Course Lab: Lessons from Successful Online Course Creators

Special "business revenue leak checklist" offer, free at http://www.mrse.co/leak.Ellen Finkelstein is the founder of Change the World Marketing, a company that helps experts learn to share their knowledge through online products and courses. After using her own four-point process successfully for years, she decided to teach others how to do the same.     In this episode, Danny, Abe and Ellen cover a lot of ground from initial idea to launch, honing in on a framework for simple but clever beta testing. If you’re looking to create a new course or a new iteration of an existing one, this episode will get your creative juices flowing. In this episode we discuss:Ways to help course participants implement and apply what they’re learning.Coaching participants through time management and making progress on the course.Creating a course from the perspective of participants' lives and schedules.Smart ideas for piloting a course.Danny and Abe’s debrief.“The unusual part of it was how I tested my course, not the actual course itself.”– Ellen FinkelsteinGuest Bio:Ellen Finkelstein is a teacher, coach and recognized expert, speaker, trainer, and best-selling author on PowerPoint, presentation skills, and speaking. Her articles have appeared in numerous magazines, newsletters, and blogs.     She is a PowerPoint MVP (one of only 18 in the United States) with a Microsoft award for experts who contribute to the user community. Her website offers a huge assortment of tips, techniques, tutorials, and articles on these topics.     She also teaches speakers, writers, and experts to get their Knowledge out to the world with a knowledge-based online business at ChangeTheWorldMarketing.com.Resources or websites mentioned in this episode:MiraseeEllen’s websiteEllen’s LinkedInCredits:Guest: Ellen FinkelsteinHosts: Danny Iny & Abe Crystal Producer: Cynthia Lamb Executive producer: Danny InyAssembled by: Geoff GovertsenAudio Post Supervisor: Evan Miles, Christopher MartinAudio Post Production: Post Office SoundMusic soundscape: Chad Michael Snavely     If you don't want to miss future episodes of Course Lab, please subscribe to Apple podcasts or Spotify or wherever you're listening right now. And if you liked the show, please leave us a starred review. It's the best way to help us get these ideas to more people.Music and SFX credits: • Track Title: Bossa BBArtist Name(s): MarieWriter Name: Chelsea McGoughPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION• Track Title: GraceArtist Name(s): ShimmerWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONS• Track Title: Carousel LightsArtist Name(s): Chelsea McGoughWriter Name: Chelsea McGoughWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONPublisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONS• Track Title: Coo CoosArtist Name(s): Dresden, The FlamingoWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONEpisode transcript:  Build Better Beta (Ellen Finkelstein)  coming soon~~~~~

Special "business revenue leak checklist" offer, free at http://www.mrse.co/leak.Bradley Morris is the founder and CEO of Majik Media, a company that helps course creators and coaches produce highly engaging content. Since 2007, when his first-ever video went viral, he has been studying how and why people consume information as well as what keeps them engaged and eager for more.     In this episode, Danny, Abe and Bradley reach deep into Bradley’s three-pillar process of adding entertainment and accountability to teaching and course-building. Even if you are not a naturally creative person, you’ll find plenty of inspiration to bolster the binge worthiness of your content.In this episode we discuss:The three pillars of building an engaging course.What is theme-ification and should you consider using it?Bringing in back-up when you need creative help.Ways to think outside the box with video and/or audio.Creating accountability by establishing a community.How having fun while building your course can translate through the content.Setting up your business model to avoid burnout.Danny and Abe’s debrief.“The problem with the majority of online education out there is that it lacks personality…that’s why it falls flat.”“It might not be your job to come up with the creative ideas; you might need help to make it the best course you can.”– Bradley MorrisGuest Bio:     Bradley Morris has been producing inspirational media since 2007 when his first video went viral, leading to speaking tours around North America. He then taught over 500 meditation workshops and retreats around the world. In 2012, he put all of his meditation work online. His early work has spread to over 70 countries, impacting thousands of lives.     In 2014, Bradley started supporting other teachers to bring their work online. Two years later, he founded Majik Media during his search to produce the most epic, memorable, transformational media and courses he could dream up.     