The Art of Online Course Creation | Helping Experts Build Impactful Courses That Get Real Results – Details, episodes & analysis

If your current audience-building plan still starts with “I’ll just open a free Facebook group,” this episode offers a thoughtful pause and a practical alternative.

Shannon Boyer breaks down why the free Facebook group model has lost much of its effectiveness, what’s shifted in the online landscape, and why more course creators are moving toward an ecosystem-based approach that reduces friction for both you and your students. You’ll also hear why Shannon—who resisted Skool for a long time—changed her mind after experiencing it from the student side, and how that experience reshaped how she thinks about lead magnets, community, and course delivery.

Rather than treating “community” as a separate add-on you have to constantly coax people into, this conversation explores a model where the community is the front door—and the course content lives right beside it.

In this conversation, you’ll hear Shannon unpack:

• What changed with Facebook groups, and why “dead group” fatigue is becoming the norm
• The hidden cost of building on rented land, especially when your business relies on consistent visibility and engagement
• Why the biggest issue is not reach, but friction (and how friction quietly kills follow-through)
• How Skool flips the traditional course platform model by making community the main dashboard and coursework the adjacent layer
• The freemium concept as a cleaner “front door” into paid programs, without pulling people across multiple platforms
• The specific features that make Skool feel more like a business hub than a content warehouse (including events, reminders, native video, and member-to-member interaction)
• The tradeoffs worth knowing before you switch platforms, including the limitations that may matter depending on how you sell

The Build Lab (Skool community)
Shannon’s community for course creators who want to build high-quality, high-impact courses that deliver real results.

You can start for $12/year, which includes:

• Access to the Validate Your Best Course mini-course
• A full year inside the Build Lab community
• The option to upgrade later if you want deeper support

Skool free trial + affiliate link
If you want to explore Skool for your own offers,  you can access a 14-day free trial here.

If you’ve been questioning where to host your course, how to build community without burning yourself out, or how to replace the old free Facebook group strategy with something more sustainable, this episode will give you a clearer framework for what to do next.

Get started on your own course creation journey or learn how to make your existing course even better at The "Your Best Course" Build Lab, my interactive and supportive online community.

To get started creating your own online course, check out my new freebie that will take you through the steps of choosing a topic that will be profitable for YOU.

To book a call to discuss your options and see if working together makes sense.  Click here. 😊

You can feel it when someone’s ready for their next chapter.

In this coaching-style episode, I’m joined by Kathy Kwon, a brand + website designer who helps creativity-driven entrepreneurs stand out authentically through strategic branding and website design. Kathy’s work is rooted in visual storytelling, and after years of delivering high-touch, one-on-one services, she’s ready to explore what it could look like to bring her expertise into the world of online courses.

But she’s at a crossroads that will feel very familiar if you’ve ever thought, “I want to create a course… I just don’t know which direction to commit to.”

Kathy is weighing two strong ideas:

• a practical, foundation-building course that would give website designers stronger visual branding skills
• a more unconventional, expressive course that helps creative entrepreneurs use design to get seen and noticed

And underneath both ideas is the real question most course creators don’t ask clearly enough:

Which one solves a problem people will actually pay to solve—and how do you find that out without building the whole course first?

In this conversation, we talk about what to do when you’re caught between “what would sell” and “what would be fun to teach,” why you shouldn’t build in isolation, and how to start gathering real feedback without needing your course to be “perfect” yet.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• The hidden difference between a course idea that’s interesting vs. one that’s painful enough to create demand
• Why identifying a “gap” in someone’s skill set isn’t the same as confirming they’ll invest time and money to close it
• How to approach student conversations so you get honest insight (without pitching your idea)
• Why building your audience and building your course need to happen at the same time
• A smart progression for new course creators: validate → create something small → build proof → expand

Mentioned in the episode

Build Lab — my community for course creators who want to actually get their course finished and done right. Inside, you’ll get support, feedback, accountability, live calls, monthly challenges, and exclusive tools (including custom GPTs), plus access to the first module of my signature course.

Connect with Kathy

Kathy’s free resource: “5 Essential Pages a Course Creator Needs on Their Website” (checklist)
Website: Bright Matters Studio
Instagram: @brightmattersstudio

Want coaching on the podcast?
If you want to be featured on a future coaching episode, fill out the form here: www.shannonlboyer.com/podcast

Get started on your own course creation journey or learn how to make your existing course even better at The "Your Best Course" Build Lab, my interactive and supportive online community.

To get started creating your own online course, check out my new freebie that will take you through the steps of choosing a topic that will be profitable for YOU.

To book a call to discuss your options and see if working together makes sense.  Click here. 😊

You can create the most brilliant curriculum in the world… but if your students feel invisible, disconnected, or lost, your course won’t deliver the results you promised.

