Course Lab: Lessons from Successful Online Course Creators

Special "business revenue leak checklist" offer, free at http://www.mrse.co/leak.Email marketing is a narrative tool, says Monica Badiu, not just a sales tactic. She emphasizes creating engaging, truthful content that speaks directly to people’s needs—helping them see the potential in themselves and the solutions you offer. Monica emphasizes the importance of maintaining a consistent email frequency, tailored to your audience’s needs and interests, to keep your brand top-of-mind. She advocates for value-driven content that resonates with the current needs of your subscribers, steering clear of fluff and focusing on genuine solutions. Whether you’re struggling with your marketing strategy or looking to refine your approach, Monica’s tips on non-aggressive promotions and ethical marketing are bound to provide clarity and direction. In this episode, Ari, Abe, and Monica discuss: Email marketing frequency and content relevancy for building brand authority and trust The necessity of at least one engaging email per week to maintain brand recognition Consistent, valuable email communication for client engagement and trust Context and relevancy in creating non-fluff email content that provides real solutions The detrimental effects of infrequent and purely promotional emails on brand awareness and trust Email marketing as a core responsibility for course creators to foster robust relationships and provide substantial value Proactive use of social media to enhance visibility, promote lead magnets, and grow email lists The right channels for reaching ideal clients and the significance of valuable content creation Clear calls to action in emails and occasional course promotions Segmenting for better deliverability and open rates, tracking engagement metrics, and periodically cleaning your email list of inactive subscribers Authenticity in email marketing, using it more as a communication channel than just a sales tool “If I send an email this week to my audience, how is that email relevant to the context they’re in right now? What’s happening in their lives around them with the people they follow on social media, with the economy, with their health?” — Monica Badiu Guest Bio Monica Badiu is a Conversion Copywriter & Copy Coach who specializes in helping course creators increase revenue through customer-centric copywriting. With more than 25,000 hours of hands-on marketing experience over 13 years, the biggest course creators in the world hire her to optimize their email marketing efforts. She has a passion for writing engaging and compelling emails and funnel pages that prioritize value over pressure, which results in driving conversions and building long-lasting relationships with audiences. Simple, but no-bullshit and non-spammy copy that sells. Along with being a conversion copywriter, Monica is also a mother, a former marketing consultant, a multipreneur, and a crafter. She writes about consumer behavior, copywriting tactics, email marketing, and conversion strategies on her blog, which is filled with valuable information for her readers. Resources or websites mentioned in this episode: Mirasee Ruzuku Monica’s website: MonicaBadiu.com Monica’s LinkedIn: LinkedIn.com/in/monicabadiu Credits: Hosts: Ari Iny and Abe Crystal Producer: Cynthia Lamb Executive Producer: Danny Iny Audio Editor: Marvin del Rosario Music Soundscape: Chad Michael Snavely Making our hosts sound great: Home Brew Audio To catch the great episodes that are coming up on Course Lab, please follow us on Mirasee FM's YouTube channel or your favorite podcast player. And if you enjoyed the show, please leave us a comment or a starred review. It's the best way to help us get these ideas to more people. Music credits: Track Title: Bossa BB Artist Name: Marie Writer Name: Chelsea McGough Publisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION Track Title: Coo Coos Artist Name: Dresden, The Flamingo Writer Name: Matthew Wigton Publisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION Track Title: Grace Artist Name: Shimmer Writer Name: Matthew Wigton Publisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONS Track Title: Carousel Lights Artist Name: Chelsea McGough Writer Name: Chelsea McGough Writer Name: Matthew Wigton Publisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION Publisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONS Special effects credits: 24990513_birds-chirping_by_promission used with permission of the author and under license by AudioJungle/Envato Market. Episode transcript: From Engagement to Enrollment (Monica Badiu).

Renowned expert Dorie Clark discusses balancing quality with speed in online courses, community building, leveraging third-party platforms for marketing, and the importance of content quality over production values. She highlights the evolution of her Recognized Expert course, emphasizing long-term success and engaging participants. The podcast delves into strategies for new course creators, emphasizing community building, iterative development, and market alignment.

