Tips for launching a successful training business

So you want your training business to be successful, huh?

Well, before you jump headlong into the unknown (we know, we know, you can’t wait to get started), take some time to read and absorb our top tips for launching a successful training business.

Tip #1

Know your audience

Before you even begin doing anything, you need to really understand the corner of the market you’ll be targeting.

Let’s face it, no one is going to give credibility to a training company that supplies anything from weight loss courses through to project management training.

Put simply, you need a niche.

This may already be clear if you have expertise in a specific sector or industry, but it’s still important to do your research.

Your goal is to find a specific audience for your services. Then get to know them better than you know the closest members of your own family. Who are they? What kind of learning are they thirsty for? What kind of training programmes will they reach into their pockets for?

There is an element of trial and error to this, and there’s no guarantee you’ll get it right first time. It may be that you float an idea that bombs entirely. But this should be the catalyst for more thorough market research. Don’t be afraid of reaching out to your network, talking to them frankly about your plans and taking onboard the feedback from the very people who may buy your course in the future.

Tip #2

Killer content

Your training courses will be filled to the brim with content. No matter what you’re offering, every corner of every course needs content. And you need it to be en point.

Polished and professional, every aspect of your content needs to give off the vibe that you’re an expert in your industry. You know exactly what you’re talking about it and you can deliver it in the most creative and effective way possible.

Boom.

But not every industry expert is a proficient writer, or film maker or graphic designer, and that’s where you need to reach out for support.

When you try and do it all yourself, it’s likely to not hit the spot every time. So seeking support and getting expert advice, and even input from them in the future, is an excellent building block to success.

Tip #3

Assess the sustainability

Not every training course will have legs, so it’s important to really think about whether it’s worth investing hard earned money and time into certain subject areas.

We hate to break it to you, but just because it’s a burning passion of yours doesn’t necessarily mean anyone else will give it the time of day.

You’re in this business for longevity, remember? So take some time to assess how sustainable your courses will before you invest yourself too much in the wrong thing.

Tip #4

Get your name out there

You can have the most robust training programmes and all the qualifications in the world, but that doesn’t get people signing up for your course.

Marketing does.

Your first port of call is a slick, professional looking website that makes you stand out from the crowd.

Your courses aren’t about YOU, no matter how much time or money you’ve invested into them. Your courses are about your target audience, so everything you do when it comes to marketing needs to be geared towards finding them.

When your website is up and running start to think about the social media platforms most appropriate to the kind of courses you are selling and then expand beyond that. Consider publications, websites, locations that might be best placed to carry adverts and then make it happen.

Then, when you’ve got a few good reviews under your belt, circulate them through all of the channels available to you.

But remember, marketing never stops. It’s always about building your pipeline, so don’t get complacent if you sell out your first course – there’s still the next one to fill.

Tip #5

Just do it!

When the thinking and planning and analysing comes to an end, it is most definitely crunch time.

Letting go of fear and apprehension is hard, but it’s the only thing standing between you and the training business of your dreams. So when you’re ready and armed with a robust plan, it’s time to dive in and get started.

Good luck!