Write Your Course Title Like a Copywriter | Formulas, Examples

Creating compelling course titles is more than just a creative experience. In fact, it is a critical marketing tool that can make or break your course’s appeal. Think of it like the headline of a high-performing ad: it should grab attention, spark curiosity, and promise clear value. But what else? You will soon find that out. 

Today’s article will cover everything you need to know about writing course titles like a Pro copywriter. 

What does a catchy course title look like?

Before we dive into the practical section of this guide, let’s first understand what a catchy course title actually looks like. 

For this section, we interviewed instructional designer Mariana Pena to gather actionable advice. Mariana believes that catchy course titles should focus on emotion and transformation, speak students' language, and be brief-to-the-point and clear.

“If you have an amazing course but people don't click on it, then it doesn't matter that you have an amazing course. So, create a catchy title”.

Mariana Pena

Instructional designer

And how do you create a catchy title for your course? A good course title is usually:

• Benefit-focused

Number one - the course title must always be benefit-focused. It should clearly highlight the main benefits of the course for learners. Thus, it will help them understand what they will gain and spark their interest more. For instance, phrases like Triple Your Productivity” make the outcome clear in the title.  

• Brief

The course title you choose also must be brief and concise. Ideally, it should remain under ten words. First, short titles are easier to remember and scannable, which makes them more impactful. To write a brief but catchy title, you can use powerful words that convey course purpose without overwhelming details. For instance, “Master”. 

• Keyword-rich

Another non-negotiable to comply with when working on compelling course tiles is keywords. Using relevant keywords is extremely important to improve the visibility of SERPs. For example, a course on digital marketing could include keywords like “SEO,” “Social Media,” or “Lead Generation” to attract learners interested in those areas.

• Action-oriented 

Finally, do not forget about the importance of course titles being action-oriented. Words used in the title must imply an action or a result, for instance, “archive” and “transform.” These word plays will also help you to encourage engagement. 

Course title examples that are copy-worthy 

It is time to dive into the examples of copy-worthy course titles. In this section, we will present popular formulas followed by examples of actual course titles based on the formats. 

[Action Verb] + [Target Audience] + [Outcome] 

• Transform Your Photography Skills for Beginners: Capture Stunning Shots Every Time
• Boost Your Productivity as a Freelancer: Double Your Output in Half the Time

How to [Achieve Desired Outcome] in [Time Frame] 

• How to Build a Profitable Etsy Shop in 30 Days
• How to Master French Cooking in Just 10 Hours   

[Achieve X] Without [Common Problem] 

• Write Engaging Blog Posts Without Running Out of Ideas
• Lose Weight Without Giving Up Your Favorite Foods   

[Outcome] + Even If You [Common Obstacle] 

• Get Fit at Home Even If You’re Short on Time
• Launch Your First Podcast Even If You Hate Public Speaking   

[Outcome] + [Audience] + [Step-by-Step Process] 

• SEO Success for Small Businesses: A Step-by-Step Guide
• Self-Publishing for Authors: Build Your Book Brand from Scratch   

[X Steps to Achieve X] for [Audience] 

• 10 Steps to Launch a Coaching Business for Beginners
• 7 Key Practices to Design a Productive Home Office for Remote Workers   

[Outcome] + in [Time Frame] + Without [Pain Point] 

• Gain Financial Freedom in 90 Days Without Sacrificing Your Lifestyle
• Get Fluent in Spanish in Six Months Without Expensive Classes   

Get [Desired Result] + With [Simple/Specific Method]

• Get More Clients with Just One Email a Week
• Grow Your Instagram Following with 5-Minute Daily Habits

How to brainstorm and create a unique course title 

Let’s understand how you can effectively brainstorm and create unique course titles. 

Reflect back on the course purpose 

In order to create a unique course title, first of all, reflect back on the actual purpose of the course. By understanding the “why” behind your course, you can create a title that actually works. 

Consider its mission and objective. Answer questions such as “What is it meant to fulfill? " Focusing on the purpose of your course will allow you to focus on its key outcomes and create a title that can draw attention and make a sale. 

