Course Creation for Solopreneurs: How to Design Online Courses That Actually Transform Your Students and Grow Your Business

Curtis Satterfield, PhD. Helping Solopreneurs Create Courses That Transform Students
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Course design that actually works. Learn how to build an online course that transforms your students and grows your business. Course Creation for Solopreneurs is hosted by Dr. Curtis Satterfield. I've spent 17 years as an educator and course designer, helping thousands of students learn new skills. After years of watching solopreneurs struggle with course creation, I see the same problems come up again and again. Courses packed with information but missing clear outcomes. Students who buy but never finish. Launches that flop because the course itself wasn't built to deliver results.  My mission is to show you a better way. One that starts with your student's transformation and builds everything around that. In my under-20-minute episodes, I get straight to the problem and show you how to fix it. You'll learn how to structure your course so students actually complete it, create lessons that stick, and build something you're proud to sell. Whenever it makes sense, I'll link helpful resources in the show notes so you can take action right away. Creating an online course can feel overwhelming. There's conflicting advice everywhere, and it's easy to get stuck overthinking your outline, second-guessing your content, or wondering if anyone will even buy it. This podcast doesn't ignore that. Instead, it walks you through the messy and confusing parts step by step so you never feel like you're doing it alone. My goal is simple. I want to help you create courses that get real results for your students. Courses that transform their lives, build your reputation, and grow your business through word of mouth and repeat buyers. From defining your transformation to structuring your modules, from scripting your lessons to launching with confidence, we'll cover it all. If that sounds like the support you need, take a moment to follow or subscribe to the show. It's an easy way to support the podcast and make sure you never miss an episode.

  1. 1D AGO

    The Best Course Platform for Your First Online Course (And Why It's Not Kajabi)

    The wrong course platform can wreck your first online course launch before you make a single sale. If you're researching Kajabi, Teachable, or Thinkific for your course creation setup, you're about to make an expensive mistake. In this episode, I'll tell you the platform I recommend to my clients, why the popular options are a bad fit when you're just starting out, and how I learned this lesson the hard way after switching platforms myself. You'll learn: Why the most recommended course platforms are wrong for first-time course creatorsThe simple math that shows how a $200/month platform can wipe out your launch profitsHow most platforms take a cut of your sales on top of payment processing feesHow I wasted six months on the wrong platform and what happened when I switched backThe one platform I recommend and have used for years across multiple coursesWhy "more features" doesn't mean better results for your clientsThe big course creation programs push expensive platforms because they're built for people doing six figures in course sales. You're not there yet. And picking the wrong platform before your first launch is one of the fastest ways to lose money before you've made any. Two Tools Episode mentioned in today's podcast .  I'm Dr. Curtis Satterfield. I've been building and selling online courses for years, and I help solopreneurs create courses that actually transform their clients and grow their business. Ready to stop spinning your wheels? Book a free Course Roadmap Call and let's figure out the right next steps for your course: https://curtissatterfield.com/work-with-curtis/ Send me a message! Want free feedback on your course structure? I'm reviewing five course outlines this month. Grab your spot here: https://curtissatterfield.com/free-course-review-call/

    9 min

  2. FEB 11

    Why Clients Won't Finish Your Online Course (4 Mistakes Course Creators Make)

    Your students have purchased your online course, full of excitement and anticipation. Yet, many mentally check out within the first 30 seconds. Not because the course lacks quality, but because the introductory moments fail to engage them. In this episode, you'll learn about critical course design mistakes that cause students to disengage right from the start, and discover a simple, three-part framework to hook your audience from lesson one. You'll learn: Why "In this lesson, we're going to learn about..." is the worst way to startThe four intro mistakes that make your course sound like a boring lectureHow YouTube, TV, and podcasts hook audiences, and how to steal those techniques for your courseThe difference between telling students why a lesson matters and showing themA simple three-part framework you can use to open every lesson in 15-30 secondsYour students already paid. But attention isn't included in the purchase price. You have to earn it every single lesson, the same way a TV show earns your attention every single episode. The good news? It's simpler than you think. Perfect for solopreneurs looking to build an online course that transforms students and grows their business, this episode offers actionable advice rooted in 17 years of course design experience. Attention isn't guaranteed just because someone paid—it must be earned lesson by lesson, just like a hit TV show. Tune in to learn how to design course intros that captivate and retain your students from the start. I'm Dr. Curtis Satterfield. I've been an educator and course designer for 17 years, and I help solopreneurs build courses that actually transform their students and grow their business. If you liked this episode, go check out my episode on "The Handoff Method." It's another lesson-level design technique that helps your students go from "I get it" to "I can actually do this." Search "The Handoff Method" wherever you're listening. Send me a message! Want free feedback on your course structure? I'm reviewing five course outlines this month. Grab your spot here: https://calendly.com/dr-curtis-satterfield/free-course-structure-review

