How I earned my first $1k, $10k, and $100k as an online course creator

[@witandwire]

What other questions do you have about selling online courses? (I'd love to hear any suggestions to help me choose topics for future videos!)

[@abundate]

Thanks for this video, Melissa! Love your willingness to openly share those early numbers. I'd love to know more about what tasks you may have outsourced and when - were you doing it all yourself up until that first $100k?

[@anthonycrothers_Photography]

A refreshing narrative compared to all the bs out there! I taught online classes during the pandemic. Would love to know how you set up and run a live webinar 👍

[@TheSwissPoliticalSystem]

You are VERY professional; not over makeupped, no cleavage, no "party" hair or clothing and, of course very good information

[@witandwire]

Thank you, glad you found it helpful!

[@abrarsutube]

Wow, you are a breath of knowledgeable and ethical fresh air. Thank you for your great video x

[@witandwire]

You're welcome!

[@SimonOsamoh]

Love the honesty in this!! Most say I made 10k blah blah blah but don’t say they spent 5k on ads

[@witandwire]

Exactly. And revenue numbers are great, but I'm hopeful that some transparency around ads and expenses will be helpful, too.

[@tonyrobinson9046]

On the accounting side...you can have income (someone has paid you) but you also have expenses. It is only by putting all this together that you can say a business has made a profit, or that it has earned something. I sell a $100 widget. I paid $50 for it. My office and admin costs for each widget I sell is about $40. I earned $10 as a result of all this. Best just to talk about 'sales'.

[@witandwire]

That’s fair feedback. I try to be intentional about which words I use to be accurate in different circumstances.

[@ZYTHIVIDEOS]

Wow, Melissa, you're a rockstar!!! 🤩💫 I loved this behind-the-scenes look at your journey to $100k 📈💸. Your transparency and tips are invaluable 🙏👏. Thanks for inspiring me to crush my own online course goals 💪🔥🎉

[@witandwire]

You're welcome! Glad you found it useful.

[@TonyBickley-s1d]

Thank you, I had an idea to search for advice on turning my digital ebook on self defense into s series on online courses, and your channel popped up, I have been binge watch your videos every since. Awesome. Thank you so much for sharing, pure gold. Your video on content platforms was perfect.

[@witandwire]

Thank you! So glad you're finding my videos helpful.

[@StrategyOnepager]

This video, in particular, and this channel, in general, is a real find. Melissa has genuine expertise that is immediately helpful to me in getting started with setting up an online course service. If it helps, my background is as a strategy consultant and adjunct lecturer (post grad marketing) who ended up recording lecturers and course online due to the pandemic and is now trying to use that experience to sell consultancy & instruction online. I also don't know Melissa - I say that because I think my comment might look like a plant on reading it back. It's all genuine and watching it is, in fact, keeping me from work.

[@witandwire]

Thanks, Mick! I appreciate the kind words, and I'm glad to help!

[@michelepryor2777]

You are the bomb! You spoke clearly, you kept my attention, and you explained everything in detail perfectly, that I could understand it very well. I’m just starting out on TikTok and I’m getting quite a bit of views to just be starting out. I wasn’t really paying attention to my videos. I was just encouraging people and it’s kinda taking off somewhat. And people started gifting me. That’s what made me check into what that meant. You help me out a lot. I will be following you. You definitely earned my thumbs up and subscription. Thank you for all you do.😃

[@witandwire]

Thank you! I'm glad this was helpful!

[@fitover65]

I am absolutely mesmerized by your knowledge and ability to articulate it. I am a huge fan and I will be working with you very soon.

[@witandwire]

That's so kind, thank you! I'm glad to be helpful, and looking forward to it!

[@Lou_Mansfield]

Wow you did amazing with ads and growing an email list! I am eager to learn more about how you did that successfully and fairly quickly

[@witandwire]

We're so glad this was helpful! Another way to learn more is through the Wit & Wire newsletter. You can sign up here: witandwire.com/newsletter/ - Team Wit & Wire

[@crouchingpython3294]

So helpful! Really fabulous content. As someone investigating online course creation, I love your transparency, business savvy, and ethics sensibility. Subbed and watching more!

