How To Create A Course Outline

Why You Need A Course Outline

Before you dive into recording videos or designing slides, you need a clear plan. A course outline isn’t just a checklist—it’s your structure. It shows you what to cover, in what order, and why each part matters.

Here’s why taking the time to outline your course upfront makes everything easier:

• It keeps you focused – You won’t waste time on ideas that don’t fit or go off track mid-course.
• It gives your course a logical flow – Students can follow along without feeling lost or overwhelmed.
• It saves you from redoing work – A clear outline helps you spot gaps or overlaps before you hit record.
• It helps you teach better – You’ll know exactly what the key takeaways are for each section.
• It builds confidence – Both for you, as the creator, and for your students, who’ll see a well-structured path.

Before you define your course goals, make sure you’re clear on who your course is for. Not sure about your niche yet?

Step 1: Define Your Course Objectives

Before you start planning lessons or writing scripts, take a step back and ask yourself: What do I want my students to be able to do by the end of this course?

This is the foundation of everything. Your course objectives will guide what you include, how you teach it, and how you measure success.

Think about it this way:

• What specific skills should your students be able to apply?
• What problems will they be able to solve on their own?
• What kind of transformation will they go through—from beginner to confident, confused to clear, stuck to making progress?

Write your answers down. Be specific. These aren’t just bullet points—they’re the outcomes your course promises.

For example, if you're creating a photography course, one of your objectives might be:

• “Use manual camera settings to take sharp, well-lit photos in any lighting.”
  Or:
• “Compose and shoot creative portraits using natural light.”

The clearer your objectives, the easier it’ll be to decide what belongs in your course—and what doesn’t.

Step 2: Identify Your Main Course Modules

Now that you’re clear on your course objectives, it’s time to break them down into main modules—the big-picture sections that will guide your students from start to finish.

Think of each module as a stepping stone toward the results you promised. What major topics do your students need to learn to get there?

For example, if you’re creating a course on digital marketing, your modules might look like:

• Digital marketing fundamentals
• Content marketing strategies
• Social media marketing
• Email marketing
• Analytics and optimization

Start broad. Each of these will later be broken into smaller lessons—but for now, focus on outlining the 4 to 8 core sections that form the backbone of your course.

If it feels overwhelming, look back at your objectives and ask: What are the main areas my students need to understand before they can reach this outcome?

That’s your structure.

Step 3: Break Down Each Module Into Lessons

Once you’ve mapped out your main modules, zoom in and break each one into individual lessons. Think of these as the smaller building blocks that help your students fully grasp the topic.

Each lesson should focus on one key concept or skill. Keep it simple and direct—your goal is to help learners build confidence step by step.

Let’s say you have a module called Social Media Marketing. Your lessons might look like this:

• Understanding different social platforms
• Creating a content calendar
• Writing engaging social copy
• Designing visual content
• Tracking performance and making improvements

Keep your lessons short and focused. Aim for around 5–15 minutes of video per lesson (or the equivalent in reading or activities). If something feels too long or too complex, it probably needs to be split into two lessons.

This structure not only makes your course easier to follow—it also makes it easier to create.

Step 4: Add Supporting Materials And Activities

Once your lessons are mapped out, think about how you can help students go beyond just watching or reading. The best courses don’t just teach—they give people tools to apply what they’ve learned.

For each lesson, ask yourself: What could I add here to make this stick?

That might include:

• Worksheets to help students apply concepts right away
• Templates they can use to save time and take action
• Quizzes to check their understanding and boost retention
• Assignments or challenges to practice what they’ve learned
• Bonus resources for students who want to go deeper

These extras turn your course from passive learning into active doing—and that’s what helps students finish and succeed.

Even one simple worksheet or a short quiz can make a big difference.

Step 5: Create A Logical Progression

With your modules and lessons outlined, take a step back and look at the big picture. Does your course make sense from start to finish?

Your goal here is to create a learning journey that feels smooth and intentional—not random or overwhelming.

Ask yourself:

• Does each lesson build on what came before it?
• Are there any missing steps your students might need?
• Does the course gradually move from beginner topics to more advanced ones?

This is the time to shift things around if needed. Maybe one lesson should come earlier, or maybe two topics need to be combined. It’s better to catch these now than after you start creating content.

Think like a student seeing this for the first time. If the flow feels easy to follow, you’re on the right track.

Step 6: Add Time Estimates

Now that your outline is taking shape, give your students a sense of how long each part will take. Time estimates help them plan, stay motivated, and avoid feeling overwhelmed.

For each section, consider including:

• How long the lesson videos or reading materials will take
• Estimated time for activities, worksheets, or assignments
• A total time estimate for each module

For example:‍

Module 2: Content Marketing Strategies‍

Estimated time: 2.5 hours

• Lesson videos: 1 hour
• Activities and templates: 1 hour
• Quiz and review: 30 minutes

You don’t have to be exact—just give a realistic ballpark. It shows that you respect your students’ time and helps them stay on track.