    11 min

  3. FEB 4

    The Handoff Method: An Online Course Design Fix for Low Completion Rates

    For solopreneurs looking to build an online course that truly transforms students, understanding the difference between transferring information and transferring skills is key.  In this episode, we introduce the Handoff Method, a simple three-step approach to course design that helps your students move from "I get it" to "I can do it."  You'll learn: Why most online courses fail to transfer actual skillsThe absurd way most courses are structured (and why we'd never accept it in other fields)The three steps of the Handoff Method: Me, Us, YouA real example of this method creating a breakthrough for a studentHow to implement the Handoff Method in your own course How to use the Handoff Method in pre-recorded courses where you can't interact with studentsYour students don't truly understand something until they've done it themselves. But they can't just jump to doing. They need to see it, practice with support, then own it. The Handoff Method gives you a simple structure to make that happen. I'm Dr. Curtis Satterfield. I've been an educator and course designer for 17 years, and I help solopreneurs build courses that actually transform their students and grow their business. Got a course creation question? Use the send me a message link and let me know what you're struggling with. I might answer it in a future episode. Send me a message! Want free feedback on your course structure? I'm reviewing five course outlines this month. Grab your spot here: https://calendly.com/dr-curtis-satterfield/free-course-structure-review

    8 min

  4. JAN 28

    Why Students Give Up on Your Course Before They Even Get Started: A Course Creation Mistake Every Solopreneur Makes

    Creating an online course? Solopreneurs often make this course design mistake without realizing it. And it's costing them students, testimonials, and future sales. In this episode, I share a personal story about learning to crochet that reminded me why so many course creators lose students before they even get started. You'll learn: Why students give up on courses in the first few minutesWhat the "curse of knowledge" is and how it affects your course designHow to figure out where your audience truly is in their journeyThe difference between a "beginner" and a "beginner beginner"Why it's okay to include basic information in your courseThe transformation your students get determines your course's value, not how advanced the content is. If you skip the foundations your students need, they'll go elsewhere. And without students completing your course, you won't get the testimonials and social proof you need to grow your business. Check out my Amigurumi Whale (and journey) here. I'm Dr. Curtis Satterfield. I've been an educator and course designer for 17 years, and I help solopreneurs build courses that actually transform their students and grow their business. Ready to stop spinning your wheels? Book a free Course Roadmap Call and let's figure out the right next steps for your course: https://curtissatterfield.com/work-with-curtis/  Send me a message! Want free feedback on your course structure? I'm reviewing five course outlines this month. Grab your spot here: https://calendly.com/dr-curtis-satterfield/free-course-structure-review

    10 min

  5. JAN 21

    Do You Need a Script for Recording Online Course Lessons? Tips for Solopreneur Course Creators

    Are you ready to record your online course lessons but unsure whether to write a full script, use bullet points, or just wing it? This episode explores essential techniques for course creation that help solopreneurs build an online course that truly connects with their students. Learn from my 17 years of experience as an educator and course designer as I break down the three main approaches to lesson delivery and share which method works best. You'll learn: Why repeating yourself on camera tanks your credibility (and how scripts prevent it)The minimum preparation you need before hitting recordHow to read a script without sounding roboticWhen bullet points are enough (and when they'll get you in trouble)A simple tool that changed how I record everythingThe aim isn't perfection but presenting your authentic self while covering everything your students need to succeed. Whether you are just starting to create an online course or looking to improve your delivery, these tips will save you time and help you design more engaging lessons. I'm Dr. Curtis Satterfield, and I specialize in course design and helping solopreneurs create online courses that genuinely transform students and grow their business.  Ready to move forward with your course creation? Book a free Course Roadmap Call to get personalized guidance: https://curtissatterfield.com/work-with-curtis/ Send me a message! Want free feedback on your course structure? I'm reviewing five course outlines this month. Grab your spot here: https://calendly.com/dr-curtis-satterfield/free-course-structure-review

    8 min

  6. JAN 14

    Turn a Low Enrollment Online Course Launch Into a Win: Course Creation Strategies for Solopreneurs

