Course Lab: Lessons from Successful Online Course Creators

How to Boost Course Revenue with Savvy Event Strategies (Michael Sheridan)

Special "business revenue leak checklist" offer, free at http://www.mrse.co/leak.Transitioning from software engineering to dreamwork, Michael Sheridan had an unexpected business journey. Despite financial challenges, his strategic pivots and focus on business coaching drove significant growth. His story highlights the importance of passion, resilience, and continuous learning.Michael Sheridan is “Ireland’s favorite dream expert,” author of two books, and a radio host.In this episode, Ari, Abe, and Michael discuss:His transition from software engineering to dreamwork and initial income expectationsFacing challenges in business, leading to strategic changesMichael’s realization of business coaching’s importance and its impact on growth and marketing strategiesHis mindset shift regarding financial success and making a significant impactAdvice for course creators to seek guidance and embrace the learning curvePersonal development through launching a membership program and refining skillsDevelopment of new event strategies to engage audiencesInsights into customer interactions and scaling challenges including team elevation and hiring practicesThe impact of automation and streamlining on business processes The financial implications, growth trajectory, and the necessity of patience in business scaling“If you really feel what you're doing is so important, make the biggest splash you can.” – Michael SheridanGuest Bio:Michael Sheridan is Ireland’s favorite dream expert. He was a regular on the #1 TV talk show in Ireland — Ireland AM — as well as a regular on Ireland’s most popular radio shows, including “The Inbox” on 98FM, sharing the stage with both metaphysical and movie stars such as Paddy McMahon and Frank Vincent. He’s appeared on the BBC and countless other premier media outlets, interpreting dreams for his wide audience.He’s the author of two books as well as a radio host with his own show on KKNW. His passion is to see people become all they came here to be and to live their life to its fullest potential. He does this by interpreting dreams. From reading your dreams, he can give clear direction on your life purpose, reveal the gifts that you brought with you to help achieve that purpose, and uncover the blocks you need to overcome to step into alignment.With a focus on helping clients heal childhood trauma, Michael launched his first course in 1992. In 2012, he added online courses to his offerings and by 2015, after much experimentation, he switched entirely to an online hybrid model using the Ruzuku LMS. The hybrid model greatly increased course reach, course efficiency, and course effectiveness — and laid the framework for many later courses.Resources or websites mentioned in this episode:MiraseeRuzukuMichael’s website: Aisling Dream InterpretationMichael’s previous episode: Hybrid Courses Are a Dream Come True (Michael Sheridan)Credits:Hosts: Ari Iny and Abe CrystalProducer: Michi LantzExecutive Producer: Danny InyAudio Editor: Marvin del RosarioMusic Soundscape: Chad Michael SnavelyMaking our hosts sound great: Home Brew AudioTo catch the great episodes that are coming up on Course Lab, please follow us on Mirasee FM's YouTube channel or your favorite podcast player. And if you enjoyed the show, please leave us a comment or a starred review. It's the best way to help us get these ideas to more people.Music credits:Track Title: Bossa BBArtist Name: MarieWriter Name: Chelsea McGoughPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONTrack Title: Coo CoosArtist Name: Dresden, The FlamingoWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONTrack Title: GraceArtist Name: ShimmerWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONSTrack Title: Carousel LightsArtist Name: Chelsea McGoughWriter Name: Chelsea McGoughWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONPublisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONSSpecial effects credits:24990513_birds-chirping_by_promission used with permission of the author and under license by AudioJungle/Envato Market.Episode transcript: How to Boost Course Revenue with Savvy Event Strategies (Michael Sheridan).

