The Online Course Show is all about exchanging knowledge and helping course creators succeed. I LOVE going straight to the source and hearing people’s firsthand knowledge about what has worked for their business. And it’s always great to share my own observations and bounce ideas off other people in the same entrepreneurial space.
There is something for everyone on the show. Funnel hacking, high level strategy, nitty gritty processes, book reviews, productivity tips… the list goes on.
My guests and our discussions run the gamut: we leave no niche uncovered and no online course topic unexplored!
Maybe you’re just starting to think about creating an online course. Or maybe you’re 15 years in with a flourishing membership and millions of YouTube views. No matter where you are in your journey, The Online Course Show is the best way to stay current on online course trends and learn from successful course creators.
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250: The Secret to Building the Go-To Course in Any Niche (Featuring Jasmine Jonte)
Thursday, February 20, 2025 • Duration 53:15
In this episode, I sat down with Jasmine Jonte, a true expert in course creation and founder of Cre8tion Co. Jasmine has helped top consultants, speakers, and coaches craft online courses that are not only engaging but also deliver powerful results. She shared her secrets for building courses that students rave about, explaining the key elements that make a course impactful, actionable, and unforgettable.
We dove deep into topics like how to structure a course for maximum engagement, common mistakes to avoid, and what separates a successful course from the rest. Whether you’re creating your very first course or looking to revamp an existing one, Jasmine’s insights will inspire you to level up your course game and stand out in your niche.
249: Maximize Productivity & Ditch Stress: My 7 Rules That Work Every Time
Thursday, February 13, 2025 • Duration 11:30
Feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or like there’s never enough time in the day? In this episode, I share the exact system that transformed my productivity and helped me reclaim my time while staying fully present with my family.
These seven powerful rules, refined through my own trial and error, will help you go from spinning your wheels to crushing your goals. Plus, I’m introducing you to two game-changing tools that can take your productivity to the next level. Whether you’re scaling your online course business or simply looking to get more done with less stress, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to help you thrive.
Crafting a killer logo doesn’t have to be daunting! Whether you're starting out or revamping your brand, discover practical tips and tools to design a logo that stands out.
Episode Highlights:
Why your logo matters—but not more than progress in your business.
Key logo design principles: simplicity, audience alignment, flexibility, and memorability.
Jacques’ experience with DIY logos and why outsourcing is the smarter move.
A step-by-step guide to running a logo design contest on 48hourslogo.com.
153: Putting Student Experience First & The Pain Of Getting an iPhone App Approved (featuring Chris Benetti)
Tuesday, October 27, 2020 • Duration 01:28
For those of you who have been listening to the podcast for a while, you know that I’ve been on the hunt researching a ton of new platforms for the reboot of my online piano course. On today’s episode, I interviewed with Chris Benetti from Members Pro - one of these many platforms I’ve been looking into. Chris and I had a great chat about what it takes to create a new online course-focused platform, how to ensure student success, the pain of creating Apple apps, and much more.
“If you don’t have people coming through your course and having success, you don’t really have a proper business… Do everything you can help people to have success with your programs and to create raving fans with what you’ve built for them.”
-Chris Benetti
In This Episode, We Talked About:
(0:42) What I’m excited about for rebooting vs. relaunching
(2:16) How my live bootcamp is going
(3:55) Thoughts from David on his friend’s course journey
(8:04) Will we watch The Social Dilemma?
