I was having a challenge in deciding on the “right” time to launch my online course program. I was of the mindset that I needed to have all the parts finished before I could launch. Each time that I thought I was finally ready to launch my online courses, my desire for it to be perfect stopped me from launching my product. This cycle continued for more than 10 years. I wasn’t sure what to do because I operated in a silo. I didn’t have a community, nor did I have a coach or mentor to help me with accountability. I felt stuck. I joined EPM 2021 and learned that #progressoverperfection was the thing that gave me permission to launch my program. I gained exposure to many business elements such as the sales and marketing modules that gave me clarity on how to appropriately market and sell my product. Also, the program allowed me to be open to sharing and receiving feedback from our wonderful coaches and EPMers. I didn't come into EPM with the mindset of just meeting the requirements. As I got deeper into each module, I looked at each section as a piece to the puzzle of launching my profitable product MVP. Life interruptions continued to be a barrier. However, the difference that I had this go around was a community of support and my self-commitment to the EPM mission – to design, launch and profit from my Experience Product in 12 weeks. My specific results have come to fruition whereby I met all my targeted milestones from each of the modules and graduated. I supercharged my product and presented it to customers on 1/6/2022. I have exceeded the minimum profit goal of making back my initial investment of $2000 and exceeding the profit goal by signing on a total of 18 clients and counting with my introductory price point of $1997.00. So, I can confidently say MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! My journey continues and I have only just begun to iterate my way to awesome. Thank you to Marisa and Team for making my dream of online course development become a reality!
Your GRADUATION Story
I was having a problem with knowing how to structure a product that would attract clients to my new business, I wasn't sure what to do and I would often give up because I struggled with a need for perfection before I would take action. I held myself back so much due to the fear that what I created would not be good enough. I joined the Experience Product Masterclass and I learned a framework by which I could create a product that would really resonate with my audience and generate sales. I worked through the exercises and created my minimum viable product and through consistent discussions with potential clients I was able to generate both interest and sales boosting my confidence to show up and serve my clients in an authentic and engaged way.
Your MISSION ACCOMPLISHED Story
"I had a range of online courses that had low engagement and completion rates.
I wasn’t sure what to do about it or how to make them better.
I joined the Experience Product Masterclass and learnt a methodology that enabled me to structure a whole course and it’s marketing messaging around a Mission that customers are motivated to accomplish and complete.
I designed and launched my first Experience Product and am looking forward to marketing and delivering it, and then doing the same for my other courses. "
I have been wanting a way to promote my small private Energy Healing Practice but wasn't sure how to approach all the details involved to create a program and market. I joined EPM because I believed in Marisa's mission to help entrepreneurs and in her dedication to turning ordinary people into superstars. #Stars This program has given me the tools and enabled me to create my first ever program, my website and my vision for that program. My program is just launching and I am chattering as all systems are getting into place.
I was having so much self-doubt in this decision that I made- to take a leap of faith and start my own coaching practice. Nearly 2 years of schooling taught me so much in the coaching arena, but I had no idea how to run the business side of things. I wasn’t sure what to do but I knew if I didn't figure it out soon, I would be forced to go back to the world of working for someone else. I joined Experience Product Masterclass in the hopes that all I needed would be in one place...in this program. It was my last resort. I say last resort because all of my schooling and countless webinars would have been for not as I was depleting all of my savings and the rubber needed to meet that pavement or I was done. I learned so much! Wait, I don't want to use past tense, I am learning so much. Though I am graduating, there is still so much for me to do in this program. like all of the Super Charge modules! I discovered that progress over progression is something we should all incorporate into our lives. It takes a lot of the stress away and, I found I was much more creative when I just did it....I just put pen to paper (or keystroke to screen) and just did it. I was so stressed about launching my product. What if nobody buys it, what if nobody cares, what if I'm not good enough....but here's the thing...I will never know if I don't put it out there right? This is all a part of life, taking a risk. If I don't do it I will never know the reward. That became exciting to me. Excitement over fear. Faith over fear. SO here we go, it's launch time!! 3-2-1- take off!! (insert visual of launch pad and paper airplane taking off) I am so grateful that I took this leap, and that I opened myself up to this program. I know that I will take these lessons and this new found confidence in myself far beyond this. The world seemed to open up to me. Thanks to Marisa and all of her crew!
