Wondering what kind of course to create?

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I recorded a coaching-style episode for the podcast that I think a lot of you will relate to, especially if you have been feeling the pull to create a course but keep stalling out at the topic decision.

Kathy Quan came onto the show for coaching. She is a brand and website designer with a background in visual storytelling and motion graphics. She has spent years delivering high-touch one-on-one work, and she is ready to bring her expertise into online courses.

Here is the exact crossroads she is standing in.

She has two course ideas. Both are aligned. Both are useful. Both make sense for her skill set.

One idea is practical and foundation-based. It addresses a gap she sees in the market and would give people skills they can apply immediately.

The other is more creative and expressive. It is about helping people use design and visual expression to get seen and stand out in a way that feels authentic to them.

If you have ever been stuck between what feels exciting to teach and what feels like it would be the smarter business decision, you will recognize yourself in this conversation.

In the episode, we talk about how to move forward without guessing, without building a full course in isolation, and without waiting until your idea is “perfect.” We also talk about what it really means to validate a course topic, who to talk to, and why building your audience and building your course need to happen in parallel.

If you want to listen, the link is here.

If you want to discuss it, drop a comment with which side you tend to default to when choosing a course topic:

practical and ROI-driven
creative and joy-driven

And if you are looking for help validating your own idea, I'm hosting a free, live mini-course in the Build Lab starting on Monday, Jan 12 - join now for only $12/year.

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