Online Course Trends for 2025
MY PREDICTIONS
My 2025 predictions for the online course and digital products world! What do you think? Do you agree? Will this change how you conduct your business in 2025?
01 | MULTI-FORMAT CONTENT DELIVERY
I believe the era of video-only courses is behind us. Today's busy entrepreneurs and health professionals are consuming content on-the-go, between client sessions, during workout sessions, and even while meal prepping. The problem isn't your amazing content—it's how it's being delivered.
And if your students aren’t getting through your content… they aren’t getting results and you aren’t making the impact you desire in the world. And if you aren’t getting results… they aren’t spreading the word about your course or giving you an amazing testimonial. Which also hurts your future sales.
So I believe your course needs multiple formats in 2025.
Think about it. Your ambitious student is juggling client calls, family commitments, and their own wellness routine. They're passionate about learning, but finding an hour to sit down, uninterrupted and watch videos? That's a luxury they may not have.
The solution is surprisingly simple: meet your students where they are. By offering your course content in multiple formats—especially audio versions of your lessons—you're not just being accommodating, you're revolutionizing how your students learn. Plus.. many people learn in different ways.. by providing multiple formats they can choose what works best for them.
One solution is to provide audio lessons as well as video lessons into your course (something I’m already doing for 2025!) You could transfer your MP4 lessons to MP3 using an online converter OR use a service like HelloAudio (affiliate link) to add a private course podcast!!!! (now that’s pretty cool).
02 | MULTI-CHANNEL MARKETING & LESS RELIANCE ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Many coaches, small businesses, and wellness brands are finally fed up with social media and I believe there will be more focus on using other channels to grow your online course business.
This isn't just about burnout. It's about smart business. While everyone else fights for attention in overcrowded feeds, forward-thinking wellness brands are carving out deeper, more meaningful connections through channels that actually work.
The new growth playbook? It's refreshingly sustainable (HELLO, PASSIVE INCOME!):
SEO that brings clients to you while you sleep
YouTube channels that showcase your expertise
Podcasts that turn commute time into connection time
Pinterest strategies that drive sustainable traffic
Blogging that builds lasting authority
Community platforms that foster genuine relationships
The best part? These channels reward expertise and authenticity over algorithms and endless posting. They're built for depth, not just likes and shares.
If you’d like to learn more about this topic, join my 2025 Amplify Business Training Series to get the training Beyond the Feed.
03 | THE END OF EMPTY PROMISES: WHY OVERDELIVERING IS THE NEW STANDARD IN ONLINE EDUCATION
The course creation landscape of 2025 demands more. Your students aren't just buying content—they're investing in their future. They're tired of “overnight success” promises, reused content from former Zoom calls, dusty modules from 2020, and the endless cycle of launch-and-abandon courses.
Previously, I believe people wanted long courses with as much content as they could get their hands on. Now… people are busy. They are buying courses to get results, not to watch insanely long lectures with 15 modules of content. (This is something I’m working to change in 2025 as well… create shorter bits of content for my students!)
This shift isn't just about adding more bonuses or stuffing courses with extra content. It's about creating an experience that genuinely surprises and delights your students. It's about promising what you know you can deliver, then going above and beyond to help them succeed. It’s about doing your best to get them actual results (even like you’re sitting with them 1:1).
Here are some examples:
Regular content updates that reflect the latest industry changes (no more outdated passive courses - you owe it to your students to add updates regularly).
Real-world support that extends beyond the course materials (a course community, a place to ask their questions, 1:1 support, or group coaching calls).
Transparent results and realistic expectations (Say what you will provide and say what’s out of scope. Don’t try and be everything to everyone.)
Continuous improvements based on student feedback (When a student tells you they’d like things in a different format, shorter lessons, or more information on a deeper topic… provide that!)
Genuine commitment to student success (It’s not just about making a sale. Treat your course students as you would treat your VIP 1:1 clients, even if it’s in a different format).
04 | THE RISE OF “LEARN TOGETHER” LEADERSHIP
Gone are the days of perfectly polished "gurus" who seem to have it all figured out. The future belongs to authentic leaders who share their journey in real-time.
Here's what I'm seeing in 2025:
People want to learn from those walking the path alongside them
Buyers are tired of unrealistic promises and overnight success stories
Real-time problem-solving is more valuable than picture-perfect case studies
Behind-the-scenes content builds deeper trust than polished presentations
That's why I'm committed to sharing both my wins AND my works-in-progress. When I discover a new strategy that works, you'll know. When something flops, I'll tell you that too.
