Last fall, I started really seriously thinking about developing some kind of writing course. I did some free challenges and joined a course called “Online Course Incubator.” This was a small program with some good information but I got a little stuck when we had to run paid ads because I was having a hard time coming up with the money, and then let it go. Then I joined one of Marisa’s webinar. I was really impressed and excited. While the previous course taught some interesting things in terms of ads, it didn’t really have much to offer as far as the course creation process. As someone who used to teach and do development for fellow teachers at the college level, I have some background and interest in techniques for engaging students and making learning as experiential as possible. So what Marisa was saying about online courses really echoed with me -- also because, I’ll admit it, I’m definitely one of those people who buy courses and then never complete them. I hesitated about the course because it was a lot of money, and I’m a single mom with not much financial support from my ex (partly because of covid). The guarantee helped entice me to do it and while it was a stretch and still is making those payments, I figured out a way to make it happen.
I started out engaged and doing the work, committing to doing everything I needed to do to earn the guarantee if I did not make back my money, but after a while found it harder and harder to juggle the demands of the course with a fulltime job, freelance work, and the rest of my life in terms of time, energy, and focus. I would listen to coaching sometimes while at work (I had to go to the office 2 days/week); not ideal but better than not. Much of the coaching I also listened to while making dinner and doing chores. Again, not ideal. Some of them I had to rewatch and take notes. I’ll also admit, chatterboxing intimidated me (and still does). I struggle with resisting being salesy, something I brought up with my coach and have asked for help on. I’ve gotten some good feedback and did the “Sales for Superheroes” training but it’s hard for it not to feel manipulative, especially when the talk goes to trying to get at people’s emotions. I’m just very uncomfortable with it.
The break for the holidays wasn’t all that helpful because, well, it was the holidays. I thought I would do more than I did, but was busy with buying presents and trying to give my kids a decent holiday since for the first time in their lives they wouldn’t be visiting their grandparents and cousins. I just couldn’t give up all the other things I had on my plate--my work, my freelance work, my obligations to my family, etc. I think I was just a bit too ambitious and unrealistic with not only the time but also the energy and mental focus I’d be able to spare. I do believe you make time for the things you want to do, but I also did not want to pass up opportunities to make money because, as it turned out, it made the difference between begging my parents for money for gifts and being able to pay for them on my own.
I just today hit 123 points, so I can at least say I completed 80% of the course. I have joined an accountability group that some women in my coaching pod created and I think that’s going to be a huge factor in keeping me on this path. Honestly there is a part of me that just wants to shrug and give up. Not to say I haven’t learned anything. I have learned a bit and have a better idea of how I might create and market a course. I’ve also learned a lot just simply about marketing. I’m not ready to give up, but I’m going to give myself a break, and give myself the more time I really need to be able to do this. I’m just not at a time in my life where I can pull all nighters. I get the idea of “you’ll get it done if you’re under a gun” but at my age, with my responsibilities, that type of approach just doesn’t work. I need to work at things in small chunks over a long period of time. I’m also not particularly competitive, so that aspect didn’t really motivate me. I do admit there is something very satisfying about hearing the “ching” (or whatever the sound is) when I complete something. The reminders of not giving up and other kind of cheerleading is helpful, as is seeing and hearing about others’ struggles and success. Mostly, though, I think the intimate environment of the small accountability group is going to actually make the difference (since we are going to continue it indefinitely) and now I wish we’d started it much earlier. I don’t know if there’s a way to make that a more systematic thing in the course. I have seen it done in another course I was in. I’m actually still meeting with that group two years later. I think even if you just encouraged people to form their own smaller accountability groups and made suggestions for ways to do that, it would be helpful--we may have gotten together earlier in the process. Given how big the the groups are when coaching, I think this is a piece of it which will really help those people who really need that more intimate setting but can’t afford the small-group experience.
What is your biggest takeaway from EPM?
I have ideas and a framework for how to go about developing and marketing a course that I did not have before
How did EPM help you become successful?
Not really successful yet. I did connect with a few people who might work with me, either in the course or on a freelance basis.
How has EPM and your success impacted your life?
Honestly, I feel a bit frustrated and hopeless and feel I bit off more than I could chew. So I don't feel successful at all.
What has been the biggest change in your business?
I'm pivoting more to attracting consumers rather than business
What is now possible for you because of your Experience Product?
I'm one step closer to making my goal of being a fulltime freelancer