Your GRADUATION Story
Having meticulously documented that I could grow a year's supply of food on a 35'x40' plot in an enjoyable hour a day of gardening, I wanted to teach a course about how to do it. I had started with the usual content-only approach when Sonia Ricotti, who was teaching a course my wife was taking, sent her a link to Marisa's three webinars on EPM. Watching those, I could see that this was a far likelier route to success than the usual one, so I signed up, even though it was a financial stretch. Since I had already done a lot of thinking and planning on this course, it was mainly a matter of adapting my plans to Marisa's fabulously comprehensive instruction on how do it in a way that I never would have accomplished on my own. All I had to do was view the videos, do the assignments, and overcome lingering doubts and fears to complete the journey. Which I did, with the result that I had signed up my first three customers by January 28 by chatter-boxing only a few friends.
Your FIRST SALE Story
My first sale was to two friends (married) who I thought would be interested in my overall goal of not just teaching a self-sufficiency gardening course, but embarking on a mission to establish a national garden food system as an alternative to the enormously inefficient and destructive industrial food system. This 25-minute Power Point presentation was also my intended introductory lesson of the course I wanted to teach. Lo and behold, they were so inspired they declared on the spot that they wanted to take the course, which surprised me. So instead of taking 50 chats to get that first sale (actually first two), it took just one. Several more potential customers are currently in process, so I expect to get to 5 or 6 (my limit) by the course launch date of Feb 15.
Your PROVED MY IDEA Story
Yes, three sales proves my idea on a minute scale, but the real proof will come when I've sold the course to 50 people (my goal for the Spring 2025 iteration), which I'll be working on as I learn from teaching nine months of the Zoom and field course this year. (The 2025 course will be all online.) Then to hundreds, thousands, and eventually millions in order to realize my vision of establishing that garden food system, which basically I've been working on for the last 60 years or so.
Your MADE A WHOLE LOT MORE Story
I haven't yet reached the whole lot more status on the scale you're referring to, as I'm just starting the course. But when I do get to it, my WHOLE LOT MORE, as I alluded to above, will be much bigger: selling the course (or future iterations thereof) to a large proportion of the population, my overall goal being to galvanize 60% of the U.S. and world food supply by gardens, by 2050 or sooner. Mark my words, I will do it. The time is right, as there is currently considerable interest in food gardens, and the need is great, as a series of national and global food shocks loom on the ever-closer horizon, which industrial food has zero chance of being able to handle. By contrast, I've shown that self sufficiency gardens are effective and feasible from the individual to massive scales. LYM's Momentum program appears to be a good way to move forward once I get this version of the course solidly on its feet.
Changing my mindset from that of an academic to that of a business-minded person. I honestly don't see how I could have successfully moved from where I was to implementing my vision without EPM. I would have floundered for years, I'm sure. Marisa's course came along at absolutely the right time. Presto! Magic! After having taught at the college level for 37 years, I can now see that the future of effective teaching is far more of the EPM style and far less of the "sage on the stage" style that I used. As I mentioned above, the path is now open to getting the word out to those who need it on a very practical level. This is the next giant step to getting where I want to go.
I knew that breathwork was popular among well-to-do celebrities. I was certified as a breathwork coach, but how was I, a 62-year-old African-American nonprofit executive director and former attorney, going to compete with the Hollywood GOOP crowd? I had made some significant career changes before, but this was going to be hard to translate for my intended audience. I had originally marketed my offering to doctors but found it slow going. They were either "unaware" or "problem aware" but didn't see my solution as an obvious path. I pivoted to working with farmers and found a much more receptive audience.The EPM community and Coach Matthew gave me the perspective, tools, and tenacity to make this leap and the later pivot. I learned to better articulate the benefits of my offer and that led to a $3,000 contract that will open the door to additional opportunities.
