The online education market is booming, with thousands of digital courses being launched every year across every imaginable niche. But not every course creator has the technical know-how, marketing skills, or time to bring their knowledge to life on the internet. That’s where digital course co-production comes in — a powerful and increasingly popular model that opens the door for collaboration and scalable business opportunities.
In this article, we’ll explore what co-production actually means, the benefits it offers, and why this might be the perfect path for you to step into the digital education space without needing to be the face of the course.
What Exactly Is Digital Course Co-Production?
Digital course co-production is a business model where two or more people collaborate to create and launch an online course. Typically, one person brings the expertise or content (usually known as the “expert” or “authority”), while the other brings the production and marketing know-how (this is the “co-producer”).
The co-producer handles the backend — they might take care of tasks such as:
- Structuring the course modules
- Recording and editing video lessons
- Designing presentations or materials
- Building the course platform
- Creating sales pages
- Setting up email marketing funnels
- Managing paid traffic (ads)
- Running the launch strategy
In return, the co-producer shares in the profits generated by the course, based on an agreement made between the parties.
Why Co-Production Is Gaining Popularity
There are several reasons why co-production is growing in popularity in the digital education space:
1. Lower Entry Barrier
You don’t need to be an expert in a particular topic to enter the digital course market. As a co-producer, your value lies in your strategic and operational contribution. If you have skills in project management, digital marketing, or content production, you can start co-producing right away.
2. Shared Risk and Responsibility
Instead of one person bearing the entire workload, co-production allows partners to share both responsibilities and risks. That makes launching a course less overwhelming — and often more successful.
3. Faster Time to Market
Working with a partner means tasks can be delegated and executed faster. A co-producer can accelerate the course creation process while keeping quality standards high.
4. Access to New Niches and Audiences
Collaborating with different experts allows co-producers to work across various markets — from fitness to finance, cooking to coding. This expands your experience, network, and earning potential.
5. Scalability
Once you’ve built a proven process for launching and scaling digital courses, you can replicate that model with multiple experts. Co-production is a scalable business model if handled strategically.
Who Should Consider Becoming a Co-Producer?
This role is ideal for professionals who have strong soft or hard skills in areas like:
- Digital marketing
- Course design and structure
- Funnel building
- Tech and automations (e.g., setting up platforms like Hotmart, Teachable, Kajabi)
- Project and time management
- Copywriting and storytelling
- Paid ads and analytics
Even if you’re still learning, many aspiring co-producers start small and grow by supporting beginner-level experts or specialists who have the content but lack the digital skills to make it happen.
Key Responsibilities of a Co-Producer
To be clear, the co-producer isn’t just a background supporter — in many cases, they are the engine that drives the course launch. Here are the core areas a co-producer is typically responsible for:
Course Development Support
- Help the expert outline and organize the course content
- Guide video/script production (or do it yourself)
- Create slide decks, downloadable PDFs, or quizzes
Marketing Strategy and Execution
- Plan and execute pre-launch campaigns
- Build landing pages and sales funnels
- Write email sequences and content
- Manage social media strategies or paid ad campaigns
Tech Setup and Optimization
- Set up course platforms and payment systems
- Test user experience and fix bugs
- Ensure mobile and desktop responsiveness
- Monitor performance data and make improvements
Launch and Post-Launch Support
- Manage customer service systems
- Coordinate webinars or live events
- Collect feedback for future course versions
- Plan future updates or product expansions
How Revenue Sharing Works in Co-Production
Revenue split in co-production can vary based on the responsibilities, experience, and investment of each partner. The most common model is 50/50, especially when both parties are bringing significant value. However, depending on the scenario, the split could be:
- 60/40 or 70/30 if one side does the bulk of the work
- A flat fee plus performance bonuses
- Revenue share based on specific tasks (e.g., marketing only)
It’s important to formalize the agreement with a contract that outlines each party’s role, deliverables, timelines, and payment terms to avoid misunderstandings later.
How to Find Experts to Co-Produce With
If you’re ready to start co-producing, your next step is to find an expert to collaborate with. Here are some practical ideas:
- LinkedIn: Search for professionals posting valuable content but lacking structured digital products.
- Instagram/TikTok/YouTube: Find creators with an engaged audience but no course.
- Online communities: Join Facebook groups or forums where industry experts interact.
- Referrals: Let your network know you’re looking for experts to co-produce with.
- Events and webinars: Connect with speakers and content creators.
Always do a background check before committing to a partnership. Look for credibility, teaching ability, and an existing audience or mailing list if possible.
Pros and Cons of Digital Co-Production
Let’s wrap up this overview with a quick look at the pros and cons of co-producing digital courses:
Pros
- You don’t need to be the content expert
- High scalability with low upfront costs
- Great opportunity to build digital business experience
- Shared workload and collaborative growth
- Can lead to long-term partnerships
Cons
- Revenue is shared, not 100% yours
- Requires strong communication and trust
- Disagreements may occur without a clear contract
- Results depend on the expert’s delivery and audience engagement
- You may be working behind the scenes (less visibility)
Final Thoughts: Is Co-Production Right for You?
If you’re passionate about education, marketing, or digital entrepreneurship, and you enjoy working with people, co-producing digital courses can be a profitable and fulfilling career path.
It gives you the opportunity to make a real impact — helping experts share their knowledge while building your own online business without the pressure of being in front of the camera.
As with any business model, success depends on your strategy, consistency, and ability to adapt. But for many, co-production is the perfect gateway into the booming world of online education.