Putting training programs online is relatively easy. Cost will depend on the complexity of the material and the style of presentation – for example videos, animation, talk/text or simply text. There are many Learning Management Systems (LMS) now available that can sit behind a front-end Webpage. These may be a pay by use (each time a student logs on you pay a fee) or a monthly payment to an LMS management organisation with unlimited usage or a combination of both. Simple videos made on a home computer with audio and then uploaded on to a learning management system, paid for monthly with an unlimited participant usage package, can be one way of delivering an online program. Alternatively videos can simply be uploaded and then delivered through a payment portal without questionnaires or certificates. This avoids the need for an LMS. The cost of creating, installing and maintaining a program online can vary greatly depending on the complexity of the system and whether there is interaction between the trainer and the participant or it is simply a self-paced learning platform with little no interaction with trainers. This is called SAS (Software as a Service). As previously mentioned it will also depend on whether an LMS is used or ‘How to’ videos are simply uploaded on to a webpage and access is provided after payment. Depending on the time involved in creating an online program IMPOWRD can create simple online programs for as little as $5000 (+GST). You would then upload these to your LMS or onto your own website after creating a payment portal. We recommend you engage with an IT expert in the area of LMS who can upload your materials and maintain your site if you are not technologically minded, or you do not have the time to create and maintain the system yourself. Alternatively you can upload and maintain your own program to the LMS that best suits your budget and training requirements.

Successful online programs provide learning material that is engaging and on a subject that will be of enough interest to enough people to pay money to gain access to it. Simply creating a ‘how to’ training video and then asking people to pay for it may not work mainly because basic ‘How to’ videos are available on almost every subject on YouTube free. Learners have become far more discerning in their requirement for being ‘entertained’ while learning. Your program must be relevant and in an entertaining style, that will keep the learner engaged, while making them feel they are learning something that will benefit them in some way. The most successful training programs focus on one subject, divided into short segments in a contextual lineal manner. This means the material is presented in a way that builds knowledge as it moves forward in short, clear and easy to understand lesson formats. The style of learning is important as well. Video lessons where someone stands or sits in one spot talking about a subject for 15 minutes generally won’t work, unless the person is a world renowned expert and the material is extremely relevant to the learner. For example, Jack Smith from a small ice cream business talking about leadership, does not have the same pull as Richard Branson talking on the same subject. Long, rambling, complex lessons by an unknown about a subject that is freely available on many other platforms by recognised experts will probably be overlooked, unless the presenter is prepared to spend large amounts of time and money on marketing and even then, success is not assured.

Anyone with specific expertise can create an online program. Credibility is usually assessed by learners via qualifications and/or previous experience, reputation and testimonials.

Firstly, do your research. What is your subject matter? How many other programs are out there offering similar material to what you have in mind? How are they presenting their material? And remember, just because someone has created a training program on a subject doesn’t mean yours can’t work. Is there some aspect within a broader subject that you have specific expertise in? For example, cake making might be a broad subject of learning. But perhaps an area such as ‘cakes that are good for you’ or ‘organic cake making’ or ‘making cakes for diabetics’, might gain a niche audience prepared to pay to learn from you. Some successful online trainers have started with a niche market and then branched back into the broader subject matter when they have an audience already. So perhaps the first step is to decide on your specific area of expertise. You should then complete your research to see what is available online already. You may also wish to look at the fees being charged and if there are any free learning information on other platforms. How is the other material being presented? You may even wish to undertake a few programs on your subject matter to see how others are presenting their material. You can then create an outline of your program and start writing your script.

The team at Impowrd will provide you with a guide to assist you organise your material or the team at IMPOWRD can take your material and organise it into an easy to understand program. They can then provide you with scripts for you to record or organise voice overs for you. They will then use those recordings to create synchronised visual material to create an online format. This can be completed using animation, words, videos or a combination of styles. All material developed by IMPOWRD and paid for by you remains yours. The copyrighted learning information material is yours. However, any animated images created by our team of animators remain the property of IMPOWRD, you do not own these images ever, and using them in any other way, other than the original program, is a breach of copyright. If you wish to use videos of yourself, we can guide you and assist you to do this. All other images and videos are used from legitimate sources without breaches of copyright. IMPOWRD charges a basic fee of $1,000 (+GST) to provide a basic process outline and suggested format and quote for a specific project. This is then used as a credit on the confirmed go ahead of the project. We ask for 50% of the quoted amount on commencement.

IMPOWRD will provide you with a timeline of completion as part of your first step in the process, the basic process outline, as discussed in point 5, 'What can I expect from the team at IMPOWRD.'

Your first step is to contact the friendly staff at IMPOWRD. You can do this via an online application process where you can outline your project and submit a request for either an online or face to face meeting.