As a digital course co-producer, your success largely depends on one thing: finding the right expert to partner with. You can master the tools, build flawless funnels, and write amazing copy — but without an expert with valuable knowledge and an engaged audience, your launch won’t reach its full potential.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to find, approach, and evaluate potential expert partners to co-produce online courses with — even if you’re starting from scratch.
Let’s break it down step by step.
Why Finding the Right Expert Matters
The success of a digital course depends on more than just marketing — it depends on the quality of the content and the credibility of the expert delivering it.
Partnering with the right person means:
- The course is built on real expertise
- The content solves a meaningful problem
- The audience trusts the expert (and buys from them)
- Your efforts in launching and selling are multiplied
A great co-production partnership is like a band: the expert is the lead singer, and you’re the manager, producer, and promoter all in one. Both roles are critical.
What to Look for in a Great Expert Partner
Before you start searching, you need to know what kind of expert you’re looking for. Here are key traits to prioritize:
1. Real Expertise
They don’t have to be famous — but they do need to know their topic deeply. You want someone who has results, experience, and stories to share.
2. A Defined Audience or Niche
They should already be speaking to a specific group of people. Ideally, they:
- Have followers on social media
- Maintain an email list or community
- Regularly produce content (videos, posts, lives, podcasts, etc.)
Even a small but engaged audience can be powerful.
3. Good Communication Skills
Can they teach? Can they explain their ideas clearly? Great content delivery leads to fewer revisions, better engagement, and better student satisfaction.
4. Motivation to Launch a Course
Not every expert wants to build a course — some prefer coaching or consulting. Look for people who are excited about creating a course and willing to collaborate.
5. Open to Partnership
Avoid people looking for “cheap labor” or a “virtual assistant.” You want a partner — someone who values your strategic input and respects your time.
Where to Find Experts to Co-Produce With
Now that you know what you’re looking for, let’s explore the best places to find potential partners:
1. LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a goldmine for professionals who are experts in their field. Search for:
- Coaches and consultants
- Industry speakers and trainers
- Authors in your niche
- Thought leaders who create content but don’t yet have a course
Send a personalized connection request and engage with their content before reaching out with a co-production proposal.
2. Instagram
Look for niche influencers or micro-creators who consistently:
- Post educational content
- Do live sessions or Q&As
- Engage with their followers
- Offer services or mentorships
You can DM them with a short, respectful message offering to discuss how they could package their knowledge into a course.
3. YouTube
YouTube creators already understand content creation — but many haven’t launched a course.
Use search filters to find smaller channels (under 50k subscribers) with valuable tutorials, how-tos, or lessons in your target niche. Offer to co-produce a course based on their most popular video topics.
4. Facebook Groups
Join niche groups related to entrepreneurship, freelancing, coaching, or digital marketing.
Participate in discussions, identify members who share valuable insights, and then message them privately to explore collaboration.
Examples of group types:
- Female entrepreneurs
- Fitness coaches
- Financial educators
- Productivity experts
- Copywriters and designers
5. Podcast Guests and Hosts
Podcast guests are often niche experts with stories, strategies, and methods. Look for guests who mention:
- They’ve helped others
- They coach or mentor people
- They have a framework or process
Once you find someone promising, reach out via their website or social media.
6. Local Communities and Events
Sometimes, offline experts are the best partners — they may have strong expertise but little online presence.
Look for:
- Local business owners
- Workshop facilitators
- Guest speakers at local meetups
- Teachers or professors with practical knowledge
These people often have powerful content waiting to be turned into a course.
7. Referrals
Ask your network:
“Do you know anyone with deep knowledge in [niche] who’s interested in launching a course but doesn’t know how?”
Referrals build trust faster, and you’ll often get access to experts who are already open to partnering.
How to Approach an Expert the Right Way
Once you find someone who fits your criteria, don’t rush the pitch. Build trust first.
Step 1: Engage
- Comment on their posts
- Share their content
- Join their newsletter
- Attend their live sessions
Show genuine interest in their work.
Step 2: Reach Out Personally
Avoid copy-paste messages. Instead, send something like:
“Hey [Name], I’ve been following your work on [platform/topic], and I think your content has huge potential for a structured online course. I help experts like you co-produce and launch digital courses, handling all the strategy, setup, and marketing. Would you be open to a quick call to explore the idea?”
Step 3: Focus on Benefits
Explain how you can:
- Handle the tech and marketing
- Create a professional product
- Expand their revenue with minimal time investment
Most experts don’t know where to start — and that’s where your pitch should focus.
How to Evaluate a Potential Partner Before Saying Yes
Not every opportunity is a good one. Before committing to a project, ask yourself:
- Do they show up consistently online?
- Do they respond promptly and professionally?
- Is their audience engaged (likes, comments, replies)?
- Do they already have clients or traction in their space?
- Do they seem committed to following through?
You can even request a short test:
Ask them to send a 5-minute video explaining a topic they teach. This will help you assess their clarity, energy, and teaching style.
Tips for Stronger Outreach and Success
- Keep your message short and clear
- Customize your approach for each expert
- Avoid sounding like you’re offering a service — frame it as a partnership
- Always schedule a call to explain the process and build rapport
- Be ready to show past work, mockups, or examples of how you can help
Red Flags to Watch Out For
- They want everything for free, forever
- They don’t want to share profits fairly
- They delay meetings or are unclear about their goals
- They have no audience and no interest in growing one
- They expect you to “chase them” for content
You deserve to work with professionals who value your time and skills. The right partnerships are worth waiting for.
What to Do If You’re Just Starting Out
If you have no experience and little confidence, don’t worry — many successful co-producers started small.
Here’s a beginner strategy:
- Find a new or lesser-known expert
- Offer a free or low-stakes collaboration (like a mini-course)
- Overdeliver
- Ask for a testimonial
- Add the project to your portfolio
- Use the results to pitch more experts
Your first project is your proof of concept. It builds confidence, momentum, and opportunities.
Final Thoughts: Build Relationships First, Then Business
Finding the right expert to co-produce with is not just about business — it’s about people.
You’re building a partnership that requires trust, communication, and aligned goals.
Don’t rush it.
Don’t pitch strangers with cold spam.
And don’t work with people who don’t value what you bring to the table.
Instead:
- Focus on adding value
- Look for genuine connections
- Be consistent in your outreach
- Treat every conversation like a long-term investment
The right expert is out there — and when you find them, you’ll create a digital product that changes lives and builds your business in the process.