The Art of Online Course Creation

Ever felt like you’re sitting on a mountain of valuable content (tutorials, workshops, PDFs, maybe even entire slide decks), but you have no idea how to turn it into a structured, sellable course? You’re not alone.In this episode of The Art of Online Course Creation, Shannon sits down with Alexis Galloway, founder of So Sweet Academy and a creative entrepreneur who went from stitching for fun to building a full-fledged online business teaching machine embroidery to beginners. But Alexis’s journey wasn’t a straight line.She started, like many creators do, by sharing her passion and answering questions one by one… until she found herself repeating the same explanations over and over. That’s when she realized there had to be a better way - a way to multiply her impact, streamline her teaching, and scale her business beyond one-to-one conversations. Enter: online courses.But as Alexis discovered, creating a course isn’t just about recording tutorials and uploading them to a platform. Her first course (though successful on the surface) lacked the structure, intentionality, and learning journey that students truly needed. The result was confusion, repeated questions, and missed transformation.In this honest and inspiring conversation, Alexis opens up about:The mindset shift from hobbyist to business owner and the pivotal moments that sparked her evolution.Why her first course made her cringe and how refining the structure changed everything.The biggest mistake most creators make with existing content (and how to fix it).How adding coaching and real-time support took her course from “nice to have” to life-changing.The essential (and often overlooked) parts of course creation that separate scattered content from true transformation.If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by your own ideas, or if you’re wondering how to turn your expertise into something that actually gets results, this episode is packed with insight, honesty, and actionable wisdom.🎧 Tune in to hear how Alexis transformed a messy vault of tutorials into a profitable, purpose-driven program, and how you can do the same.Connect with Alexis here:https://www.facebook.com/Sewsweetacademy https://www.youtube.com/@sewsweetacademy https://www.instagram.com/sewsweetacademyGet started on your own course creation journey or learn how to make your existing course even better at The "Your Best Course" Build Lab, my interactive and supportive online community. To get started creating your own online course, check out my new freebie that will take you through the steps of choosing a topic that will be profitable for YOU. To be in the know about new offerings and opportunities, make sure you sign up for my newsletter. This podcast is produced, mixed, and edited by Cardinal Studio. For moreinformation about how to start your own podcast, please visit www.cardinalstudio.coor e-mail mike@cardinalstudio.co

Have you ever sat through a lesson and wondered, “Why am I even learning this?”If you’ve ever felt that way, imagine how your students feel when they step into your online course without a clear sense of purpose. The truth is, one of the simplest shifts you can make in your teaching is also one of the most powerful: starting with why.In this episode of The ART of Online Course Creation, Shannon Boyer shares how a single moment in the classroom changed her teaching forever, and why leading with purpose isn’t just a nice touch, but the difference between students who finish your course and students who check out halfway through.You’ll hear:A personal story about an adult learner whose simple question revealed a hidden gap in course design.Why explaining the “why” first transforms attention, retention, and real-world application.How to connect each lesson to a bigger outcome so students stay motivated from start to finish.Practical strategies to keep purpose alive throughout your teaching, not just at the introduction.If your students have ever seemed distracted, disengaged, or unmotivated, this episode will give you a fresh lens on how to spark their focus, help them remember what you taught, and, most importantly, move them into action.🎧 Listen now to discover how starting with “why” can turn your course from information overload into a transformational learning experience.Get started on your own course creation journey or learn how to make your existing course even better at The "Your Best Course" Build Lab, my interactive and supportive online community. To get started creating your own online course, check out my new freebie that will take you through the steps of choosing a topic that will be profitable for YOU. To be in the know about new offerings and opportunities, make sure you sign up for my newsletter. This podcast is produced, mixed, and edited by Cardinal Studio. For moreinformation about how to start your own podcast, please visit www.cardinalstudio.coor e-mail mike@cardinalstudio.co

Tracy Beavers, a visibility and list-growth strategist, shares her transformative journey from corporate sales to organic marketing for course creators. From her early struggles with failed ads to discovering the power of organic strategies, Tracy emphasizes the importance of content efficiency and consistency. She reveals practical methods to create 90 days of content in just 30 minutes and discusses how to engage audiences meaningfully. Listeners will gain insights into navigating the challenges of audience growth without relying on paid ads.

