So you’re a fantastic gamer, but do you have what it takes to make money creating esports courses? You probably do.

You just need some guidance to help you get there quickly. Having worked with dozens of esports course creators, we’ve uncovered the most effective methods.

In this post, you’ll learn how to create an esports course, and sell that course to thousands of people. This could serve as a great way for any gamer to make money.

Also, since esports gamers tend to retire early, it’s a useful source of passive income that could last beyond your playing or streaming career.

Let’s dive in!

1. Choose the Game and Audience

Creating an esports course starts with two fundamental decisions: selecting the right game and identifying your target audience.

This step is crucial, as it lays the foundation for your course’s content, structure, and marketing strategy.

Choosing the Game

When choosing a game for your course, consider the following:

Popularity and Longevity: Opt for games that are not only popular but have a long-term presence in the eSports world. Use data from sites like Esports Charts to see what games are trending globally.

Your Expertise: Select a game you are knowledgeable about. Your expertise will lend credibility and depth to your course.

Community and Competitive Scene: Games with active communities and competitive scenes offer more material for course content.

Here’s a checklist to help you validate your game ideas quickly:

Factor	Query
Popularity and Longevity	Does the game maintain a viewership of thousands of people over 5+ years?
Your Expertise	Are you better at the game than people in the intended skill level?
Community and Competitive Scene	Does the game have an active esports community on YouTube, Twitter, Twitch, and Discord?

Choosing the Audience

Identifying your target audience involves:

Skill Level: Are you targeting beginners, intermediates, or advanced players?

Demographics: Consider factors like age, location, and preferred gaming platforms.

Learning Goals: Understand what your audience wants to achieve – whether it’s improving gameplay, learning strategies, or understanding the eSports industry.

2. Test the Demand

Before you commit to creating an eSports course, you need to test the waters of the market. That way, you know what your target audience truly wants to see and whether it will be worth paying for.

Below are ways to achieve this:

Conduct Market Research

Start by analyzing the current esports education market. You’ll discover that 70% of schools are considering creating esports programs. That’s a sign of how much the market is growing.

Look into existing courses, identify gaps, and determine how your course could fill these voids.

Survey Potential Students

Create surveys targeting gamers and esports enthusiasts. Ask about their interests, the type of content they’re looking for, and what they feel is missing from current offerings.

Monitor eSports Trends

Stay up-to-date with the latest trends in esports by subscribing to sites like Stratplays and reading our blog and news articles. Understanding which games are popular and what skills players want to learn can guide your course development.

Pilot Testing

Develop a free mini-version or a few modules of your course. Offer these to a select group of your target audience for feedback.

Check Online Forums and Communities

Esports forums and online communities are great places to understand what gamers are talking about and looking for. Check sites like Reddit and Quora frequently.

SEO and Keyword Research

Use SEO tools like Google Trends to research keywords related to the topic of your course. High search volumes indicate a higher interest in the topic.

3. Determine the Course Structure and Format

When creating any esports program, defining the structure and format is vital for delivering an impactful learning experience.

Here’s a guide to help you determine the key aspects of your course:

• Course Length:  The length should align with the complexity of the content and the learning goals.

• Format: Choose between video lectures, interactive sessions, or a blend of both, depending on your content and audience preference.

• Structured Objectives: Clearly define what learners will achieve after each lesson and by the end of the course. This could range from mastering specific strategies to improving macro-gaming skills.

• Course Outline: Your outline should cover all necessary topics in a logical sequence, from basic to advanced.

4. Get the Right Equipment

The equipment you use for esports course creation could have a big impact on the eventual engagement level.

Students want to see you demonstrate a high level of professionalism before they can pay for your content. Otherwise, they’ll rather watch free esports tutorials on Twitch and YouTube.

Below, we detail the essential equipment required to create professional esports courses:

High-Performance Computer or Laptop

Essential for running the latest games and software used in your course. A high-performance machine ensures smooth gameplay and video processing.

Gaming laptops with powerful processors and graphics cards provide the necessary speed and display quality for both playing and streaming games.

Quality Microphone and Camera

For clear audio and video in your course lectures and live sessions. Good sound and image quality are critical for a professional presentation

Condenser microphones and HD webcams are popular choices among online course creators for their clarity and reliability.

Reliable Internet Connection

A stable and fast internet connection is crucial to avoid disruptions during live streaming and online interactions.

Opting for a high-speed broadband connection can significantly improve the quality of live sessions and uploads.

Gaming Headset

It provides an immersive audio experience and communication clarity, especially important in courses focusing on team-based games.

Noise-cancelling gaming headsets allow for better concentration and communication during gameplay demonstrations.

Screen Recording and Editing Software

For creating high-quality pre-recorded lectures and game analysis videos.

Software like OBS Studio for screen recording and Adobe Premiere for editing are widely used for their extensive features and user-friendliness.

Gaming Accessories

Specific gaming accessories like:

• Controllers
• Mouse
• Keyboards
• Mouse pads
• Finger sleeves

They can enhance the gaming experience and are often necessary for certain games.

A mechanical gaming keyboard and a high-DPI gaming mouse can significantly improve gameplay performance, which is crucial for demonstrating advanced techniques.

5. Create the Esports Course Content

You only need three qualities to make engaging content for an eSports course: expertise, creativity, and understanding of your audience.