(9:07) Staying on the lookout for and inspiration best practices
(12:40) The Win of the Week and our thoughts
(20:12) How you can submit your own Win of the Week
(20:58) Setting the stage for today’s video
(24:07) Chris’s entry into the online course world
(28:59) Why Chris’s focus resonates with me
(31:51) Talking ClickFunnels cons and my journey
(33:53) Why Chris created Members Pro
(35:19) Comparing Members Pro to other platforms
(38:11) What Members Pro is working on now
(43:31) Future features vs. current selling points
(46:03) Customizable course themes
(47:32) Platform self-promotion and my dream app wishlist
(49:03) When Members Pro is rolling out new features
(52:11) Chris’s thoughts on apps with Apple integration vs. Google
(58:51) How Chris and his business partner started working together
(1:02:43) His advice for new and aspiring course creators
(1:04:12) Where to find Chris online
(1:05:29) Thoughts on online course fulfillment
(1:07:07) David’s thoughts on affiliate opportunities
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152: Better Business Model: Online Courses or SaaS? (featuring Brennan Dunn)
Tuesday, October 20, 2020 • Duration 01:27:09
If you know anything about how I run my online course business, you know I love automation, segmentation, and all the behind-the-scenes processes that lead to having a successful online course. Brennan Dunn is a master of these topics and has done extremely well in his niche, so I’ve been looking forward to interviewing him. But Brennan is not a one-trick pony: in his “spare time” he has a successful Saas business and flies planes for fun! It was great to get his perspective on what works for him, how he juggles different passions, and hear his advice for new and aspiring course creators.
“The best courses are reactions to what people are already telling you.”
- Brennan Dunn
In This Episode, We Talked About:
(0:40) Thoughts on an honor my business recently received + how I got my face on TV
(4:15) How things are going with my new hire
(6:32) Is David selling my piano course? And what my affiliate structure looks like
(10:00) The backstory for today’s interview
(12:57) Flying vs. working on Brennan’s online course business
(15:10) Where Brennan spends most of his time
(18:15) Getting off the hamster wheel while keeping things running smoothly
(21:46) Comparing funnel strategies
(25:34) How Brennan creates text-based courses
(26:46) His very first course sale
(29:39) Do older models still work?
(31:26) How I heard about Brennan and Right Message
(32:44) Who is a good fit for RightMessage?
(43:06) The importance of split-testing for targeted marketing
(48:49) Brennan’s thoughts on SaaS businesses versus online courses
(52:33) Lifestyle considerations
(54:46) How Brennan handles using brand names in his course names
(57:52) Platforms and tools he loves
(59:56) Community building for online courses
(1:02:22) Brennan’s advice for new and aspiring course creators
(1:06:24) Why live course components are underrated
(1:08:00) Where to find Brennan and his products
(1:08:53) David and I discuss Brennan’s story
(1:10:02) Improving systems and planning for “2nd resolution season”
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151: Courses Change Lives – A Success Story from Jacques’ Piano Course (featuring Ken Richard)
Tuesday, October 13, 2020 • Duration 01:14:17
If you’re an online course creator, you know that hearing from successful students about their progress is one of the best feelings in the world! Today’s interview wasn’t originally destined for this show, but talking to my former student Ken Richard reminded me how powerful it is to hear when your resources have made an impact on someone’s life. At the end of the day, student success is the most important goal of any online course, so I hope you feel inspired by what you hear today. ;)
“With all the noise in our lives, you just don’t know what you can do… Push yourself. If it’s uncomfortable, that’s where you’ve got to go.”
- Ken Richard
In This Episode, We Talked About:
(0:45) Why today’s episode is different
(1:24) Thoughts from David on helping people go further and trying new ways of doing things
(9:48) Setting the stage for today’s conversation
(11:54) The experience that inspired Ken to get into piano
(16:54) Why he chose Piano In 21 Days
(23:02) Where to find Ken’s original music and what his endgame is
(26:33) The highlight of his piano journey so far
(30:52) Unlocking potential and why it doesn’t have to be so hard
(36:09) The power of being able to share your passion
(40:07) How Ken got over his reluctance to start composing
(43:50) Learning from different teachers and branching out
(48:12) Is it possible to learn piano so quickly?
(51:03) Our thoughts on Ken’s journey
(52:51) Why David thinks I should share certain success stories even more
(54:34) Living the lives we want to live
(56:48) The “bomb and gauge” technique
(59:06) Favorite concert experiences
(1:01:38) Do we have famous doppelgangers?