Special "business revenue leak checklist" offer, free at http://www.mrse.co/leak.Kathryn Goldman is an intellectual property attorney and partner at Goldman & Minton who specializes in helping creative professionals.In this episode, Ari, Abe, and Kathryn discuss:The importance of continuous improvement in educational business modelsKathryn’s career transition from litigation to education and membership programsHer evolution from blogging to a membership programWhy a pre-packaged course wasn't effective for her audienceHow her course became the knowledge base for her membership program, which includes monthly workshopsHer membership program being a way to offer affordable, accessible, and customized legal servicesThe benefits for members and engagement with non-member workshop attendeesHow the membership acts as a pipeline for her legal servicesThe value and affordability of the membership modelLow churn rates and engagement strategies for her membersChallenges and strategies for nurturing a sense of community among members“My clients have unique stories and unique issues. And so a pre-packaged course didn't necessarily serve my audience well, which is why moving to the membership model really allowed me to adapt what I was offering to the needs of the members.” — Kathryn GoldmanKathryn Goldman is an intellectual property and internet law attorney who helps creative professionals protect their work so they can profit from it. She believes sustainable businesses are built on properly protected creative assets. Kathryn has assisted countless artists, writers, designers, and creative entrepreneurs with the move from early stage idea to startup essentials to scaling their businesses and ultimately to sale or wrap-up. Kathryn practices law in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, with the firm of Goldman & Minton, P.C.Resources or websites mentioned in this episode:MiraseeRuzukuKathryn’s website: TheCreativeLawCenter.comKathryn’s email: Kathryn@CreativeLawCenter.comFor show notes, visit From Court to Courses (Kathryn Goldman)Credits:Hosts: Ari Iny and Abe CrystalProducer: Cynthia LambAudio Editor: Marvin del RosarioExecutive Producer: Danny InyMusic Soundscape: Chad Michael SnavelyMaking our hosts sound great: Home Brew AudioTo catch the great episodes that are coming up on Course Lab, please follow us on Mirasee FM's YouTube channel or your favorite podcast player. And if you enjoyed the show, please leave us a comment or a starred review. It's the best way to help us get these ideas to more people.Music credits:Track Title: Bossa BBArtist Name: MarieWriter Name: Chelsea McGoughPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONTrack Title: Coo CoosArtist Name: Dresden, The FlamingoWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONTrack Title: GraceArtist Name: ShimmerWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONSTrack Title: Carousel LightsArtist Name: Chelsea McGoughWriter Name: Chelsea McGoughWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONPublisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONSSpecial effects credits:24990513_birds-chirping_by_promission used with permission of the author and under license by AudioJungle/Envato Market.Episode transcript: From Court to Courses (Kathryn Goldman).~~~~~

Special "business revenue leak checklist" offer, free at http://www.mrse.co/leak.Dr. Darnyelle Jervey Harmon is a multi-book author and Inc. 5000 CEO of Incredible One Enterprises, LLC.In this episode, Ari, Abe, and Darnyelle discuss:Combining online courses, content coaching, and consultingSelling courses individually and including them in coaching and consulting programsThe importance of customization and support for courses to ensure successful completionUsing courses as a stepping stone to higher-level programsCreating beta courses for validation and feedbackIncorporating AI for efficiency while maintaining personal touch and expertiseCustomizing content and method to suit different industries and business models“Whatever the problem is that you’ve decided you want to solve, as you think about creating a course, create a course from every angle to solve it.” – Darnyelle HarmonDr. Darnyelle Jervey Harmon is the award-winning, iconic, and incomparable Inc. 5000 CEO of Incredible One Enterprises, LLC, a multi-million-dollar coaching and consulting brand. Best known for transforming the lives of her business coaching clients and live event attendees, Darnyelle equips her clients to leverage and scale businesses that serve them financially and spiritually. In fact, over the last 10 years, she has helped her clients generate more than a half-billion dollars in sales and more than $365 million in revenue.By teaching her award-winning Move to Millions® Method, Darnyelle takes business owners from six-figure years to six-figure quarters, six-figure months, six-figure weeks, and ultimately six-figure days in record time — all while deepening their connection to God and strengthening their faith. Darnyelle is a seven-time best-selling author, the creator of five powerful business systems, and the host of the MOVE To Millions Podcast. Now, she is introducing the world to the book she was born to write, Move to Millions®. Resources or websites mentioned in this episode:MiraseeRuzukuDarnyelle’s website: DrDarnyelle.comFor show notes, visit The Power of Iteration (Darnyelle Jervey Harmon)Credits:Hosts: Ari Iny and Abe CrystalProducer: Cynthia LambAudio Editor: Marvin del RosarioExecutive Producer: Danny InyMusic Soundscape: Chad Michael SnavelyMaking our hosts sound great: Home Brew AudioTo catch the great episodes that are coming up on Course Lab, please follow us on Mirasee FM's YouTube channel or your favorite podcast player. And if you enjoyed the show, please leave us a comment or a starred review. It's the best way to help us get these ideas to more people.Music credits:Track Title: Bossa BBArtist Name: MarieWriter Name: Chelsea McGoughPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONTrack Title: Coo CoosArtist Name: Dresden, The FlamingoWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONTrack Title: GraceArtist Name: ShimmerWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONSTrack Title: Carousel LightsArtist Name: Chelsea McGoughWriter Name: Chelsea McGoughWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONPublisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONSSpecial effects credits:24990513_birds-chirping_by_promission used with permission of the author and under license by AudioJungle/Envato Market.Episode transcript: The Power of Iteration (Darnyelle Jervey Harmon).~~~~~

