Boss Mama,
I have a question for you. Do you want more validation from your field as an expert? Do you want to grow your following? Do you want to generate money while you sleep? If the answer is yes to at least ONE of these questions, you can do all these things and more by creating an online course. And the great thing about creating a course is that it can be about anything because there is someone out there who will benefit from your experience and expertise.
Are you now thinking to yourself, “How will I have time to create a course?” I'm a busy mom. I have to pick the kids up, feed them, bathe them and then kiss the spouse...work is never done, right? Well that’s where I come in. I'm all about simple and there are ways to create a course that won't stress you out. Keep reading and I'll share more...;-)
Planning Tip #1 – Decide What to Teach
As moms we have many talents and even more experiences or things that we could build a course around. But what is your passion? Passion is the key ingredient that will drive a course and get others interested. If you need a little help discovering what your passion is, join my FREE 5 Day Passion Challenge to discover your passion and then learn how to profit from it.
Once you have pinpointed your passion, nail down your niche and explain how they will benefit from your course, as well as state your course goals. What will your niche walk away with after taking your course?
Planning Tip #2 – Locate the Market for Your Course
Before a course is deemed sustainable, you have to know if there is a market or an audience that will buy from you so the research part is not quite over just yet (research is an ongoing process for entrepreneurs but it can be painless). If you are too busy to complete these planning tasks, outsource it! There are a lot of virtual assistants that would love to do all the research for you.
Besides learning if your course will sell or not, here are other reasons why researching your market is so critical:
To learn who your competitors are and what they are doing
To set yourself apart from the rest
To get a better understanding of your target niche
Don’t reinvent the wheel! I’m sure someone has come up with your brilliant course idea before but do put your own bows, glitter, and pink paint on it so that your mark is noticeable and you stand out from the crowd.
Planning Tip #3 – Content Brainstorm
Starting planning your content with the end goal in mind for each module and each mini-lesson. Use my course planning workbook to help you outline your course. After you have completed the workbook, use the information to ask your audience how they feel about your course modules, lessons, and/or topics.
For example, Poll a Facebook Group full of your target audience by saying, “I have a new course that I’m developing, which title resonates with you most, A or B?” or "What do you need most help with as far as (insert what it is), A, B, or C?" Make it easy for your audience to respond. Letting your audience have a say in what you are developing FOR THEM is a win-win for you!
Do you need a calendar to help tell you what you should be doing to get your course planned, created, and launched in at least 30 days?
Planning Tip #4 – Brand Your Training
This is the part of the planning where I really want you to shine and set yourself apart from your competitors. Remember the bows, glitter, and pink paint you used earlier? I need you to use even more here. Adding your expertise allows your audience to connect with what you know to be true (make sure it’s true). Give personal examples, anecdotes, and stories, anything that brands your training authentically you. Leave out all the filler and fluff and dive in by giving them content that you know will get them results. Besides buying a course that they want, most of your fans will be buying this training because you developed it and they like you so don’t disappoint! This is your time to shine and over deliver!
Planning Tip #5 – Create a Lead Magnet
There is no better way to start a buzz for your course and create a warm audience of people who want to learn from you, than to create a lead magnet. An lead magnet, also referred to as a freebie or opt-in, draws those to you that are interested in your content. There is nothing worse than trying to sell to a cold audience of people who don't know you or anything about your business. So, we use lead magnets to “warm” them up.
Your lead magnet should be a golden nugget that offers a quick solution to a problem. If you need a little help creating it, take my video training "How to Create the Perfect Freebie to get Your First 1000 Subscribers".
Don’t worry about giving too much away (you never can) and your audience will know when you are holding back. Here are some examples of great lead magnets:
E-books
Free Products
Email Training
Webinar Training
Video Series Training
Cheat sheets or Worksheets
Email or Facebook Challenges
So as you can see, putting in a little thought before creating your online course will benefit you and your audience greatly. Not only will you get that passive income that you want for your business, but your future fans will appreciate you all the more for taking the time to develop a course around what they want. Their reward is being able to change their lives with your course, and your reward is being able to see their lives transform and knowing you had a part in helping.