My online course creation journey Part 3 7 Things I'd Like to Have Done In a Different Way
As with any other work you make, the creation of an online course is an act of love. Because this was the first course online that I'd ever created, I jumped head-first into the task, eager to learn how to navigate the process of creating online courses. Additionally, because I believed that I was so committed to showing others how to use writing to be a therapeutic and artistic instrument, I was determined to utilize each tool to the fullest extent I could.
Since my training was over (it took place between July 6 and 27) I've been able to think about what I'd change about the next time I launch.
It turns out that this period of reflection has proved to be essential. As I surpassed my goal of enrollment If I had the option of going back in time to the beginning of my journey, I would have made several decisions that were different. Then, I'm sure of the elements I'm intending to change as I prepare to relaunch the next iteration of Your Inner Writer this fall.
My hope is that you can learn from my mistakes to ensure that the procedure when creating, marketing, and teaching your first online class can be as effortless (and profitable!) as possible.
This is what I'd prefer to alter about what my actions:
1. I'd like an upgrade to Basic Plans -- Sooner
When I decided my class's curriculum, I began to create the content. But, I did not make any plans regarding how I would present the material to my students.
I initially started using's free planthinking I would release all my lessons at once and then let students work through the material in accordance with their individual schedules. But, I soon realized I needed incorporate using the Drip Schedule feature so that I could release each week's lesson. I was convinced that releasing the content in drips can help increase the anticipation of lessons as also weekly writing activities that guided students to keep my students on the right path and also reduce the desire for students to skip to the next lesson. My students were also expected to complete every lesson before moving into the next.
Furthermore, having the content published week-by-week instead of all at once could help me keep my students from being overwhelmed by the sheer amount of content at all times particularly because every week they got the equivalent of 45 minutes worth of videos every Wednesday.
It was just a matter of time before I realized of the need to upgrade my plan in order for me to be able to use the Drip Schedule feature. It was not a huge issue; I just needed to access the settings of my account through the dashboard and alter my plan.
If I'd knew prior to my decision that I would be publishing content week-by-week I would be able to relay this information to my students earlier in my marketing and sales materials. Additionally, it would provide a more efficient way to organize my creation procedure. Without Drip Schedule, I would have had to create my own course materials. Drip Schedule feature, I needed to create almost all of the materials online before the course officially began on July 6.
2. I Wish I'd Created an automated Welcome Email
The first time my students signed up for my course I was so excited (and somewhat surprised as the first time I started my course thinking about having an online class that people actually wanted to buy felt as if it was a fantasy) that I forgot about sending the students an email to acknowledge their involvement in the course.
When my first student signed up for my course, I sent every one of them an email manually through Gmail to greet them and give them details of the structure of my course, remind them of the upcoming starting date and inform them of my expectation. In the following email, I also sent all students who signed up the identical email. If I had the option to go back , I'd set up an automatic welcome email so that I didn't need to be concerned about this added process.
As a student I would have liked receiving an email right away that could have guided me through what I can expect through Your Inner Writer, especially because I made the landing page vague because I was selling my course prior to having made it available via the feature for pre-orders.
In addition, it makes making the automated email for welcome is easy and straightforward. All you need to do is go to your dashboard, click Support Your Students, select Notifications. Make sure that you're in the tab for Student Notifications, click Edit to the right of Site Welcome, edit the email as you wish before saving. This will allow for efficient, clear and efficient communications between your person responsible for creating the email and each one of your new students.
3. I wish I'd used an alternative system for email
In the same vein of email, I also sent my 22 students each week an email once the lesson video and guide writing exercises were available on Wednesdays. It gave me the opportunity to reach out to my students and explain to them what to anticipate from the week ahead and provide them with an easy access to the class's registration link.
The first time I did this I set up the email by using My MailChimp account. After I had created an experiment email, I noticed it ended up in the promotions folder. I chose to, email my students via Gmail instead of making use of Gmail as I didn't want for my students to be at possibility of not being able access my email.
It certainly consumed a great deal of wasted time. However, as it was my first time taking a course that I had to take, I wanted to get better at communicating with students. For the future I'll ensure that I mail all of my students through in order to save time; like auto-generated emails, I was unaware the possibility until about halfway through my class.
In order to email students, I would have needed to log into my dashboard, then select the Help Your Students Select Users and scroll to the bottom or use the search function to locate the student. pick their email address and then fill in the body and the subject copy of the email, and finally, press Send.
