Unlocking the True Value of Online Courses: A Personal Journey
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Chapter 1: The Skeptic's Dilemma
It’s all too easy to shout "scam!"—trust me, I've done it countless times. I've spent anywhere from $50 to $400 on courses, hoping to gain practical insights or at least something of value. The disappointment that followed was always inevitable. Losing money is one thing, but walking away empty-handed? That’s the real kicker. My past is littered with experiences that left me feeling cheated.
When I encountered Denis Gorbunov, he presented the foundation of his upcoming online course, which was intended to cover personal finance over three sessions. I encouraged him to conduct beta tests before launching the full course.
“Offer a low initial price to attract participants, gather their feedback, and then refine your offering,” I advised. I was eager to participate and provide candid feedback. Denis was taken aback when I offered to pay him $100 for the experience, and I sent him the money via PayPal without hesitation. The course was set to begin in three days.
This was a promising start, not just for me, but for Denis as well.
Section 1.1: An Unsteady Beginning
I could tell Denis was unprepared when the first session rolled around. He openly admitted to being nervous, which made me chuckle. "Relax," I said, "anxiety is normal. Just go with it."
He initiated the session with a survey about personal finance and asked how I managed my spending. I almost joked about being broke, but I opted to engage seriously instead. I shared detailed information about my financial allocations—housing, savings, investments, and more.
Denis was taken aback. “Looking at your percentages and income, you seem to be doing fine. I’m not sure what I can offer you.”
This was a significant lesson for him about online education: you can’t always assume you have the right solutions for everyone’s problems.
Subsection 1.1.1: The Investment Question
Denis faced another challenge in the second session. He had focused primarily on equities as a means to achieve financial freedom. Ten minutes in, I raised my hand for a timeout.
“Denis, do you think that investing is synonymous with equities?” I asked, fully aware of the implications of my question. His reaction was priceless; he looked genuinely shocked.
The world of investing is vast, and not everyone may be interested in equities. This understanding should have been made clear from the outset to avoid any surprises.
To his credit, Denis quickly adapted. He recognized that he needed to communicate more effectively.
Section 1.2: Building Trust in Online Education
By the end of the third session, I offered some advice on establishing credibility.
There will always be skeptics, especially when pricing an online course at $100. I suggested he showcase his past trading successes with screenshots and stream live sessions to demonstrate his strategies in real-time. He listened intently and took notes.
With these adjustments, Denis’s future iterations of the course will undoubtedly be much improved.
Chapter 2: The Road to Success
Monetizing knowledge through online courses? Absolutely, it can work. However, I’ve learned that success requires careful consideration and planning.
Here’s what I recommend:
- Consult with experienced practitioners.
- Offer beta versions to gauge market interest.
- Set realistic expectations and prioritize feedback.
- Use that feedback to continuously enhance your course.
With persistent effort, you’ll create an online course that you can truly take pride in. In time, this could even lead to a substantial income.
If you’re looking to learn from online courses, I advise you to invest your time and money in trusted individuals and help them develop a course you’d be excited to attend.
Now, that’s a strategy that works.
The first video titled "How to BUY GEMSTONES online & not get scammed! 8 tips and tricks" provides practical advice on purchasing gemstones safely online.
The second video, "5 signs that an online course is a scam," highlights key indicators to help you identify potentially fraudulent online courses.
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