You can create the most brilliant curriculum in the world… but if your students feel invisible, disconnected, or lost, your course won’t deliver the results you promised.In this episode of The Art of Online Course Creation, Shannon reveals the hidden force that can make or break your course: student touch points—the intentional moments of interaction that transform information into real learning.From a surprising lesson she learned as a classroom teacher with a stack of essays and a red pen, to the way course creators can strategically design touch points that keep students motivated and on track, Shannon unpacks why these small, human connections often matter more than the content itself.You’ll discover:Why touch points create momentum, trust, and completion in ways curriculum alone can’t.The unexpected way interactions with your students can actually make you a better teacher.How to decide the right type and number of touch points based on your course promise, your business model, and your students’ needs.The big idea? Interaction isn’t an add-on—it is the experience. If you want your course to stand out and truly change lives, this episode is your roadmap.🎧 Listen now and learn how to design courses that feel guided, personal, and unforgettable.Get started on your own course creation journey or learn how to make your existing course even better at The "Your Best Course" Build Lab, my interactive and supportive online community. To get started creating your own online course, check out my new freebie that will take you through the steps of choosing a topic that will be profitable for YOU. To be in the know about new offerings and opportunities, make sure you sign up for my newsletter. This podcast is produced, mixed, and edited by Cardinal Studio. For moreinformation about how to start your own podcast, please visit www.cardinalstudio.coor e-mail mike@cardinalstudio.co

What happens when a reluctant teacher, a vintage sewing machine, and a dial-up internet connection collide?In this inspiring episode, Shannon sits down with Lyric Montgomery Kinard, award-winning artist, educator, and founder of the Academy for Virtual Teaching, who has spent decades guiding creatives—from quilters to course creators—toward confidence, clarity, and connection through online education.But Lyric’s journey into the online course world wasn’t mapped out. It began unexpectedly, with young kids at home, limited travel opportunities, and a camera in hand. What followed was a series of bold pivots, from filming grainy DVDs to teaching design principles to students on every continent. Along the way, she discovered how to translate in-person energy into a compelling digital presence, how to build an audience without relying on social media, and how to step fully into her role as a guide, not the hero.This episode is for you if:You’re curious about transitioning from in-person to online teachingYou feel intimidated by technology or the idea of being on cameraYou think you need a big audience to launch a successful courseYou’re an artist, creative, or craftsperson wondering how to monetize your skills through teachingYou’ve hit burnout and are looking for a grounded way to reconnect with your “why”Topics We Cover:Lyric’s unconventional path from quilt guilds to course creationThe myth of needing a massive audience to succeed onlineHow to develop confidence on camera (and why it’s okay if it feels cringey at first)Why creating online courses is a creative act in itselfTactical advice for teachers who feel overwhelmed by video techThe secret to building deep trust with your audience—even without flashy marketingWhat to do when you’re starting to wonder if course creation is still right for youWhether you’re at the very beginning of your course creation journey or years into it and looking for renewed purpose, this conversation is a reminder that there is no one right path to success—just a commitment to serving others and staying true to your values.🎧 Listen now and discover how to build an online teaching business that fits your life—on your terms.Lyric Kinard is an award-winning artist, educator, and author dedicated to helping artists gain confidence, refine their creative vision, and develop their unique artistic voice. With over 25 years of experience teaching art quilters and visual artists, Lyric specializes in making complex design concepts accessible and practical for creators at any level.www.lyrickinard.comFree Video Production ChecklistGet started on your own course creation journey or learn how to make your existing course even better at The "Your Best Course" Build Lab, my interactive and supportive online community. To get started creating your own online course, check out my new freebie that will take you through the steps of choosing a topic that will be profitable for YOU. To be in the know about new offerings and opportunities, make sure you sign up for my newsletter. This podcast is produced, mixed, and edited by Cardinal Studio. For moreinformation about how to start your own podcast, please visit www.cardinalstudio.coor e-mail mike@cardinalstudio.co