[@witandwire]

Thank you! That means a lot to me, and I'm glad it's been helpful!

[@AKOS_KAFFY]

You're so honest and incredible.

[@witandwire]

Thank you so much! I try!

[@taranehrohani]

This is inspiring, Melissa. Congrats on your success.

[@witandwire]

Thank you!

[@kindlykandi247]

Okay I have SO many questions. I would love to know all about ads. LOVED this!

[@witandwire]

Yay, thank you! I'll definitely think about making a video about ads in the future, especially since I know they're a little overwhelming to learn about at first.

[@btf_program]

Good info. So glad I found this page before I created courses

[@witandwire]

I'm so glad this information was helpful!

[@theanalyticspro]

Yes yes yes, please share tips on how to effectively use ads on funnel. Thank you

[@witandwire]

Thank you for the suggestion!

[@wendydixonjewitt1961]

Hi Melissa great to come across your videos. I have spent $$$ trying to figure out how all this pieces together. I am currently in the middle of a couple of tech learning curves but will likely join up with you online in a few months. Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge.

[@witandwire]

You're welcome! I'm glad this channel has been helpful!

[@jordanthornton]

Truly appreciate your clarity & structure on this channel, Melissa - will be shooting you a voice note on IG soon! 🌲

[@witandwire]

I'm so glad it was helpful!

[@anthonycrothers_Photography]

Very helpful, your business ethics are commendable and resonate with mine. Currently working towards publishing my first course on photography. Thanks for sharing 👍👍👍

[@witandwire]

Thank you! I'm so glad it was helpful! Good luck with your first course!

[@mattyloucas]

killing it!

[@witandwire]

Thank you!

[@victoriamoser]

Girl you’re at 171 now!!! Way to go 😄

[@witandwire]

Thank you! ❤️

[@BrennaSouza-j8g]

Grateful to find your channel. You're very good in front of the camera. Curious on the payment plan options - Do the plans go on after the course has come to an end? Or are you timing the course to run alongside the payment plans?

[@witandwire]

Thank you and good question! Payment plans can extend longer than a course runs. It's up to you how many months you'd like a payment plan to be.

[@davidodimayo187]

Excellent video Melissa, thank you.

[@witandwire]

You're welcome!

[@dudinho7348]

Great tips. Thank you

[@witandwire]

Glad it was helpful!

[@extraincomesuz]

Melissa, can you have a video about creating/structuring a webinar?

[@witandwire]

That's a great suggestion! I’ll add that idea to the list - thank you!

[@DataWizardry]

Hi Melissa, For email marketing, what is your opinion on single opt-in, vs double opt-in. Do you have a video or podcast on this topic? Would be interested in hearing your thoughts. Thanks!

[@witandwire]

Great question! It usually comes down to personal preference and what you’re trying to optimize for. We currently use single pt-in, although that won’t be right for everyone. It’s a great suggestion for future content, and since we don’t have any good current content, here’s a good article from Drip: www.drip.com/blog/single-opt-in-vs-double-opt-in

[@DataWizardry]

Thanks@@witandwire!

[@Composeyourselfcare]

This is so inspiring and helpful! Thank you for sharing so openly.

[@witandwire]

You're welcome! I'm so glad it was helpful!

[@mikezonebyzone]

Thoroughly enjoying your content. My question: what platform are you using for your evergreen webinars?

[@witandwire]

Great question. We currently use EasyWebinar: witandwire.com/easywebinar

[@davefano]

I love your content! It’s so good!! The accounting terms are “cash” & “accrual” Cash is money in hand (what you’re doing) Accrual is money you’ve accrued (have committed (debt and revenue))

[@witandwire]

You are absolutely right. I realized it as soon as the video was published, too. I appreciate you pointing out the right terms! And I'm glad to hear my content has been helpful for you so far!