Special "business revenue leak checklist" offer, free at http://www.mrse.co/leak.Mingtong Gu is a Qigong Master and the founder of The Chi Center / The Center for Wisdom Healing Qigong.In this episode, Danny, Abe, and Mingtong discuss:Mingtong’s online and in-person programsHow he’s structured his online membership levelsSupporting students for sustainable, consistent actions and resultsThe differences between the in-person and online experience and making both of them excellentThe importance of community and connection“It's relatively easy to create a temporary, feel-good experience. But the difficult part is… deeper benefit, sustainable benefit.” — Mingtong GuMaster Mingtong Gu shares his joyous teachings and extensive master skills to expand wisdom and energy. Named Qigong Master of the Year by the 13th World Congress for Qigong and Traditional Chinese Medicine, Master Mingtong is on faculty for Esalen Institute, Omega Institute, 1440 Multiversity, Spirit Rock Meditation Center, and the Shift Network. He has been featured in multiple media outlets, including PBS, Wisdom 2.0, and US Journal. He is the founder of The Chi Center / The Center for Wisdom Healing Qigong, a beautiful 79-acre retreat center located 20 minutes south of Santa Fe, New Mexico.Resources or websites mentioned in this episode:MiraseeRuzukuMaster Mington Gu’s website: ChiCenter.comFor show notes, visit Creating a Holistic Experience (Master Mingtong Gu)Credits:Hosts: Ari Iny and Abe CrystalProducer: Cynthia LambAudio Editor: Marvin del RosarioExecutive Producer: Danny InyMusic Soundscape: Chad Michael SnavelyMaking our hosts sound great: Home Brew AudioTo catch the great episodes that are coming up on Course Lab, please follow us on Mirasee FM's YouTube channel or your favorite podcast player. And if you enjoyed the show, please leave us a comment or a starred review. It's the best way to help us get these ideas to more people.Music credits:Track Title: Bossa BBArtist Name: MarieWriter Name: Chelsea McGoughPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONTrack Title: Coo CoosArtist Name: Dresden, The FlamingoWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONTrack Title: GraceArtist Name: ShimmerWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONSTrack Title: Carousel LightsArtist Name: Chelsea McGoughWriter Name: Chelsea McGoughWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONPublisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONSSpecial effects credits:24990513_birds-chirping_by_promission used with permission of the author and under license by AudioJungle/Envato Market.Episode transcript: Creating a Holistic Experience (Master Mingtong Gu) coming soon.~~~~~

Explore the significance of focus and attention in goal attainment, with expert strategies shared. Discover how salience impacts attention and productivity, and learn techniques like time blocking and task sequencing for improved concentration. Gain insights on self-compassion and self-awareness in overcoming setbacks, and master peak productivity times through focus detention and walking meditation.

