“People expect to be bored by e-learning, let’s show them it doesn’t have to be like that!” – Cammy Bean
The e-learning industry is at its peak. It’s convenient and portable and has unlimited learning potential. But with so many courses available online, how do you make your one stand out? How do you attract more students and keep them engaged?
The key is to focus on creating value, trust, and connection with your learners at a higher level. Here, we will share 15 practical, tried-and-tested advice that will aid you in growing enrollment for your e-learning programs. These suggestions are not based on theory, these are tested, proven tips that will give you real, measurable outcomes.
The Numbers Speak for Themselves
- 93% of organizations worldwide are adopting online learning solutions due to their cost-effectiveness and scalability (Statista, 2023).
- 77% of U.S. companies use e-learning to enhance employee training, with a 42% increase in revenue for those who implement it (The Research Institute of America).
- E-learning boosts retention rates by 25% to 60% compared to traditional learning methods, which average only 8% to 10% (The Research Institute of America).
- Mobile learning is projected to grow by 25% annually, with more students preferring to access courses via smartphones and tablets (Global Industry Analysts, 2023).
So, how do you cut through the noise? Start by asking yourself: Who is my ideal learner? What are their struggles, and how can I help them overcome those challenges? When you design your course with these questions in mind, you’re not just teaching but you’re solving a problem. And that’s what makes your course irresistible. More specific? Let’s dive into 15 actionable, data-driven tips to help increase student enrollment and keep your students coming back for more.
1. Let Your Students Do the Talking
People trust people. If your prospective students are procrastinating and wondering if they should enroll in your course or not, then they need to hear from somebody who has stood in their shoes at this very moment. Testimonials, success stories, and customer testimonials work well.
87% of consumers read online reviews, and 79% feel that they are as good as word of mouth, according to BrightLocal. Do not be afraid to publish comments from previous students. Highlight concrete results like how taking your course allowed someone to find a new job, acquire a new skill, or expand their business.
2. Offer a Free Preview or Trial
When you want to buy a car, you first opt for a test drive. The same is true for e-learning. So, it’s obvious that offering a free demo or trial course is a great way of letting potential students experience your teaching style and course content before signing up. The trials not only enable you to get into the subject and know whether you want it or not, but have an effective grip to make the students feel like they’re already in. Sure, it’s not an e-learning system, but have you ever watched Netflix? What they do is offer a free episode, and voila, you’re already on season 2.
Don’t believe? As stats show, 61% of customers are likely to buy a product or service if they are allowed to try it first. So, what we recommend is writing a short, engaging teaser that gives them a taste of what they will receive.
3. Optimize for Search Engines (SEO)
It’s focal. So, no one gets into the 6th or th page of the search engines to find the learning courses. What they do instead is just go for the most reputable one. Here, you have to bet for marketing. If your course isn’t listed on search results, it’s like being in the middle of nowhere with a store. First of all, you can start by looking for keywords that your potential learners are searching for. Google Keyword Planner or SEMrush can be of use for this. Put these keywords into your course titles, course descriptions, and blog articles. Don’t forget to optimize for mobile users as well – 67% of students access e-learning material on their phones.
4. Make Content Valuable
You have to offer value. Now that AI can simply give a course outline and material, what we all need is real knowledge. So, you have to offer value and, of course, engagement. Boring content won’t cut it as options for more interesting ones are obviously more. Your course needs to be engaging, interactive, and visually appealing. Kaltura reports that 94% of educators believe that video content raises student satisfaction and engagement.
Before you launch anything, look at it as a student first. Simply invest in quality video production, interactive quizzes, and downloadable materials. Tell stories to bring your content to life and make it memorable.
5. Don’t Forget to Show Up in Inboxes
Email may seem old school, but it continues to deliver extremely well. At a $42 return on average for each $1 spent (Litmus), it’s a breeze when it comes to turning potential students into paying ones.
Just send follow-ups? Nope, you are to make it personal. Send the right message to the right people at the right time. Segment your list by what they’re interested in, how engaged they are, or even where they live. Then, we recommend courses they’ll love, offer special promotions, and send reminders they’ll appreciate. If you’ve ever used DuoLingo, you can surely get what attracts learners.
And the best thing? You do not even have to do it manually. Automate using tools like Mailchimp or HubSpot, and let the emails do the heavy lifting.
6. Collaborate with Industry Experts
Customers think they already know what they heard previously. That is why influencers and experts in the industry can be your secret weapons. Their endorsement immediately makes your courses more believable and desirable. So don’t do it yourself. Collaborate with influencers within your space. Get them to create content, host webinars, or co-teach a course with you. Their opinion counts, and when they support you, their audience is that much more likely to hit that “sign up” button. But make sure it’s not too much…
7. Provide Accredited Certifications
Most students take a course to get the proof of completion. For example, Harvard has brought specific measures, offering free courses and paid certificates. Why? Because they know what’s the point. An accredited certificate is what can put someone in position for a job, a promotion, or an award in a highly competitive field. It’s simple: offer value and proof of it.
