Building an Online Course? Here’s What I Wish I Knew 100+ Courses Ago…

I’ve built over 100 online courses for experts, coaches, and business owners. And along the way, I’ve seen what works, what doesn’t, and what can completely stall your success.
Whether you’re just starting or already have a course that you want to improve, these are the biggest lessons I’ve learned—so you can skip the mistakes and build a course that truly sells and transforms lives.
💡 Make sure you read until the end—I’m sharing the #1 thing that makes a course business truly sustainable (and it’s something most people completely overlook).
Let’s dive in! 🚀

Lesson 1: The Biggest Mistake—Teaching Mindset in a Silo

A common mistake I see in course creation? Treating mindset as a standalone module instead of integrating it into the learning experience.

The Problem:

Most course creators put all their mindset training in “Module 1” and then move on to strategy. But the truth is… mindset shifts happen through the work, not before it.
🎯 Example: Brad’s Story
Brad, an NLP master practitioner, originally had a separate mindset module in his course. But we noticed that his biggest mindset breakthroughs were happening on his live coaching calls—not inside that module.
Now, we’re weaving those same NLP tools throughout his curriculum—placing mindset work exactly where students need it to take the next step.

Actionable Takeaway:

✅ Don’t silo mindset—embed it into your lessons where students will need it most.
✅ If your course already has a mindset module, don’t stress! Courses evolve over time.

Lesson 2: More is NOT More—Why Experts Overcomplicate Their Courses

Many course creators believe that if they give their students everything, their course will be more valuable. But that’s actually the fastest way to overwhelm your students.

The Problem:

Your students don’t need everything—they need the simplest, clearest path to a result.
🎯 Example: Dr. Joel Ingersoll’s Story
When Dr. Joel came to me, he said, “I just want to include everything my students need to truly master this topic.”
And I had to tell him: "But they don’t want that."
Most students aren’t looking for mastery—they’re looking for a result. Your job is to create a clear, step-by-step path to get them there.

Actionable Takeaway:

✅ If you struggle to decide what to include, it’s a sign that you’re already an expert (and that you care deeply about your students).
✅ Focus on what’s necessary for transformation—not proving how much you know.

Lesson 3: Why Delaying Decisions is the Worst Thing You Can Do

If you keep tweaking, adjusting, and overthinking every decision in your course… you’re delaying success.

The Problem:

Many course creators hesitate to finalize their framework, content, or even course title—because they’re waiting for perfection.
🎯 Example: “Jane Smith” (Unnamed Client)
Jane second-guessed everything—her outline, her slides, her audio, even her course title after it was finalized.
At the root of it? Perfectionism.

Actionable Takeaway:

✅ There is no “perfect” course—only a course that gets finished and helps people.
✅ Your course is already perfect for where it is today. The sooner you launch, the sooner you can refine it based on real student feedback.

Lesson 4: The Ascension Model is the Key to Sustainable Course Success

Most people think one great funnel = course success. But if you’re only “one funnel away” from success… you’re also one funnel away from losing it all.

The Problem:

Successful businesses don’t rely on one-time sales—they build ecosystems where students continue learning.
🎯 Example: Biddy Tarot’s Story
Biddy Tarot became the global leader in tarot education because of client success. Instead of just selling one course, they offer multiple programs that naturally lead students to their next step.
And because they do such a good job, their business thrives on retention and referrals.

Actionable Takeaway:

✅ Think beyond your first course—what’s the next step for your students?
✅ Sustainability comes from long-term client success, not just marketing tactics.

Lesson 5: AI Can’t Build a Great Course—But It Can Enhance Learning

Many course creators believe that AI will make course creation effortless—but AI can’t tell you what’s good.

The Problem:

Using AI is a skill. If you don’t know what effective course design looks like, AI will just reinforce your existing biases.
🎯 Example: Amy’s Story
Amy, a sales trainer, could have used AI to generate course content. But instead, she’s using AI to create tools that personalize student experiences.

Actionable Takeaway:

✅ AI is best used for enhancing engagement and implementation—not replacing course design expertise.

Lesson 6: The Energy You Bring to Course Creation Shapes the Result

Your course isn’t just about what you teach—it’s about how you show up.
🎯 Example: Alexandra Ninfo’s Story
Alexandra’s course doesn’t follow “best practices”—it’s mostly audio training, with longer videos and no fancy production.
Yet… her students are the most engaged I’ve ever seen.
Why? Because of the energy she brings.

Actionable Takeaway:

✅ If something feels off, don’t just look at structure—look at the energy you bring to it.

Final Thoughts: Your Next Step 🚀

I know course creation can feel overwhelming, but you’re already further along than you think.
If you’re wondering, “Is my course actually good? Will people really get results?”—I’d love to help.
💡 I offer Course Audits to help refine your course for better student success and more sales.
👉 Learn more here: www.cre8tion.co/discovery
And if you haven’t yet—watch the full video!
Which of these lessons resonated with you the most? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear your thoughts! 👇