- Faster to market: Together, you can launch quicker.
- Better quality product: Two minds working together often create better content and strategies.
- Shared risk and investment: Both sides share the costs and efforts to make the course successful.
How Does Coproduction Work?
Coproduction usually follows these simple steps:
1. Finding the Right Partner
The first step is to find someone who complements your skills. If you are an expert in photography, for example, you could partner with a digital marketer who knows how to sell online courses.
Tips for finding partners:
- Network in professional groups (LinkedIn, Facebook Groups, Reddit).
- Attend events and webinars in your niche.
- Ask for recommendations from peers and friends.
2. Defining Roles and Responsibilities
Before you start working, it’s crucial to clarify what each person will do:
- Who will create the video lessons?
- Who will handle the platform setup?
- Who will create the sales page?
- Who will manage customer service?
A written agreement or contract is highly recommended to avoid conflicts later.
3. Choosing a Platform
You need a platform to host and sell the course. Here are some popular options:
- Hotmart
- Udemy
- Teachable
- Thinkific
- Kajabi
Your choice depends on:
- Budget
- Features required (payment gateway, email integration, etc.)
- Ease of use for both creators and students
4. Creating the Course
Content creation is usually the expert’s responsibility, but the coproducer can help plan the course structure and suggest improvements.
Types of materials you can include:
- Video lessons
- PDFs and worksheets
- Quizzes
- Checklists
5. Setting Up Marketing and Sales
Marketing is often the coproducer’s main job. Here are some key tasks:
- Creating a sales funnel
- Setting up email marketing sequences
- Creating social media ads
- Planning a launch campaign
- Managing affiliates if you choose to have them
6. Launching the Course
A successful launch can include:
- Live webinars
- Pre-launch email sequences
- Discounts for early buyers
- Countdown timers to increase urgency
7. Managing Students and Customer Support
Post-sale, someone needs to manage:
- Student questions
- Technical issues
- Refund requests (if applicable)
This is often a shared responsibility, depending on each partner’s skills and availability.
How to Split Profits in a Coproduction
One of the most common questions is how to divide the profits. Here are some common models:
| Role | Suggested Profit Split |
|---|---|
| Expert creates all content | 50% |
| Coproducer handles launch & marketing | 50% |
| Expert with minimal involvement | 30-40% |
| Coproducer does 80% of the work (marketing, tech, sales) | 60-70% |
You can adjust these numbers based on the level of work and investment each partner brings.
Benefits of Coproducing Courses
Here are some key advantages of choosing coproduction:
- Focus on strengths: Each partner does what they do best.
- Increase reach: Combining two audiences for more visibility.
- More professional: Better quality in both content and marketing.
- Shared risk: If things go wrong, you’re not alone.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
To ensure a smooth coproduction process, avoid these mistakes:
- Not defining roles clearly.
- Skipping a written contract.
- Choosing the wrong partner (different goals or work ethic).
- Ignoring the importance of good marketing.
- Underestimating the time needed to create a high-quality course.
Final Thoughts: Is Coproduction Right for You?
If you’re a subject-matter expert but lack marketing or tech skills, or if you’re a marketer looking for great content to sell, coproduction of digital courses can be the perfect partnership.
Working together, you can create, launch, and profit from online courses that genuinely help people — while avoiding burnout from doing everything alone.
If you plan carefully, communicate well, and choose the right partner, coproduction can be a powerful way to enter the booming online education market.