Special "business revenue leak checklist" offer, free at http://www.mrse.co/leak.Diana Rowan holds a PhD in Music Theory and is the creator of The Bright Way, which is a program, book, and thriving private online community.In this episode, Ari, Abe, and Diana discuss:The format of Diana’s membership communityHow her program started and evolvedHow daily meetings form the basis for connection and communityHer pricing structureHow Diana transitioned from a niche topic to a broader scopeThe challenges of expanding to a broader topic scopeBuilding an audienceFostering community through activities“I came to realize over time, it’s really the journey people are going through together. That was the most important thing, to see each other transform.”– Diana RowanDiana Rowan is the creator of The Bright Way: Five Steps to Freeing the Creative Within — a program, book, and thriving private online community. She holds a PhD in Music Theory (world harp techniques), a Master of Music (classical piano performance), and composes, teaches, writes, performs, and researches creativity. Bright Way Guild, her online academy and community, brings out the unique creative voice within each of us, based on this philosophy: The more we are our true selves, the more the world benefits.Resources or websites mentioned in this episode:MiraseeRuzukuDiana’s website: DianaRowan.comFor show notes, visit Composing Great Courses (Diana Rowan)Credits:Hosts: Ari Iny and Abe CrystalProducer: Cynthia LambAudio Post Production: Marvin del RosarioExecutive Producer: Danny InyMusic Soundscape: Chad Michael SnavelyMaking our hosts sound great: Home Brew AudioTo catch the great episodes that are coming up on Course Lab, please follow us on Mirasee FM's YouTube channel or your favorite podcast player. And if you enjoyed the show, please leave us a comment or a starred review. It's the best way to help us get these ideas to more people.Music credits:Track Title: Bossa BBArtist Name: MarieWriter Name: Chelsea McGoughPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONTrack Title: Coo CoosArtist Name: Dresden, The FlamingoWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONTrack Title: GraceArtist Name: ShimmerWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONSTrack Title: Carousel LightsArtist Name: Chelsea McGoughWriter Name: Chelsea McGoughWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONPublisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONSSpecial effects credits:24990513_birds-chirping_by_promission used with permission of the author and under license by AudioJungle/Envato Market.Episode transcript: Composing Great Courses (Diana Rowan) coming soon~~~~~

Guest Michael Bungay Stanier, a renowned coach and author, talks about his philosophy of minimalism in course creation. He emphasizes onboarding processes, disrupting expectations, and focusing on solving specific problems. Michael shares insights on clearing the cache, Agile project management, and engaging course design to keep students interested.

Special "business revenue leak checklist" offer, free at http://www.mrse.co/leak.Lenore Skenazy is the accidental pioneer of the “free-range kids movement” and literally wrote the book on the subject. Following that, she co-founded Let Grow, a nonprofit promoting childhood independence and resilience.“The real problem is that our culture has insisted that adults always be supervising kids.”  — Lenore SkenazyAfter her newspaper column “Why I Let My 9-Year-Old Ride the Subway Alone” created a media firestorm, Lenore Skenazy got the nickname “America’s Worst Mom.” (Google it!) She went on to write Free-Range Kids, the book-turned-movement that basically says OUR KIDS ARE SMARTER AND SAFER THAN OUR CULTURE GIVES THEM CREDIT FOR!Lenore has lectured everywhere from DreamWorks to Microsoft to Harvard Med School, Yale Child Study Center — and the Bulgarian Happiness Festival! (For real.) On TV, you may have seen her on The Today Show, The Daily Show, or her own reality show, World’s Worst Mom. Now Lenore is co-founder and president of Let Grow, the nonprofit promoting childhood independence and resilience. She lives in New York City with her husband and beloved computer. Her children are gainfully employed. (Phew!) And for the record, she used to write for Mad Magazine. Yep. MAD. But now she's so serious that her piece “Independence as Therapy” was in The New York Times.“Teacher Tom” Hobson is an early childhood educator, international speaker, education consultant, teacher of teachers, parent educator, and author. He is best known, however, for his namesake blog, Teacher Tom's Blog, where he has posted daily for over a decade, chronicling the life and times of his little preschool in the rain-soaked Pacific Northwest corner of the USA.For nearly two decades, Teacher Tom was the sole employee of the Woodland Park Cooperative School, a parent-owned and operated school knit together by Teacher Tom's democratic, progressive play-based pedagogy. Teacher Tom came into teaching through the backdoor, so to speak, having enrolled his own child in a cooperative preschool, where he began working daily in his daughter's classroom as an assistant teacher under the tutelage of veteran educators — although he'll be the first to tell you that most of what he learned came from the children themselves. When it was time for his daughter to move on, he “stayed behind.”Today, Teacher Tom shares his play-based pedagogy through online e-courses for early childhood educators; produces online early childhood conferences; consults with organizations about his "Family Schools" program; and inspires early-years audiences around the world (Greece, UK, Iceland, Australia, China, Vietnam, New Zealand, Canada, and across the US) both virtually and in-person with his engaging views on early childhood education, play, and pedagogy.He was pressured by his blog readers into authoring his first book, aptly named Teacher Tom’s First Book, and is thrilled about the 2023 release of Teacher Tom’s Second Book.Resources, people, and websites mentioned in this episode:MiraseeTom’s website: TeacherTomsWorld.comLenore’s nonprofit, Let Grow: LetGrow.orLenore’s email: Lenore@LetGrow.orgFor show notes, visit Presenting Teacher Tom’s Podcast (Lenore Skenazy)The Let Grow Experience (a free independence-building curriculum for teachers/schools): https://letgrow.org/program/experience/The Let Grow Play Club (free implementation guide for schools, homeschools, YMCAs, churches, synagogues, etc., to create a "free play" program for kids):https://letgrow.org/program/play-club/Independence Therapy Manual (free manual for therapists and counselors on how to use independence to combat or prevent childhood anxiety): https://letgrow.org/program/independence-therapy/Pledge of Independence (pledge parents can take to receive one activity a week for 10 weeks to help them get comfortable giving their kids more independence, free): https://letgrow.org/program/pledge/Let Grow Kid License (free "license" kids can carry around when out and about on their own that says, "I'm not lost or neglected!" and gives the parents' phone number): https://letgrow.org/printable/letgrowlicense/Free-Range Kids book: https://amzn.to/3FT7bEwFree-Range Kids book, free chapter for educators:

Special "business revenue leak checklist" offer, free at http://www.mrse.co/leak.Meg Cadoux Hirshberg is the founder of The Anticancer Lifestyle Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting evidence-based lifestyle transformation for cancer survivors.In this episode, Ari, Abe, and Meg discuss:How lifestyle changes can play a significant role in reducing the risk of cancer and cancer recurrenceCancer patients often feeling disempowered and uncertain about their future, highlighting the need for education and supportThe Anti-Cancer Lifestyle Foundation offering a range of resources besides an online course — ebooks, webinars, and more — to meet individuals where they are in their cancer journeyHer foundation exploring and engaging in partnerships with insurance companies to license their course and provide greater access to cancer patientsLearning circles, a group format for going through the course, which have shown promising results in empowering and supporting cancer patients“There should be more [course creators] looking to set up or work with nonprofits to fund the delivery of their courses.” – Meg CadouxMeg Cadoux Hirshberg is the founder of The Anticancer Lifestyle Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to promoting evidence-based lifestyle transformation for cancer survivors.For 15 years Meg was a freelance non-fiction writer, whose work appeared in Yankee, New Hampshire magazine, and Boston Globe magazine, among other publications. In 2009, she began writing a regular column for Inc. magazine called “Balancing Acts” that explored work-life balance and the intersection of family and business in an entrepreneurial setting.Meg’s book, For Better or For Work: A Survival Guide For Entrepreneurs and Their Families, expands on her column topics. Axiom Business Book Awards, AMEX Open Forum, and Entrepreneur magazine cited Meg’s book as one of the best business books of 2012. Meg has also written two yogurt cookbooks.She is married to Gary Hirshberg, chairman and co-founder of Stonyfield Yogurt. The couple has three children.Resources mentioned in this episode:MiraseeRuzukuMeg’s website: AntiCancerLifestyle.orgFor show notes, visit Cancer Survivor to Course Creator (Meg Cadoux)Credits:Hosts: Ari Iny and Abe CrystalProducer: Cynthia LambAssembled by: Fatima FojasExecutive Producer: Danny InyAudio Editor: Marvin del RosarioMusic Soundscape: Chad Michael SnavelyMaking our hosts sound great: Home Brew AudioTo catch the great episodes that are coming up on Course Lab, please follow us on Mirasee FM's YouTube channel or your favorite podcast player. And if you enjoyed the show, please leave us a comment or a starred review. It's the best way to help us get these ideas to more people.Music credits:Track Title: Bossa BBArtist Name: MarieWriter Name: Chelsea McGoughPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONTrack Title: Coo CoosArtist Name: Dresden, The FlamingoWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONTrack Title: GraceArtist Name: ShimmerWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONSTrack Title: Carousel LightsArtist Name: Chelsea McGoughWriter Name: Chelsea McGoughWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONPublisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONSSpecial effects credits:24990513_birds-chirping_by_promission used with permission of the author and under license by AudioJungle/Envato Market.Episode transcript: Cancer Survivor to Course Creator (Meg Cadoux). ~~~~~