Podcast Summary: Courage & Clarity – Episode 136: 5 Reasons Group Programs Fail... (& How to Bullet-Proof Yours)
Host: Steph Crowder
Release Date: June 9, 2025
In Episode 136 of the Courage & Clarity podcast, host Steph Crowder delves into the common pitfalls that cause group programs to falter and provides actionable strategies to ensure their success. Drawing from her extensive experience as a sales training director and successful female entrepreneur, Steph outlines five critical reasons why group programs often fail and offers insights on how to mitigate these issues effectively.
1. Overbuilding
Timestamp: [04:30]
Steph emphasizes the danger of overbuilding—the temptation to perfect every aspect of a group program before launch. Entrepreneurs often invest excessive time in creating comprehensive workbooks, detailed curricula, and pre-recorded content, believing that complete preparation guarantees success. However, Steph argues that this approach can lead to stagnation and misalignment with participants' actual needs.
"Thinking that you have to be super, super prepared ahead of time is going to sink your group program."
— Steph Crowder [04:30]
Solution: Adopt a flexible framework that allows the program to evolve based on participant feedback and needs. Steph shares her experience with her first mastermind group, where she pivoted from teaching 90-day planning to focusing on sales processes after realizing the participants' primary challenges.
2. Underpricing
Timestamp: [17:45]
Underpricing, or setting prices too low (or even offering programs for free), undermines the perceived value of the group program. Steph observes that when prices are too low, participants may not commit fully, leading to disengagement and poor outcomes.
"If you cut your prices to the point where you're giving it away, a few things happen. One, your clients ghost."
— Steph Crowder [17:45]
Solution: Establish pricing that reflects both the value provided and fosters participant commitment. Steph recommends finding a balance where the price is significant enough to ensure dedication but still accessible.
3. Teaching vs. Selling
Timestamp: [25:10]
Steph highlights the confusion between teaching and selling as a major obstacle. Entrepreneurs may fall into the trap of over-teaching free content, which can dilute the need for a structured program and reduce the urgency to join a paid offering.
"There are times when people think that they can cobble together all the free information and run with it, but that often leads to confusion and lack of transformation."
— Steph Crowder [25:10]
Solution: Focus on conveying the "why" behind the program and position it as a guided journey rather than just a collection of information. This approach underscores the importance of mentorship and the unique value the program offers.
4. Teaching Too Much Inside the Program
Timestamp: [37:55]
Another common mistake is overloading the program with content, which can overwhelm participants and hinder their ability to implement what they've learned. Steph compares this to serving a "Thanksgiving feast" when a lighter meal would be more manageable.
"Sometimes what I see is your heart is in the right place, but you're just stuffing lessons and ideas that lead to client burnout."
— Steph Crowder [37:55]
Solution: Embrace a "less is more" philosophy by focusing on key concepts and actionable steps. Allow flexibility for adjustments based on participant feedback and prioritize actionable insights over exhaustive content delivery.
5. Support Tunnel Vision
Timestamp: [52:20]
Steph warns against support tunnel vision, where the focus is solely on live calls as the primary means of support. This narrow approach can leave participants who cannot attend live sessions feeling unsupported and disconnected.
"Live zoom calls are just scratching the surface of what makes a group program a great group program."
— Steph Crowder [52:20]
Solution: Develop a layered support system that includes asynchronous communication channels (e.g., forums, voice coaching), peer support groups, and a comprehensive resource library. This ensures all participants receive the necessary support, regardless of their ability to attend live sessions.
Conclusion and Call to Action
Steph concludes the episode by encouraging listeners to assess their group programs against these five potential pitfalls. She introduces her upcoming advanced sales training class, Fill Your Group Program in Five Weeks, designed to help entrepreneurs implement these strategies effectively.
"If you really want to de-risk your next launch, you want to know exactly how we do this in a way that's going to work for you and your clients."
— Steph Crowder [56:10]
Listeners are invited to join the training on June 24th at 12 PM Eastern Time by visiting stephcrowder.com/workshop.
Key Takeaways:
- Avoid Overbuilding: Stay flexible and adapt to participant needs rather than striving for perfection from the outset.
- Price Appropriately: Set prices that reflect the program's value and encourage participant commitment.
- Differentiate Teaching from Selling: Focus on guiding participants through why the program matters, not just what it includes.
- Streamline Content Delivery: Provide manageable, actionable content to prevent participant burnout.
- Expand Support Systems: Implement multiple support channels to cater to all participants effectively.
By addressing these common issues, entrepreneurs can enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of their group programs, ensuring both their success and that of their participants.