How I Made Over $100K With My Online Course
I always wanted to be known for something that would impact lives for the better. Growing up I always wanted to be a teacher, a writer, or a nurse, but I was too shy and didn’t think I was smart enough. When I became a mom, the calling became stronger to be something more, but I thought, “Why me? I’m not anything special. I’m just a mom, living in a small town in North Dakota. No one would ever take me seriously.”
That calling became stronger and stronger which lead me to give up the “Why me?” attitude and just trust that this was going to take me somewhere meaningful. I spent years learning everything I could. From attending webinars like it was my full time job, downloading and printing every single PDF I could get my hands on, and listening to podcasts that could help me grow my business. I was a sponge.
Soon I started working with clients and began documenting their journeys and patterns. I studied and found the similarities in their unique paths and I was in awe of the determination and brilliance that each one of them had.
For years I hung onto a brilliant idea for a signature program because I was afraid. I was so scared that no one would see how magical my idea was and that people would think I wasn’t good enough to teach it, so I kept it on my notebook pages where it wouldn’t get rejected.
I started a pattern of comparing myself to everyone online and feeling completely hopeless that this was a waste of time and energy. I don’t have an exciting life or live somewhere “cool.” I’m just, me. A mom working a full time job, taking care of my family the best way I can, and building a business during nap times. I was measuring myself up to these coaches and course creators who had lifestyles I didn’t have and most importantly didn't want.
I kept hearing the word, “hustle” and it made me want to scream. HUSTLE? When? Was there a place online where I could purchase time that I wasn’t aware of? How could I work harder than I already was? It felt like I was hustling and I hated it. And if it wasn’t working for me then, how could it ever?
How could I sustain this business and inspire others to do the same if I was tapped out?
I was doing so many things that kept me preoccupied (safe) from doing what I really wanted to, all because I was scared. I was freelancing, working with clients, I ran an online magazine, and I even had an Etsy shop!
Then I found out I was pregnant with my third baby. The biggest and best surprise ever. I knew things had to change. #wakeupcall
I stopped everything except for the one thing that aligned with my ultimate vision, working with clients.
I closed my Etsy shop, I stopped freelancing, and I shut down my magazine because it was taking energy away from the real reason why I started doing this all in the first place. These things were just distractions and I knew that with this new baby coming, I had to be laser focused and the only way to do that was to simplify.
It felt amazing to have a fresh slate and I knew this was going to be the start of an incredible transformation. I had a vision, a signature program, and I knew that everything I did from here on out would have to align with it. If it didn’t, it wouldn’t happen. Pure and simple.
The months that I was pregnant with Violet were solely dedicated to setting up a sturdy, long term, organic marketing plan. I remember feeling so surprised with how easy it was and at first it felt like I was doing something wrong or missing something, but I wasn’t. I was simply in full alignment with my business and my vision.
The ideas came pouring out and everything I thought of, I wrote down. I went through all of my notebooks and stacks of paper and grabbed all of the good stuff. Even if it didn’t make sense, I took notice of it, because it came to me for a reason. Then I took everything I had compiled and organized it all into blog post ideas and freebie ideas. It felt amazing. I was onto something.
I knew that every person who would read my work and download my freebies could be a student of mine some day. Everything that I made, was for them. I planned months and months worth of blog posts out in the matter of weeks and by the time Violet was born, I was so far ahead.
My organic marketing, consistent blog posts, and new found confidence instantly put me in a space I never knew existed. It was a space of authority within my niche and I received even more clarity that this signature program I was clinging onto, that’s been siting in the back of my mind, was getting closer and closer to the surface.
The day Violet was born, I received a huge list building collaboration opportunity. We were in the hospital and I was on my phone ordering a necklace that had all of my kids’ names engraved on in, when an email popped in my inbox offering a gigantic opportunity for a collaboration. I was beyond excited. I marked the email as unread, smiled, and told myself that I’ll take care of it when things get settle at home. Life is good.
