I stumbled upon it

The author recounts his experience enrolling in a personal finance course focused on the stock market, highlighting the common pitfalls of online courses: disappointment, wasted money, and lack of practical knowledge. The author expresses a desire for practical and useful information from these courses.

Surrendering $100 for beta version

The author encountered Denis Gorbunov, an online educator developing a personal finance course with a focus on financial freedom through the stock market. Recognizing the importance of beta testing, the author offered to pay for a pre-release version of the course and provide feedback.

• The author believed this approach would help Denis improve the course while simultaneously getting valuable insights.
• The author's upfront payment demonstrated his commitment to the course's development.

A rocky start

The author describes the first session of Denis's course, revealing that the online educator was initially nervous and unprepared. Despite this, the author encouraged Denis to push through and continue with the session.

• Denis's initial survey about the author's spending habits highlighted a crucial point for online course creators: ensuring the content aligns with the target audience's needs and expectations.
• Denis initially struggled to provide relevant advice as the author's financial situation was already well-managed.

"Investing? What about it?"

The second session focused on the stock market, but the author questioned Denis's assumption that investing solely revolves around equities. This challenge forced Denis to re-evaluate his scope and broaden his perspective on the investment landscape.

• The author emphasizes that the investment world encompasses a variety of avenues beyond the stock market.
• The author stresses the importance of clearly communicating the course's scope to avoid surprises or misaligned expectations from participants.

How Denis can use credentials to build trust during the workshops

The author suggests strategies to help Denis, as an online educator, build trust and credibility with potential students interested in stock market investing. These suggestions aim to address potential skepticism from those considering the course.

• Denis should showcase past successes through screenshots of profitable stock market trades to establish his expertise.
• Live demonstrations of his trading strategies, including the formation of trends and profit-taking, can further demonstrate his practical skills to the audience.

The close

The author summarizes key takeaways for online course creators aiming to monetize their knowledge, particularly in the field of stock market investing. Building a successful online course requires a deliberate and iterative approach.

• Seeking feedback from practitioners in the field, like Denis, is invaluable.
• Selling beta versions to test market demand and gather feedback is essential before a full launch.
• Focusing on feedback and continuous improvement through revisions is crucial for building a high-quality online course.

Investing in trusted online educators

The author concludes by emphasizing the importance of choosing online courses from trusted individuals and supporting the development of quality courses that align with personal interests.

• Invest time and money in online educators who demonstrate expertise and authenticity.
• Participate in beta testing and provide valuable feedback to help refine the course content.