How to Build an Online Course with ChatGPT (Step-by-Step Guide)

Creating an online course used to feel like an uphill climb—slow, expensive, and overwhelming. But with the right AI tools, especially ChatGPT, I’ve discovered how to build full learning experiences in a fraction of the time. Whether you’re serving clients, customers, or training your internal team, the process I’m about to walk you through in this blog post (and in the video embedded above and linked here) will transform how you approach eLearning forever.

Why I Turn to AI for Course Creation

As the owner of two businesses—eLearning Partners and Athlete with Asthma—I’ve spent years developing courses and learning experiences. I used to rely on sticky notes, scattered Google Docs, and weeks of planning. Now, I use ChatGPT to co-create with me. And it doesn’t just speed up the process—it makes the experience smarter and more personalized for my learners.

My step-by-step framework walks you through how I use ChatGPT to generate course ideas, write value propositions, design milestone-based modules, and even build sales funnels—all in one seamless workflow. Let’s dive into the process.

Step 1: Ideation and Brainstorming with ChatGPT

Every great course starts with a meaningful idea. For me, that means asking: “What transformation do I want to create for my learners?” Recently, I turned to ChatGPT to help brainstorm 100 different learning experience ideas for my brand, Athlete with Asthma.

I didn’t just want random titles. I wanted focused, powerful ideas tailored to runners with asthma. So I gave ChatGPT context: I already have a course on weight loss. I want something new. Within seconds, it started generating ideas like “Train Your Lungs Like a Muscle” and “The Exhale Advantage.” These weren’t just clever titles—they were strategic, learner-focused topics.

What I’ve learned is that the more detail you feed ChatGPT, the better the output. AI is a mirror for your specificity. Garbage in, garbage out. Rich detail in? That’s where the magic happens.

Step 2: Writing a Learner Transformation Statement (LTS)

In my eLearning consulting, I teach something called a Learner Transformation Statement (LTS). It’s the backbone of any effective course—your learner’s journey from Point A to Point Z.

With ChatGPT, I asked it to create a 10/10 rated LTS for a program called “Asthma Proof Your Race Day.” Here’s what we crafted together:

From feeling anxious and unprepared due to asthma-related challenges…
To confidently completing races from 5Ks to marathons with a personalized system for breathwork, nutrition, recovery, and mindset.

We refined it further by adding my progressive overload training method. This transformation wasn’t theoretical—it was something I’ve lived. And now it’s something others can replicate, step by step.

Step 3: Defining Milestones and Learning Outcomes

Once I had the transformation defined, I worked with ChatGPT to break it down into milestone-based learning. Each milestone represents a major step toward the outcome—and each contains specific, measurable learning outcomes.

For “Asthma Proof Your Race Day,” the milestones looked like this:

1. Build your asthma-smart running foundation

2. Master breathwork, fuel, and recovery

3. Train smart with progressive overload

4. Execute an asthma-proof race day

5. Celebrate your finish line with confidence

These weren’t vague ideas. They were concrete guideposts that would shape how I script videos, coach learners, and design assessments.

Step 4: Building a Course Outline with AI

With the milestones defined, I then asked ChatGPT to expand them into a full outline—one module per milestone. The results were surprisingly robust.

Each module included estimated run times, suggested subtopics, and value-added features like group coaching, live runs, and community forums. I even considered creating an AI assistant that mimics my coaching style to help runners build custom plans based on ChatGPT prompts. This is what I mean when I say “learning experience”—it’s more than just a course.

The outline is now the foundation for a premium membership that blends community, coaching, and content.

Step 5: Creating Module Content with ChatGPT

Now that I had my modules, I asked ChatGPT to help script each one. I prompted it like this:

“Please build out a detailed outline for Module 1 as a 12–15 minute video. Include talking points and a suggested structure.”

And just like that, I had a working draft. I took it to Descript, my favorite content production tool, to record, edit, and enhance the lesson. Descript’s AI tools help me clean up filler words, tighten structure, and even add AI-powered B-roll or create an avatar of myself to teach the content.

Step 6: Producing the Content in Descript

Descript (grab your free trial here) is where my content truly comes to life. It syncs beautifully with the AI-powered structure I’ve created in ChatGPT.

I record directly into Descript, auto-generate transcripts, and use its “Remove Filler Words” tool to instantly polish my speech. I can screen-record training walkthroughs or drop in visual overlays and animations without touching a traditional video editor. It’s the fastest and most scalable way I’ve found to turn raw ideas into professional learning content.

Step 7: Uploading to Your Course Platform

I use Kajabi (Grab your 30-day free trial and free online course here) to host both of my brands, and I always recommend it for creators who want an all-in-one solution. But every course creator is different, which is why I built the eLearning Platform Finder™.

This free tool recommends the best platform for your needs in a matter of seconds—whether you're monetizing or training internally. It also gives you an extended free trial and a mini-course on how to get up and running fast.

The key is this: once your course is ready, don’t get stuck in tech limbo. Choose a platform that supports your goals—and get your course live.

Step 8: Promoting with AI-Generated Sales Pages

Once your course is live, it’s time to sell—or promote it internally. And yes, I still use ChatGPT for that too.

I start by pasting the full outline and LTS into ChatGPT, then prompt it to write a sales page based on my preferred structure. If you’ve seen any of my sales pages on AthleteWithAsthma.com or ELearningPartners.com, you’ll know they follow a milestone-based format.

I even go section-by-section with ChatGPT to refine headlines, pain points, and benefit bullets. It saves me hours and helps me launch faster.

Step 9: Building an Email Sequence with AI

The final step is building momentum with email. I typically launch a course with a three- to five-email sequence—each one educational first, promotional second.

Using ChatGPT, I prompt it to write 500-word emails based on the transformation we’re offering. I then go back and tweak them to add more of my voice, my personal story, and the real value my learners are getting.

It’s AI + empathy = conversion.

Final Thoughts: AI Doesn’t Replace You—It Multiplies You

What I’ve learned building courses with ChatGPT is that AI doesn’t replace your expertise—it multiplies it. It compresses weeks of work into days (sometimes hours) and removes the friction that holds most creators back.

So whether you’re building your first course or your tenth, let ChatGPT become your creative collaborator. Partner with it. Speak to it like a teammate.