(1:03:10) Composition vs. improvisation
(1:06:14) Wrapping up
(1:08:59) A song from Ken
That’s all for now, folks! See you on the next episode of The Online Course Show.
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150: A Launch That Loses Money to a 6-Figure Launch 3 Months Later – What Changed? (Featuring Kate Kordsmeier)
Tuesday, October 6, 2020 • Duration 01:46:52
If you’ve been listening to this podcast for a while, you know that my first online course was not an instant success. That’s why I love hearing from other course creators about the highs and lows of their own online course journeys. Guest Kate Kordsmeier has a fascinating tale of successful blogging, making money, losing money, and turning it all around.
“What I liked about courses was that it was a way to reach many more people, i.e. have a bigger impact but without having to do more work. I was trying to find something that was a little bit more scaleable, a little bit more passive...”
- Kate Kordsmeier
In This Episode, We Talked About:
(0:47) Catching up with David on getting traction with your content
(2:49) Reflecting on who’s inspired us and how co-hosting is going
(5:01) Why David’s learning about standup comedy
(7:46) What I’ve been working on lately
(9:06) Celebrating progress with my Next Level Course students
(11:23) Introducing Kate and how she got started in online courses
(14:21) Why online courses instead of a book or a blog post?
(18:09) Going beyond basic content
(19:59) How Kate handles video coaching
(25:30) What about students who aren’t on social media?
(29:00) Value propositions + success stories
(34:11) How Kate has structured her course content
(35:32) Taking the course from idea to finished product
(38:39) Learning from a low point
(43:18) How Kate’s launch style has evolved
(44:59) Does passive income really exist?
(48:55) How the pandemic has affected her family and business
(54:39) Transitioning into an evergreen marketing model
(1:00:41) My suggestions for how Kate could relaunch to people on her list
(1:08:44) Conversion rates and traffic sources
(1:11:06) Making decisions based on niche and personality
(1:19:01) Kate’s favorite tools and platforms
(1:28:31) Advice for new and aspiring course creators
(1:30:52) David and I discuss the launch rollercoaster
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149: Nate Dodson is Back with Updates on his 7-Figure Microgreens Course Business
Tuesday, September 29, 2020 • Duration 57:50
Hands down, today’s guest has been the most-requested by my podcast listeners for quite some time. Way back when I first started The Online Course Show, Nate Dodson joined me each week as co-host and new course creator. The rest is history! And at long last here we are with an update of where Nate’s at with his course business, what’s changed for him (and what hasn’t), plus a fun bonus story that may call into question the definition of “takeout.”
“There was a huge demand for this, and no one was filling the demand. I jumped right in… If you’re going to get started in an online business, being smart about it, doing some research, and finding areas of unfulfilled demand will make it feel more like luck.”
- Nate Dodson
In This Episode, We Talked About:
(0:43) Bringing back a much-requested guest to the show
(1:50) Milestones and different ways of measuring success
(8:50) How Nate discovered his niche and how it works
(10:23) Radical personal finance and failing to succeed
(15:43) Has having a profitable business changed Nate’s lifestyle?
(17:44) A question from David’s wife
(19:20) Ideas vs. money
(21:53) A typical week for Nate now that his business is mostly automated
(24:16) Accountability and maintenance
(25:38) Perks of having an online business
(27:24) Considerations about hiring employees vs. contractors
(29:52) Success stories from Nate’s students
(32:10) Exciting moments in the online course journey
(33:48) How Nate and I met
(35:36) Burning out and looking to the future
(41:30) Are physical product offerings worth it?
(43:06) (Not so) embarrassing stories from early on
(46:38) Favorite podcast recommendations
(47:37) Nate’s advice for new and aspiring course creators
(50:37) Thoughts on passive income
(53:46) His favorite software and tools
(54:40) Motivation and mentorship
(56:55) Wrapping up
That’s all for now, folks! See you on the next episode of The Online Course Show.
