I don’t have a course topic yet, so how can I be sure my area of expertise is something people will pay for?

Take a look at what sells in your market. What books, products, and courses is your ICA already investing in? If you’re not sure, search Amazon for best-selling books on your areas of expertise. Look at the reviews for those books; what are people saying they love about it or got the most value from? 

You can also look at a well-known influencer who has the same ICA and see what resonates most with their audience. Read comments on their social media channels to see what pain points or desires frequently come up and what conversations get a lot of engagement.  

Another option is to use AI to analyze trends and gather insights about what people are actively searching for and discussing. AI tools can help you identify common questions, popular topics, and gaps in the market that your expertise can fill.

Additionally, consider engaging directly with your audience — whether through social media polls, email surveys, or casual conversations — to get a sense of what they truly need and are willing to invest in. Ask questions like:

• “What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to [your area of expertise]?”
• “If you could learn one thing to help you reach your goal faster, what would it be?”
• “What have you tried before that didn’t work, and why?”

By combining market research, competitor analysis, and direct audience feedback, you can confidently refine your course topic, ensuring it aligns with both your expertise and what people are actively looking to buy.