Program Design for Coaches: How to Build Group Coaching Programs That Sell, Scale Your Business, and Free Up Your Time – Details, episodes & analysis

You're building your first online course and you can't stop asking: how long should it be?

You've searched for answers. Maybe you even bought a course creation program hoping they'd tell you. But nobody gives you a straight answer.

In this episode, I share 4 course length realities no one talks about - and they directly affect whether your course succeeds or fails.

You'll learn:

• Why the "more content = more value" myth is destroying course completion rates
• What actually determines how much you can charge (hint: it's not length)
• Real numbers for modules, lessons, and lesson length
• Why I can't give you the exact answer for your course - and why that's actually freeing

After 17 years as an educator and online course designer, I've seen what works and what doesn't. The courses that transform students aren't the longest ones. They're the ones that give students exactly what they need to get results - nothing more, nothing less.

I'm Dr. Curtis Satterfield. I spent 17 years as a college professor building over 30 courses from scratch, and I help fully booked coaches build group programs that deliver real results for their clients and scale their business without adding more hours. 

Ready to build a program that delivers real results? Book a free Program Roadmap Call and let's figure out the right next steps for you: https://curtissatterfield.com/work-with-curtis/

Note: This episode was recorded under the show's original name, Course Creation for Solopreneurs. The podcast is now called Program Design for Coaches. The name changed to better reflect what's actually working in the coaching space right now. Group programs where the coach is present and involved are what's selling, and that's the direction this show has moved. The instructional design principles in this episode apply whether you're building a course or a group program, so everything you hear still works. 

Send me a message!

You want to build a course that helps people. But when you sit down to actually create it, you're staring at a blank screen thinking... what do I actually put in this thing? Most course creators just record everything they know and hope something sticks. That's why their students don't finish - and why refund requests pile up.

In this episode, I share 5 truths I've learned in 17 years as an educator that separate courses that transform students from courses that just dump information.

You'll learn:

• Why nobody buys a course for information - and what they're actually paying for
• The "ladder test" for making sure every lesson has a clear, actionable outcome
• How to sequence your content so students build momentum instead of forgetting everything
• The difference between teaching and dumping (and why one of my students remembered a lesson years later on the job)
• How to know what to cut - because more content actually makes your course worse

Here's what most course creation programs won't tell you: your students aren't paying for hours of content. They're paying to go from "I don't know how" to "I did it." If you don't design your course around that transformation, no amount of marketing will save it.

I'm Dr. Curtis Satterfield. I spent 17 years as a college professor building over 30 courses from scratch, and I help fully booked coaches build group programs that deliver real results for their clients and scale their business without adding more hours. 

Ready to stop spinning your wheels? Book a free Program Roadmap Call and let's figure out the right next steps for your course: https://curtissatterfield.com/work-with-curtis/

Note: This episode was recorded under the show's original name, Course Creation for Solopreneurs. The podcast is now called Program Design for Coaches. The name changed to better reflect what's actually working in the coaching space right now. Group programs where the coach is present and involved are what's selling, and that's the direction this show has moved. The instructional design principles in this episode apply whether you're building a course or a group program, so everything you hear still works. 

Send me a message!

Passive income from online courses is a lie. At least the way course gurus sell it to solopreneurs.

You followed the launch formula. Built your list. Sent the emails. Did everything the gurus told you to do. And you got almost no sales.

In this episode, I share the story of my first course launch. $2,000 spent on a program. Six weeks of work. 2,000 people on my list. One sale. I break down why this happens to most course creators and what actually works instead.

You'll learn:

• Why the success stories you see are cherry-picked from the top 5%
• The real reason launch-focused programs fail most students
• What "passive income" from courses actually looks like
• The one question you need to answer before building anything

The truth is, you can build something where your work multiplies if you start in the right place.

I'm Dr. Curtis Satterfield. I spent 17 years as a college professor building over 30 courses from scratch, and I help fully booked coaches build group programs that deliver real results for their clients and scale their business without adding more hours. 

Ready to build a course that works? Book a free Program Roadmap Call and let's figure out the right next steps for your course: https://curtissatterfield.com/work-with-curtis/

Note: This episode was recorded under the show's original name, Course Creation for Solopreneurs. The podcast is now called Program Design for Coaches. The name changed to better reflect what's actually working in the coaching space right now. Group programs where the coach is present and involved are what's selling, and that's the direction this show has moved. The instructional design principles in this episode apply whether you're building a course or a group program, so everything you hear still works. 

Send me a message!

Course creation as a solopreneur doesn't have to be overwhelming. In this episode, I'm sharing my complete framework for building an online course that actually transforms your students and grows your business.