Here are some tips to help you reflect these qualities in your work:

Align with Learning Objectives

Ensure every piece of content contributes to the learning outcomes you’ve set. For instance, let’s say your goal is to improve strategic thinking in a specific game.

You’ll need to tailor your content to focus on strategy development and in-game decision-making.

Incorporate Variety

Use a mix of content types:

• video tutorials
• interactive sessions
• text-based materials
• quizzes
• Drills

This variety caters to different learning styles and keeps the course dynamic and engaging.

Leverage Real-Game Scenarios

Use actual gameplay footage to demonstrate strategies and concepts. This real-world application helps students better understand and apply what they learn.

Focus on Interactivity

Include interactive elements like game simulations, strategy-building exercises, and discussion forums.

These elements encourage active learning and foster a sense of community among learners.

Provide Expert Insights

Bring in insights from esports professionals, coaches, or seasoned players. Interviews, guest lectures, or Q&A sessions with these experts can add significant value to your course.

Update Content Regularly

The esports world is fast-paced and constantly evolving. The most popular games have patch notes almost every month. You should regularly update your content to reflect the latest trends, game updates, and strategies.

Engage and Motivate Students

Include elements that motivate learners, like gamification techniques, leaderboards, or achievement badges. Also, do your best to speak clearly and with authority.

Accessibility and Inclusivity

Ensure your content is accessible to a diverse audience. This includes considering different skill levels and providing subtitles for videos.

6. Choose a Platform to Sell Your Course

Now that you have a bunch of videos and learning resources, where do you put them so students can access them?

It doesn’t make sense to send them individually to hundreds or thousands of people who buy your course.

That’s why you need a reliable platform where people can read the details about your esports course, pay, and access the content whenever they want.

Different platforms offer various features and cater to different needs. Here are some options to consider:

Self-Hosted Websites

If you prefer complete control over your course and its marketing, creating a self-hosted website is a viable option.

This approach allows for extensive customization but requires more effort in terms of setup and maintenance.

Online Learning Marketplaces

Platforms like Stratplays can host your course. A typical marketplace offers a large existing audience but less control over pricing and student interaction.

Stratplays is tailored for eSports content, making it an excellent fit for your program. You also have full control over your pricing.

7. Prepare the Course for Sale and Publish it

Finalizing your eSports course for sale involves several key steps to ensure it’s well-received and successful.

Setting the Right Price

Competitive Analysis: Research the pricing of similar courses to find a competitive yet fair price point.

Value Assessment: Consider the value your course provides and set a price that reflects this, taking into account the depth and uniqueness of your content.

Finalizing Skill Level Requirements

Clear Communication: Explicitly state the skill level required for your course (beginner, intermediate, or advanced) so potential students can assess if it’s suitable for them.

Pre-Requisites: If your course requires prior knowledge or skills, make sure to list them clearly in the course description.

Once all of these are set, it’s time to hit publish and market the hell out of your course!

8. Market Your Esports Course

Marketing your eSports course effectively will help you attract more students and build a reputation.

Here’s a list of channels for marketing your course, along with tips on how to use each:

Social Media Platforms

Platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram are great for reaching a broad audience. Use engaging content like snippets from your course, student testimonials, and game-related tips.

Pro Tip: Regularly engage with your followers and participate in eSports communities on these platforms.

Gaming Forums and Communities

Platforms like Reddit, Discord, and game-specific forums are where many eSports enthusiasts gather. Share insights, join discussions, and subtly promote your course.

Pro Tip: Be an active community member first; direct promotion should be secondary to building trust and authority.

Email Marketing

Collect email addresses through your website, marketplace, or during free webinars, and send out newsletters or course updates.

Pro Tip: Use personalized and engaging email content to keep your subscribers interested.

Content Marketing:

Create valuable content like blogs, e-books, or infographics related to eSports and embed course information or links.

Pro Tip: Focus on SEO to increase the visibility of your content on search engines.

Paid Advertising

Utilize paid ads on social media, Google, or gaming websites to reach potential students.

Pro Tip: Target your ads specifically to the demographics of your potential students to save money.

Collaborations and Sponsorships

Partner with eSports influencers, streamers, or gaming websites to promote your course.

Pro Tip: Choose partners whose audience aligns with your target students.

YouTube and Streaming Platforms

Create and share content related to your course topics on YouTube or Twitch.

Pro Tip: Regular content creation and interaction with viewers can build a loyal following.

9. Gather Feedback

Once your course is live, find out if it’s actually helping people get better at playing the game.

A fast way to do this is to email post-course surveys, have interactive Q&A sessions, and monitor discussions in student forums.

If you notice any problems, take steps to fix them as soon as you can. If you don’t notice such issues, you can sit back and watch the money roll in.

You can also start making another course since you already have a community of happy customers to serve!

Now for a quick summary of how to create an esports course:

1. Choose the right game and audience.
2. Test market demand.
3. Define the course structure and format.
4. Get the right equipment.
5. Create engaging content.
6. Select a suitable platform, like Stratplays.
7. Prepare and publish the course.
8. Market through various channels.
9. Continuously gather and apply feedback.

Stratplays’ course rating and feedback feature allows students to easily rate and review your course, providing valuable insights for improvement.

Try it today by creating and selling your online esports course for free on Stratplays.