I couldn’t find a better name for what I do….
Course developer? Course consultant? Instructional designer (is probably what my role is called in the corporate world)?
But sometimes it feels like so much more than any of those…
Long story short, I help busy service providers create their own courses, to provide another source of income, without working so many face to face hours.
The what and the how of this varies A LOT… each client is quite different, so is their course, so are their clients.
Anyway… here are 6 things you need to know before you work with me (or someone who does a similar role)
1. I can do most of it for you, but not all of it
It’s your content, you know your stuff (far better than I do!)
I can definitely write content on subjects I am familiar with
I can write content based on external research
I can even write content based on some of your existing content (books, blogs, videos etc)
But, at the end of the day, the best person to produce the content is you (especially if it is video or audio… they might notice the difference!!)
2. I can be flexible with platform
I often get asked where people should host their online course, but the truth is there are a whole range of platforms and plugins that do really cool things now.
If I’m working with you on developing your course, then I’m happy to work with a range of different platforms (or even learn a new one as I go along)
I’m not scared of the tech, so we can pick the option which is best for you and your audience, and then I’ll just make it all work
3. I’ll quote based on your specific project
The reason “create my course for me” isn’t just an option for sale on my site, is because every course is different.
The best thing to do is have a chat with me (I don’t bite, I promise)
Then I can outline a proposal for you, and give you a quote based on your course and your needs.
This is great for you. It means your not paying for services or hours that you don’t need… you just pay for exactly the bits you want me to do.
It’s a bit like moving house – you get a cheaper rate if you pack the boxes, and a cheaper rate again if you just hire the truck and do everything else yourself.
The more you do with the course, the less I do, the cheaper the project.
Visa versa… I can do most of it for you, and build you a quote to cover that too.
(There are some options in the shop to get you started though)
4. I won’t write your sales page
Sales copy is not my skill set (and honestly, it’s like pulling teeth to get me to sit down and write anything like that.)
I can refer you to some awesome people who write amazing sales copy, but that person isn’t me.
Keep some money in your budget to get someone else to write your sales page (if you aren’t going to do it yourself)
5. I can’t sell your course for you either
It’s helpful if you have a list (even if it is a tiny one), some sort of social presence, and are considering how you will launch and market your course.
You don’t have to have huge numbers
And you don’t have to have all the answers, and everything planned out at the beginning
But you do need to recognise that your course won’t magically sell itself once it is created.
6. I will tell you if I don’t think a course is for you.
Sometimes, a course just doesn’t fit your current business model.
And sometimes your business isn’t quite ready for a course. (I’ve heard plenty of other “coaches” say that everyone should just have one from the very beginning, but I don’t always agree)
If I don’t think we are a good fit, or I don’t think you should be developing a course right now, I’ll let you know.
Because I want you to have the best opportunity to make a valuable course, with great learning outcomes, that will be profitable for you.
I don’t want you just to create any old course.
That’s a lot of won’ts Sam, what do you do?
I can:
– Help you to pull all of that knowledge out of your head and put it into a course structure
– Create an outline or framework for you
– Create a course strategy with you, working out how a course fits into your business, pricing and audience etc.
– Convert some of your existing content into a course outline or course modules
– Install your plugins, upload your content, and build the “online” bit of your online course.
Thinking of working with a Course Developer; here are 6 questions you should ask…
– What platforms and plugins do you work with ?
– What will the total price be?
– What does this include (and not include) ?
– Will you sign a non disclosure agreement to protect my idea?
– What do I need to know before starting this process?
– Can you refer me to reliable people who can help with other parts of this process?