For instance, if you are creating a course on personal finances. The purpose is likely to empower learners to make informed financial decisions, right? In this case, you can ensure your title aligns with the course objectives. For instance, instead of writing “Personal finance course,” you can write “Personal Finance 1:1 | Transform your financial game.” 

List your course's main benefits  

The next step to creating catchy course titles is to list the main benefits of the course. To avoid getting confused in the process, first get a separate piece of paper. Now, on that paper, brainstorm and write all the benefits your course offers. This will help you navigate further. 

Think about what learners can take away from the course and highlight the five main benefits of everything. Now, you can proceed with incorporating one of the benefits into the course title. 

For example, a course on public speaking might offer benefits such as “overcoming stage fear,” “engaging audiences,” or “delivering persuasive presentations.” Identifying these benefits will allow you to highlight the most attractive aspects of the course. 

Now, you can write a catchy title such as “Learn the Art of Public Speaking: Engage Massive Audiences with Ease.” 

Create a top 10 list of titles

It is practically impossible to create a good final title on the first try. So, based on the course’s purpose and benefits, brainstorm a list of 10 possible course titles. Experiment with different styles, tones, and our example list to see what helps to position your course in the best possible way. 

For instance, you could try action-oriented titles (“Master the Art of Public Speaking”), descriptive (“Public Speaking for Beginners”), or outcome-focused (“Speak with Confidence in Any Setting”). This range helps you identify what resonates most and avoid limiting your options early on. 

Choose the title with the most emotional impact

Let’s say your list with the ten titles is ready. It is time to remove the ones that are not working and pick the final one to be able to move forward with the process. Go through your list and pick a title that can potentially evoke the strongest emotional response or give the biggest promise (which you can, of course, deliver). 

The goal is to find a title that not only informs but also inspires students to take action. For instance, “Achieve Financial Freedom” sounds far more inviting than “Basic Financial Management.”

So, eliminate the titles that are “boring” or do not inspire action, and pick the best one you have. 

Add a subheading 

When you are clear on the title of your course, it is time to add a subheading. 

Subheadings help you expand on the idea of your course and clarify the big promise while also introducing some secondary benefits. 

For example, if the title is “Build a Thriving Freelance Business,” the subheading could be “Learn Proven Strategies to Attract Clients and Boost Your Income.” See how it works? 

“Think about a very catchy header. So here, what we want to convey is the feeling that they're going to get by the end of the course, not the not the course content necessarily. But then you have a subheader, and then the subheader has to do with the, the, the the transformation itself”. 

Mariana Pena

Instructional designer

Check for SEO 

You might think that was it, but no, do not rush. When you have your title and subtitle, it is time to check for SEO. You want to make sure that your course title is keyword-rich, as relevant keywords will help potential students find your course instead of the course offered by a competitor. 

In fact, there is a joke that goes, “Google shows you disease based on which one is best SEO optimized, not which one you might actually have.” So, keep this small anecdote in mind when creating a course, landing page, or anything related to online presence and written content. 

Simply put, when it comes to SEO, find and use relevant keywords for your course. For instance, if your course is about digital marketing, make sure phrases like “digital marketing” or “online marketing” are present, as they help the course rank better in search results. 

Validate your course title 

Finally, we are at the finish line. It is just about time to validate your idea with potential students before publishing the course. 

To validate your course idea, you can use social media polls, surveys, and informal feedback. Validation helps to make sure that the title you created resonates with the audience and can help you boost sales. 

Generate Your Course Title With Uteach’s AI Tool 

If you want to create catchy titles but struggle to make them unique and outstanding, then you are in the right place. Uteach is an all-in-one tool for course creators that offers all the features necessary for scaling your eLearning business. One of these features is the built-in AI tool. 

The AI tool Uteach offers will help you generate a variety of ideas, including course title ideas. You can use the tool to create perfect titles that communicate the course’s value and outcome to the audience right away, making it more appealing. 

Make sure to check the AI functionality alongside a 14-day free trial run period to create your eLearning website and monetize your knowledge.