Welcome Emails for Online Course Creators

When I first started creating courses I didn't see the purpose of follow-up emails for my students. I know that it sounds silly, well it certainly sounds silly as I type it, I just thought if student had an issue they'd get in touch. I couldn't have been more wrong if I'd tried! 

I changed my mind completely when I started using the Zenler platform. Zenler has a one-click set up, and you have the option to add emails that will be sent to your student upon purchase. A welcome sequence. It was there, and there were 4 emails in the sequence so I started to customise and use them... And my course engagement rates went through the roof! 

Let's dive into the different types of emails in the welcome sequence you'll need for online courses. I share 3 examples; a yoga instructor, a photographer and group coaching. I hope they inspire you to create your own welcome sequence for your online course! 

Example 1: Yoga Course Welcome Sequence

A yoga course is a great example of a course that requires various types of emails to ensure a successful online learning experience. Here are some types of emails that you'll need for this course:

Welcome email: This email should introduce the course, instructor, and expectations. It should also provide instructions on how to access the course material and any other resources that students will need. The welcome email sets the tone for the course and helps students feel comfortable and excited to start their learning journey. A photo of the instructor with a big smile is great here. Smiles make people feel welcome and happy.

Reminders: Yoga courses are often based on a class schedule, so reminders about the class schedule are important. You can send regular emails reminding students of when classes take place and any changes to the schedule. You can also send reminders about upcoming live sessions. Photos of your yoga class work well here. 

Feedback emails: Providing personal feedback on postures, alignment, and technique is an important aspect of a yoga course. You can send feedback emails to students after each session or at regular intervals to help them improve their practice. You can also provide additional resources or tips to help them improve.

Support emails: Students may have questions or struggles with postures, alignment, or breathing. You can send support emails that address these questions and concerns, providing additional guidance and resources as needed.

Example 2: Photography Course Welcome Sequence

A photography course is another example of a course that requires various types of emails. Here are some types of emails that you'll need for this course:

Welcome email: This email should introduce the course, instructor, and expectations. It should also provide instructions on how to access the course material and any other resources that students will need. The welcome email sets the tone for the course and helps students feel comfortable and excited to start their learning journey. It's always good to add a photo of the instructor with their camera in this email.

Reminder emails: Photography courses often require students to submit assignments or projects by certain deadlines. You can send reminder emails that inform students of these deadlines and provide additional information about what is expected of them. You can also send reminders about upcoming live sessions or any other important course events.

Feedback emails: Providing feedback on assignments, projects, or exams is an important aspect of a photography course. You can send feedback emails that provide constructive criticism and suggestions for improvement. You can also provide additional resources to help students improve their skills.

Support emails: Students may have questions or technical issues with their equipment or software. You can send support emails that address these questions and concerns, providing additional guidance and resources as needed.

Overall, the different types of emails you need for your online course will depend on the nature of your course and the needs of your students. However, one thing is clear: effective email communication is crucial for the success of your course.

Example 3: A Group Coaching Course Welcome Sequence

Welcome email: This email should introduce the course, coach, and expectations. It should also provide instructions on how to access the course material and any other resources that participants will need. The welcome email sets the tone for the course and helps participants feel comfortable and excited to start their coaching journey. Again, photo with a smiley face works well in this email.

Reminder emails: Group coaching courses often require participants to attend live sessions or complete assignments by certain deadlines. You can send reminder emails that inform participants of these deadlines and provide additional information about what is expected of them. You can also send reminders about upcoming live sessions or any other important course events.

Progress check-ins: Throughout the course, it's important to check in with participants to see how they are progressing and whether they need additional support. You can send progress check-in emails that ask participants about their progress, any challenges they may be facing, and how you can support them moving forward.

Feedback emails: Providing feedback on assignments or progress is an important aspect of group coaching courses. You can send feedback emails that provide constructive criticism and suggestions for improvement. You can also provide additional resources to help participants achieve their coaching goals.

Support emails: Participants may have questions or concerns about the course material, assignments, or deadlines. You can send support emails that address these questions and concerns, providing additional guidance and resources as needed. You can also offer one-on-one coaching sessions for participants who need extra support.

Overall, the emails you need for your group coaching course will depend on the nature of your course and the needs of your participants. However, by following the tips outlined in the previous section and customizing your emails to the needs of your participants, you can create effective emails that engage and support your participants throughout the coaching journey.

Course Completion Email 

Now it might seem a little strange to be talking about a course completion email in a post about course welcome emails... However, I believe it closes the welcome sequence nicely. 

Here are some key elements that you can include in a course completion email

• Acknowledge their hard work. Acknowledging the effort and dedication that your students have put into completing the course gives them a warm and fuzzy feeling - they're seen!  Thank them for their commitment and perseverance.
• Celebrate the progress and accomplishments that your students have made throughout the course. You can mention specific assignments or projects that they completed successfully, and point out any improvements or new skills they have gained.
• Give a brief summary of the course and its main takeaways. This can help reinforce the key concepts and provide a sense of closure for your students. If you include Intended Learning Outcomes for your courses, you can repurpose those in this email.
• Provide your students with additional resources or materials that they can use to continue their learning journey. This could include recommended books or articles, online communities, or other courses that build upon what they've learned in your course. Sometimes, depending on the course, this is a natural upsell point. 
• Encourage your students to share their feedback and testimonials about the course. This can help you improve future iterations of the course and attract new students who are interested in your teaching style and approach.
•  Thank your students again for their participation in the course, and express your gratitude for the opportunity to be a part of their learning journey. Let them know that you're proud of their accomplishments and that you believe in their potential to continue learning and growing.

Sending a completion email is a great way to wrap up your course and show your students that you care about their success. By acknowledging their hard work, highlighting their achievements, providing additional resources, and expressing gratitude, you can create a positive and meaningful end to this particular learning experience.

Tips for Creating Effective Welcome Sequence Emails for Online Courses

Now that we've discussed the different types of emails you'll need for your online course, let's talk about some tips for creating effective emails:

• Use a friendly and supportive tone: Your emails should be warm and inviting, making your students feel welcome and loved.
• Be clear and concise: Your emails should be easy to read and understand. Use bullet points, headers
• Personalize your emails: Address your students by name and use a tone that is appropriate for the content of the email. Personalization can go a long way in making your students feel valued and appreciated.
• Respond promptly to student inquiries: Students may have questions or concerns about the course material, assignments, or deadlines. It's important to respond to these inquiries in a timely manner, so that your students feel supported and can continue to make progress in the course.
• Use a clear subject line: Your subject line should clearly indicate the content of the email. This makes it easier for students to find and respond to your emails, especially if they receive a large volume of emails.
• Use images and videos when appropriate: Visual aids can be very helpful in explaining complex concepts or demonstrating techniques. Consider using images or videos to supplement your email content and make it more engaging.
• Proofread your emails: Before sending any email, make sure to proofread it carefully for spelling and grammar errors. Errors can be distracting and can detract from the overall professionalism of your course.

By following these tips, you can create amazing welcome emails that engage your students and support their learning and even make it a better learning experience.

Effective email communication is crucial for the success of your online course.

Whether you're teaching a yoga course, a photography course, or any other type of course, you'll need to send different types of emails to ensure that your students have a smooth and enjoyable learning experience. By using a friendly and supportive tone, personalizing your emails, and responding promptly to student inquiries, you can create emails that engage your students and help them achieve what they set out to achieve with you.

Remember, the emails you send are a direct reflection of you as a course creator, and they can have a significant impact on your students' perception of your course. By taking the time to create effective emails, you can create a positive learning environment and set your students up for success.