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Published on:

12th May 2022

309: 10 Lessons I've Learned as a Course Creator

Today’s solo episode is the first in a two-part series about the lessons I’ve learned as a course creator. I launched The Healthcasters course back in 2015, and it just passed the $300K revenue mark. Those results are far more than I could have ever imagined! Join me for today’s session where I’ll cover the first five of my ten lessons learned. 

  • Lessons learned as a course creator:
  • Decide between a skyscraper or a strip mall model for your online business.
  • This concept comes from Nathan Barry, the CEO of ConvertKit. Find out more from his appearance on the Creative Elements podcast hosted by Jay Clouse. 
  • A strip mall model offers multiple products that diversity your income, while a skyscraper model features a single, scalable flagship product.
  • I started STC with a strip mall model, but I’ve decided to move to a skyscraper model and use my mastermind as my single product.
  • Focus on one marketing channel instead of jumping around to several. 
  • Find the sweet spot where you enjoy hanging out and where your ideal audience can be found. 
  • Check out Infinite Dial for free analytics on social media trends. 
  • Think about going from a “rented audience” to an “owned audience” as you seek to build your email list.
  • Less is more when it comes to course content. 
  • Teach content that gives a concrete roadmap to help your students get from point A to point B.
  • Be a niche of one. 
  • I definitely didn’t do this very well in trying to reach too wide of a variety of healthcare providers with my first course. I know better now!
  • Don’t stress over your gear initially.
  • Start simple. I recommend Loom for recording and the Rode VideoMic NTG, which is an affordable mic with quality sound. 
  • You can save for future equipment upgrades by setting aside a small percentage of your income over time. 

Mentioned in this episode:

We'd LOVE To Partner With You!

➡️ Want to launch your online course? Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit For Therapists: https://sellingthecouch.com/coursekit  ➡️ Looking to launch a successful podcast? Please check out our free "Using Podcasting To Grow Your Business" workshop for therapists: https://sellingthecouch.com/podcastingworkshop

Struggling with documentation and progress notes? Meet Upheal.

A new AI- powered, HIPPA-compliant platform that creates automated session notes and analytics for busy mental health professionals. Whether online or in person, Upheal captures your sessions and creates pre-drafted progress notes and insights that you can simply review and edit. And, it even creates Treatment plans with SMART goals included! Visit https://sellingthecouch.com/upheal and enter the promo code “COUCH25” for a special 25% off a paid plan for the first 2 months just for STC fans.

Ready to create your own course? Download the FREE Online Course Guide!

Learn how to create and market your own online course in Melvin's unique online course guide. Download the FREE online course guide today!

Online Course Guide

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About the Podcast

Selling the Couch
Impact + Income Beyond The Therapy Room
With over 1.5 million downloads, Selling the Couch is a top podcast for mental health private practitioners who think differently.

Psychologist Melvin Varghese interviews successful therapists, top entrepreneurs, business/marketing, productivity, and social media experts.

You'll learn how therapists get referrals, make money, work through fears, and how they've stopped "trading time for income."

Melvin also shares the lessons as he grows his impact + income beyond the therapy room (podcasting, video, online courses, masterminds, investing, etc) and the tips, tools, and tech he uses to grow STC from a single-person business to the CEO of a 5-person 100% remote team.

You get bite-sized and highly actionable tips to guide your private practice and entrepreneurial journey.

About your host

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Melvin Varghese, PhD

Hi. I'm Melvin. I'm a psychologist, girl dad, and online creator living in Philadelphia, PA.

In 2014, I began to think about how to use our therapist skillset in different realms besides clinical work (e.g., podcasting, consulting, online course creation, writing, etc).

This allows us to serve others on larger scales while diversifying our income beyond 1 to 1 work.

I make podcasts and videos about business, tech, productivity, and lessons I'm learning from becoming the CEO of a lean, mean 5 person 100% remote team (we're not really mean..it just rhymed =P).