Are you spinning in circles trying to name your course? 🤔

You’re not alone.

Choosing a name that’s catchy, meaningful, and just right can be tougher than creating the course itself!

But why is it so crucial? And how can you nail it with ease?

Let’s dive in. 🚀

Understanding your audience

Naming your course starts with a deep dive into who you’re teaching.

Think about it: how can you resonate with your audience if you don’t truly know them? The secret lies in understanding not just who your audience is but how they think and feel.

Start with demographics – age, profession, education level. But don’t stop there. The gold is in the psychographics – their values, challenges, and aspirations. This insight is what makes a course name click, not just as a label, but as a solution they feel drawn to.

So, how do you get these insights?

Reddit. It’s a goldmine of unfiltered opinions.

In the screenshot above, a redditor named Dr_Methods has created an online business course and is seeking feedback on three potential course names from the Reddit community.

One of the provided titles has been approved by a redditor, as shown in the screenshot above.

However, a different Reddit user has offered a helpful suggestion.

Dive into threads related to your niche.

Observe the language, the pain points, and the questions that keep popping up. It’s like eavesdropping on your audience’s unguarded conversations.

Online forums and discussions are where you’ll find the raw, unpolished thoughts of your target audience.

Participate in these communities. Notice the words they use and the emotions they express.

You might want to use some tools to collect valuable feedback on your course name, using:

• SurveyMonkey
• Google Form
• Typeform
• Mentimeter

These are the trigger words that can make your course title resonate on a deeper level. You can include them when brainstorming!

By immersing yourself in your audience’s world, you’re not just looking for words; you’re seeking an emotional connection.

This connection will make your course name stand out. It’s not just about naming a product; it’s about creating a beacon for your audience, signaling that you understand and can address their needs.

Armed with this understanding, you’re not just ready to brainstorm names; you’re ready to craft a message that your audience will feel was made just for them.

How to brainstorm a winning course name?

Brainstorming the right name for your course is a critical step in course creation.

It’s about finding that sweet spot where market resonance, result-focused language, community identity, brandability, promotional strategy, and SEO friendliness converge.

1. Market resonance: Your course name should echo in the hearts and minds of your target audience. Use strategic words to trigger the right emotions and make them feel that this course is exactly what they need. It’s about creating a gut connection.
2. Result-focused language: Remember, students are here for results, not just content. Your course name should reflect the transformation or success they will achieve. It’s not about what you teach; it’s about what they’ll gain.
3. Community and belonging: A course is more than just content; it’s an experience, a community. Names that include terms like ‘family’, ‘fam’, or ‘nation’ foster a sense of belonging. This aspect is key to making students feel they are part of something larger.
4. Brandability: A catchy, brandable name sticks. Ideally, keep it to two or three words – one indicating the niche and the other adding a creative twist. For instance, ‘Notion Nation’ is catchy and memorable, making the course name a part of your brand identity. Ensure it passes the ‘telephone test‘ (easy to understand when spoken) and the ‘t-shirt test‘ (you’d proudly wear it).

Through these steps, your course name will not just be a label; it will be a powerful tool for attracting and resonating with your ideal students. It’s a blend of art and strategy, creativity and research. Remember, the perfect name is out there, waiting for you to discover it.

Once you’ve crafted a name that resonates with your audience, reflects the results they can achieve, and fosters a sense of community, it’s time to align it with your promotional strategy.

This step is crucial as it ensures your course name not only appeals to potential students but also fits well with how you plan to market it.

If your focus is on paid marketing, like Facebook or YouTube ads, your course name needs to be especially attention-grabbing. It should stand out amidst a sea of advertisements and instantly capture the interest of your target audience.

On the other hand, if you’re relying on organic traffic through your blog or SEO, the name should be optimized for search engines. This means including keywords that potential students are likely to search for.

In the world of online courses, visibility is key. Even the most well-thought-out course name will fall short if it’s not discoverable.

This is where SEO comes into play.

Ensure that your course name, while concise and impactful, also includes relevant keywords. This doesn’t mean sacrificing creativity for the sake of SEO. Instead, it’s about striking a balance. If your course title is succinct, consider a subtitle or a tagline that incorporates these keywords.

This approach ensures that your course name is not only catchy but also ranks well in search engine results, increasing its visibility to your target audience.

In conclusion, brainstorming the perfect course name is a blend of creativity, strategy, and market understanding. It’s about finding a name that resonates, creates a sense of belonging, and aligns with your marketing approach while being SEO-friendly.

Remember, a well-named course is your first step in connecting with your students and setting them on the path to transformation.

