Back in 2017, I launched my first online course, and, not to be dramatic, but it was kind of a disaster. A year later, I was burnt out, broke, single, and spending Christmas Eve alone in a hostel. Not exactly the glamorous course creator lifestyle I’d imagined.
Fast forward to now: I’ve got over 150,000 students across my courses, and I’ve learned a lot about what works—and what doesn’t—when it comes to creating online courses. Spoiler alert: it’s not just about throwing all your knowledge into a slide deck and hoping for the best. So grab a coffee and let me share some of the hard lessons I’ve learned.
You can watch the video below, or keep on reading!
Lesson #1: Being Great at Something ≠ Being Great at Teaching It
Let’s get real: being an expert in your field doesn’t automatically make you a great teacher. Teaching is its own skill, and it’s one that most of us don’t naturally have when we start out. Think about it—how many brilliant managers have you had who were terrible at leading? Teaching works the same way.
For me, I realised I’m not the best marketer in the world, but I’m a pretty great teacher. And that’s okay! If you’re going to invest time in learning a new skill, focus on how to teach effectively—not just perfecting your craft.
Lesson #2: Engagement Is Everything (And Completion Rates Prove It)
Did you know that the average completion rate for online courses is just 3%? Yep, three! That was me in the beginning, too. I wasn’t focusing on keeping my students engaged, and it showed. Over time, I learned how to create courses that people want to binge, like their favourite Netflix series.
The secret? Tease what’s coming up next. At the end of each lesson, I now give students a sneak peek of what they’ll learn next, and at the end of each section, I recap what they’ve learned so far. It’s simple, but it works.
Lesson #3: You Can’t Avoid the Hard Stuff
When I started, I avoided being on camera because I wasn’t confident. I thought, “Slides and a voiceover will do just fine!” But here’s the truth: your students are there for you. They want your stories, your personality, and your unique perspective—and none of that comes through in a static slide deck.
Yes, it’s more work. Yes, it’s uncomfortable at first. But showing up on camera builds trust and connection, and that’s what keeps students coming back.
Lesson #4: Adults Learn Differently (And That Matters)
Adults don’t learn the way kids do. We don’t want to sit through endless lectures; we want actionable steps we can implement now. Early on, I didn’t get this. My courses were crammed with information but lacked opportunities for students to apply what they’d learned. The result? Overwhelm, frustration, and disengagement.
Now, my courses include practical exercises after each course section, so students can apply what they’ve learned immediately. It’s been a game-changer for engagement and results.
Lesson #5: Pricing Isn’t About Course Length
One of the biggest mistakes I made early on was thinking the longer the course, the higher the price. Nope! Pricing should reflect the transformation your course provides—not how many hours of video or resources are included.
For example, a short course that helps someone land their first client is worth more than a 30-hour course filled with fluff. Focus on delivering value, not just content.
Lesson #6: Embrace Your Teaching Style
Here’s the thing: you’ll naturally teach the way you prefer to learn. I’m a visual, emoji-loving, storytelling kind of person, and that’s how I teach. My courses are full of colour, GIFs, and light-hearted moments because that’s what feels authentic to me.
Not everyone will love your style, and that’s okay. You’re not trying to be for everyone—you’re trying to be for your people. So lean into what makes your teaching style unique. The right students will appreciate it.
Lesson #7: Ask Why It Might Fail
Before launching anything, I now ask myself: Why could this fail? This helps me anticipate challenges, fix potential issues, and create something stronger. When I first started, I was so caught up in my excitement that I didn’t stop to think about what could go wrong. Trust me, a little bit of pessimism can save you a lot of stress later.
My First Course: A 32-Hour Monster
Looking back, my first course was a hot mess. It was a 32-hour behemoth designed for digital nomads, but I hadn’t thought about my audience’s needs. Most of them wanted the digital nomad lifestyle—not the hard work of mastering digital marketing. And who can blame them?
I also made it way too long, didn’t include actionable exercises, and avoided being on camera. The result? Burnout, disappointment, and a business (and relationship) that fell apart. But it taught me so much about what not to do, and for that, I’m grateful.
Final Thoughts: Trust Your Gut
If there’s one takeaway from my journey, it’s this: trust your instincts. Learn from others, but don’t feel pressured to follow advice that doesn’t feel right for you. Your first course won’t be perfect, and that’s okay. The key is to keep learning, iterating, and staying true to your unique teaching style.
If you’re an aspiring course creator, I’m working on something just for you: a resource to help you create better, more engaging, and more profitable courses. You can check it out here, and in the meantime, feel free to check out my other resources on creating a successful online course.
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