A simple plan to create a course in 3 months (without losing your mind)
- Ieva Laicane
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
Creating an online course can feel very overwhelming, especially when you’re staring at a blinking cursor thinking, “Where do I even start?” But here’s the truth: you don’t need a 47-step masterplan or a million sticky notes on your wall. You just need a simple plan to create a course, aligned with your life and energy.
This is what I’ve been teaching for over a decade as a course creator, and today I’m giving it to you straight.
Listen to this in a podcast episode instead:
First: Keep It Simple and Aligned with You
One of my core beliefs is that simplicity wins. You don’t need to pre-plan everything down to the pixel. You can’t actually know how something will land until you put it out there.
Instead of aiming for perfect, just start building. Messy action > mental overplanning every single time.
Your 3-Month Course Creation Plan
Yes, you can absolutely build a solid, sellable course in three months - if you have a plan and you stick with it. Let’s break this down.
Some Real Talk Before We Start:
If you’re super time-strapped, working only weekends - it might take longer. If you’ve never touched Canva or recorded a reel in your life, it might take longer. And that’s okay. You can still make it happen, step by step.
But if you already have:
Some experience posting on Instagram
Dabbled in creating content
Or even built a small digital product before…
Then you're in a great position to move quickly!

Month 1: Get Clarity + Build the Blueprint
Week 1: Define Your Course Vision
Start with foundational clarity:
What’s your course about?
Who’s it for?
What’s the promise or transformation you’re offering?
Also:
Brainstorm ideas
Gather existing notes or half-baked ideas
Identify the starting point, even if it’s messy
Tools to use: Pen + paper or your fave project manager (Trello, Asana, ClickUp—whatever works).
Week 2: Outline the Curriculum
This is where we start shaping the actual skeleton of your course.
Use a visual tool like Trello and:
Create a board with your course structure
Add modules (big picture topics)
Add lessons under each module
Add 2–3 bullet points of content for each lesson
Congrats - you now have a curriculum in progress. This is already a huge milestone.
Month 2: Build the Course Content
Weeks 3–4: Draft Your Content
Now it’s time to get the content down. But don’t overcomplicate:
Just start with bullet points for each lesson
If you want, go deeper into scripting - but that’s optional
Start with the easiest, clearest lessons first to build momentum
Design Visual Materials
You’ll likely want to add:
Slide decks
Workbooks
Checklists or templates
Use your existing branding, or spend a day to define a simple brand (colors, fonts). Pick Canva templates that match your vibe and content needs.
Once you’ve chosen a template, make sure to brand-align it. Canva makes this super easy - one-click updates for colors and fonts.
Month 3: Record + Set Up the Platform
Start Creating Lesson Materials
Once slides are done, start recording your content.
Keep it simple.
Talk to the camera (if that’s your jam)
Or just use slides + voiceover
No need to create Hollywood-level production. Done is better than perfect.
Choose + Set Up Your Platform
Don’t get stuck on the tech! Most platforms (like Thinkific, Teachable, Podia, etc.) come with easy step-by-step setup guides.
Bonus Tips for Staying on Track
Set weekly milestones. Don't aim for "launch in 3 months." Aim for "finish lesson 1 by Friday."
Track your time. Even 3 hours/week moves the needle.
Take breaks. If you get tired of creating, switch to design or tech setup for a while
Ask for help. If you want accountability and step-by-step support, join the Bootcamp. Seriously.
Your Action Plan
Here’s your simple plan to create a course in just 3 months:
Week 1: Define vision, audience, and course promise
Week 2: Outline modules and lessons in Trello
Weeks 3–4: Draft bullet point content
Weeks 5–6: Design slides + workbooks
Weeks 7–8: Record your lessons
Week 9: Set up your course platform
Week 10–12: Final edits, test run, and get ready to launch
TAKE YOUR NEXT STEPS
Listen to the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
Connect with me on Instagram @coursecreationlab
Join us inside Your Course Creation Membership