Step 7: Include Milestones And Wins

Progress keeps people motivated—and your course should make that progress feel real. As you build your outline, include moments where students can pause, reflect, and recognize how far they’ve come.

Think about points where they will:

• Complete a project
• Master an important skill
• Earn a certificate or badge
• Achieve a clear, tangible result

These small wins give students a sense of momentum. It’s not just about “getting through” the course—it’s about hitting real goals along the way.

For example, after Module 3, you might include:

‍“By this point, you’ll have created your first full content calendar ready for publishing.”

Moments like that turn your course into a journey students actually want to finish.

Step 8: Create An Engaging Introduction And Conclusion

Your course needs strong bookends—an introduction that pulls students in and a conclusion that leaves them with confidence and clarity.

Here’s what to include in each:

Introduction: Start by welcoming your students and giving them a quick preview of what they’ll learn. Help them understand why the course matters and what they’ll be able to do once they finish. Keep it clear, encouraging, and focused on results.

Conclusion: Wrap things up by summarizing the key takeaways. Remind students of the progress they’ve made, and guide them on what to do next—how to apply what they’ve learned, keep practicing, or take the next step in their journey.

These beginning and ending points help your course feel complete and purposeful—like a story with a clear start, middle, and satisfying end.

Course Outline Template

Here’s a simple template you can follow to build your course structure from start to finish. You don’t need fancy tools—just copy this into a doc, Notion page, or spreadsheet and start filling it in.

Each part is designed to help you stay organized and give your students a smooth learning experience.

Course Title:
Give your course a clear, descriptive name. Keep it focused on the result your student wants.
Example: “Mastering Manual Photography”

Course Description:
Write 2–3 sentences explaining what the course is about, who it’s for, and what students will achieve by the end.
Example: “This course helps beginner photographers take full control of their camera settings and capture stunning portraits in any lighting. By the end, you’ll confidently shoot in manual mode and understand the key principles of light, composition, and style.”

Now, break your course into modules. Each module covers a major topic or phase in the learning journey.

Module 1: [Module Title]

‍Estimated time: [Total hours/minutes for this module]

• Lesson 1.1: [Lesson Title]
  • Video/Reading Time: [X minutes]
  • Activities: [e.g., quiz, worksheet, short writing task]
  • Resources: [e.g., PDF guide, template, checklist]
  
  
• Lesson 1.2: [Lesson Title]
  • Video/Reading Time: [X minutes]
  • Activities: [Brief description of what the student will do]
  • Resources: [List any downloads or links]
  
  
• Module Project:
  Write a short task that wraps up the module. It should help students apply what they’ve learned in a practical way.
  Example: “Create a 7-day content plan for a brand of your choice using the content strategy framework taught in this module.”

Repeat this same structure for Modules 2, 3, and so on. Aim for 4–8 modules total.

Once your outline is done, review it to make sure it flows logically, includes time estimates, and has enough hands-on activities to keep students engaged.

Common Course Outline Mistakes To Avoid

As you build your outline, watch out for these common mistakes that can slow you down or confuse your students:

• Being too vague with your objectives: If your goals are unclear, your content will be too. Make sure each objective is specific and measurable—students should know exactly what they’ll be able to do.
• Cramming too much into one lesson: Trying to teach everything at once overwhelms learners. Keep each lesson focused on one idea or skill. If it feels like too much, split it into two.
• Skipping logical flow: Just because a topic makes sense to you doesn’t mean it’ll make sense to a beginner. Build your lessons step by step. Assume nothing and avoid big jumps.
• Forgetting about student engagement: Watching or reading isn’t enough. Include activities, assignments, or simple prompts to get your students involved along the way.
• Not estimating time: If students don’t know how long something will take, they’re more likely to quit or procrastinate. Add realistic time estimates to help them manage their learning.
• Ending without a clear wrap-up: Don’t just stop at the final lesson. Include a conclusion that brings everything together and encourages students to take action on what they’ve learned.

Avoiding these pitfalls can make the difference between a course that just gets clicks—and one that actually gets finished.

Bringing Your Course Outline To Life In Kajabi

Once your course outline is ready, it’s time to turn it into something real—and Kajabi makes this part surprisingly smooth. If you’ve never built a course before, don’t worry. Here’s how to take what you’ve planned and bring it to life on Kajabi, one step at a time.

Final Thoughts

Creating a course outline isn’t just about organization—it’s about setting your course up for real impact. With a clear plan in place, you’ll teach more effectively, save yourself time during creation, and give your students a learning experience that actually delivers results.

And when it comes to turning that outline into a polished, professional course, Kajabi makes the process smooth from start to finish. From organizing modules and lessons to adding videos, downloads, and even automating emails—you can build your entire course in one place.

Ready to bring your course to life? Try Kajabi free for 14 days and start building your course the smart way.