He is passionate about helping teachers, coaches and facilitators bring their life’s work online in the best way they can. For fun, he plays Professional Golf and adventures with his family. Resources or websites mentioned in this episode:MiraseeBradley’s websiteBradley’s YouTubeCredits:Guest: Bradley MorrisHosts: Danny Iny & Abe Crystal Producer: Cynthia Lamb Executive producer: Danny InyAssembled by: Geoff GovertsenAudio Post Supervisor: Evan Miles, Christopher MartinAudio Post Production: Post Office SoundMusic soundscape: Chad Michael Snavely     If you don't want to miss future episodes of Course Lab, please subscribe to Apple podcasts or Spotify or wherever you're listening right now. And if you liked the show, please leave us a starred review. It's the best way to help us get these ideas to more people.Music and SFX credits: • Track Title: Bossa BBArtist Name(s): MarieWriter Name: Chelsea McGoughPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION• Track Title: GraceArtist Name(s): ShimmerWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONS• Track Title: Carousel LightsArtist Name(s): Chelsea McGoughWriter Name: Chelsea McGoughWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONPublisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONS• Track Title: Coo CoosArtist Name(s): Dresden, The FlamingoWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONEpisode transcript:  Binge-Worthy Content (Bradley Morris)  coming soon~~~~~

Special "business revenue leak checklist" offer, free at http://www.mrse.co/leak.Joel Erway is the creator of The Webinar Agency, a company that helps course creators and coaches create webinars to boost sales. He is the author of High Ticket Courses and hosts two weekly podcasts highlighting his proven methods of crafting high-converting offers.      In this episode, Danny, Abe and Joel walk us through the details of Joel’s proven “power offer” model and reveal how to apply it to any course. Joel offers comprehensive instructions and examples that course creators can use to reconstruct their business model without reconstructing the whole course. Grab a pen and paper, because you’ll want to take notes!In this episode we discuss:Identifying the specific benefits of your course to your target audience (your “power offer”).How to scale a single course with different levels of support.How to avoid over-selling or over-delivering services.Designing your course as a scalable business.Creating long-term viability into your course/business model.Ways to do less while serving more.Danny and Abe’s debrief.“When we lead with an offer, and we speak to people who want to change their life, then we attract a different caliber of lead.”“The numbers might look good, initially, but it's inherently building a broken business model, and you're going to be burned out and not really know what to do.”– Joel ErwayGuest Bio:     People call Joel Erway “The Webinar Guy”, but that’s just a tiny slice of his expertise. Joel is a master at crafting high-converting offers and helping experts scale their business with High Ticket Courses.     He authored the book, High Ticket Courses to help show Experts how to create leveraged offers to scale their business with programs valued at $2,000 or more.      Between his own personal sales and his clients, he's helped generate $50+ million over the past few years. He’s also a long-time podcaster and the host of Sold With Webinars and Experts Unleashed.Resources or websites mentioned in this episode:MiraseeJoel’s websiteJoel’s LinkedInJoel’s podcastJoel’s  ebookCredits:Guest: Joel ErwayHosts: Danny Iny & Abe Crystal Producer: Cynthia Lamb Executive producer: Danny InyAssembled by: Geoff GovertsenAudio Post Supervisor: Evan Miles, Christopher MartinAudio Post Production: Post Office SoundMusic soundscape: Chad Michael Snavely     If you don't want to miss future episodes of Course Lab, please subscribe to Apple podcasts or Spotify or wherever you're listening right now. And if you liked the show, please leave us a starred review. It's the best way to help us get these ideas to more people.Music and SFX credits: • Track Title: Bossa BBArtist Name(s): MarieWriter Name: Chelsea McGoughPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION• Track Title: GraceArtist Name(s): ShimmerWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONS• Track Title: Carousel LightsArtist Name(s): Chelsea McGoughWriter Name: Chelsea McGoughWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONPublisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONS• Track Title: Coo CoosArtist Name(s): Dresden, The FlamingoWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONEpisode transcript:  High-Ticket Power (Joel Erway)  coming soon~~~~~

