Offering a free course is one of the most effective ways to grow your audience, demonstrate your expertise, and build trust before selling a paid programme. SystemeScale gives you three ways to offer free course access — choose based on whether you want to collect email addresses, add students individually, or allow open access.
Method 1 — Free course via an opt-in funnel (recommended)
This method delivers the course in exchange for an email address, building your list at the same time as delivering value.
1
Create a Build an Audience funnel
Sites → Sales funnels → Create → choose Build an Audience type → name it → Save. This creates an Opt-in page and a Thank-you page.
2
Design the opt-in page
Click Edit page on the Opt-in step. Add a headline, describe the free course, and make sure the form has an Email input field and a button set to Submit form.
3
Add an automation rule on the opt-in page
In the funnel, click the Opt-in page step →
Automation Rules tab →
Add rule.
- Trigger: Funnel step form subscribed.
- Action: Grant course access → select your course → select access type (Full access or Drip).
- Action (optional): Send email → deliver a welcome message with the course login link.
Click Save rule.
4
Activate the funnel and test
Set the funnel pages to Live. Opt in with your own email address and verify you receive course access.
Method 2 — Add students manually
Best for individual enrolments: partners, beta testers, team members, or students who contact you directly. See: How to manually add a student to a course for the full guide.
1
Go to Assets → Courses → your course
Open the course in your course library.
2
Click Add student
The enrolment popup opens.
3
Enter the student details
Enter first name, last name, and email address. Select Full access, Drip, or Partial access. Click Save. The student receives an automatic email with their login credentials.
Method 3 — Public course access
If you want anyone with the course URL to access it without registering or providing an email, you can set the course to public access in the course settings.
1
Go to Assets → Courses → your course → Settings
Open the course settings panel.
2
Set the access type
Look for an access setting that allows public or open access. Save. The course URL can now be shared directly.
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Method 3 does not collect email addresses
A fully public course does not require sign-up, so you do not capture any contact information. You lose the ability to follow up with these learners. Method 1 is almost always preferable for marketing purposes — the opt-in friction is minimal and the email address is valuable.
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Use a free course as a lead magnet
Pair your free course with an email sequence that nurtures students toward a paid offer. Once they have enrolled and started the free course, an automated sequence can introduce your premium programme naturally at the right moment. See:
How to create an email campaign.
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Explore everything the course builder can do
Video hosting, quizzes, drip content, certificates, and built-in payments — all in one place.
