The Art of Online Course Creation | Helping Experts Build Impactful Courses That Get Real Results

In this episode of The ART of Online Course Creation , Shannon sits down with Kelly Leardon, founder of Walk Like Warriors, a woman who’s redefining what it means to grow a business on your own terms. Kelly’s journey didn’t start with a flashy viral moment or a large following. In fact, it began with a phone call she never should have answered - on her daughter’s wedding day, no less.  That moment...

"If your course doesn’t have impact… it doesn’t have a future." A bold statement, and the truth most course creators aren’t talking about. We all want our courses to help people. But how do you really know if yours is making a meaningful difference? Not just in metrics, but in someone’s life? In this episode, Shannon shares a story of working with a successful course creator who had all...

When you think of sales, do you immediately feel a twinge of discomfort? You’re not alone. So many brilliant course creators and online entrepreneurs find themselves stuck at the sales stage—not because they don’t believe in what they’re offering, but because the traditional methods of selling feel pushy, fake, or completely out of alignment. Today’s guest knows exactly how that feels—and she’s bu...

Join me in The Build Lab and get access to my new custom GPTs! AI is everywhere. And in the online course space, it’s tempting to think it might be the shortcut we’ve all been waiting for. But what if relying on AI too soon—or too much—actually waters down the very thing that makes your course special? In this episode, Shannon Boyer shares her unexpected shift from AI skeptic to strategic adopter—...

She was standing on a subway platform in New York City—pregnant, exhausted, and questioning everything. That moment marked the beginning of Shannon Russell’s second act. After 16 years as a successful TV producer, Shannon didn’t leave her career because she hated it—she left because her life changed . Now she’s an author, career transition coach, course creator, and host of the Second Act Success...

"You can’t just hit “record” on a Zoom webinar, slap a price tag on it, and call it a course. That’s not teaching—that’s repackaging." It’s time we rethink what makes an online course “high quality.” In this episode, Shannon Boyer challenges the common misconceptions about course quality—and reveals what actually drives student success.  Spoiler alert: It’s not fancy production or flashy...

In this transformative episode of The ART of Online Course Creation , Shannon sits down with bold leadership coach and people strategy expert Lindsay White to dismantle one of the most overused phrases in the entrepreneurial world: imposter syndrome . They unpack why the term doesn't tell the full story—and what’s really going on inside our heads when we hesitate to hit publish on that online...

You’ve got a list of course ideas longer than your arm—but which one should you actually choose? Which one will sell ? And more importantly, which one will make you feel excited to show up, teach, and talk about it for the long haul? In this episode of The Art of Online Course Creation , Shannon walks you through the two most important steps you need to take before you ever start building your cou...

If you’ve ever struggled with keeping up with content between launches—or if you’ve felt like your nurture content is just another to-do list item that keeps getting pushed down the priority list—today’s episode is for you. In this conversation, I’m joined by Lindsay Smith, a content strategist with a superpower for helping business owners create sustainable, high-impact nurture content—without ch...

I almost didn’t launch my first course. I was convinced I wasn’t “ready.” My audience was too small, my email list wasn’t big enough, and all the experts said I needed more people before I could expect to make sales. But here’s what actually happened—and why I was completely wrong. If you’ve ever put off launching your course because you felt like you didn’t have enough followers, email subscriber...

You’ve put in the work—your online course is packed with value, you know it can transform lives, and you’re ready to sell. But if your sales page isn’t converting, all that effort could go to waste. In this episode of The ART of Online Course Creation , I sit down with expert conversion copywriter Gina Whitehouse to talk about the power of persuasive sales copy and how to ensure your sales page is...

Ever wondered if your creative skills could translate into a profitable online course?  In this episode, I’m joined by Mindy Young , a surface pattern designer and founder of Indy Bloom Design , who turned her artistic passion into a multiple six-figure course business. Mindy shares: ✅ The moment she realized her expertise was in demand—and how she turned that into a course ✅ Why starting small...