Special "business revenue leak checklist" offer, free at http://www.mrse.co/leak.Gini Dietrich is the founder and CEO of Armand Deitrich, an integrated marketing communications firm based in Chicago and Spin Sucks, a PR and marketing blog and consulting site. As course creators, we often start with a course that we turn into a more robust business. We then scale that business into something larger to serve more people. Most of us don’t end up changing an entire industry.     In this episode, Danny and Abe talk to Gini Dietrich about how she is doing just that by taking ownership of her space in the industry, setting new standards and reaching out to partner with a university to establish credibility for her methods — and her students. In the process, she’s raising the bar for public relations and marketing professionals. In this episode we discuss:Partnering outside your business, including to increase credibility.Adding “triggers” to your course curriculum to improve engagement and progress.Continually reviewing and updating your course to better serve your clients. Crafting a course with a unique perspective or twist to boost recognition and legitimacy.   Danny and Abe’s debrief.“So having those triggers and quizzes and making it easy to go from one to the next index really helped.”– Gini Dietrich“Your course doesn't have to be perfect right out of the gate, but every time you run it, it's an opportunity to look at it and ask yourself, ‘well, how can I make this better?’.”– Danny InyGuest Bio:     Gini Dietrich is the founder and CEO of Armand Dietrich and Spin Sucks. She is author and the host of the Spin Sucks podcast. Gini is the creator of the PESO Model and has crafted a certification for it in partnership with Syracuse University. She has run and grown an agency for the past 15 years.      Gini is also the co-author of Marketing in the Round, co-host of Inside PR and co-host of The Agency Leadership podcast. Resources or websites mentioned in this episode:MiraseeGini’s websiteGini’s LinkedInGini’s podcastPESO Model CertificationCredits:Guest: Gini DietrichHosts: Danny Iny & Abe Crystal Producer: Cynthia Lamb Executive producer: Danny InyAssembled by: Geoff GovertsenAudio Post Supervisor: Evan Miles, Christopher MartinAudio Post Production: Post Office SoundMusic soundscape: Chad Michael Snavely     If you don't want to miss future episodes of Course Lab, please subscribe to Apple podcasts or Spotify or wherever you're listening right now. And if you liked the show, please leave us a starred review. It's the best way to help us get these ideas to more people.Music and SFX credits: • Track Title: Bossa BBArtist Name(s): MarieWriter Name: Chelsea McGoughPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION• Track Title: GraceArtist Name(s): ShimmerWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONS• Track Title: Carousel LightsArtist Name(s): Chelsea McGoughWriter Name: Chelsea McGoughWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONPublisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONS• Track Title: Coo CoosArtist Name(s): Dresden, The FlamingoWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONEpisode transcript:  Course Cred (Gini Diethrich)  coming soon~~~~~

Special "business revenue leak checklist" offer, free at http://www.mrse.co/leak.Tad Hargrave is the founder of Marketing for Hippies, a company that teaches ethical marketing strategies to business owners. Traditional marketing techniques can feel outright icky to some business owners, so how can you get course recognition without feeling smarmy?      In this episode of Course Lab, Danny, Abe and Tad cover a ton of ideas to get your creative juices flowing with alternative ways to structure and market your course. Tune in and mellow out as these experts discuss relevant and useful strategies that you can implement to create good vibes all around. In this episode we discuss:Why business owners with “hippie” values reject traditional marketing - and what to do if that describes you.How seemingly unrelated course assignments can help clients within the course content.Ways to filter out potential clients who may not be a good fit.How to structure group work to reiterate and solidify content.How to use the “hot seat” approach to benefit everyone in the group.Creating structures for peer support within your course. Practical ways to ensure guaranteed relevance of content for different groups. Why credentialism is often overrated. Danny and Abe’s debrief.“So now that’s what I teach - how to market your business in a way that not only works and is effective but also feels genuinely good to everybody involved.”– Tad HargraveGuest Bio:Tad Hargrave is a hippy who developed a knack for marketing (and then learned to be a hippy again).     He spent his late teens being schooled in a mixed bag of approaches to sales and marketing – some manipulative and some not. When that career ended, he spent a decade unlearning and unpacking what he’d been through.     How had he been swept up in it? Why didn’t those approaches work as well as advertised? Were there ways of marketing that both worked better and felt better to all involved? It took him time but he began to find a better way to market.     By 2006, he had become one of the first, full-time ‘conscious business’ marketing coaches (for hippies) and created a business where he could share the understanding he had come to: Marketing could feel good. You didn’t have to choose between marketing that worked (butfelt awful) or marketing that felt good (but got you no clients).     