Selling Courses: The Illusion of Easy Success Unveiled
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Chapter 1: The Deceptive Allure of Online Courses
When it comes to selling online courses, there's a troubling trend that merits discussion. For just $497, you can learn how to market courses priced at the same amount!
There are few practices as disheartening as marketing courses to individuals who are unlikely to gain anything meaningful from them. This phenomenon is rampant online, where digital nomads craft quick-fix solutions, heavily promote them, and guide the unsuspecting into their profit-driven schemes.
It's disillusioning to witness this unfold. Why not just admit, "I'm peddling empty promises and unrealistic dreams"? Sure, you might see a dip in sales, but at least you'd reclaim your integrity.
We often encounter individuals boasting about their "freedom" from traditional jobs, showcasing snippets of their seemingly perfect lifestyles as creators. You might find yourself envisioning a life unshackled from conventional work, embodying the dream of a 4-Hour Workweek. Yet, this is merely an illusion.
What these "creators" neglect to reveal is that their achievements often stem from a mix of timing and luck. They likely wouldn’t replicate their success if given a different context or timeframe. As Heraclitus wisely noted, "No man ever steps in the same river twice. For it's not the same river and he's not the same man."
Section 1.1: The Reality of Teaching and Learning
It's essential to recognize that many online instructors lack a solid grasp of effective teaching methodologies. Tossing together a PowerPoint presentation and hosting a webinar is not sufficient for quality education.
Moreover, failure is often woven into the fabric of this industry. Course sellers typically collect payment upfront without properly vetting whether the student is a good fit for their program. Online courses are primarily about generating income and hype rather than ensuring student success. Occasionally, a few individuals who would have succeeded regardless of the course may end up showcased as "success stories."
To those considering becoming a writer, there are plenty of invaluable "hacks" and "tips" available without the need to pay someone with flashy marketing tactics hundreds of dollars for the same information.
Tim Wise emphasizes a crucial point: focusing on the quality of your writing will produce work that captivates readers, rather than content they settle for because they didn't bother searching deeper than the first Google result.
Subsection 1.1.1: Practical Steps to Becoming a Writer
The second piece of advice? Read extensively and indulge in quality literature.
Chapter 2: The Ineffectiveness of Most Training Programs
As discussed in my article, "Most Training is Useless," the primary issue with training initiatives is their low application rate. Individuals who enroll in online courses often walk away with notes but little else. Unfortunately, they are not on a path to success.
A mere fraction of formal training translates into practical application, rendering much of the business training a fruitless endeavor for all parties involved. True learning emerges from doing, experimenting, and a protracted journey of self-discovery.
If your aspiration is to be a writer, welcome aboard! The road to success is long and requires dedicated discipline to refine your craft through extensive reading and persistent writing.
If you found this post insightful, you may enjoy these related articles. For additional reading, consider these excellent books on writing:
- The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
- The Art and Business of Online Writing by Nicolas Cole
- Show Your Work by Austin Kleon
- On Writing by Stephen King
- On Writing Well by William Zinsser
- Elements of Style by Strunk and White
- The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp
- The Art of Work by Jeff Goins
- Real Artists Don't Starve by Jeff Goins
Chapter 3: The Truth Behind Online Course Success
The first video titled "Creator Courses: Selling Dreams as Products" delves into the intricacies of marketing courses that often promise more than they deliver. It explores the motivations behind creators and the realities of online education.
The second video, "I sold $21M of online courses only to learn this," provides an eye-opening perspective on the pitfalls of online course creation, shedding light on crucial lessons learned from significant financial endeavors.