Solved: Best Cost-Effective Waitlist Building for Online Course?

Hi there,

Thanks for getting in touch! I'm happy to give you some initial thoughts and guidance on building your waitlist for your online animation course platform. I understand you're bootstrapped, so cost-effectiveness is key. Building a successful waitlist can be tricky, especially without a huge budget, but it's definitely achievable with the right approach. We've helped a lot of software and course businesses with the same thing.

We'll need to look at your offer...

First things first, you'll need to make your waitlist irresistible. Think of it like this: why should someone give you their email address? A simple "join our waitlist" isn't enough. You need a compelling offer – something that provides immediate value and gets them excited about your course.

One thing that can work well is offering a free mini-course or a series of tutorials. I remember one eLearning client had a similar problem, launching a series of marketing courses. They weren't getting the signups they expected for their waitlist. Instead of a simple signup, they offered a free mini-course. The number of signups more than doubled! A mini-course gives potential students a taste of your teaching style and the quality of your content, making them much more likely to invest in the full course later. It's something that might be worth testing!

Another option is to offer a valuable resource, like a cheat sheet, a set of animation templates, or exclusive access to behind-the-scenes content. The key is to make it relevant to your target audience and align it with the core themes of your course.

You could also offer some early bird discounts. These could come in the form of beta access, early adopter pricing or free templates and resources. These could all be good ideas for you to make use of!

I'd say you should start thinking about your target audience...

Next, it's crucial to define your target audience. Who are you trying to reach? Are they complete beginners, experienced animators looking to specialize, or hobbyists seeking to improve their skills? Knowing your audience inside and out will allow you to tailor your messaging and choose the right channels for promotion.

Think about their demographics, interests, and pain points. Where do they spend their time online? What are their biggest challenges when it comes to animation? The more you understand your audience, the better you can craft your offer and target your marketing efforts.

I remember working with an environmental controls client, where we were able to reduce their cost per lead by 84% by targeting them on LinkedIn and Meta.

You probably should consider which channels to promote on...

Once you've defined your target audience, you can start exploring different channels to promote your waitlist. Since you're bootstrapped, organic strategies are a great place to start. Think about where your target audience hangs out online.

Are there any relevant forums or subreddits? If so, participate in discussions, answer questions, and offer helpful advice. Include a link to your waitlist in your profile, but avoid being overly promotional. The goal is to build trust and establish yourself as a valuable resource.

Also, look at your social media presence. What platforms is your ideal audience using? Tailor your content to the specific platform. On Instagram, share visually appealing animation clips and behind-the-scenes content. On Twitter, engage in conversations and share valuable insights. Be active on the social media platforms that matter to your audience and try to get involved in groups and online communities.

I would also advise some cheap adds. They can make a huge difference if used correctly. This does cost money, but you'll see results quicker. I usually advise clients to set aside £1-2k for social ads. If you get those right, you will be able to engage with the audience and they will begin to recognise your work. As I mentioned, you could also run some super cheap ads on Twitter or Reddit. Focus on a really niche audience ("Blender animation beginners", or "Character animators looking to improve rigging"). Those small audiences will make your money go further and you will find people signing up!

You'll need a landing page...

Make sure you have a high-converting landing page for your waitlist. This is where you'll capture leads, so it needs to be persuasive and easy to use. Highlight the benefits of joining the waitlist and include a clear call to action. Make it as simple as possible for people to sign up.

On your website, you need to show all the great features on the platform, give the user as much information as possible and get them really excited about what you are offering! This is where people will land, so make sure you have a good landing page, otherwise they will leave instantly and never return, which is what you don't want.

I've detailed my main recommendations for you below:

I hope that gives you some ideas for moving forward.

While these suggestions can help you get started, building a successful waitlist often requires ongoing optimization and experimentation. This is where expert help can be invaluable. Someone with experience in paid advertising and waitlist generation can help you fine-tune your strategy, identify new opportunities, and maximize your results. I remember working with a client where we drove 45k+ signups at under £2 cost per signup for a software, events, sports, and eLearning app using Meta Ads, Tiktok Ads, Apple Ads, and Google Ads, so it can definitely work!

We offer a free initial consultation where we review your strategy and account together, which can be super helpful and give you a taste of the expertise you'll see going into your project if you decide to work with us. If you'd like to explore this further, feel free to get in touch.

Regards,

Team @ Lukas Holschuh