How to Create an Evergreen Course

If you’re in the online space, you’ve probably heard the term “evergreen” when it comes to marketing, scaling, growing — all the things. But, what they normally don’t share is the work it takes to create something evergreen (one that offers the “passive” income they’re promoting with it). 

The process may look different depending on what you’re creating, but as a learning specialist with a knack (or, more accurately, expertise) in course creation, I’ll be speaking on what I know best: How to create an evergreen course.

*This post may contain affiliate links; meaning if you purchase one through one of my links I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you!

What is an Evergreen Course?

An evergreen course is a course you can sell all year, year over year. While you can — and should — be updating the content and curriculum regularly, you can otherwise leave it and love it. You can create evergreen marketing materials, funnels, and schedule them in your promotional calendar wherever — you’re not prepping for a new launch because the course already exists.

While a signature course is usually the go-to for an evergreen course, mini-courses and masterclasses work just as well. It’s less about how the information is presented as a product and more about the information included (AKA, your curriculum).

How to Create an Evergreen Course

The exact steps to creating an evergreen course are going to look slightly different for everyone — but you can follow the same main steps (I break these down further in my Course Creation Checklist):

Step #1: Your Course Curriculum

Every course, evergreen or not, starts with a course curriculum (don’t try to sneak in your slide deck design; just wait). Start by clarifying and articulating your course niche and industry; this will likely be the same as where you’re serving your 1:1 clients.

Next, cover your learning outcomes and learner personas. Don’t skip this step, as your ideal students and clients are different (even if there is a bit of overlap). Then, move on to drafting your curriculum.

Step #2: Slide Decks & Voiceovers

Now that your curriculum is created and out of the way, it’s time to script and design your slide decks. Once that’s done, you can start recording! 

Don’t be fooled by how short this step is; recording voiceovers for a course will take longer than you think! That’s why we start with curriculum and scripts. Otherwise, it’d take much longer.

Step #3: Upload Into Your Course Host

Once you’ve finished recording your voiceovers, you can start uploading your videos, resources, templates, links, and assessment surveys (don’t skip this, please — it’s vital for you and your students).

Step #4: Create Your Launch Materials

I’m a firm believer that building your curriculum and course is a requirement before you start creating and focusing your time on your launch and sales page.

With an evergreen course, you should plan for both your launch and replacement materials for must-haves in your funnel so that you have something to launch with AND something to go live immediately after to keep it evergreen.

This could include an updated evergreen email sequence, removing limited-time launch offers from your sales page, etc.

Step #5: Check-In on Your Evergreen Course

I know you want to leave it and focus on something else (I mean, that’s probably why you wanted an evergreen course in the first place, right?). Still, for the benefit of you and your students, you have to check in on student results and update your curriculum every so often.

That’s why I say assessments are a necessity. They’re how you identify where your students are struggling and even why.

Before You Create Your First Evergreen Course, Consider This:

The idea of “passive” income is attractive, but if your course doesn’t live up to your standards or falls flat in your promised transformation, you won’t have much to show for all your hard work.

Course creation requires more than a great sales plan and a good idea; you want to create something your students rave about — one they can’t help but recommend to their best friends, co-workers, or even family.

If you’re ready to start building your first evergreen course but don’t know where to start, watch my free masterclass, “3 Steps to Create More Impact & Income with an Online Course.”