Private Practice Startup Podcast
Episode 104: Turn Your Expertise into a Profitable Online Course
Hosts: Dr. Kate Campbell & Katie Lemieux
Guest: Cindy Nicholson, The Course Whisperer
Date: September 22, 2018
Episode Overview
In this episode, Kate and Katie welcome Cindy Nicholson, also known as "The Course Whisperer," to dive deep into how therapists and other professionals can transform their expertise into a profitable online course. The discussion focuses on validating your course idea, outlining and structuring content, and best practices for creating a successful, client-centered learning experience. Cindy shares actionable steps and insider tips drawn from her extensive background in teaching and course design.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Cindy’s Journey to Becoming "The Course Whisperer" [06:38]
- Cindy didn’t set out to be an online course consultant; rather, she transitioned from wanting to start a nutrition business to realizing her unique skill in articulating and designing educational content.
- Her background in teaching and corporate training naturally led her to help entrepreneurs clarify their message and organize course material.
- Quote: "I was actually had a skill set here that I kind of didn't think I had or wasn't aware that I had until I encountered people that didn't have the skill set." — Cindy Nicholson [07:10]
2. Types of Courses Cindy Has Helped Create [09:25]
- Cindy has worked with a diverse range of professionals, including health practitioners, cardiologists, surgeons exploring intuitive healing, real estate investors, lawyers, and money managers.
- Most clients are established in their one-on-one work and seek to scale their impact and income through online courses.
3. When and Why to Consider an Online Course [10:50]
- Clinicians often realize they’re trading time for money and are interested in creating scalable, diversified revenue streams—an online course is a logical step.
- Quote: "With the passive income term...once you wake up and you know there's money in your bank account and you didn't even, you made it while you're sleeping, it's a pretty cool thing." — Dr. Kate Campbell [11:10]
4. Step 1: Validate Your Course Idea [11:30]
- Start by talking to your existing clients; ask what they struggle with most and what transformation they seek.
- Thorough validation reduces the risk of creating a course that doesn’t sell and directly shapes your course’s content.
- Quote: "The first step of validating... is such an important step, not only to get confirmation that, yes, this is what they need, but you also gather really, really valuable intel..." — Cindy Nicholson [12:45]
5. Step 2: Define a Clear, Specific Outcome [14:02]
- Be explicit: What will learners achieve after your course? Avoid broad topics; instead, focus narrowly on a transformational, results-driven promise.
- Quote: "Be super clear as to what that outcome is going to be... they want a result. They have some sort of pain point and they bought this course because by the end they want that pain to be gone." — Cindy Nicholson [14:17]
- Less is more; don’t drown learners in information.
6. Step 3: Outline the Course Journey [18:31]
- Brainstorm all the knowledge and skills needed to reach your promised outcome.
- Group related ideas into "buckets" or modules—these should each represent a mini-milestone along the learning journey.
- Focus each module on results and creating small wins for participants.
- Quote: "It's constantly focusing on what do they need to know and what do they need to be able to do. When you're developing content... it's really focused on the results..." — Cindy Nicholson [19:32]
7. Step 4: Visual Representation and Signature System [22:31]
- Create a visual roadmap showing the entire course journey, so learners know where they are and what’s coming next.
- This visual system also becomes part of your course’s unique branding—positioning your expertise as a proprietary, marketable asset.
- Quote: "This is your expertise... your signature system or your process of how you achieve the pain point..." — Cindy Nicholson [23:33]
8. Learner Experience: Clarity and Progress Tracking [24:48]
- Learners may return to the course after breaks; a clear roadmap helps them reorient and continue.
- Quote: "By giving them this visual representation, it sets them to know where they're at because they may be like, 'Oh my gosh, I can't even remember where I am.'" — Cindy Nicholson [24:48]
9. Biggest Takeaway & Encouragement to Therapists [25:35]
- Everyone has expertise and a unique process that can be shared and scaled through courses.
- Quote: "Everyone has something they can teach... Everyone has their own process, their own unique expertise that they can share with the world." — Cindy Nicholson [25:36]
- Whether you’re just starting or seeking new income streams, observe what works in your 1:1 practice and think about systematizing it for others.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- "If you confuse, you lose." — Dr. Kate Campbell [17:09]
- "People love bonuses, they love surprises, and that's a great way of delivering that extra content." — Dr. Kate Campbell [18:20]
- "We always talk about how therapists make the best marketers because we're always asking questions. We know how to empathize, we know how to validate. And so isn't it easy just to ask your audience, you know, like, duh?" — Katie Lemieux [13:13]
Timestamps for Important Segments
| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |-----------|----------------------------------------------------------| | 06:38 | Cindy’s journey into online course consulting | | 09:25 | Types of courses and clients Cindy helps | | 10:50 | Why therapists should consider online courses | | 11:30 | Validating your course idea | | 14:02 | Defining specific outcomes for your course | | 18:31 | Creating the course outline and mapping the journey | | 22:31 | Visual representation & branding your signature process | | 24:48 | Importance of helping learners track their progress | | 25:35 | Cindy’s motivational takeaway for the audience | | 28:07 | Special resources and giveaways from Cindy |
Resource Highlights
- Free Resources by Cindy Nicholson:
Course Outline Tip Sheet & Mini-Course on Validation
thecoursewhisperer.com/startup ([28:07])
Final Thoughts
This episode is a goldmine for any therapist or service provider considering online courses as a path toward impact and passive income. Cindy’s step-by-step framework demystifies the process, urging listeners to validate their ideas, stay focused on outcomes, and leverage their unique voice and methods to create truly transformational educational experiences.
For episode links, free resources, and more info, visit PrivatePracticeStartup.com and look up Episode 104.