[@lovemyemma]

I love you content!! It is really amazing! I’m still trying to decide between teachable and Kajabi. Could you do a video that might talk about how to connect your own personal website to teachable? And also to talk about affiliate links. I’m very inspired by you and all that you have accomplished. I’m tempted to start with a free subscription to teachable and also the 14 days with Kajabi just to decide. Is it easy to move courses between one platform and another if you decide that you need something bigger or better? I also noticed that you have had courses on more than one platform at one time. Is there a benefit to this and are we allowed to use the same courses uploaded two different platforms at the same time. It is there a benefit to that?

[@witandwire]

Great question! We recommend checking out these videos that cover these topics (if you haven't seen them already): 1. 7 Best Online Course Platforms in 2023 | Teachable vs. Thinkific vs. Kajabi vs. Podia ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/poSkfWCsn9N3q9ksi=YJLQwO0BotI6jqPJ) You may have already seen it but Melissa talks about the pros and cons of the most popular tools for online course creators in this video 2. Kajabi Review: How to create and sell online courses in Kajabi: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGeppXWrq7h0bdUsi=QjWBHE56AOI_hMOv You can grab a free extended 30-day Kajabi trial here: witandwire.com/kajabi 3. Full Tutorial: How to Create & Sell Online Courses with Teachable (kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpjOmYF3eqp_p6Msi=4XJaG7XwkRd1UCQs) Also, another helpful tool we recommend is downloading our free Complete Course Creation Toolkit: witandwire.com/download-course-creation-toolkit/ We hope this helps, Team Wit & wire

[@anv3310]

Is it possible to make a video on how you do and incorporate your payment plans into your business?

[@witandwire]

Great question! Let me add that as an idea to my list. I think I'm more likely to make a quick TikTok video since I think it might be a quick one, so you can also hang with me over there: tiktok.com/@witandwire

[@mirandasaid1277]

What program did you use editing this video? I am looking for something where I can add text as you did. Thanks x

[@witandwire]

Good question! Our videos are edited in Adobe Premiere Pro. For something more beginner-friendly, I like Descript: witandwire.com/descript

[@kkaner181]

Great video thanks!

[@witandwire]

I'm so glad it was helpful!

[@mandyistight]

Super helpful! Thanks!

[@witandwire]

Thank you! ❤️

[@kmaulden1986]

Hi Melissa! I’m just now beginning to run FB & IG ads for my health course & still pretty clueless about them. I have a decent budget, but I’d love to know where you learned to run ads or what strategy you used to grow your email list so quickly!! Any useful tips would really help! Thanks 🙏

[@witandwire]

Those are great questions! (And it's definitely not easy, so I feel like I'm still learning, too.)

[@elprofesorhernan]

Hi Melissa, I have a big audience in most of the platforms, but I am struggling with the selling part, will you give me a hand?

[@witandwire]

Congratulations on building your audience! You can learn more about our programs - which talk about creating and selling online courses - at witandwire.com/courses.

[@BrinAmberlee]

Great video. Thank you for your transparency. This was super inspiring and helpful :)

[@witandwire]

We're so glad this was helpful!

[@letsgoviral777]

Thank you for this.

[@witandwire]

My pleasure!

[@SOULJAJOE010]

i dont know what it is, but something about you maybe the voice or the fact youre not like other youtubers plugging their products 10x times in a single video. Very chill to watch and a ton of knowledge, about to check out your site

[@witandwire]

Thank you!

[@narratepng]

I used to hear people talk on KZbin and internet on creating side income streams etc and never made a real decision but with WW yes I'm in probably because I wanted to start something different as my new year resolution of 2025

[@witandwire]

Best of luck!!

[@lhc9469]

Hi, love your content, I would love to learn more about how to earn more from ads then the invested amount❤

[@witandwire]

That’s a great suggestion! I’ll add that idea to the list - thank you!

[@maritahollis5070]

Would love to learn more about who you advertised for you online courses.

[@witandwire]

Oh, great question!

[@financial4wealth]

Very good Info

[@witandwire]

I'm so glad it was helpful!

[@financial4wealth]

Also I have created one multifamily real estate course and wondering that what platform can be best to use for further marketing/ selling and getting more client. Appreciate some info.

[@jrathgeber]

Sounds great

[@witandwire]

Thank you!