Since 2001, he has been touring his marketing workshops around Canada, the United States, Europe, and online, bringing refreshing and unorthodox ideas to conscious entrepreneurs and green businesses that help them grow their organizations and businesses (without selling their souls). Instead of charging outrageous amounts, he started doing most of his events on a pay what you can basis. He is the author of sixteen books and workbooks on marketing.Resources or websites mentioned in this episode:MiraseeTad’s websiteTad’s YouTubeCredits:Guest: Tad HargraveHosts: Danny Iny & Abe Crystal Producer: Cynthia Lamb Executive producer: Danny InyAssembled by: Geoff GovertsenAudio Post Supervisor: Evan Miles, Christopher MartinAudio Post Production: Post Office SoundMusic soundscape: Chad Michael Snavely     If you don't want to miss future episodes of Course Lab, please subscribe to Apple podcasts or Spotify or wherever you're listening right now. And if you liked the show, please leave us a starred review. It's the best way to help us get these ideas to more people.Music and SFX credits: • Track Title: Bossa BBArtist Name(s): MarieWriter Name: Chelsea McGoughPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION• Track Title: GraceArtist Name(s): ShimmerWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONS• Track Title: Carousel LightsArtist Name(s): Chelsea McGoughWriter Name: Chelsea McGoughWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONPublisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONS• Track Title: Coo CoosArtist Name(s): Dresden, The FlamingoWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONEpisode transcript:Hip Course Vibes (Tad Hargrave)  coming soon~~~~~

Special "business revenue leak checklist" offer, free at http://www.mrse.co/leak.Dr. John Austin is the founder of Reaching Results, a company designed to help business leaders improve safety and leadership. For over 25 years, John has applied his extensive knowledge of behavioral science in the creation of his courses to increase engagement and promote real behavior change, which results in a significant and measurable decrease in workplace injuries.      John’s course structure uses a combination of clear expectations, choices and a healthy blend of positive and negative reinforcement. In this episode of Course Lab, Danny, Abe and John discuss how course creators can implement these same components and why they are effective.In this episode we discuss:Getting clients to apply techniques and take action.The impact on engagement rates of offering choices.How to implement consequences in a positive way.Using client feedback to make adjustments in your course.Determining the factors that lead to your ultimate desired outcome.Danny and Abe’s debrief.“It's really easy to set clear expectations; I think it's much harder to provide consequences.”“When you give people a choice, it increases engagement by 20%, so I built choice in all over the place.”– John AustinGuest Bio:     Dr. John  Austin is an internationally recognized coach to business leaders on safety and human performance. He was a professor of psychology for 15 years at Western Michigan University, where he trained masters and doctoral students, many of whom are professors themselves now.     Dr. Austin and his teams have coached university students and leaders in hundreds of companies in a dozen countries to deliver over 10,000 safety, operations, and quality improvement projects that have generated millions of dollars in improvements.     Dr. Austin has consulted with organizations for 25 years to improve productivity and safety in a wide range of industries. Based on his desire to help as many people at work as possible, he founded Reaching Results in 2008. Reaching Results is a company designed to help people improve safety, leadership, & management.Resources or websites mentioned in this episode:MiraseeJohn’s websiteJohn’s LinkedInCredits:Guest: John AustinHosts: Danny Iny & Abe Crystal Producer: Cynthia Lamb Executive producer: Danny InyAssembled by: Geoff GovertsenAudio Post Supervisor: Evan Miles, Christopher MartinAudio Post Production: Post Office SoundMusic soundscape: Chad Michael Snavely     If you don't want to miss future episodes of Course Lab, please subscribe to Apple podcasts or Spotify or wherever you're listening right now. And if you liked the show, please leave us a starred review. It's the best way to help us get these ideas to more people.Music and SFX credits: • Track Title: Bossa BBArtist Name(s): MarieWriter Name: Chelsea McGoughPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION• Track Title: GraceArtist Name(s): ShimmerWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONS• Track Title: Carousel LightsArtist Name(s): Chelsea McGoughWriter Name: Chelsea McGoughWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONPublisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONS• Track Title: Coo CoosArtist Name(s): Dresden, The FlamingoWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONEpisode transcript:  The Science of Change (John Austin)  coming soon~~~~~