Some proven course name ideas

Coding

1. Full Stack Freedom: Emphasizes comprehensive learning and autonomy in full-stack development.
2. Debugging Demystified: Offers clarity and simplicity in understanding debugging processes.
3. Code Crafters Club: Highlights a community-focused approach to learning programming skills.
4. Python Pathways: Suggests a guided, result-oriented journey through Python programming.
5. JavaScript Journey: A name that promises an explorative and comprehensive learning experience in JavaScript.
6. Efficient Coding Essentials: Focuses on teaching the key principles of efficient coding practices.
7. Web Wizardry Workshop: Implies a hands-on, magical approach to web development skills.
8. Algorithm Architects: Appeals to those interested in the foundational structures of programming.
9. Ruby Rails Revolution: A catchy, alliterative name that resonates with Ruby on Rails enthusiasts.
10. Data Dive Dynamics: Suggests an engaging, deep exploration of data-related programming.
11. Secure Software Strategies: Focuses on teaching robust and secure software development techniques.
12. Cloud Computing Conquest: Implies a journey to mastering cloud computing technologies.
13. AI Ascent: A name that suggests an upward journey into the world of Artificial Intelligence.
14. DevOps Dynamics: Offers insights into the fast-paced world of Development and Operations.
15. Front-End Foundations: Emphasizes the basics and essentials of front-end development.
16. Backend Brilliance Basics: A guide to mastering the backend aspects of web development.
17. UX/UI Unleashed: Unveils the secrets of user experience and user interface design.
18. React Realms: Suggests exploration and mastery of the React framework.
19. Angular Adventures: Presents a journey through the Angular framework with a sense of adventure.

Freelancing

1. Freelance Fortune Foundations: Guides on building a profitable freelancing business from the ground up.
2. Freelancing Freedom Formula: Emphasizes achieving autonomy and flexibility in a freelancing career.
3. Freelance Clients Catalyst: Focuses on strategies to attract and retain high-value clients.
4. Freelancing Mastery Map: Offers a comprehensive guide to mastering various aspects of freelancing.
5. Freelance Career Climb: A course aimed at advancing and scaling a freelancing career.
6. Freelancing Niche Navigator: Helps identify and dominate a specific niche in the freelancing world.
7. Freelance Branding Bootcamp: Teaches how to build and promote a personal freelancing brand.
8. Freelance Proposal Prodigy: Guides on crafting winning proposals to secure more gigs.
9. Freelancing Productivity Powerhouse: Focuses on boosting productivity and efficiency.
10. Freelance Networking Nuances: Teaches networking skills crucial for freelancing success.
11. Freelancing Portfolio Perfection: Guides on creating a portfolio that stands out to clients.
12. Freelance Work-Life Balance: Offers strategies to maintain a healthy balance while freelancing.
13. Freelancing Digital Dynasty: Focuses on building a strong online presence as a freelancer.
14. Freelancing Sales Strategies: Teaches effective sales techniques for freelancers.
15. Freelance Time Management Tactics: Focuses on managing time for maximum productivity.
16. Freelance Project Perfection: Guides on managing and delivering projects flawlessly.

Mindfulness

1. Mindfulness Mastery Methods: A comprehensive guide to mastering mindfulness techniques.
2. Zen Zone Discovery: Focuses on finding personal peace and zen through mindfulness practices.
3. Mindful Moments Magic: Teaches how to incorporate mindfulness into everyday life.
4. Calmness Catalyst Course: Aims to induce calmness and reduce stress through mindfulness.
5. Serenity Seekers Series: Offers strategies for achieving inner serenity and balance.
6. Mindful Living Lab: Focuses on practical, real-world applications of mindfulness.
7. Presence and Peace Pathway: Guides on cultivating presence and peace of mind.
8. Inner Harmony Haven: Aimed at creating inner harmony through mindful practices.
9. Consciousness Clarity Class: Offers insight into achieving clarity of mind and thought.

Money management

1. Money Mastery Map: A comprehensive guide to mastering personal finance and budgeting.
2. Money Management Magic: Focuses on making smart financial decisions with a touch of simplicity.
3. Money Mindset Makeover: Aims to transform attitudes and beliefs about money for better financial health.
4. Money Magnifier Methods: Techniques to maximize and grow personal financial resources.
5. Money Matters Masterclass: A deep dive into the essentials of effective money management.
6. Money Maximization Moves: Strategies for optimizing savings and investments.
7. Money Management for Millennials: Tailored advice for young adults navigating financial independence.
8. Money Methodology for Moms: Focuses on budgeting and finance management for mothers.
9. Money Management Essentials: A fundamental guide to personal finance and budgeting.
10. Money Wisdom Workshop: Delving into the art of wise financial decision-making.
11. Smart Spending Strategies: Focuses on efficient and effective money usage.
12. Financial Fitness Fundamentals: Building the basics of a healthy financial lifestyle.
13. Debt Defeat Dynamics: Offers methods for managing and overcoming personal debt.
14. Savvy Savings Systems: Introduces systematic approaches to saving money effectively.
15. Retirement Readiness Roadmap: Planning for financial security in retirement.
16. Wealth Wellness Workshop: A holistic approach to maintaining and growing personal wealth.
17. Budgeting for a Brighter Future: Strategies for creating and sticking to a personal budget.

