A pre-sale is one of the best strategies to validate your course idea, generate revenue before launching, and build excitement among potential students. Instead of creating a full course upfront, you sell it before it’s completed, ensuring there’s real demand.
In this article, we’ll walk through how to plan, promote, and execute a successful pre-sale for your online course.
1. Why You Should Pre-Sell Your Course
Many course creators spend months creating content only to launch and hear crickets. A pre-sale helps you:
✅ Validate Demand – Ensure people are willing to pay before creating the course
✅ Generate Revenue Early – Get paid upfront, reducing financial risk
✅ Build an Engaged Student Base – Involve early buyers in shaping the course
✅ Create Urgency & Scarcity – Encourage fast action with exclusive pre-sale bonuses
💡 Pro Tip: If no one buys during the pre-sale, it’s a sign you need to refine your course topic or messaging before investing more time.
2. Define Your Pre-Sale Offer & Timeline
A pre-sale means selling access to a course that isn’t fully completed yet. You need to decide:
📌 What students will get immediately (e.g., early modules, live Q&A sessions)
📌 When the full course will be delivered (e.g., drip content over 6 weeks)
📌 Pre-sale pricing (usually discounted compared to full launch price)
📌 Bonuses for early buyers (e.g., exclusive coaching, templates, or extra lessons)
Example Pre-Sale Timeline:
📅 Week 1-2: Promote the pre-sale to your audience
📅 Week 3: Open pre-sale for a limited time (3-7 days)
📅 Week 4-6: Start delivering content, gather feedback, and refine lessons
💡 Pro Tip: Be transparent that the course is in development and give buyers early access benefits (e.g., the ability to shape the content).
3. Set an Irresistible Pre-Sale Price & Bonuses
Pricing your pre-sale offer lower than the final launch price creates urgency and rewards early adopters.
Common Pre-Sale Pricing Strategies:
💰 50% Discount for Early Buyers – Example: $199 now, $399 after full launch
💰 Limited-Time Bonuses – Extra coaching, downloadable templates, or VIP access
💰 Lifetime Access for Pre-Sale Buyers – While future buyers may get limited-time access
💡 Pro Tip: Scarcity boosts conversions—set a deadline or limit spots (e.g., “Only 50 early-bird spots available!”).
4. Build a Simple Pre-Sale Landing Page
A high-converting sales page makes it easy for people to buy.
What to Include on Your Pre-Sale Page:
✅ Attention-Grabbing Headline – Clearly state the course benefit (“Master Instagram Marketing in 30 Days”)
✅ Course Description – What students will learn and why it matters
✅ Pre-Sale Price & Bonuses – Highlight exclusive early-buyer perks
✅ Launch Timeline – When students can expect the full course
✅ Call-to-Action (CTA) – “Enroll Now at 50% Off Before the Pre-Sale Ends!”
💡 Pro Tip: Tools like Teachable, Gumroad, and ThriveCart let you accept payments even before the course is ready.
5. Promote Your Pre-Sale with Content & Emails
A strong promotion strategy ensures maximum sales.
Best Ways to Market Your Pre-Sale:
📩 Email Marketing – Send a 3-5 email sequence to your list
🎥 YouTube Videos – Create teaser content related to your course topic
📱 Instagram & TikTok Reels – Share quick tips + CTA to join early
📢 Live Webinars – Host a free training and pitch the pre-sale at the end
👥 Facebook & LinkedIn Groups – Engage with your niche audience
Example Email Sequence:
📌 Email 1: Announce the course & ask if they’re interested
📌 Email 2: Share a case study or success story
📌 Email 3: Break down what’s inside the course
📌 Email 4: Answer FAQs & address objections
📌 Email 5: Final Call before the pre-sale closes
💡 Pro Tip: Use urgency triggers like countdown timers in emails to encourage action.
6. Engage Pre-Sale Buyers & Gather Feedback
Once you have pre-sale students, keep them engaged while creating the course.
Ways to Engage Pre-Sale Students:
✅ Private Community (Facebook/Discord/Slack) – Let them ask questions & connect
✅ Live Q&A Calls – Answer concerns & refine content based on feedback
✅ Exclusive Student Polls – Ask what lessons they want most
💡 Pro Tip: Use student feedback to improve the course before the full launch, increasing satisfaction and testimonials.
7. Turn Pre-Sale Success Into a Full Launch
After delivering content to pre-sale buyers, use their results & feedback to fuel a successful full launch.
How to Transition to Full Launch:
📌 Collect Video Testimonials – Ask pre-sale students to share their experience
📌 Raise the Price – Sell the course at full price, emphasizing “The last group got in at 50% off—don’t miss out again!”
📌 Run a Launch Webinar – Use student success stories as proof
💡 Pro Tip: Many course creators repeat pre-sales for new cohorts, refining their course with each round.
Final Thoughts: Why Every Course Creator Should Pre-Sell
A successful pre-sale not only funds your course creation but also validates demand, builds excitement, and attracts engaged students.
By following this structured approach—offering early-buyer discounts, marketing effectively, and engaging students—you can create a profitable online course before even finishing it.