Startsmart Step 1: Have you Done your Market Research?

Welcome to my StartSmart blog series, your monthly guide to creating a successful online course in 2025!

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your process, this series is designed to walk you through the foundational steps that lead to course creation success. Over the next twelve months, we’ll explore key questions and actionable steps to help you build a course that not only reflects your expertise but truly resonates with your audience.

Hi, I’m Laura jara, and I'm a teacher turned Kajabi Specialist who is about helping solopreneurs and course creators bring their ideas to life. As a Kajabi and course creation specialist, I help simplify the course creation process so you can focus on sharing your expertise without getting stuck in overwhelm. This blog series is my way of giving you the tools and strategies you need to create a course you’re proud of—and one your audience can’t wait to take.

Each month, we’ll tackle a different topic. From understanding your ideal student to outlining your content, pricing your course, and preparing for launch day. By following along, you’ll gain the clarity and confidence to turn your ideas into an impactful, profitable course. So, let’s get started with the first and most essential step: market research.

Do your Homework

Imagine spending weeks—or even months—pouring your heart into creating an online course or membership, plus a sales funnel and new website, only to hear crickets when you launch. It’s the nightmare no course creator wants to experience, but here’s the truth: skipping market research is one of the biggest reasons courses fail to gain traction. That’s why the very first step in this year-long series is all about laying the foundation for your course with market research.

Let’s dive into why market research matters, how to do it effectively, and why it’s the key to creating a course your audience will be excited to buy.

Why Market Research is Non-Negotiable

Many first-time course creators make the mistake of diving straight into content creation without confirming whether their course idea is viable. You might think you know what your audience wants, but assumptions can lead to frustration and a waste of your precious time and resources. I know you are excited about the idea, but is your audience?

Market research gives you clarity and confidence. It ensures you’re building a course that:

• Solves a specific problem your audience is eager to fix.

• Aligns with what your audience is actively searching for.

• Stands out from the competition by addressing gaps in the market.

Without this foundational step, you risk building something nobody needs—or worse, creating something they need but don’t understand because you didn’t use their language.

How to Conduct Market Research

Effective market research doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here are four simple steps to get started:

1. Identify Your Ideal Student

Who is this course for? The more specific you can get, the better. Consider their demographics (age, job, stage of life) and pain pointss (goals, struggles, values).

For example, if you’re creating a course on healthy meal prep, your ideal student might be a busy professional in their 30s who wants to save time and eat healthier without eating chicken and boiled vegetables every night. I know I don't, do you?

2. Understand Their Pain Points and Desires

Once you know who you’re helping, dig into what they’re struggling with. What problems are keeping them up at night? What solutions are they actively searching for?

Ways to uncover this:

• Surveys: Create a short, focused survey for your email list or social media followers.

• Online Communities: Browse forums, Facebook groups, or Reddit threads where your audience hangs out. Pay attention to the questions they ask and the language they use.

• 1:1 Conversations: Schedule a few quick chats with potential students to hear their struggles directly. Reach out to people who follow you on social media and see if they'd be willing to chat.

3. Analyze Your Competition

Look at other courses in your niche. Study their sales pages, reviews, and content to see what they’re doing well and where they’re falling short.

Ask yourself:

• What topics are they covering?

• What do their students love about the course?

• What are common complaints or gaps you could address in your course?

4. Validate Your Course Idea

Finally, confirm that there’s demand for your idea. Offer a free resource, like a webinar or downloadable guide, that relates to your course topic. Gauge interest based on downloads, sign-ups, or feedback. You can even pre-sell your course to truly validate it before you create it.

Common Market Research Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

Let’s be real: market research can feel intimidating, especially if you’re worried about finding out your idea needs tweaking. But here’s the good news: refining your idea early saves you time and money later. Here are a few pitfalls to avoid:

• Skipping This Step Entirely: Don’t let fear or excitement make you skip validation. A few hours of research now can save weeks of frustration later.

• Relying Only on Friends or Family for Feedback: While supportive, they’re not always your target audience. Seek unbiased feedback from your ideal students.

• Asking Vague Questions: Instead of asking, “Would you take a course on this?” ask specific questions like, “What’s your biggest challenge with [topic]?” or “What would you love to learn about [topic]?”

The Payoff of Market Research

When you invest time in understanding your audience, everything else—from creating your content to writing sales copy—becomes easier. Market research gives you:

• Confidence: You know your course is solving a real problem.

• Clarity: You’ll understand what your students want and how to deliver it.

• Connection: You’ll use the language your audience resonates with, making your course feel like the perfect fit.

Your StartSmart Action Step

Ready to get started? Here’s what I want you to do this week:

• Choose one online community where your audience hangs out (Facebook group, Reddit forum, LinkedIn group). Spend 30 minutes observing their conversations and jot down their top questions or frustrations.

This small step will open your eyes to what your ideal students need—and set the stage for a course they’ll be excited to buy.

I'm asking you to spend 30 minutes for now. Can you do that to make sure you are on the right track?

Market research isn’t just a box to check; it’s the key to creating a course that stands out in a crowded market.

By starting with market research, you’re already ahead of the game—and I can’t wait to see the impact your course will make.

Next month, we’ll tackle the next step in your course creation journey: defining your ideal student. Have any questions? Drop them in the comment section below!