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7 Social Media Strategies to Skyrocket Online Course Enrollments

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Introduction

In today’s competitive online learning market, creating a course isn’t enough. Even the best courses can remain undiscovered without an effective marketing strategy. Social media platforms provide some of the most powerful tools to reach and engage potential learners. With billions of active users across Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, YouTube, and more, there’s enormous potential to grow your online course enrollments, but only if you use these platforms strategically.

1. Leverage Instagram Reels for Course Snippets

Instagram Reels are short, engaging videos that appear in users’ feeds and the Explore section, offering massive organic reach potential. They are ideal for showcasing highlights from your course, quick tips, or success stories in a visually appealing way.

Why Instagram Reels Work for Courses:

  • Short and snackable, perfect for today’s attention spans.
  • Algorithms favour highly engaging content, increasing the likelihood of being discovered.
  • Users are in a discovery mindset, meaning they are open to finding new courses and learning opportunities.

Example:

A fitness coach might create a 15-second Reel demonstrating a single exercise from their full course. Viewers can see the value quickly, generating interest in enrolling. Similarly, a language tutor could showcase a “word of the day” lesson in a fun, interactive format.

Stat:

70% of Instagram users discover new products or services via Reels (Instagram Business). Courses that leverage Reels regularly see a 1.36× higher reach than standard carousel posts (CropInk).

Actionable Tip:

  • Repurpose longer lessons into 15–30 second highlights.
  • Add captions for viewers who watch without sound.
  • Include a clear CTA at the end of each Reel: “Enroll now to access the full course!”

2. Utilise TikTok for Viral Course Promotion

TikTok has grown into a hub for discovery and viral content. Its algorithm prioritizes content based on engagement and watch time, meaning even accounts with few followers can achieve massive reach. For course creators, this is an invaluable opportunity.

Why TikTok Works for Courses:

  • Short, relatable, and entertaining content performs well.
  • Users often follow hashtags, enabling your content to reach niche audiences.
  • Educational content is increasingly popular; TikTok has a dedicated “Learn on TikTok” trend.

Example:

A cooking instructor can create 30-second recipe hacks from their full course. Each TikTok could teach one small tip or “secret,” enticing viewers to sign up for the complete course for more.

Stat:

TikTok influencers maintain an average engagement rate of 2.18% per post, which is higher than Instagram’s 1.22% average (SproutSocial). Educational content with high engagement can lead directly to course sign-ups.

Actionable Tip:

  • Use trending sounds or hashtags while staying relevant to your niche.
  • Post consistently (at least 3–5 times per week).
  • Include a CTA linking directly to your course landing page.

Pro Tip:

TikTok’s “stitch” and “duet” features allow users to interact with your content, further amplifying reach. Encourage viewers to stitch your lessons with their own takeaways.

3. Run Targeted Meta Ads to Reach Potential Students

While organic reach is powerful, paid advertising on Meta (Facebook & Instagram) offers precision targeting to reach your ideal audience. With billions of active users, Meta ads can place your course in front of those most likely to enrol.

Why Meta Ads Work for Courses:

  • Advanced targeting by age, interests, demographics, and behaviour.
  • Retargeting options for people who visited your course landing page but didn’t enrol.
  • Lookalike audiences allow you to reach new users similar to your existing students.

Example:

A marketing instructor could target young professionals aged 22–35 who follow digital marketing pages, showing a short video ad highlighting the course outcome. A Carousel ad could showcase multiple course modules, building curiosity.

Stat:

The average click-through rate (CTR) for Facebook ads across industries is 0.90%, with retargeting campaigns performing significantly better (WordStream).

Actionable Tip:

  • Use short, engaging videos in your ad creative.
  • Test different CTAs, such as “Enroll Today” or “Watch the Free Preview.”
  • Implement retargeting ads to re-engage visitors who didn’t convert the first time.

4. Create Engaging YouTube Shorts for Course Previews

YouTube Shorts are YouTube’s answer to TikTok and Reels. These under-60-second videos are perfect for course creators to provide quick value and drive traffic to their full course.

Why YouTube Shorts Work:

  • YouTube is the second-largest search engine in the world, making discoverability huge.
  • Shorts appear in a separate section, often generating more organic reach.
  • Easy to repurpose existing course material into concise, high-value snippets.

Example:

A photography instructor could create a 45-second Short teaching one quick photo editing tip. Include a text overlay: “Learn the full editing workflow in my full course.”

Stat:

Creators earn an average of 16.9 subscribers per 10,000 Shorts views (AdamConnell.me). It demonstrates Shorts’ effectiveness in growing an audience that can convert into paying students.

Actionable Tip:

  • Focus on highly actionable or transformational tips.
  • Use captions and visually engaging elements.
  • End each Short with a CTA linking to your course landing page.

