I sat thinking about building other income sources one day and was banging my head against a wall. How could I be sure that the next idea I had would work? I'd tried a few with mixed success.

I happened to be away that weekend and a friend asked me, "Hey, you've self-published a number of books - could you help me self-publish mine?"

This was the first step. That simple request became my validation that people wanted what I knew how to do.

But here's what I learned: most course creators build first, validate later. They spend months creating content, setting up platforms, and perfecting their delivery - only to discover crickets when they launch.

After helping many professionals create their first online education program, I've discovered there are three clear signs that tell you whether your course idea will actually sell - before you build a single lesson.

(Plus read to the end for a unique opportunity to connect 1-1 about your course idea)

Sign #1: People Are Already Asking for Your Help

That weekend conversation with my friend wasn't just casual chat - it was market validation speaking.

When people seek you out for advice, guidance, or solutions in a specific area, that's demand. Real demand. Not the kind you hope exists, but the kind that's already knocking on your door.

Here's what to look for:

• Friends, colleagues, or connections asking for your expertise
• People reaching out on social media for advice
• Requests for "quick calls" that turn into hour-long consultations
• The same questions coming up repeatedly in your conversations

If people aren't already asking for help in your proposed course area, they probably won't pay for it either. But if they are asking, you've got your first validation sign.

Start documenting these requests. Keep a simple note on your phone of every time someone asks for your help. You'll be surprised how often it happens once you start paying attention.

Sign #2: There's Proven Money in the Market (But Room for You)

When I moved into my current niche of online education programs, I saw a clear gap in the market. Most of my competitors either go low ($500 but you don't get any personal help) or high ($3-7k for group help) or super high ($10k + for 1-1 help) and focus on those with large audiences already. I could see there was a gap for professionals who wanted personal support without the massive price tag or audience requirements.

This is crucial: you want to enter a market where people are already making money. If no one's successfully selling courses in your area, that's usually a red flag, not an opportunity.

But you're not looking to copy - you're looking for gaps:

• Different price points
• Underserved audience segments
• Missing elements in existing solutions

Research your potential competitors. What are they charging? Who are they serving? What are customers complaining about in reviews? Where do you see opportunities to serve better, differently, or more affordably?

Don't try to create a market from scratch. Find your sweet spot in an existing one.

Sign #3: You Have Industry Knowledge + See a Clear Gap

Your expertise matters, but expertise alone isn't enough. You need to combine your knowledge with a clear understanding of what's missing in the market.

Industry knowledge gives you insider perspective. You understand the real problems, not just the surface-level ones. You know what solutions actually work and which ones are just marketing fluff.

Additionally the gap can just be you! In any town there are multiple realtors (estate agents), lawyers (solicitors) and dentists and they aren't that different! Each one though brings something unique. In the same way don't worry if your course isn't totally unique - it doesn't have to be. With 650 million english speakers in the developed world, the market is plenty big enough for hundreds if not thousands of online programs in any niche!

Additional Validation Methods

Beyond these three core signs, here are other ways to validate before you build:

• Social media engagement: Post about your potential course topic. Do people engage, ask questions, or share their struggles?
• Pre-selling responses: Create a simple landing page describing your course idea. How many people join a waitlist?
• Direct conversations: Have 5 conversations with potential customers about their challenges in your area
• Your own transformation: Did you solve this problem for yourself first? Did you struggle to find the help you needed? Personal transformation stories are powerful validation

The Validation-First Approach

Here's what I recommend: spend your first few weeks validating, not creating.

Talk to potential customers. Research competitors. Document the requests you're already getting. Test your messaging on social media. Create a simple landing page and see if people are interested.

Only when you have clear validation should you start building content.

Your Next Steps

If you're sitting on a course idea but aren't sure if it will sell, don't guess. Validate first.

I have a number of spots open for a free Accelerator Call where we'll talk through your potential idea and sense-check and validate it together. We'll go through a 29-day roadmap to earn your first $1k in 29 days and answer any questions you have about building your first online course!

Your expertise matters, but only if there's a market waiting for it. Validate first, build second, profit third.

Simon

The Raw Leader

Helping professionals transform raw expertise into profitable and scalable impact and income in their spare time