In this episode of The Art of Online Course Creation, Shannon reveals the hidden force that can make or break your course: student touch points—the intentional moments of interaction that transform information into real learning.

From a surprising lesson she learned as a classroom teacher with a stack of essays and a red pen, to the way course creators can strategically design touch points that keep students motivated and on track, Shannon unpacks why these small, human connections often matter more than the content itself.

You’ll discover:

• Why touch points create momentum, trust, and completion in ways curriculum alone can’t.
• The unexpected way interactions with your students can actually make you a better teacher.
• How to decide the right type and number of touch points based on your course promise, your business model, and your students’ needs.

The big idea? Interaction isn’t an add-on—it is the experience.
If you want your course to stand out and truly change lives, this episode is your roadmap.

🎧 Listen now and learn how to design courses that feel guided, personal, and unforgettable.

Get started on your own course creation journey or learn how to make your existing course even better at The "Your Best Course" Build Lab, my interactive and supportive online community.

To get started creating your own online course, check out my new freebie that will take you through the steps of choosing a topic that will be profitable for YOU.

To book a call to discuss your options and see if working together makes sense.  Click here. 😊

What happens when a reluctant teacher, a vintage sewing machine, and a dial-up internet connection collide?

In this inspiring episode, Shannon sits down with Lyric Montgomery Kinard, award-winning artist, educator, and founder of the Academy for Virtual Teaching, who has spent decades guiding creatives—from quilters to course creators—toward confidence, clarity, and connection through online education.

But Lyric’s journey into the online course world wasn’t mapped out. It began unexpectedly, with young kids at home, limited travel opportunities, and a camera in hand. What followed was a series of bold pivots, from filming grainy DVDs to teaching design principles to students on every continent. Along the way, she discovered how to translate in-person energy into a compelling digital presence, how to build an audience without relying on social media, and how to step fully into her role as a guide, not the hero.

This episode is for you if:

• You’re curious about transitioning from in-person to online teaching
• You feel intimidated by technology or the idea of being on camera
• You think you need a big audience to launch a successful course
• You’re an artist, creative, or craftsperson wondering how to monetize your skills through teaching
• You’ve hit burnout and are looking for a grounded way to reconnect with your “why”

Topics We Cover:

• Lyric’s unconventional path from quilt guilds to course creation
• The myth of needing a massive audience to succeed online
• How to develop confidence on camera (and why it’s okay if it feels cringey at first)
• Why creating online courses is a creative act in itself
• Tactical advice for teachers who feel overwhelmed by video tech
• The secret to building deep trust with your audience—even without flashy marketing
• What to do when you’re starting to wonder if course creation is still right for you

Whether you’re at the very beginning of your course creation journey or years into it and looking for renewed purpose, this conversation is a reminder that there is no one right path to success—just a commitment to serving others and staying true to your values.

🎧 Listen now and discover how to build an online teaching business that fits your life—on your terms.

Lyric Kinard is an award-winning artist, educator, and author dedicated to helping artists gain confidence, refine their creative vision, and develop their unique artistic voice. With over 25 years of experience teaching art quilters and visual artists, Lyric specializes in making complex design concepts accessible and practical for creators at any level.

www.lyrickinard.com

Free Video Production Checklist

Get started on your own course creation journey or learn how to make your existing course even better at The "Your Best Course" Build Lab, my interactive and supportive online community.

To get started creating your own online course, check out my new freebie that will take you through the steps of choosing a topic that will be profitable for YOU.

To book a call to discuss your options and see if working together makes sense.  Click here. 😊

You launched your course with big intentions. The content is solid. The delivery felt strong. You know your stuff.

So why aren’t your students getting the results?

In this episode of The ART of Online Course Creation, we’re pulling back the curtain on what really causes a course to fall flat—not because you're a bad teacher, but because no one ever taught you how to design for impact.

Host Shannon Boyer takes you inside the three places most course creators overlook when transformation doesn’t happen—and why those polite testimonials, half-finished modules, or quiet student chats might not mean what you think.

If you’ve ever wondered:

• “Am I attracting the wrong people?”
• “Why aren’t they actually using what I teach?”
• “Do I need to burn this whole thing down?”

…this conversation is your permission slip not to panic—but to redesign with purpose.

This isn’t about throwing more content at the problem. It’s about finding the friction—and fixing it in a way that honors your voice and your learners.

🎙️ Listen now to discover:

• The surprising (and fixable) reason even great courses stall out
• What adult learners actually need to take action—and how to deliver it
• How to spot a misaligned audience before it drains your energy
• And the single bold idea that could change how you think about teaching online forever

🎯 Because impact isn’t accidental.
 It’s designed—with clarity, intention, and leadership.