You launched your course with big intentions. The content is solid. The delivery felt strong. You know your stuff.So why aren’t your students getting the results?In this episode of The ART of Online Course Creation, we’re pulling back the curtain on what really causes a course to fall flat—not because you're a bad teacher, but because no one ever taught you how to design for impact.Host Shannon Boyer takes you inside the three places most course creators overlook when transformation doesn’t happen—and why those polite testimonials, half-finished modules, or quiet student chats might not mean what you think.If you’ve ever wondered:“Am I attracting the wrong people?”“Why aren’t they actually using what I teach?”“Do I need to burn this whole thing down?”…this conversation is your permission slip not to panic—but to redesign with purpose.This isn’t about throwing more content at the problem. It’s about finding the friction—and fixing it in a way that honors your voice and your learners.🎙️ Listen now to discover:The surprising (and fixable) reason even great courses stall outWhat adult learners actually need to take action—and how to deliver itHow to spot a misaligned audience before it drains your energyAnd the single bold idea that could change how you think about teaching online forever🎯 Because impact isn’t accidental. It’s designed—with clarity, intention, and leadership.Get started on your own course creation journey or learn how to make your existing course even better at The "Your Best Course" Build Lab, my interactive and supportive online community. To get started creating your own online course, check out my new freebie that will take you through the steps of choosing a topic that will be profitable for YOU. To be in the know about new offerings and opportunities, make sure you sign up for my newsletter. This podcast is produced, mixed, and edited by Cardinal Studio. For moreinformation about how to start your own podcast, please visit www.cardinalstudio.coor e-mail mike@cardinalstudio.co

In this episode of The ART of Online Course Creation, Shannon sits down with Kelly Leardon, founder of Walk Like Warriors, a woman who’s redefining what it means to grow a business on your own terms.Kelly’s journey didn’t start with a flashy viral moment or a large following. In fact, it began with a phone call she never should have answered - on her daughter’s wedding day, no less. That moment of regret turned into a powerful catalyst, pushing her to leave a corporate dream job behind and build something better.Fast forward to today, and Kelly has scaled a thriving business without sacrificing her personal life, her family, or her values. She’s proof that it doesn’t take a massive audience to create real impact. It takes intention, authenticity, and an unwavering commitment to your customers.Throughout this episode, you’ll hear:The story of how a pivotal family moment became the spark for a business built on integrity and balance.Kelly’s candid reflections on how to build an algorithm-proof business that doesn’t rely on trends, going viral, or catchy dances.Her no-nonsense approach to course creation and why she believes you should burn it down and start over (again and again) until it actually gets results.How she balances the demands of entrepreneurship without letting work consume her life (and why she won’t compromise on weekends or family time).The spicy takes she’s not afraid to share about the myths of overnight success and why so much of the social media advice out there doesn’t hold up in real life.Kelly also opens up about her mission: to serve women who are spinning a million plates, to show them that it’s possible to build businesses that work for their lives, not the other way around.Whether you’re just getting started or you’ve been at it for years, this episode is a rallying cry to rethink the hustle and embrace a slower, smarter, and more sustainable way of building something that lasts.Tune in to hear Kelly’s unfiltered insights, and why it’s not about the size of your following, but the size of your commitment to getting your people real results.Kelly Leardon is the powerhouse behind Walk Like Warriors, a business strategy brand that helps female entrepreneurs stop winging it and start scaling it.As a certified Director of Operations turned Business Coach & Strategist, Kelly teaches female business owners how to structure their work like CEOs, not hobbyists, to drive real results (all while working LESS). You can find her at:Walk Like Warriors websiteInstagramCheck out her free Revenue Boosting resource here.Get started on your own course creation journey or learn how to make your existing course even better at The "Your Best Course" Build Lab, my interactive and supportive online community. To get started creating your own online course, check out my new freebie that will take you through the steps of choosing a topic that will be profitable for YOU. To be in the know about new offerings and opportunities, make sure you sign up for my newsletter. This podcast is produced, mixed, and edited by Cardinal Studio. For moreinformation about how to start your own podcast, please visit www.cardinalstudio.coor e-mail mike@cardinalstudio.co

"If your course doesn’t have impact… it doesn’t have a future." A bold statement, and the truth most course creators aren’t talking about.We all want our courses to help people. But how do you really know if yours is making a meaningful difference? Not just in metrics, but in someone’s life?In this episode, Shannon shares a story of working with a successful course creator who had all the revenue but none of the spark. What changed everything wasn’t more content or better funnels, it was a renewed focus on impact.You’ll learn:What course impact actually means The four key signs your course is creating lasting change, and why missing even one of them mattersHow to tell if your students are truly implementing what you teach Whether you're questioning your course's effectiveness or simply want to ensure your students walk away transformed, this episode is your first step toward creating a course with reach, reputation, and results.🎧 Plus: Shannon’s Bold Idea may shift how you see your role as an educator forever.✨ Want more?Join The Build Lab — the community for course creators who care about doing it right. With feedback, guidance, and access to Shannon’s full course-building system, it’s where real impact starts.🗓 Next week on the podcast: Shannon chats with Kelly Leardon from Walk Like Warriors about building a thriving course business without a huge audience. You won’t want to miss it.Get started on your own course creation journey or learn how to make your existing course even better at The "Your Best Course" Build Lab, my interactive and supportive online community. To get started creating your own online course, check out my new freebie that will take you through the steps of choosing a topic that will be profitable for YOU. To be in the know about new offerings and opportunities, make sure you sign up for my newsletter. This podcast is produced, mixed, and edited by Cardinal Studio. For moreinformation about how to start your own podcast, please visit www.cardinalstudio.coor e-mail mike@cardinalstudio.co

