How to Use Copilot to Build an Online Course from Scratch

I never imagined I would say this. I am impressed with Microsoft Copilot. Many people dismiss Copilot and give Microsoft a hard time. I once did the same. But after testing it with students and clients, I saw something different. If you are inside the Microsoft ecosystem, Copilot can become a real partner. It can help you build courses, programs, and learning experiences faster than you think.

In this blog post (and in the video linked here) I will walk you through my nine-step process. I will show you how I used Copilot to go from a raw idea to a complete online course. You will see how I refine prompts, test ideas, write scripts, and pair Copilot with tools like Descript and Kajabi. I promise you this: by the end, you will know how to use Copilot to build an online course from scratch with clarity and speed.

Why Copilot matters now

I run two businesses: eLearning Partners and Athlete with Asthma. I live in both worlds: helping companies build eLearning at scale and serving athletes like me who want to achieve more with asthma. When I first tried Copilot, I was not expecting much. But once I integrated it into projects, I saw its strengths.

Copilot shines when you are already in the Microsoft suite. It can follow you across apps, appear on the side of your screen, or expand into a full browser view. I prefer the full screen because I like space, but you may like the small side panel. Either way, it keeps your data in one place and lets you come back to it later.

The reason this matters is simple. We waste time searching across tools. Copilot cuts down that waste. And when you combine it with clear prompts, it helps you shape course ideas that you can actually launch.

Step One: Ideation and Brainstorming

Every course begins with an idea. With Copilot, I start broad. I ask it to research my competitors. I ask for 25 ideas for programs, courses, or mastermind products. I then push it to rate each idea on three metrics: marketability, results for learners, and fit for a group coaching model.

The first batch of ideas was weak. That is normal. Generative AI often throws filler when asked for a big list. So I push it further. I tell Copilot to rate, score, and reorder. I then demand only the ideas that score 27 out of 30 or higher. This is where things improve.

From here, I found three strong options. My favorite was an “Ultimate Mental Resilience Framework.” That became the seed for the rest of the process. Without Copilot, I would have wasted days refining ideas. With it, I reached clarity within minutes.

Step Two: The Learner Transformation Statement

Every course needs a transformation. At eLearning Partners we call this the learner transformation statement. It starts at point A, where your learner is today. It ends at point Z, where they want to be after your program.

I asked Copilot to craft ten options for my resilience program. It gave me detailed point A to point Z statements. Some focused on mental toughness, others on breathing mastery, and one on confidence training for athletes with asthma.

This stage is critical. When you know the transformation, you can align content, coaching, and community. You can sell with confidence because you know the promise. Copilot saved me hours here by turning raw ideas into structured transformations.

Step Three: Milestones and Outcomes

Once you have the transformation, you need milestones. These are the steps from point A to point Z. I asked Copilot to draft milestones for my “Asthma Proof Confidence Training” program. It came back with five clear stages.

The milestones included mindset shifts, breath control, competitive resilience, personalized training plans, and leadership. Each one built on the last. Each was achievable and measurable. This gave me a skeleton for the program.

Milestones matter because they guide your learners. They also guide you as the creator. Without them, programs drift and learners quit. Copilot made sure I avoided that trap.

Step Four: Build the Product Outline

Now it was time to create a full outline. I asked Copilot for a 12-week course and mastermind plan. It delivered a format with weekly coaching calls, a private community, and personalized feedback. It even suggested pricing tiers, from $5,000 up to $25,000 for VIP access.

This outline included weekly topics, guest speakers, and live simulations. It also emphasized the value of group size. For my program, 10 to 20 athletes felt right.

The lesson here is simple. Copilot can draft a complete framework once you have the milestones. You can then refine the details to fit your learners.

Step Five: Script Your First Module

I always pair masterminds with a course. This way, learners have video content to anchor their progress. I asked Copilot to build a full script for my first module. It gave me a 15-20 minute video outline with timing.

It even wrote a draft script I could record word for word. That is powerful. I then asked for text content that I could upload to Kajabi alongside the video. Again, Copilot delivered.

This step showed me how much time you can save. Most creators get stuck writing scripts. Copilot makes it simple. You can always edit for your voice, but you start with a strong base.

Step Six: Record and Edit with Descript

Recording used to be painful. Editing took even longer. Today, tools like Descript (grab your free trial) change that. Descript lets you cut video by editing text. It removes filler words and cleans your mistakes with a click.

I used the script from Copilot, recorded in Descript, and had a clean video in minutes. I could add motion graphics, B-roll, and even avatars if needed. The speed shocked me.

For creators who fear video editing, this is the answer. Pair Copilot and Descript, and you move from idea to polished lesson in a single day.

Step Seven: Host and Deliver with Kajabi

Now you need a home for your program. I use Kajabi (grab your extended free trial and bonuses here) to run both of my businesses. It handles hosting, community, coaching, and sales. I also created a course called Kajabi Made Simple to help you set up.

With my link, you can get a 30-day free trial, longer than the standard one. You also get my course and direct coaching through comments. This way you launch faster and avoid costly mistakes.

If Kajabi is not right for you, use my eLearning Platform Finder. It matches you with the perfect LMS in seconds. Either way, your course needs a professional home.

Step Eight: Build Your Sales Page

A course without promotion will not sell. I asked Copilot to help me write a sales page. I fed it templates from my existing programs, like the eLearning Simplified Academy and YouTube 2K Blueprint. Copilot rewrote them for my new resilience program.

It drafted a hero section, bullet points, and a meet-the-coach section. I refined each with extra prompts until it fit. This process can work for internal training too. You still need promotion to get employees excited.

A strong sales page is not optional. Copilot helps you create one without starting from scratch.

Step Nine: Write Your Email Sequence

Finally, I asked Copilot to draft a five-email sequence. It gave me headlines, hooks, and body copy. From there, I personalized tone and detail.

Email remains one of the most effective ways to sell courses. With Copilot, you do not waste time staring at a blank screen. You get structure fast and focus on refining.

Final Thoughts

So that is my nine-step process. I started with nothing and ended with a full course, a mastermind, a sales page, and an email sequence. I built it all by pairing Copilot with Descript and Kajabi.

The truth is simple. Generative AI is not perfect. It will hallucinate and give filler. But if you push it, rate ideas, and demand refinement, it will deliver. You must treat it like a partner, not a magic box.

If you are serious about learning how to use Copilot to build an online course from scratch, start experimenting. Use my eLearning Platform Finder to pick the right LMS. Use Descript to edit videos fast. Use Kajabi or your matched platform to host.

AI is not here to replace us. It is here to empower us. And if you harness it well, you will serve your learners faster, better, and with greater impact.