How to promote your training: tips to engage your learners

Communication plays a critical role in learning. In fact, the success of a training program often depends on how it is perceived—long before your learners click on the very first screen. 

So, how can you maximize learner engagement at every stage of their training journey? While the word marketing may feel a bit vague, there are plenty of techniques we can borrow from it to improve the way we communicate and promote online training. 

If you’re curious about best practices to boost your communication strategy and inspire learners to commit from day one (and stay engaged over time), here are a few proven tips from the Teach Up team. 

Why engagement doesn’t happen by itself 

Today, there are countless ways to engage employees in their training journeys. But let’s be realistic: will participants spontaneously log onto your platform to train on their own? A few might… but the majority won’t. 

To engage learners from the start—and sustain that engagement—they need clarity on three things: 

• The value your training will bring them 
• The time commitment required 
• Their role and involvement in the process 

Give meaning right from the beginning, then send regular reminders to support their long-term skill development.

1. Discovering the program… and understanding its purpose

The learner must see a clear, concrete benefit to joining. Their curiosity should be sparked, and the value of your training for their day-to-day role must be immediately obvious. 

2. Accessing the program easily

The technical setup must be flawless: easy log-in, intuitive navigation, clear progress tracking, and the ability to jump back into a module at any time. 

3. Learning something new

This is often the turning point. When learners feel they’re gaining valuable knowledge, they naturally become ambassadors and help promote your training internally. Encourage and support them in this role.

4. Enjoying the journey over time…

Gamification, level badges, a smooth experience, and a motivating or even playful tone can make training enjoyable. Learners should want to come back. 

5. Feeling proud of their effort…

Internal recognition, LinkedIn sharing, certifications, or even a new line on their CV can amplify pride and motivation.

Before launch 

Promote your program to key stakeholders early. Involve decision-makers, managers, or even a sample of target participants during the design phase. Co-creating with them ensures the training addresses real needs and increases buy-in. 

During the program 

Rely on a network of ambassadors who can raise awareness about the training and support participants in the field. Including these ambassadors during the design stage is critical, since they understand the everyday challenges the training is meant to address. 

After the program ends 

Measure impact using KPIs defined at the start. Gone are the days when success was measured only by completion rates. Today, L&D performance is linked directly to business outcomes: increased revenue, reduced production time, improved efficiency, etc. 

The key? Engage your learners around these metrics and adjust them over time, program after program.

Ask yourself: which of these two program titles sounds more engaging? 

• The Manager Program 
• The Manager of Tomorrow: 4 weeks to reinvent your leadership practices 

The difference is obvious. The program title is the first thing learners see, so it must convey energy, highlight the goal, and spark motivation. 

Borrowing from marketing, think of your training as a “product.” Learners need to know what it will bring them, what it will cost in terms of time and effort, and why it’s worth it. 

A well-planned communication campaign around your program will help learners stay engaged and motivated throughout. For example, here’s a communication rhythm for a 4-week training: one message = one objective.

Looking for a platform or authoring tool that’s both powerful and easy to use? Teach Up may be the perfect fit. 

Teach Up is an all-in-one creation and delivery platform that helps you design, distribute, and track engaging digital learning experiences—while supporting learner progress every step of the way.