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How to write a Compelling Course Title (Practical strategies & examples)

Updated: Apr 11

Welcome to the world of online education, where naming your course is like choosing the perfect outfit for a night out—it's all about making a statement. With countless courses competing for attention, finding the right title is your ticket to standing out in the crowd. But don't worry, it's not rocket science! Join us as we explore the art of course naming. We'll share practical tips and examples to help you create a title that resonates with your target audience and effectively communicates the value of your course. Let's make your course a must-click!



Brainstorm and draft a title



1. Be Clear and Specific


The first rule of writing a compelling course title is to be clear and descriptive. Your title should clearly convey what the course is about and the benefit it offers to learners. Avoid vague or generic titles that may leave visitors unsure about what they'll gain from the course. 


For instance, instead of a vague title like "Photography Foundations," opt for a more specific approach that highlights the skills learners will develop, such as "Photography Essentials: Mastering Composition, Lighting, and Editing."



2. Highlight the outcome 


While we all appreciate the journey of learning, let's be real - when people sign up for a course, they're looking for results, right? That's why it's super important to make those outcomes shine in your course title to motivate potential learners. It's like giving them a sneak peek of the awesome benefits they'll get!


Here’s an example: 

  • Original: “Healthy Eating Guide”

  • Improved: “Eat Smart, Feel Great: Transform Your Health” 


By focusing on the outcome of "feeling great" and "transforming health," the course title directly addresses the potential impact on the learner's life. It goes beyond simply stating the topic of the course ("Healthy Eating Guide") to highlight the benefits and results that learners can expect to achieve.



3. Add a quantifiable element


Incorporate quantifiable elements to highlight specific outcomes or achievements learners can expect from taking your course. By incorporating measurable terms, you'll enable learners to envision their success more vividly and get them more excited about what they can achieve. So don't be shy to show off those tangible results in your course title – it's what gets people pumped to sign up!


Now let’s look at sample course names and how to improve them:

  • Original: "Cooking Basics for Beginners"

  • Improved: "Culinary Confidence: Master 50 Delicious Recipes in 50 Days"


  • Original: “Digital Marketing Strategies"

  • Improved: "Digital Marketing Mastery: Triple Your Website Traffic in 3 Steps"



4. Keep it Concise


Keep your title concise. Lengthy, complex titles can overwhelm and fail to convey your course's essence effectively. Aim for brevity while maintaining impact. Try to stay under 10 words.


Consider this course title example:

"Foundations of Mandarin: A Beginner's Comprehensive Guide to Learning Chinese Language, Culture, and Basic Communication Skills."


While descriptive, it's overly wordy. Instead, go for something like:

"Mandarin Mastery in 60 Days: Fluent Expression Journey."



5. Use power words 


Power words are language elements that evoke strong emotional responses in readers. They add depth and impact to your course name, making it more compelling and memorable. 


Begin by identifying the primary emotion you want your course name to evoke in your audience. This could be excitement, curiosity, inspiration, urgency, or any other relevant emotion based on your course content and target audience.


To make clients excited about you course, incorporate power words like:

  • Thrilling, game-changing, unleash, dynamic, boost, transform

  • Example title: “Lose 20 Pounds in 12 Weeks: Body Transformation course”

To pique curiosity, consider power words such as:

  • Insider, secrets, hidden, unveil, exclusive, surprising, untold

  • Example title: “Cracking the Puzzle: The Secrets of Advanced Data Structures”

For motivational impact, incorporate power words like:

  • Achieve, transform, empower, success, thrive, conquer

  • Example title: “Time Management Success: Turbocharge your Productivity & Conquer your Schedule

And to establish credibility and authority, utilize power words like:

  • Trusted, expert, certified, proven, professional

  • Example title: "Business Launch Blueprint: Achieve 10x Growth with Expert Guidance"



6. Test Different Options


Don't be afraid to experiment with different titles and see which ones resonate best with your target audience. Conduct A/B testing if possible to determine which title generates the most interest and engagement.



Conclusion


Don’t underestimate the power of effective course titles. A name is more than just words -- it's a statement, a promise, a call to adventure. Just as choosing the perfect outfit sets the tone for a night out, your course title sets the stage for an unforgettable learning journey. By following the strategies we’ve explored, you've unlocked the key to crafting a captivating title.


Once you have your title in place, don't let it sit idle. Take action! Use Circle LMS to build and sell your course effortlessly. With its user-friendly interface and well-rounded features, Circle LMS helps you realize your vision and share your expertise with the world. So, what are you waiting for? Dive in, create, and watch your business thrive on Circle LMS. With some experimentation and creativity, your course title will attract learners and drive enrollment in no time!








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