Okay, so here’s the thing. I’ve been feeling…stuck. You know that feeling? Like you’re just going through the motions, day in and day out? I needed something *more*. I needed a challenge, a way to use my brain in a different way. And that’s when the idea hit me: create an online course! Seemed simple enough, right?
The Allure of Passive Income (and the Reality Check)
The thought of passive income was definitely a motivator, I won’t lie. Picture this: lounging on a beach somewhere, sipping a fruity drink, while my online course churns out cash in the background. That’s the dream, isn’t it?
But then reality crashed the party. Ugh. Where do you even *start*? What platform do you use? What’s the topic going to be? How do you even *market* this thing? My initial enthusiasm quickly turned into a swirling vortex of doubt and overwhelm. Was I totally crazy to think I could actually pull this off? I started Googling things like “online course creation for dummies” and “how to avoid online course failure.” Fun times.
I actually spent a full week just researching different platforms. Teachable, Thinkific, Udemy… the list seemed endless. Each one promised to be the *best*, the *easiest*, the *most profitable*. It was information overload, seriously. Ultimately, I went with Teachable because a friend had recommended it, and honestly, I just needed to pick *something* and move forward. Paralysis by analysis is a real thing, you know?
Picking a Topic: What Do People *Actually* Want to Learn?
Okay, this was a HUGE hurdle. I knew I wanted to create a course, but on *what*? I considered a bunch of different things. My background is in marketing, so that seemed like a natural fit. But there are already a million marketing courses out there. How could I possibly stand out from the crowd?
I also thought about teaching people how to bake sourdough bread (my quarantine hobby that actually turned out pretty well!). But then I realized I was probably the only one still *that* into sourdough. The rest of the world had moved on.
Funny thing is, I ended up settling on a topic that was a bit of a hybrid. I decided to create a course on using social media for small business owners. It allowed me to tap into my marketing knowledge, but with a specific, niche focus. Plus, I had helped a few friends with their social media accounts, so I had some real-world experience to draw from. It felt… manageable.
My Biggest Mistake (So Far): Underestimating the Time Commitment
Oh man, the time. Let me tell you, I severely underestimated how much time this whole thing would take. I thought I could just whip up a few videos, write some lesson plans, and boom – instant online course! HA!
I spent weeks, no, *months*, researching, planning, filming, editing, and creating all the supplementary materials. It was exhausting. I was working my regular job during the day and then spending my evenings and weekends hunched over my laptop, bleary-eyed, trying to make it all come together.
There was one particular weekend where I stayed up until 3 a.m. trying to edit a particularly tricky video. I’d spent the whole day filming and I was just so close to finishing it. I finally got it done and uploaded it. The next morning I looked at it and *hated* it. The lighting was awful, my hair looked a mess, and I kept saying “um” every other word. Ugh, what a mess! I ended up re-shooting the whole thing. That’s when I knew I was in deep.
Tech Troubles and Learning Curves (Prepare to Google EVERYTHING)
Speaking of video editing, let’s talk about tech. I am not a tech person. I can barely work my TV remote without help. So, learning how to use video editing software was… challenging, to say the least.
I chose to use DaVinci Resolve because it’s free (score!) and powerful (apparently). But it also has a ridiculously steep learning curve. I spent countless hours watching YouTube tutorials and scouring online forums, trying to figure out how to do basic things like add text, trim clips, and adjust the audio. It was incredibly frustrating.
Then there was the whole issue of creating graphics and designing a landing page. I ended up using Canva, which was much more user-friendly. But even that took time and effort to learn. Honestly, I felt like I was constantly learning something new. It was both exciting and overwhelming at the same time.
Launch Day Jitters (and the Crickets That Followed)
After months of hard work, the day finally arrived. Launch day! I was so nervous I could barely eat. I had put so much time, effort, and, let’s be real, *money* into this thing. The thought of it flopping was terrifying.
I sent out emails, posted on social media, and even ran a few small Facebook ads. I waited with bated breath for the enrollments to start rolling in. And then… nothing.
Okay, maybe not *nothing*. I did get a few enrollments from friends and family (thanks, Mom!). But the flood of paying students I had envisioned? Nowhere to be seen.
It was a huge disappointment. I started questioning everything. Was my course topic not interesting enough? Was my marketing terrible? Was my pricing too high? The self-doubt started creeping in. I even considered just throwing in the towel and forgetting the whole thing.
Finding My Tribe (and the Importance of Community)
Luckily, I didn’t give up. I started reaching out to other course creators online, joining Facebook groups and online forums. And you know what? I discovered that I wasn’t alone. Everyone struggles with the same things: marketing, tech, motivation.
It was incredibly helpful to connect with other people who understood what I was going through. We shared tips, offered support, and even collaborated on projects. It made the whole process feel less daunting and more… human.
I even found a few mentors who had been creating online courses for years. They gave me invaluable advice on everything from marketing strategies to pricing models. They helped me see that building a successful online course takes time and effort. It’s not a get-rich-quick scheme.
Lessons Learned (and the Future of My Side Hustle)
So, where am I now? Well, I haven’t exactly achieved passive income nirvana just yet. But I have learned a ton. I learned that creating an online course is a lot harder than it looks. It requires a significant investment of time, effort, and money.
I also learned the importance of community and mentorship. Connecting with other course creators has been invaluable in helping me stay motivated and learn from my mistakes.
And most importantly, I learned that it’s okay to fail. The initial launch of my course wasn’t a roaring success, but it wasn’t a complete disaster either. I’ve made some tweaks, improved my marketing, and I’m slowly but surely starting to see more enrollments.
Who even knows what’s next? Maybe this online course thing will eventually become a full-time business. Maybe it will remain a side hustle. Or maybe I’ll pivot to something completely different.
But whatever happens, I’m glad I took the leap and tried something new. It’s been a challenging, frustrating, and occasionally exhilarating journey. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything. If you’re thinking about creating an online course, I say go for it! Just be prepared to work hard, learn a lot, and embrace the inevitable setbacks. And hey, maybe I’ll even see you in one of those online course creator Facebook groups. Good luck! And maybe avoid staying up until 3 AM editing videos. Trust me on that one. If you’re as curious as I was about the different course platforms available, you might want to dig into Teachable vs. Thinkific – that was a rabbit hole I went down for a while.