[@ashishgup]

Great video, as a budding new course creator, thanks for sharing your experience! One thing that I didn't quite get from this: was the webinar your main source of incoming audience for the course? and was online advertising the main channel for getting the word out of the webinar in a timely fashion every week?

[@witandwire]

Hi there! The main source of leads for my email list was Pinterest. Then, I pitched my email list in April on registering for the webinar. I also ran some paid ads promoting the webinar, so that generated a new batch of leads in addition to my existing email list. I hope that helps clarify!

[@ashishgup]

@@witandwire oh boy I am late in replying. thank you for this. I have finally started selling my course and will use the email list + webinar strategy for my course. One thing I did not understand from your video is how is the live webinar thing much more revenue creating than pre-recorded webinar for you? It's not intuitive for me.

[@marketermarina]

If it’s not a secret, what microphone do you use? I’m just starting developing my online course and have no idea what a beginner mic I should purchase 🙃

[@witandwire]

Here's a roundup of my current recommendations: witandwire.com/best-podcast-microphone-for-beginners/ I used the Blue Yeti for years, but I currently use the Shure MV7 USB Podcast Microphone

[@yamazatomartialarts393]

Can I just hire you. I have three course’s already. Personal money management, planning for retirement and investing for growth and profit.

[@witandwire]

The primary way we work with business owners is through our online programs, so unfortunately, we don’t currently offer course creation services. Team Wit & Wire

[@talkinnmedia4535]

I need this support

[@witandwire]

I hope this video and others on my channel can be helpful!

[@aprilinskip8276]

I’m still learning, what is an evergreen webinar funnel?

[@witandwire]

Great question! It means that there's an on-demand webinar (masterclass) that people can watch anytime to learn more about your strategies. Then at the end, there's an opportunity to purchase your full program. "Evergreen" means it is always available vs. one-time only.

[@moderator28]

Plz do free course

[@witandwire]

I have more free content here on KZbin (youtube.com/@witandwire), but my courses are paid. Hopefully that mix offers something for everyone.

[@josephbarot4733]

How can make money with tiktok

[@witandwire]

I would suggest checking out the Wit & Wire youtube video "10 Ways to Earn Money on Tiktok in 2023" to learn more: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y2rTgnZ5ibicqas Hope this helps!

[@lashawnames9066]

@Witandwire I am new to course creation. Can you please share a step-by-step process for building an email list?

[@witandwire]

Good question! No pressure to join, but Melissa talks about this more inside her program Email Engines, where she helps you build a strategic email ecosystem. More info here: witandwire.com/email-engines/ Team Wit & Wire

[@Rapperlifetv]

Can't get enough of your videos love the way you explain things clearly! I create HQ lyric videos n motion covers, both are popular on tiktok n ig. I've worked with over 4k people and have lots of positive reviews! I wanted to know if this niche is good for a course? as I know a lot of people would like to learn and also learn how to turn it into an online business. Would love to hear your thoughts on this.

[@witandwire]

Hello again! I know I'm catching up on your comments, but learning here that you've worked with 4k people definitely helps answer my question around validating demand. Did you work with them directly on helping them create the type of videos you plan to teach in the course? (If yes, that definitely checks a green box in the "yes, there's demand for this" column.) I'm sharing this excerpt from previous comments only to make sure you see it, not because I need a reply to each one individually: Here's the most important question: I'd first want to know if there's demand. Do people ask you for more info on how you edit your videos? Or if not, do you see profit indicators or demand in the marketplace for the concept? I'd look to see if there are any competitors. (These are questions I'd recommend researching and making notes about on your own.) Beyond that, after you validate demand, if you're looking for more strategies, it's something I get into extensively in my course creation program, which you can learn more about here: witandwire.com/courses This week only, I also have an intro course in this bundle where you can get 62 courses for $97, which is usually the price of my course alone (ends 9/27/22): ultimatebundles.com/tgbtk2022-sales-page/#a_aid=5f2d8ea4755e6&a_bid=fa049a0d (No pressure on any of those options, just wanted to share in case they're helpful!)