Get started on your own course creation journey or learn how to make your existing course even better at The "Your Best Course" Build Lab, my interactive and supportive online community.

To get started creating your own online course, check out my new freebie that will take you through the steps of choosing a topic that will be profitable for YOU.

To book a call to discuss your options and see if working together makes sense.  Click here. 😊

In this episode of The ART of Online Course Creation, Shannon sits down with Kelly Leardon, founder of Walk Like Warriors, a woman who’s redefining what it means to grow a business on your own terms.

Kelly’s journey didn’t start with a flashy viral moment or a large following. In fact, it began with a phone call she never should have answered - on her daughter’s wedding day, no less. 

That moment of regret turned into a powerful catalyst, pushing her to leave a corporate dream job behind and build something better.

Fast forward to today, and Kelly has scaled a thriving business without sacrificing her personal life, her family, or her values. She’s proof that it doesn’t take a massive audience to create real impact. It takes intention, authenticity, and an unwavering commitment to your customers.

Throughout this episode, you’ll hear:

• The story of how a pivotal family moment became the spark for a business built on integrity and balance.
• Kelly’s candid reflections on how to build an algorithm-proof business that doesn’t rely on trends, going viral, or catchy dances.
• Her no-nonsense approach to course creation and why she believes you should burn it down and start over (again and again) until it actually gets results.
• How she balances the demands of entrepreneurship without letting work consume her life (and why she won’t compromise on weekends or family time).
• The spicy takes she’s not afraid to share about the myths of overnight success and why so much of the social media advice out there doesn’t hold up in real life.

Kelly also opens up about her mission: to serve women who are spinning a million plates, to show them that it’s possible to build businesses that work for their lives, not the other way around.

Whether you’re just getting started or you’ve been at it for years, this episode is a rallying cry to rethink the hustle and embrace a slower, smarter, and more sustainable way of building something that lasts.

Tune in to hear Kelly’s unfiltered insights, and why it’s not about the size of your following, but the size of your commitment to getting your people real results.

Kelly Leardon is the powerhouse behind Walk Like Warriors, a business strategy brand that helps female entrepreneurs stop winging it and start scaling it.

As a certified Director of Operations turned Business Coach & Strategist, Kelly teaches female business owners how to structure their work like CEOs, not hobbyists, to drive real results (all while working LESS). 

You can find her at:

Walk Like Warriors website

Instagram

Check out her free Revenue Boosting resource here.

Get started on your own course creation journey or learn how to make your existing course even better at The "Your Best Course" Build Lab, my interactive and supportive online community.

To get started creating your own online course, check out my new freebie that will take you through the steps of choosing a topic that will be profitable for YOU.

To book a call to discuss your options and see if working together makes sense.  Click here. 😊

We all want our courses to help people. But how do you really know if yours is making a meaningful difference? Not just in metrics, but in someone’s life?

In this episode, Shannon shares a story of working with a successful course creator who had all the revenue but none of the spark. What changed everything wasn’t more content or better funnels, it was a renewed focus on impact.

You’ll learn:

• What course impact actually means 
• The four key signs your course is creating lasting change, and why missing even one of them matters
• How to tell if your students are truly implementing what you teach 

Whether you're questioning your course's effectiveness or simply want to ensure your students walk away transformed, this episode is your first step toward creating a course with reach, reputation, and results.

🎧 Plus: Shannon’s Bold Idea may shift how you see your role as an educator forever.

✨ Want more?

Join The Build Lab — the community for course creators who care about doing it right. With feedback, guidance, and access to Shannon’s full course-building system, it’s where real impact starts.

🗓 Next week on the podcast: Shannon chats with Kelly Leardon from Walk Like Warriors about building a thriving course business without a huge audience. You won’t want to miss it.

Get started on your own course creation journey or learn how to make your existing course even better at The "Your Best Course" Build Lab, my interactive and supportive online community.

To get started creating your own online course, check out my new freebie that will take you through the steps of choosing a topic that will be profitable for YOU.

To book a call to discuss your options and see if working together makes sense.  Click here. 😊

When you think of sales, do you immediately feel a twinge of discomfort? You’re not alone. So many brilliant course creators and online entrepreneurs find themselves stuck at the sales stage—not because they don’t believe in what they’re offering, but because the traditional methods of selling feel pushy, fake, or completely out of alignment.

Today’s guest knows exactly how that feels—and she’s built a business showing entrepreneurs a better way.

In this episode of The Art of Online Course Creation, Shannon sits down with Justine Beauregard, award-winning sales strategist, writer for Entrepreneur.com, and host of the People Over Profit podcast. Justine’s story is anything but conventional. From charging $5 for backyard puppet shows to enrolling 204 students in a brand-new group program—with no email list and no ad spend—her approach to business has always been rooted in creativity, empathy, and a deep understanding of people.