From Music Mastery to Teaching Online (Cheryl Ann Fulton)

Special "business revenue leak checklist" offer, free at http://www.mrse.co/leak.A career professional harpist and harp instructor, Cheryl Ann Fulton shares her inspiring journey of merging artistry with business to earn a higher income. Her path reveals how creative fulfillment and financial reward can coexist, offering valuable lessons for course creators and artists alike.Dr. Cheryl Ann Fulton is a world-class harpist, expert in historical harps, prolific recording artist, UC Berkeley faculty member, and online course creator.In this episode, Ari, Abe, and Cheryl discuss:Her journey to creating online courses and her initial experiences with Skype teachingThe process and challenges of developing her first big evergreen courseShifting her perspective on business and art through the ACES programDetails of her successful medieval music online course and its impactThe importance of understanding what students want and adjusting course content accordinglyLessons learned from teaching both individual and group lessons onlineChallenges of teaching instrument techniques in an online group settingThe evolution from one-on-one lessons to one-to-many group workshopsCheryl’s new courses and her approach to promoting through email lists and other channels“What I did was, I just went for it, because I was also trying to create a legacy.” — Cheryl Ann FultonGuest Bio:A world-class artist and leading pioneer of historical harps, Cheryl Ann Fulton has enjoyed a successful performing, recording, teaching, and scholarly research career since 1984. Recognized as a “genuine virtuosa of her instrument,” she performs on and teaches Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque (triple- and single-action pedal), contemporary "Celtic" lever, and pedal harps. She earned her BS (pedal harp), MM, and DM (performance/historical harp/musicology) degrees from the Indiana University Jacob’s School of Music. She received a Fulbright award for research and performance in Lisbon, Portugal, and became principal harpist for the Orchestre Gulbenkian.A versatile recording artist, Cheryl Ann can be heard on over forty recordings on many major labels, as well as on film scores and video game soundtracks in a broad range of musical styles from medieval, baroque, and classical to contemporary, Celtic, World, and orchestral music. In 2017 she produced the film The Harps in the Trees illustrating the connection between harps, music, and nature. Her 2023 recording with the Silicon Valley girl’s choir iSing, love & light, was put up for a Grammy nomination.Dr. Fulton is currently on the faculty of UC Berkeley, has a private studio in the San Francisco Bay Area and on Zoom, and offers online courses through her “Harp Secrets” programs. Her music can be heard on Spotify, Pandora, Apple Music, YouTube, and Magnatune. Besides music, she is a serious student of the Narrative Enneagram and Astrology. When she is not working, she is playing with and training her two Belgian Tervuren dogs or out riding her Arabian horse on the trails in the East Bay hills.Resources or websites mentioned in this episode:MiraseeRuzukuCheryl Ann Fulton’s websiteSpecial gift to podcast listeners:Download Cheryl Ann Fulton's performance of Toccata in d minor by J.S. BachTeach Your Gift (book)ACES Business Acceleration ProgramCredits:Hosts: Ari Iny and Abe CrystalProducer: Michi LantzEditor: Andrew ChapmanExecutive Producer: Danny InyAudio Editor: Marvin del RosarioMusic Soundscape: Chad Michael SnavelyMaking our hosts sound great: Home Brew AudioTo catch the great episodes that are coming up on Course Lab, please follow us on Mirasee FM's YouTube channel or your favorite podcast player. And if you enjoyed the show, please leave us a comment or a starred review. It's the best way to help us get these ideas to more people.Music credits:Track Title: Bossa BBArtist Name: MarieWriter Name: Chelsea McGoughPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONTrack Title: Coo CoosArtist Name: Dresden, The FlamingoWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONTrack Title: GraceArtist Name: ShimmerWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONSTrack Title: Carousel LightsArtist Name: Chelsea McGoughWriter Name: Chelsea McGoughWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONPublisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONSSpecial effects credits:24990513_birds-chirping_by_promission used with permission of the author and under license by AudioJungle/Envato Market.Episode transcript: From Music Mastery to Teaching Online (Cheryl Ann Fulton).

Evergreen Strategies, Micro Offers, Big Sales! (Kamila Gornia)

