Finding the right expert is one of the most crucial steps when starting in coproduction of digital courses. A good expert can help create a valuable and sellable course, while the wrong choice can lead to wasted time and effort.
In this article, you’ll learn how to identify and choose the perfect expert to coproduce a course, including practical tips and mistakes to avoid.
Why Choosing the Right Expert Is So Important
The expert is the face of the course — the one sharing knowledge and building trust with students.
If the expert:
- Lacks real expertise, students won’t buy (or will ask for refunds).
- Doesn’t commit to recording or delivering content, the course will never be completed.
- Doesn’t want to promote the course, sales will be low, even with great marketing.
So, choosing someone with authentic knowledge and willingness to collaborate is key.
Step 1: Define the Type of Expert You Want to Work With
Start by asking yourself:
- What niche do I want to work in? (e.g., fitness, business, arts, career)
- Do I want someone famous or someone unknown but skilled?
- Should the expert have an existing audience (followers, email list)?
- Do I prefer experts who have never launched a course (more flexible) or those with experience?
Examples of Ideal Experts:
- A fitness coach with 10K followers but no course yet.
- A business consultant who writes articles but doesn’t sell online training.
- A photography influencer who shares free tips on Instagram or YouTube.
Step 2: Where to Find Experts for Coproduction
There are many ways to connect with experts:
Online Communities
- Facebook Groups related to the niche.
- LinkedIn groups and professional networks.
- Reddit communities (e.g., r/Entrepreneur, r/Fitness, r/Photography).
Social Media Platforms
- Instagram (look for people teaching and sharing valuable content).
- TikTok influencers.
- YouTube educators.
Events and Networking
- Webinars and online summits.
- Industry conferences.
- Niche workshops and meetups.
Direct Outreach
- Reach out via email or DM, introducing yourself and the idea of coproducing a course.
💡 Tip: Focus on people who are active and engaged with their audience, but may lack the technical or marketing skills to launch a course alone.
Step 3: Analyze the Expert’s Profile Before Contacting
Before approaching someone, evaluate their potential:
- Do they share valuable, original content?
- Do they engage with their audience? (comments, responses)
- Do they have teaching experience (lives, workshops, webinars)?
- Do they seem professional and serious about their work?
- Is their audience aligned with the course you imagine?
If you see someone passionate and knowledgeable, they could be a great partner.
Step 4: How to Approach an Expert for Coproduction
When you find the right person, contact them strategically:
First Message Example:
Hi [Name], I’ve been following your work on [platform] and love how you [specific compliment].
I work with launching online courses and I believe your knowledge could reach many more people through a professional course.
If you’ve ever thought about creating a course but didn’t know where to start, I would love to chat about a potential partnership where I handle all marketing and tech, so you focus only on teaching.
Would you be open to a quick chat about this?
Be clear and show what’s in it for them (growth, profit, reaching more people).
Step 5: Questions to Ask Before Closing a Partnership
Once the expert is interested, set up a meeting to align expectations. Ask:
- Have you ever thought about creating a course?
- What topics do you feel most confident teaching?
- Are you willing to record video lessons?
- How much time could you dedicate to this project?
- Do you have an email list or followers who would be interested?
- Would you be comfortable promoting the course to your audience?
Step 6: Define Roles and Profit Split Clearly
If everything goes well, define:
- Who does what?
- Expert: Create content, record videos, give feedback on marketing materials.
- Coproducer (you): Plan course structure, handle tech, launch strategy, marketing, customer support.
- Profit sharing: Common splits are 50/50, but it depends on each role’s effort.
- Ownership of content: Who keeps rights if partnership ends?
- Time commitment and deadlines.
💡 Tip: Draft a simple contract or agreement to protect both sides.
Step 7: Red Flags — When NOT to Coproduce
Avoid experts who:
- Don’t commit time to create content.
- Want quick money without effort.
- Are difficult to communicate with.
- Refuse to promote their own course.
- Lack real expertise (repeating content from others).
Partnership is about collaboration, so both sides need to work together.
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Expert Makes All the Difference
Partnering with a great expert can lead to:
- A high-quality course that really helps people.
- More sales because of combined credibility.
- Long-term partnerships for multiple courses and offers.
Take your time to choose carefully, approach professionally, and build a solid partnership.
Coproduction is not only about money — it’s about creating value and growing together.