Investing

1. Smart Investor’s Workshop: Focuses on cultivating savvy investment habits for long-term success.
2. Retirement Investment Roadmap: Guides on creating a secure financial future through investment.
3. Value Investing Vault: A course dedicated to the principles of value investing for steady growth.
4. Stock Market Success Strategies: Offers practical tactics for navigating stock market investments.
5. Real Estate Returns Realm: Focuses on strategies for generating income through real estate investments.
6. Dividend Investing Dynamics: A comprehensive guide to income-generating dividend investment.
7. Ethical Investing Essentials: Teaches how to invest with a focus on ethical and sustainable practices.
8. Investing Strategy Spectrum: Covers a range of strategies for diversified investment portfolios.
9. Investor’s Growth Guild: A community-focused course on growing investments effectively.
10. Global Investment Gateway: Offers insights into international investment opportunities.
11. Portfolio Power Play: Strategies for building and managing a powerful investment portfolio.
12. Sustainable Wealth Workshop: Focuses on creating wealth through sustainable investment practices.
13. Income Investing Interface: A deep dive into generating regular income through investments.
14. Financial Markets Mastery: Teaches comprehensive skills for navigating global financial markets.

Fitness

1. Fitness Foundations Formula: A course on building the basics of a sustainable fitness routine.
2. Total Body Transformation Tactics: Focused on comprehensive physical transformation strategies.
3. Strength Success Series: Tailored to those aiming to build strength and muscle effectively.
4. Cardio Core Circuit: Offers a focused approach to improving cardiovascular health and core strength.
5. Wellness Warrior Workshop: A holistic approach to fitness, combining physical and mental well-being.
6. Agility and Athleticism Accelerator: Focuses on enhancing agility and overall athletic performance.
7. Nutrition for Fitness Finesse: A guide to optimizing diet for fitness goals and overall health.
8. Home Workout Heroes: Designed for those looking to achieve fitness goals at home.
9. Endurance Elite Explorations: Strategies and techniques for building and maintaining endurance.
10. Peak Performance Pathway: A course aimed at reaching peak physical performance.
11. Dynamic Movement Mastery: Focuses on dynamic and functional movement training.
12. HIIT High Achievers: High-Intensity Interval Training for advanced fitness levels.
13. Resistance Training Regimen: A deep dive into resistance training techniques.
14. Fitness Mindset Makeover: Focuses on the mental aspects of committing to fitness.
15. Urban Fitness Unleashed: Fitness strategies for the urban environment and lifestyle.

Diet

1. Diet Design Dynamics: Strategies for creating personalized and effective diets.
2. Whole Foods Wellness Wave: Emphasizing the benefits of a whole foods-based diet.
3. Nutritional Navigator Network: A course on navigating nutrition for optimal health.
4. Clean Eating Essentials: Focusing on clean eating principles and practices.
5. Plant-Powered Diet Discovery: Exploring plant-based diets for health and sustainability.
6. Macro Mastery Manual: Teaching the balancing of macronutrients in daily diets.
7. Weight Management Wisdom: Focusing on diet for effective weight management.
8. Gut Reset Program: Reset and restore your gut health with this transformative program.
9. Holistic Digestive Health: Embrace a holistic approach to achieving optimal digestive health.
10. Gut Health Revolution: Discover the secrets to a healthy gut and its impact on overall health.

The patterns among the best selling courses

I conducted a comprehensive analysis of best-selling courses on top online course platforms across various niches to understand their secrets of success.

The research yielded valuable insights into the commonalities that contribute to their popularity.

I analyzed these on-course marketplaces like Udemy.

In it, we can do data-driven analysis because it reveals the course creator earnings, the number of students who are enrolled, and also the reviews.

This GIF shows how to find popular Neuromarketing courses on Udemy. By setting student demand to average, number of courses to low, and the monthly revenue between $19 and $125, we can identify profitable, in-demand topics in this niche area.

This kind of research may not be possible on any other course platforms, but as an exception, we also researched Skillshare.