4. I'm wishing I'd known that I'd fail first time around. First Time
When it came to creating content for my online course, I used the easy, free design tools on Canva to create an aesthetically-cohesive powerpoint presentation for each video lesson and guided writing practice. Then, I took advantage of the Loom video messaging tool to record me speaking on top of the slideshow using powerpoint for a more personal an authentic feel.
While I was speaking my lesson plan, I'd frequently need to stop and go back to Canva or edit the content or add in extra slides to make the flow better. It happened several times for each lesson and the guided writing exercises which I documented.
I tried to remember the phrase I'd been using from the beginning, and also my lesson from my interviews with high-earning creators: Done is better than perfect. When I was required to make some adjustments on my slides, before recording the video on another occasion -- I could feel frustration mounting. If I ever create another online training course, I'll be aware the hinging and reversing is a part of the content creation procedure. It's uncommon to get it right in the first attempt.
As someone who is constantly self-critical when I finished the video up to the point that I felt it was "good enough that I was able to stop tinkering and driving myself crazy with edits. Instead, I went ahead and uploaded the videos to and attempted to convince myself that it was enough. In addition, I attempted to remember that this was my very first online class and also my minimum viable products (MVP). It was simply a testing of my ideas. I've learned from the other creators that it's best to release your MVP to the public and make changes to the content at a later date.
5. I wish I'd only given the opportunity to hear feedback
When I started sharing information about my online class with my Instagram followers as well as my email addresses I noticed the tiniest doubts creeping up in my brain. I wondered if I was giving enough value? Since one of my coping mechanisms is over-giving and over-deliver so I decided to add an additional value to my class by allowing my students to email me their writing assignments based on the writing exercises that I guide them through each week , and receive feedback.
Now it's clear I offered higher than I was supposed to for the $29.99 course. If I were able to revisit the course I'd provide only an opportunity to receive feedback on students' writing works after the final writing practice, which was guided. Though I was enthralled by watching my students' work every week, I discovered it challenging to stay current in providing feedback to the 22 students I taught. Additionally, providing feedback at the end of the guided writing practice could have been an excellent method to conclude my as well as my students' session. The lesson learned!
6. I'm wishing I'd checked the date of my course's expiration.
The most serious mistake I committed was to not alter the default settings on my website, and instead entered the expiration date of the course.
When I heard from two students who were unable to log into this course, I began an analysis and realized the access to their courses was expired. Because I had promised all students all year long access to this course and the course that I had set, I ensured to update everyone's expiry date via my dashboard. clicking"Support Your Students" selecting users, and then choosing the names that I have for my students. Then, I clicked to launch my courses, selecting the option to create a date under Expiry Date, then selecting the date from the calendar menu and finally selecting Update.
7. I'd love to see an individual Facebook Community
As I look back, I'm pleased I had created a space where my students could interact with one another. It was a good thing that I taught my classes asynchronously because it was launched in summer and few people have any sense of routine or organization during the summer and brighter seasons. But, when I start Your Inner Writer again, I'll ensure that I'll invite all my students into a secret Facebook group so that they have the opportunity to meet together with their fellow classmates. Furthermore, this gives my students the chance for students to discuss their writing to one another instead of just relying on me for the ability to communicate with.
Reviewing my of creation is crucial to determine the next steps. Because My Inside Writer was my MVP, I have four other important things I'll do before I revive it as an annual class that's currently available on my site:
1. I'll Get Feedback
Prior to relaunching Your Inner Writer, I intend to send to my pupils feedback form for them to fill out. They will be asked concerns like:
- What was your favourite aspect in this class?
- What was it that you didn't love in the class?
- What do you wish had been different?
- What do you remember from this course?
- How did you feel concerning the method by how information was shared?
- What would you like to see altered at some point in the future?
This will allow me to determine the changes that must be made in my next course. course.
2. I'll Get Testimonials
When I fill out the feedback forms I'll give my students I'm also planning to ask students to submit a written review of whether they had a positive encounter with Your Inner Writer. This will help me build the social proof I'll need to incorporate on my landing page as well as on social media once I've launched my course within the next few months and will give my class as well as me credibility.
3. I'll record the Content again.
When I have gathered feedback and determining what needs to be modified for my course I'm going to block off two days in my calendar to review my entire course's content
(including both video and writing techniques so that you can account for adjustments requested.
4. I'm planning on increasing the cost
When it comes time to launch Your Inner Writer I'll raise the cost, however, I'll make sure the course is accessible. I'm contemplating pricing my course at $49.99 between $49.99 and $89.99 depending on the amount of changes that need to be made as well as the additional time that I'll invest in.
Beginning Today
Article was first seen on here