How to Name Your Course: A Step-by-Step Guide

What in a name? We have all come across this saying at some point. We are often told to not judge a book by its cover and so on. However, despite all such sayings we do judge things by their names. In fact, names and covers play an important role in describing something. Especially, brands and products.

So is also true for online courses. Your audience makes its initial judgment based on the name of the course. Hence why it is crucial to name them right. In this guide, you will learn the importance of choosing the correct name for your course and how to name them.

Now more than ever, the competition is much stronger in the online course market. Course creators have an urgent task of standing out and making their work seen. And the only way to truly stand out is by marketing and promoting your online course right.

Which also includes naming it right. It has to be catchy, attractive, and communicative. After all, it is the very first thing your audience will come across.

Why name your course?

For anyone wondering why is it so important to focus on naming your course perfectly, here are a couple reasons. These clearly explain the necessity of having the right name for the online course.

To Create an impression

First impressions go a long way in determining the outlook of something and even its success. It is the first thing anyone notices and uses to make their opinion.

Therefore, you need a good name to make a good impression on your prospective students. An offbeat and strange name will send them running. A clear and catchy name will intrigue them and get them to know more.

Moreover, they are a way to stand out in the crowd. In a soaring competition, a mere name can make all the difference.

Tells what the course is about

You don't just name your course to give it a title. It needs to also indicate or at least hint at what the course is about. A good name states the expectations and offers insight into the course description. It allows the correct audience to reach out.

Reflective of brand identity

Among other things, the name is a central element of a brand's identity. It lets the consumers know what the brand stands for and what its unique selling point is.

You use it as a marker of your unique identity. Having a name similar to that of others will take away your credibility and originality. Thus, having a special name for your course will give you an edge over the rest.

Results in higher click rates

A good name determines the success of your online course. If you get it right, it can result in a higher click rate. Since more people will take an interest in your course name, they will want to know more and so click on it.

With a higher click rate, you will also get an increase in sales. The chances are that with more people clicking on your course, more of them will feel compelled to buy it too. Hence, a name can literally result in revenue.

A targeted audience

Finally, a good name will also allow you to reach out to more serious students. Those who are really interested in learning about the things you are teaching.

When people can clearly see the course's purpose and outcome from the name, they can make better decisions about whether or not to join. This way you can escape half-serious learners who are only in it to "try things".

Steps to name your course

Get a niche

Surely, when you decide on creating a course you must also decide on a niche. If you are a jack of all trades then getting a niche is not a bad idea. Having a specific niche allows you to efficiently reach out to your target audience. It also allows to you become an expert in a field and so can help with developing your brand identity.

More importantly, a niche is what will drive you toward your audience. If you are unsure about your niche, start by thinking about your ideal customer. What are they like, what do they want from the course, etc?

These questions will help you shape your course identity and help you settle on a name. If you still face difficulty in knowing about your audience and ideal customer, then conducting polls and surveys is a great way of getting to know them.

Target SEO keywords

This is the digital age. And so the competition is also digital. It is all about SEO and search engine saturation. By targeting SEO keywords in your name you are increasing your chances of appearing more in people's searches.

You are increasing your likelihood of being seen. Here are some great resources that can help you look for SEO keywords: Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, Ahrefs Keyword Explorer, etc.

Make it clear

Keep it direct and easily understandable. You do not know the language and proficiency level of your audience. Hence, by keeping a clear name, you are avoiding any chances of misunderstanding.

There are other areas where you can channel your inner writer. However, with a name, keep it curt, clear, and classic. Make it one that sticks to people's memories.

State a course outcome

People focus more on the outcome than on anything else. They are buying your course for a specific reason: to get better at something or to learn some skill. And if your course does not indicate that, then they will move on.

Therefore, your course needs to include a sure outcome and benefit of the course. Out of all of your outcomes, settle on the one you think is the most impactful and addresses your audience's pain point. After all, you cannot list them all in a single title.

In case you are not sure about the outcomes, try doing some background research on the matter for surety.

Here's a little example of a bad name and a good name with a course outcome:

Bad example: Intro to graphic design.

Good example: Learn how to use Adobe Illustrator in 7 days.

See how the good example not only mentions the outcome, it states the time within which one can achieve it and suggests exactly what they will learn.

Use power words

Power words are such words that evoke a response from people. They make people feel something - a sense of urgency or excitement about purchasing your course. These include words such as life-changing, revolutionary, ultimate, unique, exclusive, reliable, etc.

The purpose is to make the audience feel something and compel them to click on your course name and purchase it. But make sure not to overdo it. Keep it short and minimal. Also, make sure to use the correct word to elicit the right emotion.

Here's an example with power words:

Conclusion

A little go-away tip for all you course creators before I conclude this article, here are some resources that you can use to generate catchy names for your courses in no time:

Business Name Generator - It can come with multiple names for your course on your behalf and then you can choose from the selection.
Power Word Generator - For help with coming up with the correct power words for your course name.
WeShare - This tool helps find you all the existing courses on your topic to get inspiration from.

This was a brief guide on how to name your online course to stand above the crowd. With these tips, you are sure to make your presence known and reach out to your ideal customers in no time.

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