Why Your 'Imperfect' Course Setup Might Be Perfect for Your Students
Creating a memorable student experience in your online course isn't about having the perfect setup or professional production values. It's about striking a chord and knowing how to welcome students into your unique teaching style.
Here's what a dinner party mis-match taught me about course creation":
When I first moved to Canterbury, I didn't know anyone. I figured I'd just meet a few people at co-working or somewhere, and then invite them over.
I've got some crisps, some great wine, happy days.
My husband, on the other hand, had a very different idea of hosting strangers.
"Do we have matching plates?"
"Our hand towels don't match!"
"What are you cooking for them?"
While I poured a glass and got changed, he was stressing like it's a wedding rehearsal dinner. Somehow, we got through the evening. Everyone left happy, with or without crisps.
A few weeks later, an invitation arrived! We'd found cool friends!
We threw on some jeans and walked round to their house, only to find ourselves sitting at a table with silver cutlery for a three-course meal. The starter was nothing less than a grilled fig served on bone china. I didn't even know you could do a fig starter.
I panicked. Maybe I'd ruined things with my casual crisp serving.
Maybe this new city was just too posh for us and we'd never make friends, or we'd have to start golfing or playing polo.
But then we all sat down and started to chat and laugh.
Underneath the formal layer, these were the same chill people we'd hosted with crisps a few weeks earlier. It didn't matter how we each showed up, because the most important thing was being there and having a good time.
What Hosting Taught Me About Selling Courses
That dinner party got me thinking: hosting people is a lot like selling a course. Your students give their time and attention, and you promise to show up and make them feel welcome. You can do it casually or formally. You can have videos filmed on your phone or invite a whole film team.
The style is not important because the value is inside you. Your quirks, your words, your way of showing up—that's what your students will connect with.
Here’s How I Get My Course Creator Clients Organised
When I work with my clients, I build on this I-V-A framework:
🌱 Integrity
You're here to make a difference to someone. Be kind to yourself first. Be authentic. Even your unique style can be the thing that makes students feel safe and connected.
🎤 Voice
Do your students feel welcomed into a space that has your personality stamped on it? If you can't show your voice when you welcome them, it's almost impossible to market with it later.
If you’re not sure how to find your voice in the loud world of online marketing, I recommend Business Journaling. It’s free, fast, and effective.
⚡ Action
You can plan and dream and journal forever. But your students need you now. I'll be your partner in getting it done, so you can finally share what you've been holding back.
Real Results From Small Changes
Take Isabela, for example. She was disheartened because her students didn't give her testimonials. We worked together to tweak her welcome flow, and now she gets student insights right from day 1 and knows exactly how to check in with them later. Best of all, they book her and she makes money.
If you haven't started your course yet, it's probably not because you don't care.
If you haven't started your course yet, it's probably not because you don't care. It's because you don't know how to start building the experience that you want your students to have.
Learn how to create a memorable student experience that feels like you're hosting the best party with Ghostproof Your Course. This training shows you exactly how to introduce your teaching style, create that welcome section, and write emails that make students excited to be in your programme.
Your students are waiting for exactly what you have to offer, with all the flavour and spice that you can bring to the party.
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