It’s amazing what happens when you simplify. Not only do YOU get clear, but so does everyone else.
A couple of months later, I started working with a new coach. I was on maternity leave still from my full time job and since I had worked so far ahead, it seemed that up-leveling myself with a dream coach felt like the next necessary step. I’m an introvert through and through and I thrive off of 1:1 coaching. It will always be my preference, no matter what level I’m at.
I used this time to really systematize and strategize my next big move. Launching my signature program. Finally.
It can be really stressful thinking of the perfect name for your program, but when it comes to you, you know. And after scribbling, what felt like hundreds, of different program names, flipping words around, and digging in my thesaurus I finally came up with the best name ever.
STAND OUT COACHING ACADEMY.
It was perfect. It included a transformation (stand out) and it gave the essence of community.
I visualized the students inside. What their lives were like and what they needed help with. I dialed into their struggles and pain points and I got super clear with the transformation they desired.
The first time I launched SOCA, it was the second week of February 2018. I had a goal of 5 students and I knew in my heart that I would hit it. I didn’t have a Facebook group and I had around 500 people on my list. I knew I needed a launch method that would foster that know, like, and trust factor on a super deep level, so I went all out. Here was my launch plan:
I created pitch free webinar for list building purposes
I created 2 different webinars that would sell SOCA at the end
I hosted a 5 day challenge inside a fresh Facebook group
About 40 people joined my group for the challenge. Every day I showed up live, most of the time with Violet on my hip and I taught a different lesson. I created a workbook that was only available to them and the group was highly engaged. On the last day of the challenge I made sure to invite them all to my webinar the next day where I would pitch SOCA for the very first time.
If you’re going to let all of the internet gurus out there freak you out about launching with small numbers, then you’ll never make it. Ignore them. They started out small too. We all start at zero. Don’t forget that. Take it from me, you can launch small and get impactful results. I’ve seen it done time and time again with my clients and students.
I had small numbers for my webinar and my challenge, but I still kept going because I had complete confidence in my vision. Right before my first sales webinar, I remember closing the door to my bedroom, the only place in the house at the time that I could speak without interruptions, because 3 kids, I took a photo of my set up and smiled because it reminded me of the Amazon photos you see before they went big. I was using a TV tray as my desk, with a Pampers diaper box for height, and on top of all of that was my laptop. We all start somewhere and THIS was my somewhere.
The webinar was a hit and I walked out of our bedroom on cloud 9. My husband was making everyone lunch and I was gushing on and on about the amazing time I had. And then all of a sudden my phone pinged. The 1st student enrolled and paid in full. $997. That is when everything immediately felt different. It was the validation I was needed for years that I never would have received if I would have kept this program to myself or if waited until my list was bigger bla bla bla.
I had something here. Something that people wanted and needed. It was finally happening.
Over the course of that weekend, I brought in 4 more students which lead me to hit my goal. 5 brand new SOCA students.
At that time, SOCA was a 90 day program that had content dripped out weekly. I also offered a lot of 1:1 sessions and group coaching calls. I did this because I really wanted to create a program that fostered community inspired action, growth, and results. The huge amount of time that I spent on calls during this time was not only for me to help my students at a high level, but for my own research purposes as well.
Stand Out Coaching Academy is completely different than it was 2 years ago. My audience has evolved and so have my students. As a good coach and course creator, I went with the flow so today, SOCA not only shows coaches how to START their business, but it also shows them how to scale it. It’s the most comprehensive coaching program out there and is the only program out there for this price, that offers the life time support that it does.
My launch process has also evolved and simplified over the years. I went from doing highly involved launches to more evergreen approaches that now bring in students while I sleep.
Once I crossed the $100K mark, I just sat there with my hands folded in gratitude in front of my face. I’ve come so far! $100K. ME. A mom of 3, living in her small home town, and still working her 9 to 5. Me. I did it. I freaking did it.
