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How to create your first course on Teachable

beginner 12 min read Updated 2026-03-18
Quick Answer

To create your first course on Teachable, sign into your account, click 'Create New Course', add your course details and curriculum sections, upload your content, set pricing, and publish. The platform guides you through each step with an intuitive course builder.

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Prerequisites

  • A Teachable account (free or paid plan)
  • Course content prepared (videos, PDFs, or text)
  • Basic understanding of online course structure
  • Payment processor setup (for paid courses)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1

Access the Course Creation Dashboard

Log into your Teachable account and navigate to your admin dashboard. Click the Create New Course button, which appears prominently on your dashboard. You'll be redirected to the course setup wizard where you can begin building your course structure.
Choose a descriptive internal name for your course - you can always change the public-facing title later.
2

Set Up Basic Course Information

Fill in the essential course details in the Course Details section. Enter your course title, subtitle, and description. Upload a compelling course image (recommended size: 2240x1260 pixels). Select your course category and add relevant tags to help with discoverability within Teachable's marketplace.
Write your course description with your target audience in mind - focus on the outcomes and benefits they'll receive.
3

Configure Course Settings and Pricing

Navigate to the Pricing tab to set your course price. Choose between free, one-time payment, or subscription options. In the Course Settings section, configure enrollment options, set completion certificates if desired, and adjust drip scheduling if you want to release content over time.
Consider starting with a lower price point for your first course to gather student feedback and testimonials.
4

Build Your Course Curriculum

Click on Curriculum to structure your course content. Create sections by clicking Add Section, then add lectures within each section using Add Lecture. Organize your content logically with clear section and lecture titles that indicate the learning progression.
Aim for 5-10 minutes per video lecture to maintain student engagement and make content digestible.
5

Upload and Organize Course Content

Within each lecture, click Add Content to upload your materials. Teachable supports video files (MP4 recommended), PDFs, audio files, and text content. You can also embed external videos from Vimeo or YouTube. Use the drag-and-drop interface to reorder lectures and sections as needed.
Upload videos in 1080p quality when possible - Teachable automatically optimizes playback for different devices.
6

Customize Your Course Landing Page

Go to the Sales Page section to design your course landing page. Add compelling headlines, course outcomes, instructor bio, and student testimonials. Use the Course Curriculum Preview feature to show potential students what they'll learn. Customize the page layout using Teachable's drag-and-drop page builder.
Include a short preview video on your sales page - it can significantly increase conversion rates.
7

Set Up Course Communications

Configure automated emails in the Communications section. Set up welcome emails, course completion certificates, and any drip campaign messages. Create announcements templates that you can use to communicate with students throughout the course duration.
Write a warm welcome email that sets expectations and gets students excited about starting the course.
8

Preview and Publish Your Course

Use the Preview Course function to test your course as a student would experience it. Check that all videos play correctly, downloads work, and the flow makes sense. Once satisfied, click Publish Course to make it live. Your course will be immediately available at your custom Teachable URL.
Test your course on both desktop and mobile devices before publishing to ensure a smooth student experience.

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

Video uploads are failing or taking too long

Ensure your video file is under 2GB and in MP4 format. Try compressing the video using tools like HandBrake or Loom. Check your internet connection and try uploading during off-peak hours for better speeds.

Course content appears out of order

Go to your Curriculum section and use the drag-and-drop handles (three horizontal lines) next to each section and lecture to reorder them. Make sure to click Save after making changes.

Students can't access the course after purchase

Check your Course Settings to ensure the course is published and enrollment is enabled. Verify that your payment processor is properly connected in Settings > Payments. Students may need to create a Teachable account to access their purchase.

Course sales page doesn't look professional

Use high-quality images with consistent branding. Write clear, benefit-focused copy in your course description. Add social proof like testimonials or student counts. Ensure your instructor bio includes credentials and a professional photo to build trust.

Prices mentioned in this guide are pulled from current plan data and may change. Always verify on the official Teachable website before purchasing.
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