    You build an online course, launch it, and only a few people sign up. For solopreneurs trying to create an online course that grows their business, low enrollment feels like failure. But it doesn't have to be. In this episode, I share exactly what happened when my course launch got only one paid student, and the course creation strategies I used to turn it into a sold-out relaunch just months later. You'll learn: Why low enrollment only matters for certain types of coursesHow to cap your enrollment so selling feels easier and scarcity stays honestThe "scholarship" strategy that filled my seats without destroying my pricingWhy slashing your price after a bad course launch backfires long-termThe one thing I asked from free students that made my relaunch completely differentA disappointing first launch isn't the end. It's an investment in testimonials, refined content, and a better second launch - but only if you play it right. I'm Dr. Curtis Satterfield. I've been an educator and course designer for 17 years, and I help solopreneurs build courses that actually transform their students and grow their business. Ready to stop spinning your wheels? Book a free Course Roadmap Call and let's figure out the right next steps for your course: https://curtissatterfield.com/work-with-curtis/ Send me a message! Want free feedback on your course structure? I'm reviewing five course outlines this month. Grab your spot here: https://calendly.com/dr-curtis-satterfield/free-course-structure-review

    5 min

  7. JAN 7

    Two Tools to Help You Create Online Courses Your Students Will Actually Finish

    Online course completion is the key to course creation success. If your students aren't finishing, you're not getting testimonials, referrals, or repeat buyers. Just silence. The problem isn't your content. It's that your students don't understand why each lesson matters to them. And the common advice to "just explain why" doesn't work because it relies on you remembering to do it every single time. In this episode, I'll show you two structural tools that build purpose into every lesson automatically. You'll learn: Why students check out even when your content is solidThe real reason "start with why" advice fails most course creatorsThe Outcome Test: one question that forces clarity into every lessonHow to use Problem-Example-Lesson structure to make students care before you teachWhy building purpose into your course architecture beats relying on willpowerHere's what most course creation programs won't tell you: the courses that generate testimonials and referrals aren't doing it because of fancy production or better marketing. They're doing it because students actually finish, implement, and get results. And that happens when every lesson has a clear purpose your students can feel. I'm Dr. Curtis Satterfield. I've been an educator and course designer for 17 years, and I help solopreneurs build courses that actually transform their students and grow their business. Ready to stop spinning your wheels? Book a free Course Roadmap Call and let's figure out the right next steps for your course: https://curtissatterfield.com/work-with-curtis/ Send me a message! Want free feedback on your course structure? I'm reviewing five course outlines this month. Grab your spot here: https://calendly.com/dr-curtis-satterfield/free-course-structure-review

    10 min

  8. 12/31/2025

    How Long to Make Your Course: Modules, Lessons, and What Makes a Valuable Course

    You're building your first online course and you can't stop asking: how long should it be? You've searched for answers. Maybe you even bought a course creation program hoping they'd tell you. But nobody gives you a straight answer. In this episode, I share 4 course length realities no one talks about - and they directly affect whether your course succeeds or fails. You'll learn: Why the "more content = more value" myth is destroying course completion ratesWhat actually determines how much you can charge (hint: it's not length)Real numbers for modules, lessons, and lesson lengthWhy I can't give you the exact answer for your course - and why that's actually freeingAfter 17 years as an educator and online course designer, I've seen what works and what doesn't. The courses that transform students aren't the longest ones. They're the ones that give students exactly what they need to get results - nothing more, nothing less. I'm Dr. Curtis Satterfield. I help solopreneurs build courses that actually transform their students and grow their business. Ready to build a course that delivers real results? Book a free Course Roadmap Call and let's figure out the right next steps for your course: https://curtissatterfield.com/work-with-curtis/ Send me a message! Want free feedback on your course structure? I'm reviewing five course outlines this month. Grab your spot here: https://calendly.com/dr-curtis-satterfield/free-course-structure-review

    9 min
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Course design that actually works. Learn how to build an online course that transforms your students and grows your business. Course Creation for Solopreneurs is hosted by Dr. Curtis Satterfield. I've spent 17 years as an educator and course designer, helping thousands of students learn new skills. After years of watching solopreneurs struggle with course creation, I see the same problems come up again and again. Courses packed with information but missing clear outcomes. Students who buy but never finish. Launches that flop because the course itself wasn't built to deliver results.  My mission is to show you a better way. One that starts with your student's transformation and builds everything around that. In my under-20-minute episodes, I get straight to the problem and show you how to fix it. You'll learn how to structure your course so students actually complete it, create lessons that stick, and build something you're proud to sell. Whenever it makes sense, I'll link helpful resources in the show notes so you can take action right away. Creating an online course can feel overwhelming. There's conflicting advice everywhere, and it's easy to get stuck overthinking your outline, second-guessing your content, or wondering if anyone will even buy it. This podcast doesn't ignore that. Instead, it walks you through the messy and confusing parts step by step so you never feel like you're doing it alone. My goal is simple. I want to help you create courses that get real results for your students. Courses that transform their lives, build your reputation, and grow your business through word of mouth and repeat buyers. From defining your transformation to structuring your modules, from scripting your lessons to launching with confidence, we'll cover it all. If that sounds like the support you need, take a moment to follow or subscribe to the show. It's an easy way to support the podcast and make sure you never miss an episode.

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