As 2023 unfolds, many course creators are now planning their content calendars, promos and new course launches for the year to come. It’s easy to fill in the dates and topics for Black Friday, Christmas, but what about Q1?

So, what should course creators talk about in their promos for Q1?

There are plenty of potential topics, and the most effective ones will vary depending on your audience and the problem your courses solve.

However, there are three big themes that are likely to reflect mass interest and be relevant for many courses: resolutions, the future, and finances.

If you’d like to listen to this content instead, watch this episode of The Art of Selling Online Courses, where I go in depth into each:

1. Resolutions

As the new year begins, resolutions are top of mind for many people. The tradition of setting resolutions is far longer than the rise of TV or the all-exposing social media. Similar practices have been found right back to the Babylonians 4,000 years ago, as well as ancient Rome.

But here’s the problem with resolutions: setting resolutions is easy. Sticking to them is difficult.

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Scranton found that 23% of people quit their resolution after just one week. Only 19% of individuals are actually able to stick to their goals long term (two years, in the case of the study).

This creates a good opportunity for you to tap into a theme your audience is already aware of. Don’t go straight for the pitch though (and this applies to every theme in this article).

Educate, inform, help, then talk about your product. For example, if you offer courses on fitness or nutrition, try this:

• help your audience identify the right goal for their type of body or lifestyle

• talk about the various obstacles they might face in achieving their goal

• give them tools or insights that would help them achieve the goal

• maybe the goal they have is unrealistic, teach them how to better set the goal

THEN you can highlight how your courses would be one solution to help them achieve their resolution to exercise more or eat healthier.

You can learn more about using resolutions in your email promotions here.

2. The Future

Uncertainty about the future is a common concern for many people, and this can be a pain point for your audience as well. To address this, you can focus on big trends for your industry or announced changes that will impact your audience. Start by informing, educating and coaching your audience about this upcoming change.

Below you will find some US laws that come into effect in 2o23. Different audiences (yours included) could be impacted:

• Twenty-seven US states will increase the minimum wage in 2023 with the majority of the states implementing them starting Jan. 1. If your audience is small business owners with at least one employee, they are going to want to know how to prepare for this financially.

• Maryland and Missouri are slated to roll out their rules and regulations for legalized recreational marijuana for adults over 21. This could be a concern for parents, universities or a business opportunity for young entrepreneurs.

• Upon meeting the requirements, new vehicles are eligible for a tax credit of up to $7,500. Those purchasing used electric vehicles can receive up to $4,000 in credits but it may not exceed 30% of the vehicle’s sale price. This could be of interest for audience’s interested in saving money, investing money or choosing green alternatives to fossil fuel.

In addition to industry trends, you can also consider broader economic and societal trends that may impact your audience. Global inflation, Russia’s war against Ukraine, climate change and so on.

3. Finances

Saving money is a common resolution for many in 2023 due to the economic uncertainty caused by inflation and other factors. This is both a concern and an opportunity for the industry. By helping people improve their financial skills, you can offer value and build trust with your audience. This might include tips and courses on budgeting, planning, saving, earning more, or developing new skills that can help them earn more money.

Here’s what you can do:

• Offer guidance, support, tips, tools and new perspectives that can help people navigate this financial uncertainty

• Position your course as a way to save money in the long term

In conclusion

Resolutions, the future, and finances are the top of mind themes for many people at the start of the new year and can provide a wealth of opportunities for course creators. If you want to learn more about other ways to grow your course business through email marketing, copywriting and conversion optimization, here’s what to read next: