Introduction
Creating a digital course can be a powerful way to share knowledge and generate income. But doing it with a partner? That’s next-level. Co-producing a course allows two creators to combine strengths, split responsibilities, and reach a broader audience. However, building something meaningful together takes more than good intentions—it requires planning, communication, and strategic collaboration.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to successfully create a digital course with a partner—from choosing the right collaborator to launching a course that delivers real value.
1. Start with Alignment: Shared Vision and Values
Before choosing your course topic or building your first lesson, you and your partner need to get aligned. This is the foundation of a successful co-production.
Talk about:
- Your reasons for creating the course
- Your expectations for income, time, and effort
- Your target audience
- Your long-term goals
If your visions don’t align, it’s better to discover this now—before time and money are invested.
2. Choose the Right Topic Together
Pick a topic that meets three important criteria:
- You’re both knowledgeable or passionate about it
- There is proven demand in the market
- It offers a clear outcome or transformation for students
You don’t both need to be experts in the same area. Complementary expertise can create a richer, more dynamic course. For example, one partner may specialize in content while the other excels at marketing or tech.
3. Define Roles and Responsibilities Clearly
One of the top reasons co-productions fail is unclear division of labor. Prevent misunderstandings by clearly defining who will handle what.
Typical roles include:
- Course outline and curriculum design
- Content creation (scripts, videos, text)
- Video editing and media production
- Platform setup and course uploading
- Marketing strategy and execution
- Customer support and student interaction
Assign roles based on skills, not just availability. Write these down in a shared document.
4. Set a Timeline and Milestones
Co-producing a course is a project—and projects need timelines. Set a realistic schedule with specific deadlines for each phase of the project.
For example:
- Week 1–2: Outline course and divide modules
- Week 3–4: Write scripts and record initial videos
- Week 5–6: Edit content and upload to platform
- Week 7: Prepare launch strategy
- Week 8: Launch course
Check in regularly to keep each other accountable and adjust the timeline as needed.
5. Choose the Best Tools for Collaboration
You’ll need reliable tools to work efficiently, especially if you’re in different locations.
Recommended tools:
- Communication: Slack, Zoom, or Google Meet
- Project Management: Trello, Asana, or Notion
- File Sharing: Google Drive, Dropbox
- Content Creation: Canva, Loom, Google Docs
- Video Editing: Adobe Premiere, Camtasia, or Descript
Pick tools that both partners are comfortable with and that streamline your workflow.
6. Build a Course That Flows
Together, create a logical and engaging course structure:
- Start with an overview or welcome module
- Divide the course into modules or sections with a clear progression
- Include a mix of content types: video, audio, quizzes, worksheets, and discussion prompts
- Make lessons bite-sized to avoid overwhelming students
Agree on a consistent format and tone so the course feels unified, even if both partners create content separately.
7. Choose the Right Hosting Platform
You need a course platform that supports:
- Multi-user access
- Revenue sharing
- Student progress tracking
- Built-in or integrated marketing tools
Popular options for co-producers include Teachable, Thinkific, Kajabi, and Podia. Test a few to see which one fits your needs and technical comfort level.
8. Decide on Your Revenue Model
Agree on how you’ll price and sell your course:
- Will you offer a one-time fee, subscription, or tiered pricing?
- Will you offer bonuses, discounts, or bundles?
Just as important: decide how revenue will be split. Base this on effort, expertise, and upfront investment. Make everything transparent in a written agreement.
You may also want to establish how refunds or disputes will be handled.
9. Develop a Marketing Plan Together
With your course ready, now it’s time to promote it. Collaborate on a multi-channel strategy that includes:
- Social media campaigns
- Email sequences
- Webinars or live Q&A sessions
- Paid advertising (if you have the budget)
- Affiliate partnerships
Leverage both partners’ audiences for greater reach. Assign specific marketing tasks and build a launch calendar.
10. Monitor Results and Iterate
After launch, don’t disappear. Co-manage the course by:
- Tracking student engagement and progress
- Responding to questions or issues
- Sending updates or encouragement
- Gathering reviews and testimonials
Schedule time post-launch to review the results together:
- What went well?
- What could be improved?
- Is there potential for a version 2.0?
Use these insights to improve the course and your collaboration moving forward.
Conclusion
Creating a digital course with a partner can be one of the most rewarding projects you’ll ever take on. It brings together ideas, skills, and audiences—and when done right, it multiplies your impact.
The key to success is alignment: of values, roles, goals, and vision. With careful planning, open communication, and mutual respect, you can co-produce a course that educates, empowers, and earns.