The 5-minute mentor

 

Getting my first course online has been a steep learning curve. I am used to selling my time so a ‘low volume high value’.  Moving into a very competitive space, it’s the opposite: ‘high volume and low price point.’  And not only that, I have been developing a learning management system for my own website which I have now just launched (check it out).

 

I certainly have no intentions that this will ever replace my face to face coaching and training, but it does give me a much wider reach and another channel to market.  If this sounds all very exciting then be aware of shiny new object syndrome.  This is my 3rd product (my first being face to face coaching, my second being training) and it has taken me 10 years of coaching to reach the point of wanting to develop a new product – it certainly isn’t a get quick rich scheme that many hope it will be!

 

I am developing this project in conjunction with a video production company - we think we can produce much higher quality videos than the majority of ‘speak over a PowerPoint slide’ courses that are currently out there. But of course developing a good course is just the start so now we turn our attention to marketing it.  There is a ton of information out there about the best way to win new customers.  It can be really overwhelming but regardless of that you have to work hard to get new customers and subscribers.  It amazes me how many people think you can you put a product online and expect an influx of customers – and this is where this blog turns into my usual business advice type of commentary: No matter how good your product or service, you have to work really hard to find your market.

 

We realise that producing a great course is just the start.  Right now we are working hard to get ‘students’ and reviews (if you would like to do a review, drop me an email and I will send you a coupon to get the course for free).  We are focusing on targeting forums and groups that we know will have some of the issues discussed in the course and we are even venturing into the world of Facebook and LinkedIn advertising (although the jury is out on that one).  The key for us (and for you) is to be able to measure the effectiveness of each approach and do more of what works and less of what doesn’t.  We (you) also need to build your audience and there is where offering free content helps – because it gives a taste of you and helps you build credibility (and if you watch the course you will learn that no one buys anything unless the seller first builds credibility).

 

So selling a product online only really begins once the product (a training course in my case) is fully developed and launched. Without some great marketing behind it, your great idea will remain the best idea since sliced bread that no one has heard of!