Here I am; others have hit the finish line, but I am still running. I remember once I arrived late for a 5km run and they would not register me. "You're too late," they said. "The others have long gone." I looked at them and said "I came here to run. I'm going to run anyway." So I did. And I finished the race. I will finish this one too.
What is your biggest takeaway from EPM?
The importance of making a plan and keeping at it.
How did EPM help you become successful?
To be advised. These are forthcoming attractions.
How has EPM and your success impacted your life?
Forthcoming.
What has been the biggest change in your business?
Confidence. I am so much more confident about what I am doing and where I am going.
What is now possible for you because of your Experience Product?
I can now confidently offer my course to the world.
Your Graduation Story
This was one of the best courses I have taken, the insight and skills gained have empowered me as a marketer. I am excited about launching next month and seeing this program evolve in the coming months. Thank you Marisa!
What is your biggest takeaway from EPM?
"Iterate your way to awesome" - This was key for me, because I am one that wants to get things right the first time. This philosophy liberated me and is the primary reason that this program will launch next month.
How did EPM help you become successful?
The gained knowledge and skills has increased my confidence in marketing my business.
I am working as a Makeup artist for many years now where I offer one to one services. I wanted to serve more people and wanted to create a course but had no clue where to start and how to put it all together that has value without the overwhelm and to the point. I joined EPM and not only learned how to efficiently deliver my course that has value and is on point but also market to the right audience just by chatter boxing! I made 2 sales even before completing my course. This is something I would have never thought possible. I am especially grateful to my brilliant coach Melanie who guided me in every step to create my masterpiece. Her coaching gave me an insight on how to approach my target audience and speak their language. Through EPM I discovered my purpose to help women revamp their makeup skills so they can feel groomed, confident and look great all day whether in the office, or on camera.
Your GRADUATION Story
"I had the firm intention of starting my own business and launching a product to help micro and small business owners with the marketing of their business. I had been working on the project for about 3 years. And during that time, I worked my butt off to make it happen. I took courses, researched, developed my content, and even started writing my scripts and recording my videos. I even hired a branding agency to develop the name and visual identity of my brand. And a copywriter to create my website. But in all that time, I couldn't make any progress. I didn't have the confidence to sell my product. Because deep inside me, I knew it wasn't going to work.
Then, I was fortunate enough to receive in my inbox, at the right moment when I needed it, an email from Marissa talking about EPM. And I decided to take the opportunity. Today I can say for sure that this program will be a before and after in my life. I managed to put my ideas in order and articulate them clearly in a message that could attract and, above all, help my ideal clients. I can't list all the things I learned. What I can say is that in addition to the knowledge, the tools, and the framework to create Experience Products. I was also able to develop the mindset necessary to achieve my goals. And that is largely thanks to the human side and the coaching I received during the masterclass.
At the end of EPM. I reached the 3 objectives of the program. I finally launched my MVP!!! And to my complete surprise, I did it with no website, no social media presence, and even no logo.
And that’s not it! * drumroll * I also closed both sales!!! So, I just reached Goal #2 (gaining back my investment in EPM) and Goal #3 (validating my MVP with a second sale). I earned $3994!!!
And after having the second “YES, I’m in!”, I literally had tears of joy, proud and accomplishment running down my cheeks.
I hope I can live up to it and make a difference in someone else's life too!"
Your AND MUCH MUCH MORE... Story
During my 'chatterbox' campaign, I had the opportunity to reconnect with a former client. And thanks to this, I will be able to work with a foundation that helps micro and small migrant entrepreneurs to establish their businesses in Switzerland. And this is a great breakthrough for me, because not only will I be able to help more people, I will also be able to make my way in a country that is not mine, in a language that is not mine. Test my product with people from different industries and nationalities, gain more confidence in my product and gather more testimonials and business cases! So I am very excited about everything that awaits me!