2020 and every year after that will be bigger and better because I have complete faith that it will. I’ve never lead my business, clients, and students with dollar signs in my eyes. I’ve always gone with complete faith that God has something special in store for me every day and will continue to lead me down a path that allows me to do what I always knew I was capable of doing, impacting lives.
Maybe it’s not how I thought it would be at first, but it sure is perfect. It has allowed me to teach, serve, write, speak, and guide women to be their best selves so they can go out and serve others too. The ripple effect at its finest.
If you’re a coach or if you feel called to be a coach, don’t let anyone or anything stand in your way. There are billions of people on this planet and there are so many people who need to hear your story and who need your help. You got this coach.
Why Angelica joined:
I needed help scaling & creating a system in place where I can book clients constantly. Ever since I joined SOCA, I have taking my business online to the next level.
I am a Life and Visionary Business coach. I am very PASSIONATE in helping female Millennial Visionaries entrepreneurs unleash and manifest their dreams!
Why Ashley joined:
I was inspired by a free challenge Lindsay hosted about coaching to switch from being a VA to being a business coach, and I knew SOCA would help me get started and take the right steps with no nonsense.
Now, I help online coaches get a handle on their business processes, systems, and organization so they can get control back and get their business “VA ready”.
Why Cecilia joined:
I wanted to move from full-management services to helping entrepreneurs set up a strong social media presence. I help Christian, female entrepreneurs set up a stellar business social media presence and help them find quick easy systems to use monthly.
Why Edyta joined:
I joined to grow my coaching practice into a scaled business that has growing and steady income while also being aligned with my values and passion!
What you do and who you serve: I help women reprogram their brains so they can have the confidence & motivation to THRIVE.
Why Jacquelyn joined:
I was ready to go full fours with my course and I wanted a team around me to guide and support me
What you do and who you serve: I help women find the light within themselves and step into their own power to co-create a business and life they truly desire. I use logic mindset and energy healing to help you re-write the stories and beliefs that are holding you back.
Why Julie joined:
I want to created and launch my photography coaching program, and like everyone else wasn't getting anywhere with #allthefreeinfo out there. I needed accountability + step by step and coaching along the way. SOCA is the PERFECT Program for me. Plus SOCA offers a tribe of like minded boss ladies to work with!!
I am a photographer + Stock Photos = Working on photography coaching program.
Why Kathryn joined:
I was right at the beginning of my journey, knowing I wanted to help others but no clue how to get from there to where I am now. SOCA gave me everything I needed for every step of the business, and I know there is more for when I reach the next level. It's like having a business BFF.
I am an intuitive life coach and I serve women who have dreams and desires, but have yet to achieve them.
Why Kevin-Marie joined:
I was trying to turn my productivity blog into a business and what you were putting out there was aligned with everything I needed in order to get started. I also was referred to you by another SOCA student who had gone through the program. She had nothing but good things to say, so I watched and followed what you put out there for months before I decided to move forward and pay.
I help working moms master their side gig minus the guilt by using the 3P Method. 📝 Plan | Prioritize | Practice. I'm also a published author.
Kevin-marie.com
Why Leondra joined:
I wanted to learn exactly how to start a group coaching program. I needed more hand-holding and step-by-step instructions for everything. Coming from a career in real estate, I was used to everything already being templated and formatted. Starting my new business and learning that I would need to create my own landing pages, put together a website, use new software to email clients, write blog posts, have a plan for social media…do all. The. Things. I knew I needed help to put manageable systems in place.
I teach busy moms, who are in the beginning phases of starting their own businesses, how to run their households, manage their businesses and to unapologetically keep themselves at the top of their priority list.
Why Shonda joined:
I joined SOCA because I wanted to build my coaching business. I had gone with other coaches before and I lost a lot of money with those coaches. I particularly joined SOCA because I could truly see Lindsay's heart behind her business. Her goal is to build us up, not to hinder us in any way. She truly loves what she does and it shows through us as her students.
Why Sonia joined:
I wanted to start coaching others & I didn't know the steps to get there.
Now I help teachers make extra money from home by starting an online tutoring business.