Week 10. Three Wins.
Three-minute read. Or less.
Welcome to week ten of Three Wins in this format, where I walk you through my process of launching an online course in 2024.
Even if you are not launching an online course, this will help you think about whatever you will launch.
Last week was the first week of Beta testing.
I did lesson 1 online. And an all-day London workshop. I spent Saturday travelling back. On Sunday, I was tired as hell, so I spent all day recharging.
- Run.
- Sauna.
- Plunge.
Switched off.
Hence, Three Wins is later than planned.
Next week will see it revert to its weekend slot.
- On paper, everything works.
On paper, trains arrive on time.
- In real life, it rains.
- It floods.
- And trains to London get cancelled while you sitting on it.
Late Thursday evening, I found myself in Bristol train station trying to find a taxi driver willing to go to London.
Those 4 hours on the train were put aside to finish the last lesson of the workshop. To do a couple of run-throughs. To make any last-minute tweaks.
Like I said, everything works on paper.
So, what did I learn from the two Beta tests?
1. Use more examples to show the point I am making.
2. I need a way to make my writing examples BIGGER. No one reads the small print.
3. Lesson 5 is more important than I realised. Structure and Rhythm. Nitty gritty stuff.
But for someone who did a Friday workshop, Monday morning is when all the emails will hit. I find out, warts and all, how it went. And that is when I get to make changes.
I love it - I think after doing a course in Beta, there’s no way back to doing it any other way.
- Will it be clearer?
- Will it be more useful?
- Will it help more people?
Yes-Yes-Yes.
The only question is by how much.
A win. (or, three.)
2. Everyone is on a different level.
It’s hard to do a course for everyone.
You shouldn’t.
On Friday, I had people who were working with Olympians. And people who have never done a post. And the energy was incredible.
But I must make clear who it is for. And, who it is not.
- It's not designed for beginners. It assumes you've been doing it for a while.
- It is not for those who think writing is a chore.
- It is not for dabblers and ‘quick-winners.’
I got lucky on Friday, as the Do folk are exceptional. They know me. They know what to expect.
When we launch, most people will be new to us.
They need to be clear if it is for them. I think this comes down to communication. And pricing, whether we like it or not, is an important signal.
As the children’s cartoon Wonderpets says, this is ‘Seewious.’
A win.
3. Serve your community.
Without a doubt, the biggest win from last week is hearing how much we have helped people already.
The most important thing the course must do is find a way to gather the community.
- That could be a digital platform.
- That could be an app.
- That could be regular live Q+A’s.
In real life, you chat. You listen. People feel part of something.
Yes, the skills and learning are important. But what the course must do is bring people together. It must gather the community.
I knew that before. I know it more now. It has my full attention.
A win.
I hope this was useful in some way.
Talk next weekend.
Have a good week.
David
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