Building an online course business at the start
Read the case study, or take a listen to the entire interview with Marlene... and should it spur you on to create your own online course (and we believe it could!) start by visiting RoadmapTo5k.com.
Marlene Hielema is known as the Image Maven
Marlene is a great photographer as well as a video instructor. She's the creative force of ImageMaven.com and ImageMavenVideo.com. Visit both websites for amazing videos, as well as tips to improve your photography and video with just moments.
What are the reasons to start offering online courses?
Flash back to 2004. Marlene instructed photography classes in the classroom of her community college in the area. While she loved working directly with the students however she felt exhausted.
It was becoming more and exhausting for her. She was unable to go on a holiday whenever she wanted "I was just teaching constantly."
Her goal? Flexible and free in her working schedule.
Marlene is now saying, "I want to enjoy my life... my time is very short. I'd like to make the trip to the skating park! I'd like to ride my longboard through the middle of the day without feeling embarrassed."
Desire to be completely free and flexible prompted her to design an own online course.
From where did she draw her inspiration?
Marlene took some photography classes online and found it "clunky." The instructor thought that to her "this must be improved better."
The idea was conceived and she began researching for her own courses. And in the fall of 2010 she began the first course online using ..
Marlene currently offers eight courses online, some of which she has taught several times to various types of students.
The instructor has created a variety of inexpensive, short focused classes, as well as longer, intensive courses (some up to 8 weeks in length).
Marlene develops her course on specific questions she gets from people who email her: "I've had this question at least 10 times within the last three months, maybe I should create an instructional course around this!"
Also, she is attentive to the questions people ask regarding. For example, when she began receiving questions regarding the videos she made: Could you show me how to create such a video?
Overcoming challenges
Marlene declares she has a major problems is selling -- "I'm normally not a professional salesperson."
Over time she's found methods to communicate and teach people, before asking them to buy the program.
She's currently providing the opportunity to sign up for 10 free photo lessons through email. Following 10 lessons for free, she'll be offering a pricey program.
Though she found sales intimidating at first, Marlene now says "I provide weekly coursesWhen people look up a course, they are interested and choose to take the class."
The key to a profitable business is classes
The biggest lesson from Marlene is that classes and the services (one-on-one consultation with clients privately) are inextricably linked.
Courses generate leads that she can use for her 1:1 clients-to-client interactions. After a class, "people just want a small amount of help and are willing to be willing to pay."
In particular, those who take courses on video require assistance with editing and production. Photographers need critiques from a private tutor along with technical assistance.
In the end, her report reads, "My revenue has increased greater through my customers than it has increased through my classes."
The courses are highly valuable by themselves -- but they're even more potent when combined with other offerings of products and services.
Marlene can also expand her offerings by offering training courses. She says "If you hire me, it's not out from the out of the blue.
(for consulting) (for consultation), I offer them the course for free." Her services are more attractive for new customers.
Making connections with students
Marlene utilizes her classes as a way to connect to students and not only for providing information. Her research has shown that in many cases "People are more timid on the web."
Connects with her students by being involved and present during her classes "I answer every question, to every email."
Marlene states that this process is enjoyable and fulfilling for her "I am a teacher at heart and I'm a great fan of helping people... My favourite aspect is seeing people see the outcomes! I am the proud father when one can walk up to the display and watch a short video with stunning white backgrounds that I helped them make. It's my goal to help people overcome their anger."
Looking forward
The future is bright for Marlene. Marlene is looking to build on the success of her classes. She plans for "relaunching and revitalising the existing classes, making improved sales pages and raising her bar across all her offerings."
Also, she strives to develop one or two courses per year, according to the needs of the community within which she lives. The instructor says that "I've never developed an entirely new course out of the blue." In her mind, she usually thinks about the topic of what people are looking for?, and builds courses that are based on the needs of those.
She also wants to partner with professionals from other fields to come up with unique and innovative courses. For instance, she has recently collaborated with a counselor to create an individual growth program: Pause and Photography, to help maintain your wellbeing.
Marlene's best advice and suggestions for getting an online course company off the ground
#1 - Just Do It!
Marlene says, "My first course only was attended by about 20 students with 10 students, and it was incredibly fulfilling!"
It's time to get over the denial and get to work. You can start with a course which is risk-free to begin with no matter if it's only inviting your acquaintances at no cost!
Overcome the obstacle You will be able to learn a lot from this initial course! Don't be afraid to take it up.
Be careful not to be too focused on perfection in your first class -- most people are very forgiving.
#2 - Connect
Focus on making a connection with your students really make them feel connected to them.
If they are confident that your teaching methods are good quality, they'll be willing to be able to ask questions, and you'll profit from their experience.
If they're trusting you, you can help them.
Engage fully in the discussion and answer any questions you may have as well as posting any concerns.
#3 3. Express Yourself
Incorporate your own style into your classes. Marlene declares, "I act a little funny when I record my videos." The more character she displays in her videos and classes and lessons her videos, the more she is able to establish a deep personal connection to her students.
It's easy to start today. Take our FREE instruction course Learn the five steps needed to begin creating and marketing your online course, so you are able to create your own online course company from scratch.
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