How to prompt ChatGPT to brainstorm topic ideas for your digital course

In this episode, I’m diving deep into one of the most common questions I get from you all - how to pick that *perfect* topic for your digital course. Don't worry; it's totally normal to feel a bit overwhelmed but trust me, it's not as scary as it seems!

So, get ready to unleash the power of the "Sweet Spot Test"! It's a proven process that'll help you nail down the best course ideas that your audience will love.

But wait, there's more! We've got an exciting twist for you. Ever heard of ChatGPT? It's the AI everyone's buzzing about! And here's the kicker - you can use it to expand your course ideas even further! I know, super cool, right? 🤖💡

Now, here's the thing - ChatGPT is fantastic, but it can be a little intimidating if you've never used it before. No worries, though! In this episode, we'll hold your hand and show you how to get started, making it a breeze.

So, what can you expect in this episode? Well, grab your favorite beverage and get comfy, because we've got a treat for you. We'll not only reveal the four magical questions to help you find your Sweet Spot, but we'll also show you how to make ChatGPT your new brainstorming buddy. Together, we'll brew up some fantastic ideas for your dream course topic! ☕💡

And if you've been struggling to figure out your niche, fret not! With the Sweet Spot Test and ChatGPT by your side, you'll be amazed at how we'll help you zero in on a course topic that's just *perfect* for you.

So, join me in this exciting episode as we take a laid-back approach to demystify the world of digital course topics. Trust me, after this, you'll be brimming with confidence to tackle your course creation journey like a pro!

Ready to dive in? Hit that play button now and let's get this AI-powered party started! 🎉🎧

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Say bye-bye to business burnout with these 4 strategies

Burnout. It’s the dreaded B word that most entrepreneurs experience at one point in their business journey or another, and it’s not a fun place to be. 

Not only do you feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders, but the passion you once had for your business -- and that drive to move forward -- seems to totally dissipate because you’re so overwhelmed.

I don’t know about you, but the reason that I left the corporate world in the first place was because I wanted to love what I do, not to be totally exhausted by it. I want to wake up in the morning feeling energized and excited, not fearful and frustrated.

Can you relate? If so, pay close attention to this episode -- because over the years, I’ve discovered the ‘secret sauce’ to having a successful business, sans the burnout. 

I only wish I would have discovered what these four things are sooner!

So if you’re on the brink of a business burnout, and want to banish it from your business for good, then grab a beverage of your choice, pop in your earpods, and get ready to take some notes.

Here’s a glance at this episode...

• [04:57] Burnout is common in the entrepreneurial world. I've experienced it firsthand, and I've heard stories from my students.
• [06:49] I got burned out working one-on-one with clients about two years into my business. I decided to fire all of my paying clients and do something different.
• [08:07] My most recent burnout was after I launched Two Weeks Notice. But this time I had the tools and knew what I needed to do to protect myself.
• [09:37] Creating a digital course has been a game-changer for my mental health. It’s helped many of my students avoid burnout too.
• [11:11] Digital courses could be the best asset in your business to protect you. It provides consistency and lessens the amount of hustle you have to do. 
• [12:13] Total burnout comes from constantly having to start from scratch and create something new. 
• [14:16] A digital course can increase revenue. You can also put a course on Evergreen, meaning that it’s automated and for sale every day.
• [15:52] Time blocking can help avoid burnout. It helps you get really clear on the action items you'll be doing during the day. It also helps avoid context switching.  
• [19:14] A four-day workweek can also help you avoid burnout. I’ve invited my team to have a four-day workweek and it’s transformed our mental health. 
• [21:46] 1. Create a digital course. 2. Eventually, put a course on evergreen. 3. Time blocking. 4. Explore incorporating a four-day workweek. 
• [22:58] What are you doing to protect yourself from burnout?

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What 2 of my students have done to create profitable, sustainable businesses by creating a digital course

If you’re anything like me, you like to have all of your facts straight before making any big business decisions. 

In fact, a big part of my decision-making process is learning about other business owners who’ve done something similar, and what their experience was like. 

I always find that hearing stories from those who’ve gone before me helps ease my mind about doing something new.

