If you’re thinking about creating a course, one of the big decisions you’ll face is choosing between an evergreen or live format. Both have their unique perks—and challenges. A live course offers the excitement of real-time interaction, while an evergreen course provides flexibility and scalability. But no matter which format you choose, keeping students engaged from start to finish is essential to your course’s success.

The good news? With the right engagement strategies, you can create an immersive experience for your students in both formats. Today, we’ll look at the pros and cons of each type, along with engagement techniques tailored to each approach, so you can deliver a course that leaves students feeling connected and committed.

Live Courses: Real-Time Connection, Real-Time Results

Live courses are all about that in-the-moment energy. Students join at set times, participate in live sessions, and get direct access to you and, often, to each other. This type of course tends to have higher engagement from the start because of its immediacy—students feel a sense of community, accountability, and real-time support that can be incredibly motivating.

Pros of Live Courses:

• Immediate Interaction: Live courses allow for real-time Q&A, feedback, and discussions, which fosters a close-knit community.
• Accountability: Set times and schedules keep students on track, reducing the chance of them falling behind.
• High Energy: The “live” feel can create excitement and urgency, motivating students to show up and stay engaged.

Cons of Live Courses:

• Less Flexibility: Students (and you) must be available at specific times, which can limit who can participate.
• Scheduling Challenges: Time zones and schedules may make it difficult for everyone to join in real-time.
• Higher Demand on Your Time: Since live courses require you to show up and teach in real-time, they demand more active commitment from you.

Engagement Tips for Live Courses:

• Encourage Live Interaction: Start each session with a quick check-in or poll to get students involved from the start.
• Create Space for Q&A: Include regular Q&A segments to ensure students feel heard and get clarity in real-time.
• Use Breakout Rooms: For larger classes, use breakout rooms to let students discuss in smaller groups. This helps build community and gives quieter students a chance to participate.

Evergreen Courses: Flexibility with Long-Term Impact

Evergreen courses run on autopilot, meaning students can join and complete the material at any time. This format is fantastic for flexibility and scalability—you can reach a larger audience without having to show up live. But because students are moving through the material independently, keeping them engaged without that live interaction requires a different set of strategies.

Pros of Evergreen Courses:

• Flexible for Students: Students can work through the material on their own schedule, making it accessible for more people.
• Scalability: You’re not limited by your time, so you can enroll as many students as you like without having to teach the course repeatedly.
• Consistent Revenue: With an evergreen course, you have the potential for ongoing income without needing to launch repeatedly.

Cons of Evergreen Courses:

• Lack of Immediate Interaction: Without live sessions, students might feel disconnected or less motivated.
• Potential for Lower Engagement: Without set times or accountability, students may lose momentum or fall off track.
• Limited Real-Time Feedback: You miss out on the insights and adjustments that come from real-time feedback.

Engagement Tips for Evergreen Courses:

• Automate Check-Ins: Set up automated emails or reminders to keep students moving through the material, offering encouragement and next-step guidance.
• Include Interactive Elements: Add quizzes, exercises, and reflection prompts that prompt students to engage actively, even if they’re moving through the material on their own.
• Build a Community Space: Create a private group or forum where students can ask questions, connect with others, and share progress. This adds a live component to an otherwise static experience.

How to Decide Between Live and Evergreen

Choosing between live and evergreen ultimately depends on what suits your teaching style, availability, and goals for the course. If you enjoy live interaction and want to create an in-the-moment experience, a live course might be the way to go. But if you’re looking to reach a larger audience and provide flexibility, an evergreen format may be a better fit.

If you’re torn between the two, you might even consider a hybrid approach: create an evergreen course that runs automatically but offer live Q&A sessions or periodic group calls to add a real-time element.

Ready to Master Engagement in Any Format?

Whether you’re creating a live or evergreen course, keeping students engaged is the secret to success. With the right techniques, you can transform a passive experience into one that students love and benefit from. My Teaching Mastery Academy offers proven strategies to help you engage your students from beginning to end, regardless of the format you choose.

Want to learn how to keep students excited and committed in both live and evergreen courses? Join my Teaching Mastery Academy and discover the techniques that make every lesson feel dynamic and engaging. Let’s create a course that students can’t wait to complete!