Building an online course business beginning with scratch
Check out the case study or view our complete interview with Marlene... as well should it encourage you to create your own online course, (and we believe that it will!) get started at RoadmapTo5k.com.
Marlene Hielema, also known as the Image Maven
Marlene is an amazing photographer and video instructor. She's the brain of ImageMaven.com and ImageMavenVideo.com. Visit both sites to find great videos and ideas to improve your video and photography within a matter of moments.
Why get started with the teaching of online classes?
Flash from 2004. Marlene was teaching photography in her class at the community college nearby. Marlene loved having direct interaction with her students. She had a lot of energy, but she was exhaustion.
It got more demanding for her. It was impossible to take an unwind whenever she wanted: "I was just teaching all day long."
Her goal? She would like to be flexible, and be free within her work schedule.
Marlene says, "I want to enjoy my life... my time is short. I'd like to try skateboarding! I'd like to ride my longboard towards the at the end of my day , and not feel ashamed."
A desire for freedom and flexible led her to create an personal online course.
Where did she get the ideas she had?
Marlene took a few online photography classes. Marlene found the course to be "clunky." Marlene thought to herself "this needs to be changed to make it more comfortable."
It was then she started to look for concepts for her own courses. Then in fall 2010 she launched her first full online course designed by ..
Marlene offers eight courses on the internet, some of which she's repeatedly taught by various groups of students.
Her courses include small, affordable, targeted courses. She also offers longer, more intensive courses (some up to 8 weeks in length).
Marlene creates her program according to the specific questions which people send her emails: "I've had this question about 10 times over the past 3 months. perhaps I should develop a course on the subject!"
Also, she is attentive to the queries people have concerning. As an example, when she started getting queries about her videos she would ask: Do you have any suggestions on how you can make a video similar to that you've made?
Overcoming challenges
Marlene states she has a major challenges is sales "I'm naturally not a salesperson."
As time has passed She's found ways to connect and instruct the public, and then make the students purchase a class.
At present, she is offering the possibility of signing to receive 10 complimentary photography lessons by emails. After 10 lessons free, she offers the option of purchasing a program.
Although she was apprehensive about sales at first, Marlene now says "I frequently sell courses -- people find that course they'd like take, enjoy it, and they purchase the course."
A successful business model based on classes
One of the biggest things to learn from Marlene is that education and services (one-on-one consulting for private clients) are inextricably linked.
Her courses can lead to opportunities for one-on one client services. After completing the course "people simply want more assistance and are prepared to pay for it."
In particular, students who are taking courses that involve video need help with editing and production. Photography students need private critiques, as well as technical assistance.
Her statement says, "My revenue has increased more through my clients than what it increased with the classes I teach."
Courses offer tremendous value as an item on their own and are more powerful when paired with other services.
Marlene also adds value to her service by providing classes. Marlene explains her clients that "If someone hires me in the beginning I'll be thankful.
(for consultation) For training purposes, I will provide the course free of charge." Her services are more appealing to prospective customers.
Connecting with students
Marlene uses her classes to establish friendships with her studentsnot only for the purpose of delivering details. Marlene has observed that, in most cases "People tend to be less shy on the internet."
Connects with her students by being active and present in her classes of instruction: "I respond to every question, every email."
Marlene claims that teaching is fun and rewarding for her "I enjoy teaching, I love to help others... I enjoy watching people achieve their goals! It's like being an proud mother when you see someone on screen and show a video with stunning white backgrounds I've helped them in creating. It's my goal to assist those who are frustrated."
In the future
The future is bright for Marlene. Marlene is looking to expand on the successes of her present courses. Marlene is planning on "relaunching and revitalising her current courses, designing more appealing sales pages as well as raising the standard across all her courses."
She also tries to create at minimum, one or two new courses every year, according to the requirements of her community. She explains the reason for this "I've not created courses from beginning to finish." In her mind, she is often thinking about the question what are people talking about?, and builds courses based on the demands of her students.
She is also looking to collaborate with other experts in the development of innovative ideas to create courses. In the past, for example, she collaborated with a counselor in order to develop a course for personal growth"Take a break" Self-care Photography.
Marlene's top tips and advice for getting your online online course started to begin on the right track
1. Just Do It!
Marlene shares with us "My first class had about 20 students as well as 10 classmates It was so rewarding!"
So put off your excuses for putting off work in the past and start doing. Start with a safe and risk-free route to start regardless of whether you need to bring in some friends at no cost!
Be able to overcome any obstacles you encounter as you learn you learned from your first lesson! Just go for it.
Do not be overly obsessed with getting things done the first time around - folks will understand.
#2 Connect
Make sure you form a connection with your students. ensure that you make connections with them.
If they think that the knowledge they've gathered from you is valuable They'll be asking questions that you can answer, and you'll have the chance to benefit from their experience.
If they trust them, then they are in a position to assist them.
Be active in discussion by answering any questions as well as posting any queries.
#3 3. Express Yourself
Incorporate your unique personality into your classes. Marlene says, "I act a little silly on my YouTube videos." The more that she reveals her personality in her instructional videos and classes and courses, the more she develops an intimate bond with the students she teaches.
Begin now. Start with our FREE training course to learn five steps for creating and selling your course in order to create your own online business of online courses with the basics.
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