So if you’ve been considering creating a digital course, but aren’t 100% sure whether it’s the right decision-- or if your business will translate well into this type of model -- then pay close attention to what you hear in this episode. 

I sit down with two of my DCA graduates who started their digital course journeys with very different backgrounds. My student Jaren was a real estate investor, while my student Teresa sold art journals at festivals. Apples and oranges, I tell ya! 

We dive into the reasons they decided to create a digital course in the first place, the nuts and bolts of their course launches, the challenges they faced along the way -- and here’s the fun part -- how a digital course has changed their lives and businesses for the better. 

I hope that if you’re struggling with the decision of whether to create a digital course, then these interviews will give you an honest look at what life could be like for you. 

Happy listening! 

Here’s a glance at this episode...

• [03:50] Jaren Sustar is a real estate investor and founder of Finance Cowboy. His digital course helps people find and manage rental properties or flips.
• [05:02] Teresa Merriman created a course about travel art journaling. She even filmed her course in Croatia. 
• [07:09] Jaren began his career as a truck driver. He transitioned into sales and also started buying real estate. Finance Cowboy was born in 2021. 
• [12:21] Jaren joined List Builders Society and grew his list from 700 to 14,000 people.
• [13:02] After taking DCA, Jaron added a course to his business. The course allowed him to go really deep and take his students to the next level.
• [16:14] Jaren’s course is called The Rental Academy. He charged $3,000 and built a waiting list of 1200 people for his first launch. He made over $200,000.
• [23:56] Having a course has allowed Jaren to hire four full-time employees and coaches. 
• [29:56] Teresa has been an exhibiting artist since 2005. She makes beautiful ornate leather-bound journals.
• [31:03] During the pandemic, Teresa began offering a limited series online. She had an audience.
• [33:45] Teresa heard about digital courses and decided to niche down by focusing on travel journaling. 
• [38:28] Teresa's course launch consisted of social media and emails. It was $497 and she sold 32 in her first launch. 
• [42:42] She's now prepared to better describe and talk about her course when she does her second launch.
• [47:10] Teresa created a membership and has an in-person art retreat coming up this fall. Today she has more freedom with her time and makes a greater impact.

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Predict your digital course profit potential in 4 easy steps

Have you ever wondered how much money you could actually make from creating a digital course? 

You already know that a digital course can help free up more of your time, allow you to work from anywhere, and scale your business -- but by how much?

If you wonder, then pay close attention to this episode, sweet friend – because I’m going to show you exactly how to calculate your digital course profit potential in four easy steps. 

Including how to calculate exactly how many students you’d need to enroll in your course to meet a series of three goals you’ll set – a good goal, a great goal, and a big, scary goal. 

I think you’re going to be pleasantly surprised to see how enrolling even just a small number of students can absolutely change your life!

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Scale your impact without maxing out your calendar

Imagine this scenario. You’re a business owner who works one-on-one with clients. You love what you do, you have a lot of knowledge to share, and you’re making money. Most of all, you love the feeling you get from helping your clients achieve their goals. 

But the thing is, you’re starting to get the feeling that one-on-one work is holding back your growth potential. 

I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase ‘time is money’ -- and in a lot of business models, this old saying rings true because your ability to change more lives and make more money is totally dependent upon the number of hours in the day.

But the thing is, it doesn’t have to be like this -- and creating a digital course is one way that you can significantly scale your impact and your income without maxing out your calendar.

Take it from me. When I first started my business, I worked one-on-one with clients as a social media consultant. Not only was I stressed beyond belief, but there was a cap on my income potential and how many people I could help.

Transitioning my business from client work to selling digital courses has allowed me to make more money, create more impact, and live a life that’s completely on my terms. 

So if you’ve ever been curious whether this type of business model is limiting your growth potential, then pay close attention to this episode.

In it, I share four telltale signs that one-on-one work is holding you back, along with true stories of how some of my DCA Students have scaled their businesses with a digital course. 

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The 3 types of people that make the best digital course creators

Have you ever wondered if a digital course is right for you? 

Maybe you’re working a 9 to 5 job, and although you love what you do, you feel like a cog in the wheel -- and know you’re cut out for much more. 