Special "business revenue leak checklist" offer, free at http://www.mrse.co/leak.Kamila Gornia brings her decade of expertise in online marketing to the forefront in her online courses — focusing on evergreen strategies and adaptive messaging. Her approach emphasizes building trust with micro offers and staying ahead of market changes, all while fostering authentic connections.Kamila Gornia is a marketing and sales consultant to online coaches and entrepreneurs, as well as the founder of Heart Behind Hustle® and Evergreen Icon™.In this episode, Ari, Abe, and Kamila discuss:Kamila’s background and journey into online coursesMarketing and sales strategies for online coursesThe importance of validating a course idea and positioningThe evergreen business model and its misconceptionsUpdating course content and marketing based on market changesBuilding trust and credibility with the audienceCreating and selling micro offersUsing different content formats like webinars, videos, and podcastsA focused and deep-dive approach to marketing strategies“I think that’s a misconception people have. Because there’s a craze around passive income, people think that I make it once and never have to work again.” — Kamila GorniaGuest Bio:Kamila Gornia, founder of Heart Behind Hustle® and Evergreen Icon™, has been supporting online coaches and entrepreneurs with marketing and sales since 2014 and has helped many reach six figures in yearly revenue. She helps her clients scale by creating evergreen mid-ticket group programs that are easy to run and sell through automation, funnels, and paid ads — without the need for sales calls, social selling in the DMs, or posting daily on social media. This allows her clients to create true sustainability and freedom in their businesses. To date, her advice has helped over 25,000 entrepreneurs, which has earned Kamila more than $2 million in revenue. Kamila has been seen on Forbes, Entrepreneur.com, Inc., Huffington Post, and many other media outlets.Resources or websites mentioned in this episode:MiraseeRuzukuKamila’s websites: HeartBehindHustle.com and EvergreenIcon.comKamila’s Instagram: Instagram.com/HeartBehindHustleCredits:Hosts: Ari Iny and Abe CrystalProducer: Michi LantzExecutive Producer: Danny InyAudio Editor: Marvin del RosarioMusic Soundscape: Chad Michael SnavelyMaking our hosts sound great: Home Brew AudioTo catch the great episodes that are coming up on Course Lab, please follow us on Mirasee FM's YouTube channel or your favorite podcast player. And if you enjoyed the show, please leave us a comment or a starred review. It's the best way to help us get these ideas to more people.Music credits:Track Title: Bossa BBArtist Name: MarieWriter Name: Chelsea McGoughPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONTrack Title: Coo CoosArtist Name: Dresden, The FlamingoWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONTrack Title: GraceArtist Name: ShimmerWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONSTrack Title: Carousel LightsArtist Name: Chelsea McGoughWriter Name: Chelsea McGoughWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONPublisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONSSpecial effects credits:24990513_birds-chirping_by_promission used with permission of the author and under license by AudioJungle/Envato Market.Episode transcript: Evergreen Strategies, Micro Offers, Big Sales! (Kamila Gornia).

Building Courses for Breakthroughs (Paul Perez)

Special "business revenue leak checklist" offer, free at http://www.mrse.co/leak.Leadership coach Paul Perez discusses how he combines interpersonal neurobiology and systems thinking to teach an unbreakable mindset. He emphasizes the importance of combining coaching with courses to ensure meaningful embodied learning and explores ways to enhance course adoption and engagement.Paul Perez is a retired naval officer who harnessed his military leadership skills to become a coach, trainer, and consultant to the business world.In this episode, Ari, Abe, and Paul discuss:Paul’s leadership journey and origins of his coaching career  Using online courses for leadership development and personal growth  Structuring leadership courses with a focus on interpersonal neurobiology, systems thinking, and leadership theory  The importance of relationships in leadership and the science behind them  A unique four-part process for organizational transformation: assessment, awareness, acceptance, and action  Strategies for creating experiential and embodied learning experiences in courses  The energy around balancing coaching with teaching to enhance learning and behavioral change  The challenges in achieving high adoption rates for online course content  Paul’s experiences and tips in developing and delivering courses  Insights into combining workshops, executive coaching, and online courses for effective leadership development  “In the workaday world, it rewards certainty and it punishes uncertainty. But the truth of the matter is, the real world is incredibly uncertain.” — Paul PerezGuest Bio:Paul Perez is a skilled combat-tested executive and leadership coach, organizational trainer, consultant, and cultural transformation expert. With more than 30 years’ experience, he specializes in identifying, developing, and growing leaders for progressively increasing responsibility and success in management and executive roles across a diverse spectrum of industry verticals. Paul also has more than two decades of experience in workshop and seminar facilitation and keynote speaking. He leverages deep understanding of neuroscience and interpersonal neurobiology to create unbreakable mindsets in individuals and organizations who face the daunting daily challenges of living and operating in a VUCA world.Resources or websites mentioned in this episode:MiraseeRuzukuPaul’s website: AcceleratedBreakthrough.comCourse Lab Episode #51: Somatic Course Design (Anne Bishop & Chantill Lopez)Credits:Hosts: Ari Iny and Abe CrystalProducer: Michi LantzExecutive Producer: Danny InyAudio Editor: Marvin del RosarioMusic Soundscape: Chad Michael SnavelyMaking our hosts sound great: Home Brew AudioTo catch the great episodes that are coming up on Course Lab, please follow us on Mirasee FM's YouTube channel or your favorite podcast player. And if you enjoyed the show, please leave us a comment or a starred review. It's the best way to help us get these ideas to more people.Music credits:Track Title: Bossa BBArtist Name: MarieWriter Name: Chelsea McGoughPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONTrack Title: Coo CoosArtist Name: Dresden, The FlamingoWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONTrack Title: GraceArtist Name: ShimmerWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONSTrack Title: Carousel LightsArtist Name: Chelsea McGoughWriter Name: Chelsea McGoughWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONPublisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONSSpecial effects credits:24990513_birds-chirping_by_promission used with permission of the author and under license by AudioJungle/Envato Market.Episode transcript: Building Courses for Breakthroughs (Paul Perez).