You'll learn:

• Why most course creation programs set you up to fail (and what to do instead)
• How to identify exactly who your course is for and what they actually need
• The one-sentence test that tells you if your transformation is clear enough to build
• How to structure your modules and lessons so students finish instead of dropping off
• Why information alone doesn't create transformation and what to do about it
• The recording and editing basics that make your course look professional without spending a fortune

Most course creation advice focuses on marketing and launching. But here's the problem: if your course doesn't actually transform people, no amount of marketing will save it. You'll be grinding for every sale because your course isn't doing any of the work for you. When you build a course that transforms students, they leave testimonials, tell their friends, and book your higher-ticket services. Your course starts growing your business instead of you constantly pushing it.

I'm Dr. Curtis Satterfield. I spent 17 years as a college professor building over 30 courses from scratch, and I help fully booked coaches build group programs that deliver real results for their clients and scale their business without adding more hours. 

Ready to stop spinning your wheels? Book a free Program Roadmap Call and let's figure out the right next steps for your course: https://curtissatterfield.com/work-with-curtis/

Note: This episode was recorded under the show's original name, Course Creation for Solopreneurs. The podcast is now called Program Design for Coaches. The name changed to better reflect what's actually working in the coaching space right now. Group programs where the coach is present and involved are what's selling, and that's the direction this show has moved. The instructional design principles in this episode apply whether you're building a course or a group program, so everything you hear still works. Note: This episode was recorded under the show's original name, Course Creation for Solopreneurs. The podcast is now called Program Design for Coaches. The name changed to better reflect what's actually working in the coaching space right now. Group programs where the coach is present and involved are what's selling, and that's the direction this show has moved. The instructional design principles in this episode apply whether you're building a course or a group program, so everything you hear still works. 

Send me a message!

You bought a course creation program expecting to learn how to build your course. But module after module was about launching, selling, and marketing - with almost nothing on how to actually structure your content so students get results.

In this episode, I share the story of Anna, a book coach who paid $2,000 for a course creation program and asked for a refund. Then I walk you through the specific guidance I gave her that helped her sell out two courses.

You'll learn:

• Why understanding your student's transformation drives every other course decision
• How to structure lessons so students see progress and don't get overwhelmed
• The "stepping stones" approach to lesson outcomes that keeps students moving forward
• Whether you should show your face on camera (and the dating profile problem that catches most creators)
• What Anna said she actually needed that the expensive program never gave her

The big programs give you marketing strategies and launch frameworks. But when you sit down to actually build your course? You're on your own. That's the gap I help course creators fill - designing courses that transform students into fans who come back for more and sell your next launch for you.

I'm Dr. Curtis Satterfield. I spent 17 years as a college professor building over 30 courses from scratch, and I help fully booked coaches build group programs that deliver real results for their clients and scale their business without adding more hours. 

Ready to stop spinning your wheels? Book a free Program Roadmap Call and let's figure out the right next steps for your course: https://curtissatterfield.com/work-with-curtis/

Note: This episode was recorded under the show's original name, Course Creation for Solopreneurs. The podcast is now called Program Design for Coaches. The name changed to better reflect what's actually working in the coaching space right now. Group programs where the coach is present and involved are what's selling, and that's the direction this show has moved. The instructional design principles in this episode apply whether you're building a course or a group program, so everything you hear still works. 

Send me a message!

Course design determines whether your second launch is easier or harder than your first. Learn how to build an online course that turns students into your marketing team.

Your first course launch is a grind. You don't have testimonials, success stories, or proof that your course works. You're convincing people to take a chance on something unproven. But your second launch? That one should be easier. And whether it is or isn't comes down to what happens inside your course after people buy.

In this episode, I'll show you the system that turns your students into your marketing team and three things you can do right now to make it work.

You'll learn:

• Why your second launch depends on what happens after the sale
• The growth cycle that makes each launch easier than the last
• How to design lessons as stepping stones so students don't get overwhelmed
• Why sequencing matters and how to build your course in the right order
• The curse of knowledge and how it's causing your students to quit

Most course creation advice focuses on launching and marketing. But a fancy launch won't save a course that doesn't transform your students. When your students get results, they become your marketing team. They give you testimonials. They tell their friends. And your next launch gets easier.

I'm Dr. Curtis Satterfield. I spent 17 years as a college professor building over 30 courses from scratch, and I help fully booked coaches build group programs that deliver real results for their clients and scale their business without adding more hours. 

Ready to stop spinning your wheels? Book a free Course Roadmap Call and let's figure out the right next steps for your course: https://curtissatterfield.com/work-with-curtis/

Note: This episode was recorded under the show's original name, Course Creation for Solopreneurs. The podcast is now called Program Design for Coaches. The name changed to better reflect what's actually working in the coaching space right now. Group programs where the coach is present and involved are what's selling, and that's the direction this show has moved. The instructional design principles in this episode apply whether you're building a course or a group program, so everything you hear still works. 

Send me a message!

