5 Proven Ways to Drive Traffic to Your Teachable School (That Actually Work)

No matter how great your online course is, you can’t make sales if nobody ever sees it. One of the biggest hurdles Teachable school owners face, especially in the early days is getting enough eyes on their course.

The truth? You don’t need thousands of visitors to make your first sales, but you do need the right people to actually notice your school. Here are five real-world, actionable strategies I recommend to every course creator looking to boost their Teachable traffic.

1. Leverage Your Existing Network

Your first students are likely hiding in plain sight: they’re the people who already know you, trust you, and would love to support your next project.

Personal Email Outreach: Reach out directly to friends, past colleagues, previous clients, mentors, and relevant contacts. A personal, friendly email about your course is surprisingly effective.
Ask for Referrals: Let your network know you’re looking for introductions. Often, the perfect student is one connection away.
Share in Community Groups: Post about your course in alumni networks, local business groups, or online forums you participate in.
Spotlight Your Community: Share stories or wins from beta testers or early students, and encourage them to spread the word.
Show Up Authentically: Talk about your course journey on your personal social media, not just business accounts. You never know who’s interested!

People are far more likely to trust (and buy from) someone who’s already helped them. Consistently create and share content that addresses real problems your ideal student has.

Write Practical Blog Posts: Publish how-tos, checklists, and step-by-step tutorials related to your course.
Film Quick Video Lessons: Short videos on YouTube or social media can demonstrate your teaching style and expertise.
Offer Downloadable Resources: Free templates, cheat sheets, or mini-guides can build trust (and your email list).
Host Live Webinars or Q&A Sessions: Engage directly and show off your teaching chops in real time.
Guest Post on Niche Blogs: Reach new audiences by sharing your expertise on other popular sites.

Don’t try to be everywhere; pick one or two platforms your audience uses, and show up consistently with value and personality.

Share Tips and Stories Regularly: Give small wins, share course creation lessons, or talk about student success.
Create Platform-Specific Videos: Think Instagram Reels, TikTok clips, or LinkedIn posts tailored for each platform.
Run Polls and Ask Questions: Spark interaction to better understand (and reach) your audience.
Celebrate Wins: Share progress from your school or testimonials from students.
Engage in Communities: Be helpful in Facebook groups, subreddits, or LinkedIn threads related to your course topic.

4. Collaborate and Partner

Sometimes the easiest way to grow is to team up with others who already have the attention of your ideal students.

Host Joint Webinars or Workshops: Co-host with experts in related fields for extra reach.
Be a Podcast Guest: Get interviewed to share your story and invite listeners to your course.
Set Up Affiliate or Referral Programs: Reward trusted partners for spreading the word about your school.
Exchange Guest Content: Swap blog posts, newsletter mentions, or social shoutouts.
Participate in “Expert Roundups”: Contribute insights to collective posts or events in your niche.

5. Utilize Email Marketing

Email gives you a direct, ongoing connection with people interested in your topic. Start building your list from day one, even if it’s tiny.

Welcome Sequence: Guide new subscribers from freebie to your main offer with a friendly, informative email series.
Regular Newsletters: Share actionable tips, personal stories, or industry updates to keep people engaged.
List-Only Bonuses: Offer special discounts or bonus materials only to your subscribers.
Send Personalized Replies: Encourage questions and personally answer replies to build trust.
Segment and Target: Tailor future course offers based on subscriber interests and behaviors.

Final Thoughts

You’ve put in the hard work to create a valuable course, now it’s time to get people through the (virtual) door.
Pick two or three of the strategies above, take consistent action, and you’ll begin to see real results. Remember, even small gains are still gains!

If you have questions or want to share your progress, I’m always happy to hear from fellow Teachable creators. Just reply to any of my emails or reach out at tom at purplehippo.io.

Here’s to your online course success!

Cheers,
Tom Lorimer
Purple Hippo Web Studio

5 Proven Ways to Drive Traffic to Your Teachable School (That Actually Work)