5 Tips for Moving Your Face-to-Face Training Online
We are getting lots of enquiries from training companies around the world who have traditionally undertaken face-to-face training (F2F). Due to the current COVID19 Pandemic, they are now looking to ‘pivot’ their business and move this online.
Posted 4 April 2021
At eCom we have been running a number of webinars on developing a learning strategy, demonstrating the many ways online training can take place. One of the biggest challenges for businesses transitioning to another delivery model. How they Integrate what they are doing now into their F2F delivery model when everything is back to normal? Here are a few tips to help you.
1. Be clear how you want to engage with your customers.
A key aspect of successfully integrating online training products into your delivery model is being clear about how you communicate their value to your customers. Understanding the workflow for your ideal customer is crucial. Up until now, it has all been about your brand, your expert trainers, your F2F delivery model, this is what they purchased. It is not possible to replicate all that trust, respect, and integrity just by putting a few courses up on the web.
2. Understanding your client's buying process
If you’re selling training to large organisations, you will need to engage with different contacts within a number of departments and get them to engage with you on the online delivery model. You will have to open up a number of demos to allow them to evaluate your offer. They will have likely used online learning before and will have a set of expectations that need met. You need to upskill yourself or seek help from a specialist eLearning provider to assist you in answering any technical questions they may have.
3. Don't underestimate the time spent in getting your content together
Is your delivery model going to change? Are you going to create programmes or individual courses? What language options do you need? Do you need certification? Does your online course need to be reaccredited by the regulator? You may have approval for F2F but this doesn’t always transfer to online.
Do you need to rewrite your face to face training content for screen delivery? Since 50% of F2F training is delivered using slides containing anecdotes and stories, how can this be done online? Do you need to protect your IP? Turning slides into eLearning content is a good way of protecting your expertise.
Are you adding pre-assessment, knowledge checks, and post-assessment? Writing good testing questions is a skill and takes some time to develop. It is useful to have someone who can help you evaluate these prior to going live.
4. Creating a model to sell your courses online
There are literally hundreds of eLearning catalogues being promoted at any time and you will be really surprised at the wide subject areas they cover. Our content partner OpenSesame has one of the widest ranges available. Having competition is one of the biggest challenges training providers face in offering their online courses. Being able to differentiate your current offering in your home market, where your name is known and you have a loyal following, is the key to success with marketing your courses. This supports the value in your online programmes and courses and adds to your regular F2F income, rather than detract from it.
5. Working out a pricing strategy
It is important to find out what it is worth to your customers, what would they do if your programme or course wasn’t available? How much are they willing to pay for taking part? It’s worth asking one of your key clients. Most organisations expect to get an online course cheaper than attending any F2F event, many training providers build in the cost of the courses into a service contract, avoiding the need to price the courses individually. If you want to set up eCommerce facilities to take payments, remember to make sure you have a good Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and Help section in place since buyers can purchase around the clock.