Welcome to Program Design for Coaches, the podcast that helps fully booked coaches build group programs that scale their business, deliver real results for their clients, and free up their time.

I'm Dr. Curtis Satterfield. I've spent 17 years as an educator and course designer, building over 30 programs from scratch. On this show I'll help you build group programs that actually work. Programs your clients finish, that generate real testimonials, and that make scaling your business a whole lot easier.

Send me a message!

Online course completion is the key to course creation success. If your students aren't finishing, you're not getting testimonials, referrals, or repeat buyers. Just silence.

The problem isn't your content. It's that your students don't understand why each lesson matters to them. And the common advice to "just explain why" doesn't work because it relies on you remembering to do it every single time.

In this episode, I'll show you two structural tools that build purpose into every lesson automatically.

You'll learn:

• Why students check out even when your content is solid
• The real reason "start with why" advice fails most course creators
• The Outcome Test: one question that forces clarity into every lesson
• How to use Problem-Example-Lesson structure to make students care before you teach
• Why building purpose into your course architecture beats relying on willpower

Here's what most course creation programs won't tell you: the courses that generate testimonials and referrals aren't doing it because of fancy production or better marketing. They're doing it because students actually finish, implement, and get results. And that happens when every lesson has a clear purpose your students can feel.

I'm Dr. Curtis Satterfield. I spent 17 years as a college professor building over 30 courses from scratch, and I help fully booked coaches build group programs that deliver real results for their clients and scale their business without adding more hours. 

Ready to stop spinning your wheels? Book a free Program Roadmap Call and let's figure out the right next steps for your course: https://curtissatterfield.com/work-with-curtis/

Note: This episode was recorded under the show's original name, Course Creation for Solopreneurs. The podcast is now called Program Design for Coaches. The name changed to better reflect what's actually working in the coaching space right now. Group programs where the coach is present and involved are what's selling, and that's the direction this show has moved. The instructional design principles in this episode apply whether you're building a course or a group program, so everything you hear still works. 

Send me a message!

Are you ready to record your online course lessons but unsure whether to write a full script, use bullet points, or just wing it? This episode explores essential techniques for course creation that help solopreneurs build an online course that truly connects with their students. Learn from my 17 years of experience as an educator and course designer as I break down the three main approaches to lesson delivery and share which method works best.

You'll learn:

• Why repeating yourself on camera tanks your credibility (and how scripts prevent it)
• The minimum preparation you need before hitting record
• How to read a script without sounding robotic
• When bullet points are enough (and when they'll get you in trouble)
• A simple tool that changed how I record everything

The aim isn't perfection but presenting your authentic self while covering everything your students need to succeed. Whether you are just starting to create an online course or looking to improve your delivery, these tips will save you time and help you design more engaging lessons.

I'm Dr. Curtis Satterfield. I spent 17 years as a college professor building over 30 courses from scratch, and I help fully booked coaches build group programs that deliver real results for their clients and scale their business without adding more hours. 

Ready to move forward with your course creation? Book a free Program Roadmap Call to get personalized guidance: https://curtissatterfield.com/work-with-curtis/

Note: This episode was recorded under the show's original name, Course Creation for Solopreneurs. The podcast is now called Program Design for Coaches. The name changed to better reflect what's actually working in the coaching space right now. Group programs where the coach is present and involved are what's selling, and that's the direction this show has moved. The instructional design principles in this episode apply whether you're building a course or a group program, so everything you hear still works. 

Send me a message!

You build an online course, launch it, and only a few people sign up. For solopreneurs trying to create an online course that grows their business, low enrollment feels like failure. But it doesn't have to be.

In this episode, I share exactly what happened when my course launch got only one paid student, and the course creation strategies I used to turn it into a sold-out relaunch just months later.

You'll learn:

• Why low enrollment only matters for certain types of courses
• How to cap your enrollment so selling feels easier and scarcity stays honest
• The "scholarship" strategy that filled my seats without destroying my pricing
• Why slashing your price after a bad course launch backfires long-term
• The one thing I asked from free students that made my relaunch completely different

A disappointing first launch isn't the end. It's an investment in testimonials, refined content, and a better second launch - but only if you play it right.

I'm Dr. Curtis Satterfield. I spent 17 years as a college professor building over 30 courses from scratch, and I help fully booked coaches build group programs that deliver real results for their clients and scale their business without adding more hours. 

Ready to stop spinning your wheels? Book a free Program Roadmap Call and let's figure out the right next steps for your course: https://curtissatterfield.com/work-with-curtis/

Note: This episode was recorded under the show's original name, Course Creation for Solopreneurs. The podcast is now called Program Design for Coaches. The name changed to better reflect what's actually working in the coaching space right now. Group programs where the coach is present and involved are what's selling, and that's the direction this show has moved. The instructional design principles in this episode apply whether you're building a course or a group program, so everything you hear still works. 

Send me a message!