How to Sell Online Courses Without a Platform
Teachable, Kajabi, and Thinkific want $99-299/month before you make a single sale. Here's how smart creators sell courses directly and keep more profit.
The Course Platform Problem
Traditional course platforms charge $99-299/month plus transaction fees. That's $1,200-3,600/year before you see a dollar in profit. For new course creators, that's a massive risk.
The truth? You don't need complex features to sell your first course. You need your content, a way to deliver it, and a simple payment link. That's it.
Platform Fee Comparison
A $200 course sold 50 times = $10,000. On Teachable Pro ($119/mo), you pay $1,428/year + 5% fees. With Rovo's 2.5% fee and no monthly costs, you save over $1,600.
Course Formats That Sell Without Platforms
PDF Course Guides
Comprehensive guides with step-by-step instructions, worksheets, and templates. Low production cost, high perceived value. Price range: $27-$97.
Video Mini-Courses
3-10 focused videos hosted on Vimeo or Google Drive. Deliver access links after purchase. Price range: $47-$197.
Workshop Recordings
Record a live workshop once, sell access forever. Includes Q&A and real-time teaching. Price range: $29-$149.
Video + PDF Bundles
Combine video lessons with workbooks and templates. Your highest-value offer. Price range: $97-$297.
How to Create Your First Course
Step 1: Choose One Specific Outcome
"Complete Marketing Course" won't sell. "Instagram Reels Strategy: 0 to 10K Followers in 30 Days" will. Be specific about the transformation.
Step 2: Outline 5-7 Key Lessons
Don't overwhelm students. Map out the essential steps to achieve the outcome. Each lesson should be actionable and focused.
Step 3: Create the Content
For PDFs: Use Canva or Google Docs. For video: Record with your phone or screen recorder. Don't overthink production—clarity matters more than polish.
Step 4: Package for Delivery
Zip your files together or create a simple PDF with embedded video links (Vimeo, Google Drive, Loom). Make it easy for students to access everything.
Step 5: Set Up Your Payment Link
Upload your course file to Rovo, set your price, and start sharing. Buyers get instant access after purchase.
Course Pricing Strategy
Pricing Tip
Price based on the value of the outcome, not the length of the course. A 30-minute video that saves someone 10 hours of work is worth more than a 10-hour course that doesn't deliver results.
Marketing Your Course
- Teach for free first: Share valuable content on social media. People who learn from your free content will buy your paid course.
- Show student results: Testimonials and case studies are your best marketing. Document every win.
- Launch to your email list: Build an email list with free resources, then launch your course to warm subscribers.
- Create urgency: Limited-time launch pricing or bonuses drive faster decisions.
When to Upgrade to a Platform
Start simple. Once you're consistently selling $2,000+/month, you can consider platforms for features like drip content, quizzes, and communities. But don't pay for those features until you need them.
Many successful course creators never upgrade. They keep it simple—content, delivery, payment—and focus on what matters: teaching and marketing.