If you have expertise in a particular industry or have a repeatable process with a track record of success, you’ve probably asked yourself, “Can I create my own certification program?”

After all, lots of people could be asking for your expert advice already. So, why not develop a way to help more people at once?

In this article, we’ll explore the answer to your question. 

Can I Create My Own Certification Program?

Yes, anyone can create their certification program, as long as they have industry-recognized expertise in a specific field.

You’ll know it’s time for you to design a course if:

• You have a coaching business and are ready to scale without sacrificing quality.
• You have a proven track record of success for a repeatable process that you’ve created.
• You want to gain more revenue streams while having more time and creative freedom.

Wondering whether people will sign up? That won’t be a problem with a compelling messaging strategy. 

I’m Nora Sudduth, and I’m here to give you on-demand support for shaping key messages that convey the benefits of your course to your target audience. Schedule a call with me today!

What is a Coaching Certification Program?

A coaching certification program is a non-traditional route (compared to a college or graduate degree) by which industry experts can teach others industry-specific skills.

There are four types of certification programs to choose from, namely:

• In-house certification courses: Designed for employees and team members, these courses enable you to maximize your impact by equipping your team to be at the same level as you.
• Licensing certification programs: Intended for coaches and business owners who have developed systems, processes, and methods and want to let external parties use and promote them.
• Educational certification programs: Allow you to share industry-specific expertise related to an undergraduate or graduate course. Credits earned through such programs are typically transferable to a degree.
• Affiliate certification programs: Equip affiliates to adopt best practices and gain a deeper appreciation of your brand.

Why You Should Launch Your Own Certification Program

Unsure whether a certification program is right for you?

Consider these ways a certification program can transform your business:

1. Expanding Your Reach

You can create an in-house certification program to move beyond the one-on-one business model. 

This way, you can train others to deliver the same results that you do for more clients.

2. Generating More Income

By creating a team of sharp, results-driven experts, you can multiply your revenue streams without working more hours.

3. Turning Trade Secrets into Sellable Assets

Do you have business models or processes that have generated impressive results for your clients? 

You can turn those into sellable assets by developing a licensing certification program. 

As a result, you not only generate more revenue but also amplify your brand’s impact.

4. Increasing Brand Awareness

Certification programs can enlarge your network dramatically by connecting you with other industry experts and professionals.

The larger your network, the more business opportunities you gain and industry knowledge you can access.

Want to create your own course but don’t know where to start? Let’s connect for a discovery call to work together and transform your ideas into sellable assets online.

Essential Elements of a Certification Program

Ready to design your own course? You’ll need all these elements in place:

• Course curriculum: This is the most essential element of a certification program and outlines items like topics to cover, the platform to use, course level, and structure.
• Objectives: These are the competencies and skills that participants gain through your course.
• Assessment tools: Gauge each participant’s mastery of the subject and their qualification for certification with tools like comprehensive exams.

Tip: Ensure that your course stays relevant. For example, feedback from mentors and other experts provides invaluable insight into whether your course meets industry standards.

Challenges of Creating a Certification Program

Read through the following challenges you’ll likely hurdle through when building and launching a certification program:

Limited Market Demand

When researching the market, you may find minimal data to accurately gauge market demand. 

So you may resort to estimates or look at wider trends that may not necessarily represent demand in your specific field of expertise.

One way to overcome this challenge is by getting feedback from your network to understand relevant competencies.

Keeping Courses Affordable

Building, launching, and maintaining a program is not cheap.

Consulting with subject matter experts will cost you time and money, as will other important elements like developing accurate examinations and using a platform to host the program.

You can go around this hurdle by hosting the course on your own website, planning the course beforehand, and creating your own content (like video lessons).

Ensuring Certification Validity

When anyone can create a certification program, many will wonder about its validity and importance for real-world application.

This is why it’s crucial to have experts on board who will help you design legal, accurate, and industry-recognized assessments and courses.

Low Enrollment Rates

You have something valuable to impart to the world. The problem is that so few know about it. Why? Your marketing messaging most likely needs a bit more punch and precision.

A messaging strategy is essential to any successful certification program because it gets the attention of the right audience, clearly communicates your course’s value, and inspires people to engage.

In other words, it’s not something you should DIY if you want results. You need a messaging strategist to help you shape compelling key messages.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Below, I’ve tackled some of the most common questions about creating a certification program:

Can Anyone Create Online Courses and Issue a Certificate?

Anyone can create an online course and issue a certificate as long as they:

• Have industry-recognized expertise
• Have a proven record of success with the processes they’re imparting
• Collaborate with other experts to ensure that the course’s curriculum and assessment methods meet legal and industry standards.

How Do You Structure a Certification Program?

To build a certification program:

• Identify the objectives and scope of the course
• Establish certification standards
• Create a curriculum
• Develop assessment tools
• Review for accuracy and industry relevance
• Promote your course with strategic messaging. 

How Long Does it Take to Create a Certification Program?

It typically takes six months to a year to build and launch a course. 

However, the exact time varies depending on course complexity, duration, and objectives. 

Conclusion

Launching a certification program is an excellent way to amplify your impact and revolutionize your business.

Worried your course won’t sell? Watch your sign-up rates soar with persuasive messaging.

I can help you shape and refine a messaging strategy that delivers the unique value that your course provides. Book a discovery call with me today.