5. Share Professional Insights on LinkedIn

LinkedIn is ideal for courses targeting professionals. Unlike other platforms, LinkedIn users are actively seeking skill development and professional growth opportunities.

Why LinkedIn Works:

  • Audience is goal-oriented, ideal for professional development courses.
  • Long-form posts, articles, and native videos perform well.
  • Sharing student success stories builds credibility.

Example:

A leadership coach could post a carousel showcasing before-and-after outcomes of their course participants. Articles discussing trends in leadership development can position the instructor as an authority, driving course interest.

Stat:

Video content on LinkedIn is the most shared post type, increasing visibility and engagement. 

Actionable Tip:

  • Publish 1–2 high-quality posts per week.
  • Engage in comments to build relationships.
  • Share testimonials and case studies to boost trust.

6. Pin Inspirational Content on Pinterest

Pinterest is often overlooked, but it is a highly effective platform for reaching learners looking for motivation, inspiration, and learning resources.

Why Pinterest Works:

  • Users actively search for ideas and solutions, which makes them receptive to educational content.
  • Pins have a long lifespan, remaining discoverable for months.
  • Infographics, step-by-step guides, and visually appealing content perform exceptionally well.

Example:

A personal finance instructor could create a pin titled “5 Steps to Budget Effectively,” linking to their full course. Each pin should visually convey the course’s value proposition.

Stat:

Pinterest users save more than 1.5 billion Pins per week (SproutSocial), reflecting high engagement potential.

Actionable Tip:

  • Design pins that visually stand out with bold fonts and bright colours.
  • Include direct links to your course landing page.
  • Use relevant keywords in descriptions for SEO within Pinterest.

7. Integrate Email Marketing with Social Media Campaigns

While social media drives visibility, email marketing helps nurture leads and convert them into paying students. Combining the two creates a powerful enrollment funnel.

Why Email Marketing Works:

  • Direct communication with users who have already shown interest.
  • Personalised emails improve engagement and conversion rates.
  • Can complement social campaigns with retargeting and exclusive offers.

Example:

Offer a free eBook, webinar, or mini-course in exchange for email sign-ups. Then, send a 5-email sequence introducing your course, highlighting benefits, and providing social proof.

Stat:

Email marketing has an ROI of $42 for every $1 spent (Litmus).

Actionable Tip:

  • Segment your email list based on interests or behaviours.
  • Integrate social links and short clips from your courses in emails.
  • Include time-sensitive offers to create urgency.

Case Study: Achieving 2,000 Enrollments via Instagram Reels

Client: Digital marketing educator.

Challenge: Low engagement and limited reach on social media.

Strategy:

  • Focused on Instagram Reels, highlighting quick, actionable marketing tips.
  • Each Reel ended with a clear CTA to enrol in the course.
  • Combined organic Reels with retargeted Meta ads for maximum exposure.

Outcome:

  • Achieved 2,000 course enrollments in 3 months.
  • 5.2% conversion rate on promotional Reels.
  • Increased Instagram followers by 30%, expanding the brand’s long-term audience (ZebraCat.ai).

Takeaway:

Consistently posting valuable content, paired with strategic paid campaigns, can dramatically increase course enrollments.

TheEduAssist.com: Your Partner in Social Media Course Promotion

At TheEduAssist.com, we specialise in helping course creators market their courses effectively on social media. With expertise in Kajabi, Thinkific, and other platforms, we create data-driven campaigns that drive measurable results.

Our Services Include:

  • Tailored social media strategies for each platform.
  • Funnel creation and optimisation for higher conversions.
  • Paid ad campaign management across Meta, TikTok, and LinkedIn.
  • Analytics and performance tracking for continuous improvement.

Why Choose TheEduAssist.com:

  • Proven track record of boosting enrollments.
  • Expertise across multiple social media channels.
  • A data-driven approach ensures the best ROI.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How often should I post to promote my course?

Consistency is critical. Post at least 3–5 times weekly across platforms to maintain visibility and engagement.

Q2: Are paid ads necessary?

Paid ads amplify your reach and are particularly effective for retargeting and audience expansion.

Q3: How do I measure social media campaign success?

Track engagement rates, click-through rates, conversions, and ROI. Analytics tools on each platform provide detailed insights.

Q4: Should I promote my course on multiple platforms simultaneously?

Yes. Multi-platform promotion increases visibility. Customise your messaging for each platform’s audience.

Q5: How do I repurpose course content for social media?

Break longer lessons into short, engaging clips. Use tips, quotes, or transformations that capture attention quickly.

Ready to Boost Your Course Enrollments?

Partner with TheEduAssist.com to create a customised social media strategy that drives real results. Our team helps course creators leverage Instagram Reels, TikTok, Meta ads, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and YouTube Shorts to maximise reach and conversions.

Contact Us Today

By implementing these strategies and leveraging TheEduAssist.com’s expertise, you can market your online course effectively, boost enrollments, and establish a long-term, sustainable audience.