Hi! I'm Marie
You have gifts to share with the world and my job is to help you get them out there.
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Button TextAs you likely know, we’re in the midst of our B-School launch video series.
I’m humbled and grateful for the overwhelming response: over 1,242 inspired comments plus countless tweets and Facebook messages – all in less than five days.
In today’s brand new MarieTV episode, we’re staying on our business theme to talk about info products and online programs.
If you’ve ever dreamed of inspiring or mentoring people online by sharing your knowledge, expertise or advice via an info product or program, today’s episode is a must-watch!
Learn one of the biggest mistakes many of us make when launching our first info product and, most importantly, how to avoid it.
listen to this episode on the marie forleo podcast
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View Transcript
Anyway. Hey, it’s Marie and you are watching MarieTV, business and life advice that works. So today’s question comes from Anita and she writes, “I’m a health and nutrition coach, and I want to create my first online program. I have so much to teach, but I’m not sure how long my online program should be. I’m thinking something deep and intensive, like six months. Is that a good way to start?”
I don’t know. Anita, why are you asking me? I have no idea about these things. What do you think I am, a coach or something? Jesus. Anita, this is a fabulous question. And it’s one I get asked all the time by someone thinking about doing their first info product or program. How much should I include? How long should it be? Should it be six months? I will tell you, Anita, that six months is too long.
When creating your first online program, it’s really best to start small. Here’s why. The first is the worst. The first time you do anything, like create a product or program, is usually when you’re going to do it the worst. No matter how much you’ve studied, there’s just going to be some things you can’t figure out until you actually do it. You’re going to make rookie mistakes, like we all do. Plus, if you lock yourself into a six month program and wind up hating the structure, you are screwed.
Plus, starting out small allows you to work out all the kinks. You could test your process, your content, and make sure you can actually deliver results. And for whatever aspects of your program don’t work, you can get instant feedback, make adjustments, and create an even better program next time around. If your info product is great first time out of the gate, you’re going to get great testimonials, which will help you sell even more.
Plus, you’ll know you’re on the right track and you’ll have momentum to keep going. Now, if everything goes horribly wrong, only a few people are going to know about it and you can go back to the drawing board. The second reason you want to start small is your email list is likely the smallest it will ever be. Now, I’m sorry. I know, but when it comes to launching a program, size does matter. And actually, length matters, too. Long programs are a huge commitment, both for you and for your customers.
Unless you’ve got hundreds of people beating down your door to give you money, your program could wind up feeling like a ghost town. Nothing is more depressing than putting all this work into launching a group program that’s designed for 30 or more people and you only wind up getting one or two people in it. Anita and everyone else, I want you to remember this and it’s a Tweetable.
Starting small doesn’t mean thinking small. Every big entrepreneur that you look up to started small and built up bigger over time. Put that in your pipe and smoke it. That is my A to your Q, Anita. Now get out there and start a small [censored 00:02:55] program today. Just kidding. Start small, and then make it amazing, and then blow the roof off that mother humper. Yeah.
Have you ever wondered how long or big yours should be? Got experience to share on this topic? I would love to hear from you. Leave a comment below. Tell me all about it. Did you like this video? Subscribe to my channel, and please go ahead and share it with your friends. If you want more great resources to grow your business in your life, plus personal insights from me that I only talk about an email, come on over to marieforleo.com and sign up for updates. Thank you so much for watching and I will catch you next time. B-School is coming up. Want in? For more info and free training, go to joinbschool.com. I know nothing. Anita, I have wisdom for you. I’m going to do it again, less crazy. You can never have too many bloopers.
In the comments below, I’d love to hear your thoughts about info products and programs.
Tell me:
1. Have you ever struggled wondering “how long should my program be?” How did you handle it?
2. Do you have lessons, wisdom or experience to share on creating info products or programs?
As always, please be specific with your response.
It helps us all share wisdom and ideas in a meaningful and actionable way.
With love,