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Many coaches have online courses. Should you create one? How will it fit into your business? This presentation will help you determine if creating an online course is right for your coaching business.
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Should You Create an Online Course ...and if so, what should you take into consideration before building it.
FACTORS An online course is a good idea if: Your potential clients need to “sample” your business at an entry level price point before seeing your value. For example, someone who has never experienced coaching may not realize how impactful it is until they have experienced it for themselves.
FACTORS An online course is a good idea if: There is a gap between when you offer your program live again. Customers don’t want to wait weeks or months for your next offering. An online course is there to satisfy clients when the live program isn’t available.
FACTORS An online course is a good idea if: Your price is a barrier to your potential client. An online course will allow potential clients to take baby steps into working with you. Once they get a taste of your services, they will gain trust and be more receptive to a premium program. “Try before you buy” is a big trend currently.
WHAT NEXT If one or more of the previous FACTORS applies to your business, the next question is... What do I create?
COURSE DEVELOPMENT It is always a good idea to host a course in a live face-to-face environment before creating an online version. This will allow you to see where your audience became confused, had questions or had a-ha moments. This live experience is the basis for your online course.
COURSE DEVELOPMENT Even if you have to gather friends and family for your live presentation, I still highly recommend it. Your Online Course content should be designed so that you have answered all the questions that your audience could possibly have.
COURSE DEVELOPMENT In the live experience, you were there to answer questions. In the online experience you are not, so you need to be sure you have avoided confusion and answered all potential questions with your content.
COURSE CONTENT Your content should include: Videos or screen shots of any detailed instructions - such as how to complete a form, how to use a piece of software or how to download a worksheet.
COURSE CONTENT Your content should take into accout learning styles. People learn in different ways so have a mix of content that appeals to learners who are: VISUAL - Videos, infographics, screenshots AUDITORY - audios, meditation music KINESTHETIC - have hands on exercises that involve different senses and movement
COURSE CONTENT If at all possible make your content “Evergreen.” Evergreen means it is timeless. Your content won’t be out of date quickly. Avoid references to dates or seasons when presenting content.
TEST, TEST, TEST Always have a test group go through your program. Your test group can identify content or instructions that are confusing. They can let you know if they felt something was missing in the course. They can give you feedback on the value your course provided.
TEST, TEST, TEST Take the feedback and tweak your program. Don’t skip this step. Remember you won’t be there when your paying customers are experiencing your program. You want to have the best possible outcome for them. If you fail to deliver, you won’t get a second chance with that client.
COURSE TECHNOLOGY Walk through the entire client experience on paper. Sales & Marketing Messages Payment Process Thank You & Welcome Content Delivery Follow-Up
COURSE TECHNOLOGY Once you have a good handle on the flow, find technology that will facilitate each step as simply as possible. Avoid purchasing solultions with lots of bells & whistles that you don’t need. “Extras” will just slow you down.
COURSE TECHNOLOGY Consider having a custom solution built that fits your process completely. The monetary investment may well be worth it in time savings and an excellent customer experience.
COURSE TECHNOLOGY Some Tools Needed: A host for video or audio content. You can use free such as YouTube and iTunes and your blog. Or you can use paid such as Amazon Web Services and Sound Cloud. It is a matter of personal choice.
COURSE TECHNOLOGY Some Tools Needed: A follow-up system. You can use an autoresponder like Get Response or Mail Chimp for automated emails. Or you can send personal emails if you expect to have a small intimate audience.
COURSE TECHNOLOGY Some Tools Needed: A payment system. You can use a free service like PayPal that is widely trusted and accepted You can use a credit card processing merchant but be aware that many of these systems are complex and expensive.
CALL TO ACTION Be sure to conclude your course with a call to action. What do you want your clients to do as a result of taking your course? Take another course Join your email list Schedule a strategy session for premium program
FOLLOW-UP After the course ends, how will you stay in touch with your client? Email or newsletter series Event notices Feedback survey Testimonial request Contest Invitation to go deeper with you
CLOSING THOUGHTS An online course will allow you to get your knowledge to others who may not have otherwise experienced your service. As a coach, you have a responsibility to expose as many people as possible to the power of coaching and your course is a great tool to do that.
RESOURCES To learn more about creating a course or other topics related to having a successful business as a solopreneur: Visit the Events & Courses Page on woo-women.com/events Listen to the Keep It Simple for Success Podcast on iTunes Read an e-book from the Keep It Simple for Success series on Amazon.