Are you tired of the endless cycle of live launching and the stress that comes with it? What if you could generate consistent, scalable revenue from your online course—without the burnout? In this episode of The Art of Online Course Creation , I sit down with Caitlin Batcher, creator of The Scale Method , to uncover how she transformed her online course business into an 8-figure powerhouse using e...

💡 A great course doesn’t just teach—it transforms. But what does it actually take to design a course that delivers real, lasting results? In this special bonus episode of The Art of Online Course Creation , we’re diving deep into the transformation factor —the difference between courses that simply share information and those that change lives. If you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet, be sure to ch...

💡 You’ve heard the pitch: “Create an online course and earn passive income while you sleep!” But is it really that simple? And more importantly—should you create one? In this episode of The Art of Online Course Creation , we’re diving deep into the realities of creating an online course. It’s not the effortless cash machine some people promise, but that’s actually a good thing. When done right, a...

In this week’s episode of The Art of Online Course Creation , we dive into an insightful coaching session with Elaine Dickens, a registered psychotherapist and founder of Live Inspired Wellness. Elaine brings thoughtful questions to the table about transitioning her expertise into a purposeful educational offering, creating impactful workbooks, and delivering value-packed workshops for her audienc...

Creating an online course is an exciting journey—but it can be overwhelming when you're not sure where to turn for help. In this episode of The Art of Online Course Creation , Shannon Boyer dives into the three key players who can support you in bringing your course to life. You’ll learn about the important roles of marketers, tech and design specialists, and educators—and why knowing the dif...

Are you curious about how artificial intelligence (AI) can elevate your course creation and marketing strategies? In this insightful episode of The Art of Online Course Creation , Shannon Boyer sits down with Emily Baillie—digital marketing expert, AI trainer, and professor at McMaster University—to explore the transformative role of AI in business and course creation. From practical tips for gett...

Do you know the difference between trademarks, copyrights, and patents—and how they apply to your online course? Whether you’re a new or seasoned course creator, protecting your intellectual property is essential to building a lasting and recognizable brand. In this episode of The Art of Online Course Creation , I’m joined by Andrei Mincov, founder and CEO of Trademark Factory, the only firm in th...

How often do you stop and really look back at the past year? Not just to replay the highlights or cringe at the challenges, but to really reflect—on the wins, the lessons, and the growth you didn’t even realize was happening. In this episode of The Art of Online Course Creation , we’re hitting pause on the hustle to do just that. Shannon walks you through how taking time to reflect can fuel your n...

What does success really mean to you? Is it about hitting six-figure launches, or is it something more personal—like picking your kids up from school every day, staying healthy, or building a legacy? In this episode, Shannon takes you on a reflective journey to explore how success isn’t just about the numbers. Through personal stories and fresh insights, she challenges the idea of a one-size-fits-...

What does success look like for you as a course creator? As the year draws to a close, it's natural to reflect on your achievements, challenges, and vision for the future. But when it comes to your online course, how do you define success? Is it the number of enrollments? The revenue? Or is it something deeper—something more impactful? In today’s episode of The Art of Online Course Creation ,...

What’s in a name? Everything—if you want your course to stand out in a crowded market. In this episode, Shannon sits down with James I. Bond, author of the groundbreaking book Brain Glue , to uncover the secrets behind creating course names that captivate and convert. James brings decades of expertise in emotional selling and marketing, sharing the science-backed techniques behind why some names s...

Have you ever tailored your online course to cater to visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learners, believing it would improve their outcomes? While the idea of learning styles is pervasive, what if it’s not the key to student success? In this episode of The Art of Online Course Creation, host Shannon Boyer takes a deep dive into the widely held belief in learning styles and uncovers why they might n...

Do you ever feel uneasy about the marketing tactics you see in the online space? In this episode of The Art of Online Course Creation , Shannon Boyer welcomes Jan Ditchfield, a business strategist with a remarkable background in fundraising and ethical marketing. Together, they explore how to create genuine connections with your audience while staying true to your values—and how these principles c...