From Zero to Hero: The Prompt Stack to Turn Niche Research Into a Profitable Online Course (Step-by-Step Guide)

by Marcus Johnson

You’ve got expertise. You’ve got passion. But here’s the problem—how do you turn that into a course people actually want to buy?

Most course creators make one big mistake: they build first and validate later. The result? A dusty, unsold course sitting in a digital corner.

But what if you could reverse-engineer success? By tapping into real audience frustrations, analyzing competitors, and launching a Minimum Viable Course (MVC) before overbuilding, you can create something people beg to buy.

Here’s your step-by-step prompt stack to go from niche research to profitable course—without the guesswork.

Step 1: Find Your Audience’s Pain Points (The Goldmine Strategy)

Before you record a single lesson, you need to know exactly what your audience struggles with. No assumptions—just cold, hard data.

Your Prompt:
“Analyze forums, subreddits, and Facebook groups in [your niche, e.g., ‘personal branding,’ ‘AI for freelancers’]. Identify:

  • The top 3 recurring struggles/questions beginners/intermediates face.
  • Phrases like ‘How do I…’, ‘Why is this so hard?’, or ‘I wish I knew…’.
  • Gaps in existing free/paid resources (e.g., ‘Most courses skip X’).
    Summarize findings in a table with ‘Pain Point,’ ‘Frequency,’ and ‘Course Opportunity.’”*

Example Output:

Pain PointFrequencyCourse Opportunity
“How to price freelance services”50+ mentions“Pricing Mastery for Freelancers”
“Getting first clients on Upwork”30+ mentions“Upwork Domination: Zero to $10k”

Your Action Steps:

  • Search Reddit, Quora, Facebook Groups for niche-related struggles.
  • Look for patterns—if 10+ people ask the same thing, it’s a course topic.

Step 2: Spy on Competitor Courses (And Steal Their Weak Spots)

Why reinvent the wheel? Instead, study what’s already selling—then make it better.

Your Prompt:
“Scrape the top 5 courses on [platform: Udemy, Kajabi, etc.] in [niche]. For each, list:

  • Title, price, and enrollment numbers (if available).
  • What the course covers (modules/topics).
  • Negative reviews (complaints like ‘too basic,’ ‘outdated,’ ‘missing X’).
    Highlight gaps your course could fill.”*

Example Output:
“Competitor Course: ‘Social Media Marketing 101’ (4.2/5 stars). Complaints: ‘No TikTok strategies,’ ‘too much theory.’ Opportunity: ‘Advanced Short-Form Video Lab.’”*

Your Action Steps:

  • Browse bestsellers on Udemy, Teachable, or Kajabi.
  • Read 1- and 2-star reviews—these reveal what’s missing.

Step 3: Validate Demand (Before You Waste Time Building)

Don’t gamble on a course nobody wants. Test demand first.

Your Prompt:
“Draft a 3-question survey to validate course demand. Focus on:

  1. Biggest struggle in [niche].
  2. Preferred format (video, worksheets, live Q&A).
  3. Budget (‘Would you pay $X for a course solving this?’).
    Keep it concise. Provide 2 versions: casual (Instagram Stories) and formal (email).”*

Example Survey:

  1. “What’s your #1 challenge with [topic]?”
  2. “Would you prefer a self-paced course or weekly live lessons?”
  3. “What’s the max you’d pay for a course that fixes this?” [$$$ options]

Your Action Steps:

  • Run a quick poll on Instagram/LinkedIn.
  • Email your list (if you have one).
  • If 30%+ say they’d buy, you’ve got a winner.

Step 4: Craft a Killer Course Outline (That Sells Itself)

Now, structure your course around proven pain points—not just what you think is important.

Your Prompt:
“Based on the research, design a course outline that:

  • Solves the top 3 pain points.
  • Includes a unique angle (e.g., ‘AI for Non-Techies,’ ‘Zero Fluff’ style).
  • Has tiered pricing (e.g., Basic + VIP coaching).
    Output: Course title, 5 module titles, and key outcomes per module.”*

Example Output:

  • Title: “YouTube Growth Engine: Get 1k Subs in 30 Days”
  • Module 1: “Scripting Viral Hooks” → Outcome: Write 5 high-retention intros.
  • Module 2: “The Algorithm Hack” → Outcome: Double impressions.

Your Action Steps:

  • Start with the biggest frustration (from Step 1).
  • Promise a clear transformation (e.g., “Go from 0 to paying clients”).

Step 5: Launch a Minimum Viable Course (MVC) First

Don’t build a 50-lesson monster. Start small, validate, then expand.

Your Prompt:
“Break down the fastest way to launch an MVC (3–5 core lessons) to test demand. Include:

  • Core content (e.g., 3 videos + PDF checklist).
  • Delivery method (Teachable, Maven, private podcast).
  • Pre-sell strategy (e.g., ‘Pay $50 now, get full course later’).”*

Example MVC Plan:

  • Lead Magnet: Free “5-Day Challenge” email course.
  • Upsell: $97 MVC with live office hours.
  • Post-Launch: Survey for feedback → expand to full course.

Your Action Steps:

  • Record just 3-5 lessons (enough to solve one big problem).
  • Sell it before it’s done (pre-launch discounts work).

Step 6: Write a Sales Page That Converts (Without the Cringe)

Your sales page shouldn’t sound like a used-car ad. Speak directly to their struggles.

Your Prompt:
“Write a course sales page headline and bullet points that:

  • Start with the biggest frustration (e.g., ‘Tired of inconsistent clients?’).
  • Promise transformation (e.g., ‘Land 3 high-ticket clients in 60 days’).
  • Include social proof (use survey quotes like ‘87% said they’d buy this’).
    Add a FAQ section addressing objections (e.g., ‘What if I’m a beginner?’).”*

Example Headline:
“From Overworked to Overbooked: The Freelancer’s Guide to Raising Rates Without Losing Clients”

Your Action Steps:

  • Lead with pain → “Struggling with X?”
  • Follow with the dream → “Imagine achieving Y instead.”
  • Add urgency → “Enrollment closes Friday.”

Final Thought: Stop Overthinking, Start Selling

The biggest mistake isn’t making a bad course—it’s making no course at all.

You don’t need perfection. You need a simple, validated course that solves one painful problem.

So, pick a niche, run these prompts, and launch your MVC this month.

Your future students (and bank account) will thank you. 🚀