Special "business revenue leak checklist" offer, free at http://www.mrse.co/leak.Jeff Perry is the founder of More Than Engineering, a company that helps purpose-driven engineers and tech professionals make intentional career transitions that facilitate growth and development in their professional and personal lives. It’s important to meet clients where they are without judgement and without being afraid to guide them out of their comfort zone when doing so can lead to growth and future success. In this episode of Course Lab, Danny, Abe and Jeff discuss leveling up your course and your clients’ results with any necessary changes in thoughts and mindset followed by inspired action. In this episode we discuss:Avoiding stereotypes when developing solutions for your clients.Variable support options to supplement your course and income.Pricing examples.The importance of mindset to personal growth and professional success.Combining awareness with assessment.Getting client feedback to develop next-step options for continuing development.Danny and Abe’s debrief.“ If we can break down those stereotypes and say, you know, I don't have to necessarily own that myself, if that's not how I want to be.”“If there's an issue we want to work on, we’ve got to start with the idea of awareness.”– Jeff PerryGuest Bio:Jeff Perry is a software, mechanical, and manufacturing engineer. He has designed and built a lot of products and processes. Now, he builds people. Jeff’s joy and professional satisfaction comes from being a part of helping others succeed and grow.For years, Jeff has supported engineers and tech professionals from new grads to director level. Having been on the front lines in the technical world, Jeff has been able to map out the necessary skills for becoming a quality leader in the fields of engineering and technology. Resources or websites mentioned in this episode:MiraseeJeff’s websiteJeff’s LinkedInCredits:Guest: Jeff PerryHosts: Danny Iny & Abe Crystal Producer: Cynthia Lamb Executive producer: Danny InyAssembled by: Geoff GovertsenAudio Post Supervisor: Evan Miles, Christopher MartinAudio Post Production: Post Office SoundMusic soundscape: Chad Michael Snavely     If you don't want to miss future episodes of Course Lab, please subscribe to Apple podcasts or Spotify or wherever you're listening right now. And if you liked the show, please leave us a starred review. It's the best way to help us get these ideas to more people.Music and SFX credits: • Track Title: Bossa BBArtist Name(s): MarieWriter Name: Chelsea McGoughPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION• Track Title: GraceArtist Name(s): ShimmerWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONS• Track Title: Carousel LightsArtist Name(s): Chelsea McGoughWriter Name: Chelsea McGoughWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONPublisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONS• Track Title: Coo CoosArtist Name(s): Dresden, The FlamingoWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONEpisode transcript: Leveling Up (Jeff Perry)  coming soon~~~~~

Special "business revenue leak checklist" offer, free at http://www.mrse.co/leak.     Mary Duggan is the founder of Cockleshell Creative, a company that creates interactive, personal development courses that cater to overwhelmed, creative-minded clients. Investing in a little up-front market research, she found true passion and just the right pieces to put together an incredibly successful course.      In this episode of Course Lab, we learn simple, practical ways to identify the needs of our clients as well as the best ways in which they will be able to receive instruction and implement techniques. In the post-interview debrief, Danny and Abe dig into the importance of market research in creating a truly unique, marketable and valuable course.In this episode we discuss:The importance of having a deep understanding of your ideal client.Understanding your ideal client as well as their strengths and limitations.How client input can help you create a more valuable course.How to help clients adopt and apply the techniques you are offering.Combining mechanics and systems with changing mindset.Pricing  your course to avoid undervaluing your efforts. Danny and Abe’s debrief.“Systems and processes are half of what my ideal clients need, but the other half is working on the inner saboteurs that they have that hold them back.” “I experienced a real shift from this is possibly quite an interesting course…to I'm on a mission.”– Mary DugganGuest Bio:     Mary Duggan has been a therapist, a service manager, a strategic planner, a graphic recorder, and (still is) an artist. Creativity is the thread that runs through her own life. Mary’s heartfelt mission is to connect busy entrepreneurs with their own creativity, so they can get more done with less stress and become the person they truly want to be. She accomplishes this through coaching and her Mastering Overwhelm program.Resources or websites mentioned in this episode:MiraseeMary’s websiteCredits:Guest: Mary DugganHosts: Danny Iny & Abe Crystal Producer: Cynthia Lamb Executive producer: Danny InyAssembled by: Geoff Govertsen & Michi LanceAudio Post Supervisor: Evan Miles, Christopher MartinAudio Post Production: Post Office SoundMusic soundscape: Chad Michael Snavely     If you don't want to miss