Reference

    Online Course Glossary

    Clear, concise definitions of the terms you will encounter as a course creator. Each entry explains what the concept means, why it matters, and how it applies to your course business.

    Cohort-Based Course

    A course where students start together, progress on a shared schedule, and learn alongside each other through live sessions, discussions, and deadlines.

    Course Platform vs LMS

    A course platform is a hosted service for creating and selling courses. An LMS is software for managing training within an organization.

    Drip Content

    A delivery method where course material is released to students on a schedule rather than all at once, preventing overwhelm and encouraging steady progress.

    Course Launch

    A structured marketing event where you open enrollment during a specific window, typically 5-14 days, using emails, content, and live events to drive sign-ups.

    Pilot Course

    A small-scale test run of your course with 5-10 students, delivered live, to validate your idea, refine your teaching, and collect testimonials.

    Lead Magnet Course

    A free or low-cost mini-course offered to attract potential students, build your email list, and demonstrate your teaching style before a paid offer.

    Membership Site

    An online platform where subscribers pay a recurring fee for ongoing access to courses, resources, community features, and new content over time.

    Course Bundling

    Packaging multiple courses or resources together at a combined price, typically offered at a discount compared to purchasing each course individually.

    Evergreen vs Live Launch

    Two enrollment models: evergreen keeps enrollment always open, while a live launch opens enrollment during a specific window with a closing deadline.

    Transaction Fees

    A percentage or flat fee charged by a course platform on each sale, on top of payment processor fees. Some platforms charge 0% while others take 5-10%.

    Course Certification

    A credential awarded to students who complete a course and meet specific requirements, such as passing assessments or demonstrating competency.

    Sales Page

    A dedicated page designed to convince prospective students to enroll, featuring your transformation promise, curriculum overview, and testimonials.

    Completion Rate

    The percentage of enrolled students who finish your course. Courses with community features and live sessions see significantly higher completion rates.

    Course Creator

    A person who designs, builds, and sells online courses based on their expertise or methodology. Ranges from solo practitioners to established organizations.

    Student Engagement

    How actively students participate in your course — completing lessons, joining discussions, submitting exercises, and attending live sessions.

    Webinar Funnel

    A marketing sequence using a free webinar as the conversion event: drive registrations, deliver a valuable live presentation, then offer your course.

    Course Outline

    A structured plan for your course organized into modules and lessons, mapping the journey from your student's starting point to their desired outcome.

    White Label

    A feature that lets you remove the course platform's branding and replace it with your own, so your course site appears fully custom-built.

    Course Marketplace

    A platform like Udemy or Skillshare where instructors list courses in a shared catalog. Brings traffic but limits control over pricing and branding.

    Learning Community

    A group of students who learn together through shared discussions, peer feedback, and collaborative activities, within a course or as a standalone space.

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