Or maybe you’ve already started your own business, but feel so overwhelmed by your day-to-day workload that you question whether going off on your own was even worth it in the first place.

Or maybe you’ve thought about starting a digital course because you have knowledge to share, and you know that this type of business model allows you to maximize your impact and your income…

But even if it sounds like a good move, you’re still not 100% sure whether creating a digital course is right for your situation. 

And if that’s you, you’re in luck -- because in this episode, I share the three different types of people who pivot extremely well into digital course creation. 

You’re also going to hear real-life examples of how digital courses have helped my DCA students create sustainable, profitable businesses that have allowed them to create a life on their own terms. 

So grab a cold bevy, pop in your earbuds and press play on this enlightening episode!

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From flipping cars to fitness empire & beyond: How Chalene Johnson continues to build multi-million dollar businesses

Today I have a guest on the show who truly knocks my socks off (in the best way possible).

Chalene Johnson has been building businesses since she was a college student at Michigan State University, where she launched an auto swap meet in order to pay for her tuition. 

Now I don’t know about you, but when I was in college, I definitely wasn’t thinking like an entrepreneur.

Since her college days, Chalene has built and sold multiple multi-million dollar businesses that have stood the test of time. 

Today, she’s a multiple 8-figure CEO, fitness leader, marketing expert, social media rockstar, and is the host of two podcasts, The Chalene Show and Build Your Tribe. 

She even holds the Guinness Book of World Records title for the most fitness videos filmed by an individual. I mean, how cool is that? 

And what I love most about Chalene is that she’s multi-passionate. She’s launched and scaled businesses in multiple industries, and has found success in each. 

In this episode, Chalene and I chat about how she’s built a diverse and thriving entrepreneurial career that’s stood the test of time. You’ll hear: 

• The biggest lesson Chalene has learned when it comes to developing business ideas 
• A step-by-step process you can use to figure out what your ‘thing’ is (or what your ‘things’ are)
• How to know when it’s the right time to add a new income stream to your business
• Tips on how to build an audience that sticks with you for the long haul
• Chalene’s secret for how she built two highly successful podcasts
• How Chalene has reframed her ADHD as one of her superpowers

There is never a dull moment with Chalene -- so get ready for a fun, action-packed and incredibly informative episode!

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"I love Amy and Online Marketing Made Easy." <-- If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you -- move toward the online life and business that they desire. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

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How to deal with imposter syndrome when you’re teaching other people

Have you ever questioned whether you’re qualified enough to teach a digital course? Or worried that your students might already know all the good stuff.

As an online educator, I’ve felt this way many times -- and it’s something that I still have to consciously work on, even 14 years into my business.

The truth is, I know I don’t need to be years ahead of my audience to make an impact -- I just need what I call a 10% edge. In other words, I only need to know a little bit more than them, and be a little bit further along in my journey.

And because not too long ago, I was exactly where many of my students are today, I remember what it was like. I’m able to empathize with their struggles even better and recall experiences in more detail. 

In this episode, I’m diving into what having a 10% edge really means, and how I deal with imposter syndrome when I start to doubt myself.

You’ll hear: 

• How to embrace your 10% edge and feel confident sharing it with the world
• Different ways you can reframe your imposter syndrome when it shows up
• Why it’s actually ok to struggle for answers (& how it helps in the long run)
• Real-life stories of how I’ve overcome feeling like I don’t know enough 

This is a great listen for anyone that’s ever dealt with imposter syndrome -- so pop in those earpods and press play on this insightful episode. 

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>>> HEAD HERE TO GRAB THE FREEBIE FOR THIS EPISODE: Your Course Update Bundle!

Need a content update? Here’s my simple 5-phase process for updating course content

The thought of updating your course content can be daunting. I know that because I’ve felt this way many times before. 

Sometimes the thought of giving your course content a refresh can feel so overwhelming that you start to question whether you should even update it in the first place. 

But let me tell you sweet friend, making sure your course content is fresh, current, and packed full of value is incredibly important as a digital course creator -- and getting down in the trenches to make those updates is simply a part of the job. 

I’ve done more than my fair share of course content updates, and I’ve learned a lot over the years. In fact, I think it’s safe to say that I have my process boiled down to a fine science.

