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How to avoid the most common sales mistake course creators make 

Course creators time and time again fall for this very common mistake - don't let this be you! Take the time to start at the beginning to ensure sales success.

“Getting sales is so hard!”

This is a phrase that I hear often from course creators, especially those who are more introverted in nature and honestly find it very hard to talk about their courses with people.

The struggle is real.

But it’s usually because this has happened:

1. They’ve seen others have had huge success online and want a piece of the pie

2. They have then thought up an idea for a course, recorded it and published for sale.

3. They then start telling everyone they know that it’s available

4. And no one buys. 

5. Frustration ,overwhelm and despair kick in.

“What went wrong? Why won’t it sell?” They ask...

Have you also been here?

You fell foul of the most common mistake course creators make: Creating their course upfront.


But the good news is, all is not lost if you are willing to consider returning to the start of the process, and implement changes that will then bring success to your business.


8 proven steps for course creators to sell online

Below are 8 proven steps to creating and selling an online course that has worked for myself and many of my clients;

Step 1. Get talking about what your passionate about on social media, give value and grow your audience

Step 2. Listen carefully to what people are asking you, what do they want to learn? What type of course appeals?

Step 3. Create a mini free offer that addresses a tiny bit essential part of the full solution you can provide within your course.

Step 4. Share this offer in exchange for an email so you are growing your email list

Step 5. Get more active in networking groups, communities where you are naturally part of the conversations (you are not selling)

Step 6. Now develop your course framework, state the end result when people sign-up. But don’t start recording yet. As a course creator, this is the step that will flow the most easily - enjoy it!

Step 7. Start selling the idea of the course to your email list first - validate that people want it and will pay for it. The date it starts will be in several weeks time (allowing you to record once it’s validated)

Step 8. Launch your course to the wider community, in the confidence of knowing people want what you are putting out there

Success comes when you listen first, then create your course.

But remember that course creators rarely see success overnight. Leads take time to nurture. It's important to share your value and show up as the expert you are, building momentum and then selling comes easier as you are fully connected to and believe in your solution. 

This is The Introvert Way™ of growing your business online.

If this resonates with you, and you’d like some external eyes on your process, courses and business strategy, then let’s connect by email, or you can come along to my free Facebook community, the Introvert Entrepreneurs Powerhouse and connect more casually first, attend a free Masterclass and see what is possible for you.

Last Updated, August 4, 2021

Published by Susanna Reay, November 24, 2020

About the author

Susanna Reay is The Authority Architect - an award-winning Framework Thinking® Business Coach and founder of the Authority Think-Tank who helps expert consultants and coaches turn unstructured expertise into scalable intellectual property.
A divergent thinker, she spots patterns others miss and converts them into visual frameworks that sharpen positioning, improve sales and scale delivery.
With 23 years across design and strategy, her SPARK Process® has helped hundreds of experts package their methods into frameworks they can teach, license and grow across group programmes, advisory and speaking.
Her clients become the names people tag, the experts people reference, the go-to voices their industry trusts. They gain clarity, confidence and recognition so they can attract better buyers and build work that endures.
Based in Oxfordshire, UK. Serving clients worldwide.
Susanna Reay MBA, LTI, BSc.


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