future episodes of Course Lab, please subscribe to Apple podcasts or Spotify or wherever you're listening right now. And if you liked the show, please leave us a starred review. It's the best way to help us get these ideas to more people.Music and SFX credits: • Track Title: Bossa BBArtist Name(s): MarieWriter Name: Chelsea McGoughPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION• Track Title: GraceArtist Name(s): ShimmerWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONS• Track Title: Carousel LightsArtist Name(s): Chelsea McGoughWriter Name: Chelsea McGoughWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONPublisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONS• Track Title: Coo CoosArtist Name(s): Dresden, The FlamingoWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONEpisode transcript: A Personal Approach (Mary Duggan)  coming soon ~~~~~

Special "business revenue leak checklist" offer, free at http://www.mrse.co/leak.Ian Roberts has created a number of successful online courses using instructional methods developed over his many years of teaching in-person workshops. He starts off with what he calls “insanely simple” steps and gives students enough time to assimilate new skills, building confidence and momentum. Those ingredients, combined with super-focused subjects and deep interaction with students over the years significantly contribute to Ian’s high success in engagement and completion rates.      This episode of Course Lab is densely packed with helpful information for course creators. Ian describes his creative solutions for growing sales while reducing his own personal involvement and preserving the quality of his courses. In the post-interview debrief, Danny and Abe dive deep into deconstructing the various elements of Ian’s courses that make them so successful.In this episode we discuss:The importance of having a strong foundation in what you’re teaching.The benefit of narrowly focused topics.Ways to scale up sales and scale back your time commitment.How small wins keep students engaged.Types of courses that create a long-term impact.How peer feedback can be a powerful learning tool when guided by the instructor.Danny and Abe’s debrief.“If you want to learn to juggle, you don’t start off with eight bowling pins…you learn to throw a ball so that you’re not looking at it, and it lands in your hands.” – Ian RobertsGuest Bio:Ian Robert’s father was a landscape painter. Ian accompanied his father on painting trips from the time he was ten years old, painting small 8”X10” oil paintings. Later, Ian attended the New School of Art and the Ontario College of Art, both in Toronto. For the past 35 years, Ian has been a professional painter, showing in the U.S., Canada and Europe. For 25 years, Ian has offered plein air painting workshops in Provence, France and venues in the U.S. and Canada through his school, Atelier Saint-Luc, named after the patron saint of painters.          He is the author of two books, Creative Authenticity: 16 Principles to Clarify and Deepen Your Artistic Vision and Mastering Composition: Techniques and Principles to Dramatically Improve Your Painting, published by North Light books, and which have sold over 50,000 copies worldwide. He has produced several videos, including Plein Air Painting, shot in Provence, France and Mastering  Composition. Two years ago, Ian began teaching online courses on Mastering Composition and began a weekly YouTube series that currently has over 60,000 subscribers. He shows at the Marcia Burtt Gallery in Santa Barbara, California, and the Wiscasset Bay Gallery in Wiscasset, Maine. Ian lives in West LA with painter Anne Ward.Resources or websites mentioned in this episode:MiraseeIan’s websiteIan’s YouTube channelCredits:Guest: Ian RobertsHosts: Danny Iny & Abe Crystal Producer: Cynthia Lamb Executive producer: Danny InyAssembled by: Geoff GovertsenAudio Post Supervisor: Evan Miles, Christopher MartinAudio Post Production: Post Office SoundMusic soundscape: Chad Michael Snavely     If you don't want to miss future episodes of Course Lab, please subscribe to Apple podcasts or Spotify or wherever you're listening right now. And if you liked the show, please leave us a starred review. It's the best way to help us get these ideas to more people.    Music and SFX credits: • Track Title: Bossa BBArtist Name(s): MarieWriter Name: Chelsea McGoughPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION• Track Title: GraceArtist Name(s): ShimmerWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONS• Track Title: Carousel LightsArtist Name(s): Chelsea McGoughWriter Name: Chelsea McGoughWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONPublisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONS• Track Title: Coo CoosArtist Name(s): Dresden, The FlamingoWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONEpisode transcript: Staggering Engagement (Ian Roberts)  coming soon~~~~~