Our Udemy research

We can learn from these insights to optimize our course titles and maximize engagement with our target audience.

• Action-oriented language: Best-selling course titles use dynamic verbs and emphasize the tangible benefits learners will gain. Examples include “Master Guitar in 30 Days” and “Become a Data Analyst Today.”
• Clear and concise titles: Successful courses have titles that accurately reflect the course content and target audience. These titles often include relevant keywords for enhanced search visibility. For example, “The Complete Python Bootcamp” and “2024 Google Ads Masterclass.”
• Numbers and dates: Including specific numbers or relevant dates in the title creates a sense of urgency and immediacy. For instance, “100 Days of Code” or “2024 Google Ads Masterclass.”
• Specificity: Successful courses target a specific niche or skill, attracting a precise audience seeking specialized knowledge. Examples include “Ethical Hacking for Beginners” or “Adobe Illustrator: Professional Design Techniques.”
• Positive sentiment: Courses that convey positive and confident language tend to resonate with learners, instilling belief in the course’s effectiveness. Titles like “Conquer Public Speaking” or “Unlock Your Creativity with Photography” exemplify this approach.

Our Skillshare research

After Udemy, I also conducted research on all the best-selling courses on Skillshare, focusing particularly on those in-demand class topics.

While some commonalities overlap with Udemy, Skillshare tends towards a slightly different approach:

• Focus on creativity and personal growth: Titles often highlight creative expression, personal development, and skill-building (e.g., “Unlock Your Inner Artist,” or “Craft the Perfect Personal Brand,”).
• Community-oriented words: Skillshare fosters a strong community vibe, so titles may use inclusive language like “Join Me in…” or “Let’s Create Together.”
• Keyword-rich: While search visibility is important, keywords often lean towards inspiring potential students (“Master Watercolors: From Beginner to Badass”) rather than strictly factual descriptions.

All in all, I feel that Skillshare targets a premium audience that values creativity and personal growth. Additionally, the courses on Skillshare are typically short in length, catering to a specific sub-segment of the audience that seeks micro-result transformations.

Tools for brainstorming course ideas

When you’re brainstorming course ideas, you can use mind-mapping tools like Xmind or MindNode (for Mac users) to lay out your target audience, psychographics, behaviors, and pain points. This will provide clarity during the brainstorming process.

Additionally, you can conduct questions research using tools like Answer The Public or Questions DB to generate open-ended questions related to your niche, helping you ask the right questions to spark you up with good ideas.

Brainstorming tools and domain search tools can also be useful, as you may need to register a domain name as well to go along with the course. Tools like Nameboy, Wordoid, Lean Domain Search, and Panabee can help with this.

To generate course names, start by identifying two-word combinations. For example, if your main niche is fitness, research synonyms or related terms for the first word and then find suitable second words to create complete course names. These tools can help you generate a list of possible combinations and permutations. Additionally, you can explore brand name generation tools like ChatGPT. These tools can help you generate a list of possible combinations and permutations.

And even better, you can make use of ChatGPT, which is really good at brainstorming. It’s so good that I genuinely fear that AI can soon hijack human brainstorming ability.

ChatGPT can come up with really good course ideas. You need to inform it about your target audience, their desired state, their demographics, psychographics, their behaviors, and their emotional appeals.

This way, ChatGPT can generate course ideas that truly resonate with your target audience. Considering that I have included a lot of tips and insights in this blog post,

Here’s a ChatGPT prompt that you can use to generate your own course ideas for any niche:

Generate [number] course name ideas for the [specific niche] niche. Focus on creating names that are clear, engaging, and result-oriented. Avoid reliance on rhyming or complex language. The names should reflect the following key elements:

Market Resonation: The name should resonate with the target audience, evoking the right emotions and interests.

Result Focus: Emphasize the outcomes or transformations the course offers.

Community Identification: Include elements that foster a sense of belonging or community, if applicable.

Brandability: Ensure the name is memorable and brand-friendly.

Simplicity: Use simple, straightforward language that passes the telephone test.

Avoid creating names that sound spammy, over-hyped, or like 'get-rich-quick' schemes. Instead, aim for authenticity and relevance to the niche.

Example for the [niche]: '[Sample course name]', because it [brief explanation of why this name was chosen based on the above criteria].

Conclusion

In conclusion, crafting a compelling course name is crucial for capturing the attention and interest of your target audience.

By creating an emotional connection and understanding their needs, you can design a name that resonates with them on a deeper level.

If you’re ready to take the next step in creating and launching your course, I highly recommend reading our comprehensive course creation series.

This series provides valuable insights and practical tips to guide you through the implementation process and move forward with confidence.