When you think of sales, do you immediately feel a twinge of discomfort? You’re not alone. So many brilliant course creators and online entrepreneurs find themselves stuck at the sales stage—not because they don’t believe in what they’re offering, but because the traditional methods of selling feel pushy, fake, or completely out of alignment.Today’s guest knows exactly how that feels—and she’s built a business showing entrepreneurs a better way.In this episode of The Art of Online Course Creation, Shannon sits down with Justine Beauregard, award-winning sales strategist, writer for Entrepreneur.com, and host of the People Over Profit podcast. Justine’s story is anything but conventional. From charging $5 for backyard puppet shows to enrolling 204 students in a brand-new group program—with no email list and no ad spend—her approach to business has always been rooted in creativity, empathy, and a deep understanding of people.Together, Shannon and Justine explore:The surprising difference between marketing and sales that most course creators get backwardsWhy building an audience isn’t always your first move—and what to focus on insteadHow Justine grew a thriving course-based business using borrowed audiences and organic referrals without ever feeling salesyWhat it really means to sell in a way that feels natural, ethical, and aligned with who you areWhy messaging matters more than metrics—and how to speak directly to the people who are already searching for youA fresh take on the outdated “discovery call” that might change how you connect with potential students foreverWhether you’re brand new to course creation or you’ve launched a few times and are feeling stuck, this conversation is packed with honest insight, refreshing perspective, and actionable ideas to help you sell with confidence and ease—without becoming someone you’re not.💡 One powerful takeaway: What if the best lead generation strategy isn’t about hustling for attention… but about serving your students so well that they naturally spread the word?Justine’s story is proof that real relationships, genuine curiosity, and a strong mission can build a business that thrives—one conversation at a time.Website: www.justinebeauregard.com Podcast: https://www.justinebeauregard.com/podcast Instagram: https://instagram.com/justinebeauregardcoachTo access Justine's Freebies, click here.🎧 Tune in now and get inspired to rethink how you sell, connect, and serve.Get started on your own course creation journey or learn how to make your existing course even better at The "Your Best Course" Build Lab, my interactive and supportive online community. To get started creating your own online course, check out my new freebie that will take you through the steps of choosing a topic that will be profitable for YOU. To be in the know about new offerings and opportunities, make sure you sign up for my newsletter. This podcast is produced, mixed, and edited by Cardinal Studio. For moreinformation about how to start your own podcast, please visit www.cardinalstudio.coor e-mail mike@cardinalstudio.co

Join me in The Build Lab and get access to my new custom GPTs!AI is everywhere. And in the online course space, it’s tempting to think it might be the shortcut we’ve all been waiting for. But what if relying on AI too soon—or too much—actually waters down the very thing that makes your course special?In this episode, Shannon Boyer shares her unexpected shift from AI skeptic to strategic adopter—and what it took to get there. She’ll reveal how most AI tools are getting it wrong, and how you can make them work for you without compromising your unique voice, stories, or expertise.You’ll also hear:Why generic course content is flooding the market—and how to avoid that trapThe crucial moment in the course creation journey where most creators quit (and how to push through it)A peek into the revolutionary tools Shannon’s building—and how they’re changing the gameIf you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by AI or unsure how to use it ethically and effectively in your business, this episode is your guide to creating with clarity, confidence, and integrity.👉 Whether you're AI-curious or AI-cautious, don't hit publish on your next course without listening to this.Are you ready to create your course and need the exact steps and frameworks to follow?  Check out Your Best Course Experience.Confident in your course idea and want to get to market as quickly as possible?  Check out The Accelerator VIP Experience.Get started on your own course creation journey or learn how to make your existing course even better at The "Your Best Course" Build Lab, my interactive and supportive online community. To get started creating your own online course, check out my new freebie that will take you through the steps of choosing a topic that will be profitable for YOU. To be in the know about new offerings and opportunities, make sure you sign up for my newsletter. This podcast is produced, mixed, and edited by Cardinal Studio. For moreinformation about how to start your own podcast, please visit www.cardinalstudio.coor e-mail mike@cardinalstudio.co