One Thing All Profitable Course Creators Have In Common
Photo by Gianna Trewavas on Unsplash
Have you created a course? Is it bringing in revenue? If so, sit back and relax. You can stop reading this post now. Or you can keep reading for a boost to your confidence and self-esteem or maybe just a pat on the back.
Are course creators the new aspiring authors?
While the world of online course creation is still relatively new, I think it shares a lot of similarities to the world of book writing and publishing. Lots of people feel they have a book inside them (similar to the way course creators feel about their courses) and so they begin the process of writing a book (similar to course creation).
But did you know that less than 3% of people who start writing a book actually finish?
That means that if 1,000 people start writing books, 30 will finish, and only 6 of those will publish (Source). I can’t help but wonder how similar those statistics are to the world of creating courses, because I work with lots of clients who have ideas for courses, love the idea of passive (or almost passive) revenue, and truly want to change the world by sharing what they’ve learned either through formal training or the hard knocks of life.
And the data shows that creating courses is a worthwhile gamble. The online education industry grew to $255 billion in 2017 and continues to show upward trends. People want to learn, they want to learn online, and they are willing to pay for their education. (Source)
So the opportunity is ready for your online course or workshop, and yet, there is something keeping you from being profitable. That one thing? Finishing.
I’ve worked with dozens of experts and entrepreneurs in my coaching practice to help them transform their genius into a consumable learning experience. We work diligently to hone their transformation targets, make sure that their learners are willing to pay, structure a profitable revenue plan, map out modules and lessons, and draft project plans. Some of my clients spend months and months in the preparation, the strategy, and the outlining - but can’t clear the one hurdle that keeps them from profits: finishing.
Every client I’ve worked with who has finished their course is currently earning revenue from it.
From Christina who is teaching people how to reconnect with their intuition (watch her TED Talk here), to Jessica who is teaching aspiring wedding planners everything she learned in the trenches about what makes a successful business, and Kaitlin who is helping women create profitable workshops around the world - these women all have one thing in common. They finished their courses. And these are just a few examples.
If you’ve spent time on my website, I’m sure you know that I’m a big believer in this: When your business is built on who you are, there is no competition.
The same goes for your course. There are people who want to learn from you, in your voice, in your style. And you have messages for them that simply won’t register when they hear the same words from another source. So it doesn’t matter if your course is one of the thousands on your topic, there are people who want to learn it from you.
The world needs your course.
So I’m sharing three of my favorite strategies for getting your course finished and out into the world.
#1 Build the right course.
Course creation is a blend of facilitation, productivity, and creativity. And it helps if you build a course that matches your course creation style. For example, if you are a non-techy powerhouse of ideas who loves adapting in the moment - maybe an online course isn’t your best option. Have you thought of teaching live, online courses or hosting an annual retreat instead? Time and time again I see course creators choose a modality that is outside of their natural instincts for creating and connecting.
Here are some resources for you to learn more:
Take my Course Creation Style quiz to find out if you are a Focused Finisher, Mixed-Media Maven, or Workshop Wonder - and get recommendations for the course types that are best suited to your style.
Invest in completing the Kolbe A Index to find out more about your natural instincts for taking action and getting work done.
#2 Create lots of accountability.
I’m talking about layers and layers of accountability here. Here are my recommendations:
Find a small group of course creators to work with who will share in your struggles and boost you up when you want to throw in the towel.
Create a preview webinar or free download to start building a list of people who are ready and waiting for your course to launch. Communicate with them weekly and give them behind-the-scenes updates on your course creation progress.
Commit to taking daily action on your course. That might be as simple as committing to writing one sentence each day, but this step will keep your head in the game and your eye on the prize.
#3 Make a plan and look at it daily.
One of the most important steps in the course creation process is to know where you are going, what your revenue goals are, and exactly how you will get there. I like to call this your learning-based business plan. This one-page document keeps you tuned into your revenue goals, your marketing plan, your signature process, and your measures of success.
But you also need a working project plan to carry you through the detailed work of your course. One of my favorite project management tools is Trello.
Course creation is not easy, but it is worth it.
One of the biggest mistakes course creators make is not realizing the amount of effort and energy creating a course will take. Lots of marketing gurus who want to sell you their programs on creating courses will make you think it’s a quick and easy way to make money. I’m here to promise you, it’s a passion project, a work of love, an intense creative endeavor, and one that will pay off if you finish.
I’m on a mission to help solopreneurs create profitable courses that deliver results. Whether your educational offer is a strategic part of your business, your brand new side hustle, a bridge to change careers, or a way to break free of the 1:1 client trap — my job is to make sure that you’re earning a profit and that your learners are experiencing the transformation your promised them.
Are you ready to finally finish your course creation project? Let the Learning-Based Business Plan guide you step-by-step through planning a course or profitable program.