Now here’s the good news. In this episode, I’m sharing the exact 5-phase process I use to stay organized, execute efficiently, and ensure that no detail is missed when I make my course content updates. 

And here’s the icing on the cake. I have some really great tools and resources to go along with this episode that you can download and use to stay on track. Stick around to the end to hear how to snag them. 

So if you’re ready to update your course content without all the stress, then grab something to take notes with and pay close attention to this episode. 

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"I love Amy and Online Marketing Made Easy." <-- If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you -- move toward the online life and business that they desire. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!

The lessons my new CEO & I have learned as we’ve both transitioned into new roles

I have exciting news to share -- and it’s that I have a brand new CEO! Her name is Jenn, but we call her Jawesy, and she’s my former content director. 

If you’ve been listening for a while, you probably know that I have been serving as the acting CEO, taking on the day-to-day operations of running the business. 

I’ll be honest -- it’s been a lot for me to work in this capacity and be the visionary of the company at the same time, so I’m excited to pass the reins over to Jawesy. 

Not to mention, she’s incredibly smart, experienced, and knows my business inside and out, so it’s a win-win! 

In this episode, Jawesy and I have a candid conversation about the lessons we’ve learned as we work through the transition of me stepping fully into Visionary, and her stepping into the role of CEO.

You’ll hear: 

• Why we intentionally took an entire year to transition into our new roles
• The fears we both had about stepping into our new positions
• The challenges we’ve had and what we’ve learned from them
• How we prepped the larger team for the changes

I hope you walk away with some new insight – whether you see yourself bringing on a CEO long term, or you’re hiring your first employee.

Here’s a glance at this episode...

• [05:05] Jawes has been with me for 4 years, but she just became my CEO last month. I'm going to share with you why I decided to bring on a CEO after 14 years, and the transition.
• [09:43] During an annual planning meeting, Amy mentioned she wanted to bring on a CEO. Jawes made a joke about being the CEO. 
• [12:00] This was a year ago. Jawes has always had a pulse on the business. She was the director of content and Tony Robbins even bragged about her. 
• [13:37] She had a unique way of understanding the business and she cared about the finances. I knew she had a great pulse on the business when I asked her to be an integrator.
• [14:11] It took a full year to navigate everything. We created job descriptions for Jawes' role and Amy's role. 
• [15:54] Jawes began coaching and slowly started taking over some things. Last year she was heavily involved in the budgeting. 
• [16:29] Her coach reminded her to let the team know what's not changing. Don't forget to stabilize in times of change.
• [17:38] Amy coaches with Michael Hyatt and Jawes coaches with his daughter Meghan. Amy is a proponent of paying for someone who has gone there before you. 
• [19:21] We didn't have all of the answers. We told the team what we knew but we didn't go into all of the specifics.
• [20:29] We have a leadership team with directors. We have a director of ops, director of customer experience, director of community, director of content, and two marketing directors.
• [21:13] It was a lot for Amy to manage these six people along with her book launch. Jawes is managing these people, and running meetings and she's deep into finances and budgeting and projections. 
• [22:18] One of Amy's fears was losing her connection to the team and sense of community. Jawes was worried about stepping into Amy's shoes and doing justice to the brand Amy spent 14 years building. 
• [23:11] On a personal level Jawes is concerned about the balance between being the best CEO she can be for the company and being the best wife and parent for her family.
• [23:38] Jawes is the mom of a precious baby girl. She shares a cute story of her daughter's reaction to her new position. 
• [25:55] Amy is excited about being able to pitch and catch with somebody who already feels responsible.
• [27:26] Having the sounding board of a CEO and a founder working together makes a huge difference. It's exciting to see where we'll take the company. 
• [29:00] Hobie is really excited about the transition. A year from now, we'll come back on and share how it went. 
• [29:58] You don't have to always know exactly where you're going to get there. Dreaming big is amazing, but for some people it's about leading with your heart and adding value. Don't stop believing in yourself.
• [31:38] If you want to hear more behind-the-scenes episodes, send me a DM @AmyPorterfield and let me know what you want to hear.

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"I love Amy and Online Marketing Made Easy." <-- If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you -- move toward the online life and business that they desire. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!