Special "business revenue leak checklist" offer, free at http://www.mrse.co/leak.How do you create an online course about DNA and genealogy and make it interesting and understandable to people? First, you become an expert in the field and start your own DNA education company. You work with DNA tests that people have taken and use the results to help them better understand their family history. And when a pandemic hits, you pivot your knowledge of genetics into something that is accessible online.     In this episode, hosts Danny Iny and Abe Crystal take a closer look at the course “Your DNA Guide.”  The course creator, Diahan Southard, is a microbiologist with a gift for making complex DNA concepts engaging and understandable.      Diahan started volunteering in a college lab that created the first genetic genealogy database. That database laid the foundation for the industry of genetic genealogy that we know today.In this episode we discuss:How the little project she worked on birthed a billion-dollar industry. How the pandemic left Diahan sitting on 1000s of books but led her online. The bite-sized course content, which has 10-to-12 minute instructional videos, homework, and research. How the students use the interactive step-by-step workbook to help them apply their research.  Danny’s and Abe’s debrief after the interview “So the pilot really helped me refine what was necessary for them to learn at this stage. And the great thing is I've taken all the extra and I'm going to make a second course.” – Diahan SouthardGuest Bio:Diahan Southard is a leading voice for consumer DNA testing, one of the world's most fascinating, dynamic and socially-transformative new hobbies. Nearly 30 million people have taken a DNA test. The numbers keep rising and so do the uses of their data—and questions about that use. As Founder of Your DNA Guide Diahan teaches internationally, writes for popular magazines, consults with leading testing companies, is the author of Your DNA Guide – the Book, and producer of Your DNA Guide – the Academy, an online learning experience. Southard's company, Your DNA Guide (YourDNAGuide.com), provides genetic genealogy education products and services. You will walk away from an interaction with her enlightened and motivated, as she has a passion for genetic genealogy, a genuine love for people, and a gift for making the technical understandable. Diahan’s involvement in genetic genealogy began nearly 20 years ago as a bench scientist for the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation, the world's first genetic genealogy database. Diahan often weighs in on the compelling—and sometimes competing—ethical, familial, health, and criminal justice implications of consumer DNA testing. She voices the conviction that learning ancestral ethnicity can unite people rather than divide them. She counsels those who learn family secrets to tread carefully but courageously. Diahan seeks to bridge the needs of those who want answers from DNA with those who want privacy. The stories she shares illuminate the human experience of navigating the histories hidden deep within the genomes of individuals, families and societies.Diahan SouthardResources or websites mentioned in this episode:Mirasee Yourdnaguide.comCredits:Guest - Diahan Southard Hosts - Danny Iny & Abe CrystalProducer - Cynthia LambExecutive producer - Danny InyAssembled by - Geoff GovertsenAudio Post Supervisor: Evan Miles, Christopher MartinAudio Post Production by Post Office SoundMusic soundscape: Chad Michael Snavely If you don't want to miss future episodes of Course  Lab, please subscribe to Apple podcasts or Spotify or wherever you're listening right now. And if you liked the show, please leave us a starred review. It's the best way to help us get these ideas to more people.Music and SFX credits: Track Title: AccessArtist Name(s): OBOYWriter Name: Martin HamptonWriter Name: Matej DjajkovskiPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONTrack Title: Bossa BBArtist Name(s): MarieWriter Name: Chelsea McGoughPublisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONSTrack Title: Carousel LightsArtist Name(s): Chelsea McGoughWriter Name: Chelsea McGoughWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONPublisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONSTrack Title: GraceArtist Name(s): ShimmerWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONTrack Title: Coo CoosArtist Name(s): Dresden, The FlamingoWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONEpisode transcript: Getting the Most Out of Your DNA Results (Diahan Southard):[00:00:00] Signature sound:  Mirasee. [00:00:06] Diahan Southard: And so when you think of genetic genealogy databases today, you might be familiar with 23-and-me or Ancestry DNA or MyHeritage. All of that started with this little college project that I was a part of that really exploded into the industry we know today. Yeah. Danny Iny: Hello and welcome to Course Lab. The show that teaches course creators like you how to make better online courses. I'm Danny Iny, founder and CEO here at Mirasee, and I'm with my co-host, Abe Crystal, the co-founder of Ruzuku. In each episode, we showcase a course and course creator who is doing something really interesting with their course. Our guest today is Diahan Southard. She is a microbiologist and author who teaches peop...