8. Host Free Webinars
People want to know they’re learning from the best, and nothing builds trust faster than seeing an expert in action. Hosting free webinars is a great way to showcase your expertise, engage potential students, and spark interest in your courses. Choose trending topics, answer questions in real time, and provide valuable insights they won’t get anywhere else. And don’t let that content go to waste. Record your sessions and repurpose them into short clips, blog posts, or exclusive course materials in social media. When we see someone holding a webinar, it’s an unconscious indicator that they know what they offer.
9. Create a Referral Program
Word-of-mouth is high. When one of your friends suggests a course, it is with so much more credibility than any ad possibly could. Even a simple referral program can turn your existing students into brand promoters. Reward referrers and new students with offers like discounts, free classes, or privileged content. Embed social media and email links, and wait for the best results.
10. Make it Mobile Compatible
More and more learners are taking courses on the go, commuting, or while training. If your platform isn’t mobile-friendly, you’re automatically losing potential students. Ensure your courses have a responsive design that adapts to different screen sizes. Test how your platform performs on mobile devices and different operating systems so students can seamlessly learn from anywhere, whether they’re on a laptop, tablet, or phone. But let’s agree that it’s better to offer an app.
11. Offer Flexible Payment Options
For the majority of students, the biggest difficulty isn’t motivation or time, it’s affordability. A course that appears too expensive can be an instant turn-off to potential students, regardless of their interest. That’s why offering flexible payment plans can make all the difference. Instead of requiring payment upfront in full, consider installment plans that allow students to pay in increments. Early-bird discounts can be a great incentive as well, rewarding early committers with a price decrease. Membership models, in which students pay monthly or annually for access to multiple courses, can build long-term loyalty while making learning more accessible.
Most importantly, don’t make students hunt through your website for these options. If they don’t immediately see an affordable way to enroll, they may assume one doesn’t exist and shop elsewhere. Highlight your payment plans on course pages, checkout pages, and even marketing emails. The more visible you make it that cost doesn’t have to be a barrier, the more likely students will take the plunge and enroll.
Keep in mind that the platform you partner with ultimately determines your course price, so opt for one that offers more features at a reasonable price.
12. Become Social on Social Media
Social media isn’t just a place to run ads; it’s a space to connect, engage, and build relationships. Students don’t want to feel like they’re just another sale; they want to be part of something bigger. That’s why your social media presence should focus on community-building just as much as promotion. Instead of simply posting about your courses, share valuable content that educates and inspires.
Most importantly, get conversations started. Don’t write and disappear: engage with comments, answer questions, and connect with your community genuinely. From LinkedIn to Instagram to Facebook to TikTok, be present where your community exists. Experiment with hosting live Q&A sessions, discussion threads, or even student spotlight posts to encourage participation.
13. Focus on Career Outcome
Whether they strive to find a new career, obtain a promotion, or switch careers, taking an e-learning course is generally a step towards something more. So, you need to make the daily life relevance of your course clear right from the start.
Instead of simply informing students what they will learn, highlight how that learning is translated into actual career value. Tell success stories and provide testimonials from past students who have achieved tangible results. Did someone get a job at a top company? Get a raise? Start a successful freelance career? Share these successes to inspire potential students and reassure them that your course is a valuable investment.
If, for example, your course is data analytics, discuss how demand for data professionals has surged over the last several years. If it’s a digital marketing course, provide some insight into salary increases in the field.
14. Gamify the Learning Experience
Even really motivated students are going to burn out when they’re faced with chunky materials and long modules. Badges and level points offer a feeling of accomplishment as students progress, and leaderboards add a bit of friendly competition. Monitoring progress, where students can observe for themselves how far they’ve come, makes them want to push on to the end. Even something as simple as quizzes with immediate feedback can make learning more engaging and rewarding.
Another effective strategy is to offer completion incentives such as certificates, bonus content, or even coupon discounts for future courses. If students feel like they’re working toward something tangible, they’ll be more inclined to stay interested.
15. Analyze and Optimize
The final piece of the puzzle is continuous improvement. Understanding how your students interact with your platform can help you optimize your content, boost engagement, and increase completion rates.
So, it’s better to start with tracking key metrics like student enrollment, levels of interaction, quiz scores, and course completion rates. Is the student losing interest at a certain point? Is there skipping of certain modules? Are there certain topics that lead to a flood of questions? These trends will inform you about areas of concentration.
You can even gather qualitative feedback by questioning your students directly. Send questionnaires, interview them, or set up discussion boards where they can leave feedback. The more you understand their experiences, the better you can tailor your courses to their needs.
Less Scrolling, More Learning
Success in e-learning isn’t about quick wins, it’s about building a thoughtful, sustainable strategy that creates real value for students. By making courses more accessible, fostering a sense of community, showcasing career impact, gamifying the learning experience, and continually optimizing based on data, you can attract more students and keep them engaged.
Start today with FOX LMS!