Lean Into Uncommon Commonalities (Susan O'Connor)

Special "business revenue leak checklist" offer, free at http://www.mrse.co/leak.Susan O’Connor dives into niche community building within course creation. Her focus on shared experiences, teaching assistants, and constant curriculum updates fosters a dynamic, supportive learning environment. With peer feedback and industry pros, her masterclass offers warmth and connection.Susan O’Connor is a video game consultant and award-winning video game writer whose titles have generated more than a half-billion dollars in revenue.In this episode, Ari, Abe, and Susan discuss:Leaning into uncommon commonalities within niche communities in course creationThe importance of teaching assistants in student support and community structureConstant updates in teaching niche topics like video game storytellingInviting past graduates to discuss recent games for clear and communal learningThe implementation of peer feedback structures with small cohorts and buddy systemsIntroducing a “pro tier” with industry professionals providing feedback Stringent guidelines to ensure quality feedbackSusan’s successful transition from video game writer to game writing teacherThe role of a strong community in achieving significant financial successFuture plans to expand the program to include game design classes for writers“Creative people desperately need to be in community and often are not to the point where they just feel like, ‘Well, I don’t really need community. I’m just an oddball weirdo.’” — Susan O’ConnorGuest Bio:Susan O’Connor’s first job as a game writer was for “a slumber party game — for girls!” She was an award-winning game writer who has worked on over 25 projects, including titles in the BioShock, Far Cry, and Tomb Raider franchises. Titles in her portfolio have sold over 30 million copies and generated over $500 million in sales. She founded the Game Narrative Summit at GDC. Now, she partners with studios, publishers, and writers to help teams ship great games with great stories. She is dedicated to supporting creatives in the games industry so that they can do their best work.Resources or websites mentioned in this episode:MiraseeRuzukuSusan’s website: TheNarrativeDepartment.comSusan's previous episode: "Writing for Video Games"Credits:Hosts: Ari Iny and Abe CrystalProducer: Michi LantzExecutive Producer: Danny InyAudio Editor: Marvin del RosarioMusic Soundscape: Chad Michael SnavelyMaking our hosts sound great: Home Brew AudioTo catch the great episodes that are coming up on Course Lab, please follow us on Mirasee FM's YouTube channel or your favorite podcast player. And if you enjoyed the show, please leave us a comment or a starred review. It's the best way to help us get these ideas to more people.Music credits:Track Title: Bossa BBArtist Name: MarieWriter Name: Chelsea McGoughPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONTrack Title: Coo CoosArtist Name: Dresden, The FlamingoWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONTrack Title: GraceArtist Name: ShimmerWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONSTrack Title: Carousel LightsArtist Name: Chelsea McGoughWriter Name: Chelsea McGoughWriter Name: Matthew WigtonPublisher Name: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONPublisher Name: BOSS SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTIONSSpecial effects credits:24990513_birds-chirping_by_promission used with permission of the author and under license by AudioJungle/Envato Market.Episode transcript: Creating Uncommon Commonalities (Susan O'Connor).