My favorite course creators and business owners share all the messy details, share their story for connection, share when they aren’t doing their best, and share where they might have messed up. I follow them because they are real… and I can relate!
Because true growth happens when we:
Embrace the messy middle
Share honest results (not just highlight reels)
Learn from each other's experiences
Build genuine connections
05 | MICRO CONTENT, BITE-SIZED LEARNING THAT SELLS YOUR HIGHER TICKET COURSES
It’s no surprise that people may not have the money or willingness to invest in $3000 courses right now without knowing what you can deliver. I believe some people are looking for bite-sized digital products they can easily consume in one sitting to “test the waters”. I believe we will see a rise in smaller chunks of digital content / smaller courses that can eventually lead to larger course sales or 1:1 clients.
In 2025's digital landscape, smart entrepreneurs are discovering the magic of micro-content—small, digestible products that pack a mighty punch.
Think of it as letting your audience "date before marriage" or “try before buy”. Before committing to your signature program, they can experience your teaching style, methodology, and results through bite-sized offerings that solve specific problems.
Here's what makes micro-content so powerful:
Low-risk entry point for hesitant buyers
Quick wins that build immediate trust
Tangible results in a single sitting
Natural pathway to premium offerings
The beauty? When someone experiences a transformation through your $97 meal planning template or $197 mini-course, they're not just buying a product—they're buying confidence in you as their guide. And that confidence makes the decision to invest in your premium programs feel like a natural upgrade, not nerve-wracking.
PS - I do think it’s important to streamline your offers and focus on a signature program. But I do believe you can sell smaller micro content directly related to your course that gets them in the door.
06 | UNIQUE LEAD MAGNET IDEAS
I believe the days of a free PDF that leads to a $3000 course sale may be gone. Previously, it was easy to put together a PDF freebie and get a $3000 course sale overnight. People are a little more hesitant in 2025 to do that. They’ve been burned before. Welcome to the era of skeptical subscribers.
Let's get real: your audience has downloaded enough "10-Step Guides" to wallpaper their home office. They've sat through countless "free" webinars that turned into hour-long sales pitches. And they're officially done with it.
Today's successful health entrepreneurs understand that the path from first touch to high-ticket sale isn't a sprint—it's a carefully choreographed dance. Your audience needs more than a hastily assembled PDF before they'll trust you with their $3,000 investment.
I believe the days where a free webinar immediately leads to a $3000 course sale may gone
People are more skeptical than ever about signing up for another “free” workshop that oversells to them and never gives them value.
What's working instead?
Interactive experiences that deliver real value
Paid workshops that attract serious students
Engaging challenges that showcase your expertise
A 3-6-12 month training series (free or paid) that engages your audience
Customized quizzes that provide personalized insights
Done-for-you templates or content that solve immediate problems
Content that is free but feels like it should be paid
The key? Stop thinking about lead magnets as mere stepping stones to sales. Start seeing them as opportunities to demonstrate your genuine commitment to your audience's success.
07 | AI + AUTHENTICITY - THE PERFECT RECIPE FOR THE MODERN COURSE CREATOR
We’re in a time where AI is being used more than ever... and it’s giving us QUICK ways to produce digital products and online courses. This is INCREDIBLE TIME SAVINGS and I find myself finding new ways to use AI every day.
But here's the plot twist—just as AI is making everything faster and more efficient, your audience is craving something that AI can replicate: genuine human connection *I believe this stems from post-covid era!
It’s truly so interesting this is happening all at once. People want (and need) more business owners and course creators that feel REAL and AUTHENTIC. But how can we also get the time advantages of using AI.
Yes, AI tools can help you outline your course in minutes instead of hours. They can generate first drafts, suggest improvements, and handle repetitive tasks. They're like having a super-powered assistant at your fingertips.
But the magic happens when you infuse that efficiency with your unique human touch:
Your hard-won insights from the trenches
Those quirky analogies only you could come up with
Your personal stories that make concepts click
Examples that completely relate to your audience (because you know them so well)
Your signature teaching style that students love
Real-world feedback from your own journey
Coming up with trends based on your own analysis and experience
Your own branding, graphics, and touches added to your content
The winning formula for 2025?
Use AI to handle the heavy lifting, but let your personality shine through every piece of content you create. Because while AI can help you work smarter, it's your authentic voice that turns students into your business besties.
The solution --- using AI mindfully! Get started with AI but making sure to keep your unique voice, talents, branding, and humor.