Together, Shannon and Justine explore:

• The surprising difference between marketing and sales that most course creators get backwards
• Why building an audience isn’t always your first move—and what to focus on instead
• How Justine grew a thriving course-based business using borrowed audiences and organic referrals without ever feeling salesy
• What it really means to sell in a way that feels natural, ethical, and aligned with who you are
• Why messaging matters more than metrics—and how to speak directly to the people who are already searching for you
• A fresh take on the outdated “discovery call” that might change how you connect with potential students forever

Whether you’re brand new to course creation or you’ve launched a few times and are feeling stuck, this conversation is packed with honest insight, refreshing perspective, and actionable ideas to help you sell with confidence and ease—without becoming someone you’re not.

💡 One powerful takeaway: What if the best lead generation strategy isn’t about hustling for attention… but about serving your students so well that they naturally spread the word?

Justine’s story is proof that real relationships, genuine curiosity, and a strong mission can build a business that thrives—one conversation at a time.

Website: www.justinebeauregard.com 

Podcast: https://www.justinebeauregard.com/podcast 

Instagram: https://instagram.com/justinebeauregardcoach

To access Justine's Freebies, click here.

🎧 Tune in now and get inspired to rethink how you sell, connect, and serve.

Get started on your own course creation journey or learn how to make your existing course even better at The "Your Best Course" Build Lab, my interactive and supportive online community.

To get started creating your own online course, check out my new freebie that will take you through the steps of choosing a topic that will be profitable for YOU.

To book a call to discuss your options and see if working together makes sense.  Click here. 😊

Join me in The Build Lab and get access to my new custom GPTs!

AI is everywhere. And in the online course space, it’s tempting to think it might be the shortcut we’ve all been waiting for. But what if relying on AI too soon—or too much—actually waters down the very thing that makes your course special?

In this episode, Shannon Boyer shares her unexpected shift from AI skeptic to strategic adopter—and what it took to get there. She’ll reveal how most AI tools are getting it wrong, and how you can make them work for you without compromising your unique voice, stories, or expertise.

You’ll also hear:

• Why generic course content is flooding the market—and how to avoid that trap
• The crucial moment in the course creation journey where most creators quit (and how to push through it)
• A peek into the revolutionary tools Shannon’s building—and how they’re changing the game

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by AI or unsure how to use it ethically and effectively in your business, this episode is your guide to creating with clarity, confidence, and integrity.

👉 Whether you're AI-curious or AI-cautious, don't hit publish on your next course without listening to this.

Are you ready to create your course and need the exact steps and frameworks to follow?  Check out Your Best Course Experience.

Confident in your course idea and want to get to market as quickly as possible?  Check out The Accelerator VIP Experience.

Get started on your own course creation journey or learn how to make your existing course even better at The "Your Best Course" Build Lab, my interactive and supportive online community.

To get started creating your own online course, check out my new freebie that will take you through the steps of choosing a topic that will be profitable for YOU.

To book a call to discuss your options and see if working together makes sense.  Click here. 😊

She was standing on a subway platform in New York City—pregnant, exhausted, and questioning everything.

That moment marked the beginning of Shannon Russell’s second act.

After 16 years as a successful TV producer, Shannon didn’t leave her career because she hated it—she left because her life changed. Now she’s an author, career transition coach, course creator, and host of the Second Act Success podcast, helping other women do the same.

In this heartfelt and practical conversation, we explore what it really takes to pivot from a 9-to-5 into entrepreneurship. From navigating identity shifts to launching your first course, Shannon shares the raw truth and encouraging wisdom you won’t find on your Instagram feed.

We talk about:

• Why passion alone isn’t enough—and what else you really need
• The mindset and identity shifts no one prepares you for
• How to know if online courses should be your side hustle… or your second act
• Why planning your leap (instead of just jumping) leads to more freedom, not less

If you’ve ever thought, “I want more, but I don’t know what’s next…” this one’s for you.

🎧 Listen now and let’s start mapping out your second act.

👉 Resources & Links Mentioned:

• Shannon Russell’s Website: secondactsuccess.co
• Her book Start Your Second Act – Available now!
• Follow Shannon Russell on Instagram,
• Check out Shannon's FREE Resources
• Book a discovery call with me: shannonlboyer.com/services

📌 Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review if this episode resonated with you.

Get started on your own course creation journey or learn how to make your existing course even better at The "Your Best Course" Build Lab, my interactive and supportive online community.

To get started creating your own online course, check out my new freebie that will take you through the steps of choosing a topic that will be profitable for YOU.

To book a call to discuss your options and see if working together makes sense.  Click here. 😊