How to get more course sign-ups and completions

Driving course completions

Here are some ideas to get your learners to finish the courses they have signed up for.

#1: Appreciate every milestone

Send them a congratulatory email for every milestone. This is the classic “you did such a good job, here’s a gold star” email.

Why it works: 

Recognizing learners’ achievements, no matter how small, motivates and encourages them to continue their learning journey. It creates a sense of accomplishment and makes them want to keep going, thus increasing retention.

How to execute:

Congratulate learners when they finish a course or achieve a major milestone. Include a certification download or offer a badge they can share on LinkedIn.

After the final milestone, you can recommend the next course or certification they can take to continue advancing.

Tip: 

As a reward for their success, offer them a discount or exclusive offer for their next course. This will help motivate them to register for another course and keep them as your customers.

#2: Create a leaderboard

Send emails weekly with a leaderboard showing the most active learners. Usually, games use this tactic to create a competitive atmosphere that motivates and hooks users.

Why it works: 

When people see others who are also learning the subject but are far ahead in the journey, they feel competitive and want to complete the courses.

How to execute:

Create a weekly update email with a leaderboard showing the top 3-5 learners based on the number of classes completed.

To keep them invested, you can give them a percentage off their future courses as a reward for being the top learners.

Driving course registrations

Now, let’s move on to ideas for getting more people to register for your courses. The first idea is personalized recommendations.

#1: Personalized course or learning path recommendations

Send emails with personalized courses that align with their interests. Most people suggest this, and for good reason: it works. The brand Toppr even saw a 133% uplift in conversions after sending personalized campaigns.

Why it works: 

By recommending courses based on learners' previous activities, preferences, or career goals, you cater to their specific needs, which increases the likelihood of them buying it.

How to execute:

Use past behavior (courses browsed or completed) to send personalized emails suggesting relevant learning paths or certifications. 

For instance, a learner who completed a beginner coding course can be sent a recommendation for an intermediate-level course.

#2: Give existing learners early access and offers for new courses 

This can help you create excitement amongst your existing learners. Get them to take more courses.

Why it works: 

Existing students get early access to a course along with an offer which can make them feel like they are valued and are getting a good deal. So, they’re more likely to buy it, and you retain existing students. You can also get feedback from them that you can fix before launching it for new students. 

How to execute:

Start with an email introducing the new course, highlighting its value and curriculum.

Send a follow-up email offering early bird access with a special discount or exclusive bonus for signing up before the official release.

#3: Show student success stories

Like how SaaS and ecommerce companies usually do, you can collect success stories from previous learners and share them on your website, emails, etc.

Why it works: 

People connect emotionally with stories. Showcasing real-life success stories of past learners can build trust and inspire potential learners to enroll in your courses.

How to execute:

Send an email campaign featuring learners who have achieved success through the courses they have taken on your platform. 

So, if you send personalized recommendations, the success story will also be relevant to the course mentioned in the recommendation. 

Driving course completions

Here are some ideas to get your learners to finish the courses they have signed up for.

#1: Appreciate every milestone

Send them a congratulatory email for every milestone. This is the classic “you did such a good job, here’s a gold star” email.

Why it works: 

Recognizing learners’ achievements, no matter how small, motivates and encourages them to continue their learning journey. It creates a sense of accomplishment and makes them want to keep going, thus increasing retention.

How to execute:

Congratulate learners when they finish a course or achieve a major milestone. Include a certification download or offer a badge they can share on LinkedIn.

After the final milestone, you can recommend the next course or certification they can take to continue advancing.

Tip: 

As a reward for their success, offer them a discount or exclusive offer for their next course. This will help motivate them to register for another course and keep them as your customers.

#2: Create a leaderboard

Send emails weekly with a leaderboard showing the most active learners. Usually, games use this tactic to create a competitive atmosphere that motivates and hooks users.

Why it works: 

When people see others who are also learning the subject but are far ahead in the journey, they feel competitive and want to complete the courses.

How to execute:

Create a weekly update email with a leaderboard showing the top 3-5 learners based on the number of classes completed.

To keep them invested, you can give them a percentage off their future courses as a reward for being the top learners.

Driving course registrations

Now, let’s move on to ideas for getting more people to register for your courses. The first idea is personalized recommendations.

#1: Personalized course or learning path recommendations

Send emails with personalized courses that align with their interests. Most people suggest this, and for good reason: it works. The brand Toppr even saw a 133% uplift in conversions after sending personalized campaigns.

Why it works: 

By recommending courses based on learners' previous activities, preferences, or career goals, you cater to their specific needs, which increases the likelihood of them buying it.

How to execute:

Use past behavior (courses browsed or completed) to send personalized emails suggesting relevant learning paths or certifications. 

For instance, a learner who completed a beginner coding course can be sent a recommendation for an intermediate-level course.

#2: Give existing learners early access and offers for new courses 

This can help you create excitement amongst your existing learners. Get them to take more courses.

Why it works: 

Existing students get early access to a course along with an offer which can make them feel like they are valued and are getting a good deal. So, they’re more likely to buy it, and you retain existing students. You can also get feedback from them that you can fix before launching it for new students. 

How to execute:

Start with an email introducing the new course, highlighting its value and curriculum.

Send a follow-up email offering early bird access with a special discount or exclusive bonus for signing up before the official release.

#3: Show student success stories

Like how SaaS and ecommerce companies usually do, you can collect success stories from previous learners and share them on your website, emails, etc.

Why it works: 

People connect emotionally with stories. Showcasing real-life success stories of past learners can build trust and inspire potential learners to enroll in your courses.

How to execute:

Send an email campaign featuring learners who have achieved success through the courses they have taken on your platform. 

So, if you send personalized recommendations, the success story will also be relevant to the course mentioned in the recommendation.