Have you ever invested in a course and felt it didn’t do all that it promised? We’ve all been there. In today’s episode, we deep dive into the overlooked aspects of online course creation with Emily Walker, a learning designer and strategic mentor.
Emily shares her unique journey from traditional education to designing impactful, learner-focused programs for entrepreneurs. We tackle common pitfalls in the online education space, like focusing too much on content and not enough on transformation.
Emily emphasizes a crucial, but often missed point in course design: meaningful education isn’t just about delivering information; it’s about guiding learners through real change. Together we explore what it means to craft courses that not only deliver value to your people, but also feel aligned with the creator’s goals and lifestyle.
Prioritize Action Over Information
The most successful courses prioritize clear, actionable steps over the volume of content. This means moving beyond the traditional approach of simply “teaching content” and instead, focusing on creating experiences that enable learners to move toward their goals, and put what they’ve learned into practice. For instance, rather than saying the course will “improve their skills,” focus on tangible results, like “by the end of this course, you’ll have a finished project” or “you’ll be able to confidently execute a specific strategy.”
Step-by-Step Guidance
Rather than overwhelming students with everything they could know on a topic, focus on breaking the content into specific, manageable steps that lead them through a progression. This helps students move confidently from one milestone to the next, fostering a genuine sense of achievement and skill-building. True transformation requires clarity in the learning journey. This approach not only makes for a stronger student experience, but also ensures courses provide deep, lasting value.
Break Free from Industry “Formulas”
The industry is saturated with “formulas” for creating courses that often feel impersonal and rigid. Popular models may insist that successful programs must include weekly group calls or a private Facebook community, but as Emily explains, these models may not fit every instructor or learner. Personalization empowers creators to rethink and reshape these elements. Instead, Emily advocates for a long-term view: courses should be crafted with dedication and aligned with the creator’s purpose, which ultimately builds a more meaningful and sustainable business.
Emily’s Unpopular Opinion
Emily’s unpopular opinion is that many popular concepts in the online course industry, like pre-selling, focusing on high launch numbers, and treating educational programs as passive income, are misleading and often damaging. She believes that pre-selling courses before they’re fully developed can lead to low-quality learning experiences, and ultimately the quality of the course matters more than flashy launch statistics. Emily also emphasizes that educational programs require ongoing care and adjustments, debunking the notion that they can truly be considered passive income. She advocates for treating courses as valuable, ever-evolving projects that prioritize student transformation over quick sales.
Listener Challenge
Before designing any course or program, create a “Hell Yes” and “Hell No” list. Be honest with yourself and identify what you absolutely want (or don’t want) in your course. For instance, some instructors thrive on live interaction with students, while others find it draining. Recognizing these preferences can help you design courses that feel authentic and enjoyable to deliver, rather than exhausting. Personalizing a course to align with your personal values and work styles ensures that the program remains sustainable and that you can give your best to your students.
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