Is your course blending in with the crowd? If so, you might be missing out on bigger enrollments, higher student success rates, and more revenue. The solution? Differentiation.

When I taught first grade in Detroit, I had kids with wildly different educational backgrounds. Some were reading at a second-grade level, while others had never been to school before. I had to meet each student where they were. This is differentiation—customizing the learning experience so that everyone gets what they need to succeed.

In this post, I’ll show you how to apply this concept to your online course with three powerful strategies that will not only help your students get better results but also position your business to thrive.

What Is Differentiation in an Online Course?

In online courses, students come in at different levels—beginners, intermediates, and advanced learners. Your job is to ensure each student gets the right amount of challenge and support without creating chaos. Differentiation is about tailoring your course content, resources, and support so that everyone can thrive.

Here are three actionable strategies to make your course stand out:

1. Create a 'Choose Your Own Adventure' Learning Path

💡 Not every student starts at the same level, and they shouldn’t have to follow the same path.

By offering multiple paths based on students’ starting points or goals, you create a more personalized experience. For example, in a program I helped build, students take an assessment at the beginning of the course, which directs them to specific learning paths.

Why It Works:

• Students feel supported at their level of expertise.
• Personalized learning builds momentum and reduces overwhelm.
• LinkedIn Learning found that learners are 35% more likely to finish a course when it’s tailored to their needs.

✅ Action Step: Incorporate an onboarding assessment to guide students into customized learning paths.

2. Customize Resources, Not Core Content

🎯 Tailored resources show your students you understand their unique needs.

If you’re teaching a nutrition course, your core content about nutrition and macros can remain the same, but you could provide tailored meal plans for vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores.

Why It Works:

• Students perceive more value when resources feel personalized.
• Custom resources encourage loyalty and repeat purchases.
• Kajabi reports that 50% of students enroll in additional programs after completing a differentiated course.

✅ Action Step: Identify where you can customize resources—templates, workbooks, or exercises—to better serve your diverse audience.

3. Offer Tailored Support Options

🚀 Different students need different types of support at different times.

By offering a variety of support options, you let students opt into what’s most relevant for them. For instance, in a marketing course, you could provide specific calls for Facebook Ads, email marketing, and YouTube strategy.

Why It Works:

• Students feel more engaged and successful with personalized support.
• Successful students are more likely to recommend your course and buy your next program.

✅ Action Step: Add differentiated support options like specialized group calls or targeted community threads to your program.

The Business Impact of Differentiation

💰 Differentiation isn’t just about student success—it’s also about business growth.

Here’s why:

• Differentiated courses can generate 2–3x more students than generalized topics (Thinkific).
• Courses with a clear unique value can command 50–100% higher prices (Udemy).

When you tailor your content, resources, and support, you create a program that stands out in the market, delivers superior results, and builds a sustainable, profitable business.

Why Differentiation is Non-Negotiable

Differentiation is more than just a way to stand out—it’s how you deliver real value to your students and build a thriving, sustainable business.

🤔 Think about it: a course that offers personalized learning paths, tailored resources, and customized support isn’t just another option—it becomes the option for your ideal students. When your course is designed to meet them exactly where they are, it doesn’t just attract more enrollments; it creates loyal advocates for your brand.

What’s Your Next Move?

If your course needs a refresh or you’re ready to take it to the next level, now is the perfect time to implement these strategies. Start small—maybe with a quick onboarding assessment or a tailored resource—and build from there. Every step toward differentiation puts you ahead of the competition and closer to the transformation your students need.