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Books and Resources:
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Jacques’ Courses:
David’s Courses:
148: 7 Figures Teaching Photography by Focusing on Transformation (Featuring Tim Shields)
Tuesday, September 22, 2020 • Duration 02:24:31
Just like anything else in life, not everyone in the online course community is the same or does things the same way. And that’s a good thing, because it means I get to interview other course creators and find how they’ve achieved success - even if their approach differs in some ways than mine. Today’s guest Tim Shields is the perfect example of this, and we had a great discussion about what works for him and his business.
“You have to take the first step… Stop dreaming and start taking action.”
- Tim Shields
This episode is chock-full of interesting tidbits and inspiring stories, so I hope you enjoy tuning in!
In This Episode, We Talked About:
(0:37) Upgrading and re-recording my course content
(2:43) Will my course always be on ClickFunnels?
(3:58) Expanding my team
(9:14) Backstory for today’s interview
(10:22) The Two Comma Club and what it means to Tim
(13:24) Digital vs. physical products
(16:35) How Tim found his passion and why he didn’t start sooner
(20:02) His “origin story”
(24:04) Where Tim’s audience came from
(26:39) How his lead magnet works
(28:31) The secret of successful masterclasses
(32:20) Transformation vs. information
(35:20) Communicating the concept of why his course is different
(37:09) Success stories from Tim’s students
(41: 23) Why we initially connected
(42:26) The value of awarding students for their achievements
(51:26) Incentives and tie-ins
(53:07) How Tim handles his student community
(52:10) Webinar systems and strategies
(1:04:38) Tim’s thoughts on selling additional products beyond an online course
(1:05:35) An aside on synergy and Tim’s work schedule
(1:06:29) Selling something new with tangible scarcity
(1:08:41) The circle of focus
(1:11:39) Tim’s course offerings with multiple launch funnels
(1:17:23) The importance of testing ideas
(1:20:11) Tim’s right-hand man for video editing and how he uses that video content
Links
147: How to Run a Successful MEMBERSHIP with over 2,500 Active Members (Featuring Dr. Marnie Ginsberg)
Tuesday, September 15, 2020 • Duration 01:33:01
When I first started researching Dr. Marnie Ginsberg’s story, I was blown away by the success she’d had in helping teachers help their students improve their reading literacy. It was a no-brainer that I had to have her on The Online Course Show to talk about how her membership model course has worked, what she’s learned on her online course journey, and why she’s so passionate about what she does.
“Don’t get overwhelmed by all the things. No one can do all the things, [so] focus on finding the core things… Consistency and persistence and listening to your community will teach you to provide what they want.”
- Dr. Marnie Ginsberg
It was fantastic to hear about the impact that Dr. Marnie’s resources are making on the world. Chatting with her was super-inspiring, and I think you’re going to really enjoy hearing what has worked for her business as it's grown!
In This Episode, We Talked About:
(0:44) Upgrades and updates
(4:11) Engaging an audience while giving presentations virtually
(8:41) Relaunch magic
(9:45) Setting the stage for today’s interview
(11:45) Introducing Dr. Marnie and why she created her course
(14:53) Why this niche is so important both for families and teachers
(21:12) Dr. Marnie’s membership model
(23:47) How she set up her course + membership business
(28:17) Group coaching considerations
(30:37) Building a community and platform choices
(33:54) How does Dr. Marnie keep retention rates up?
(37:06) Learning from bingeable shows like Stranger Things
(39:10) Can a membership site get too big?
(41:04) What led Dr. Marnie to dive deeper into her niche and share it with the world
(45:38) First sales, breakthroughs, and passion
(50:07) Her response to skeptics (plus parallels and contrasts with piano learning)
(52:21) Stories of how her resources have impacted people’s lives
(56:24) Being a guide for students on their learning journey
(1:00:09) Where does Dr. Marnie’s traffic come from?
(1:02:43) How much is too much to spend on Facebook leads?
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