006: Student Success Story - A $50K Launch
Oct 18, 2023
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Unlocking the Power of Google Sheets and Online Courses
In this episode, we chat with Steve Buch, a teacher who is passionate about helping teachers create engaging activities with Google Sheets. His journey is a testament to the ways course creators can stand out and do things that others are already doing in a unique way.
Steve's Journey to Online Course Creator
Steve is an expert in using Google Sheets for educational purposes, but he hasn't always been that way. Google Sheets, a spreadsheet software, is not something most people would associate with education. Steve initially found the idea of using it for teaching unusual.
He saw Google Sheets being used to create engaging pixel art activities. Students would enter correct answers into Google Sheets and a pixelated image would gradually appear on the screen. This concept intrigued Steve and he eventually pushed himself to find new, innovative ways to use Google Sheets in the classroom.
Steve sold his Google Sheets activities on Teachers Pay Teachers, an online marketplace for educators to share and purchase teaching resources. A coworker encouraged him to explore the idea of expanding his offers beyond Teachers Pay Teachers. He created a mini-course on using Google Sheets in the classroom to test the market and see if people would be interested in learning more from him.
The success of the mini-course paved the way for Steve to create a full-fledged online course. Because he was doing things differently, he had to learn more about using Google Sheets than others. He researched the topic extensively and ultimately became known as a Google Sheets expert for educators.
Investing in His Business
After initially trying to piece together his online course business, Steve decided to invest in a mentor to assist with his next course launch. He worked 1-on-1 with Lindsay to take his online course business to the next level. This mentorship provided guidance and support in areas where he felt uncertain, like the marketing and selling component of his business.
Steve planned to take an educational sabbatical to go back to school and wanted to make sure he wasn't putting a financial burden on his family. His financial goal for his course launch was $30,000. He nearly doubled that goal and earned over $50,000 from one launch of his online course.
This income had an incredible impact on his life. It gave him the freedom to pursue going back to school, while being able to spend more time with his family and take on more of the responsibilities at home.
Encouragement for Aspiring Course Creators
For those considering creating an online course, Steve offers this valuable advice:
- Don't wait until you're ready because you'll never be fully prepared
- Jump in and embrace the learning process
- Seek mentorship and courses that can streamline your journey, because it will save you time and help you avoid pitfalls
Steve's story illustrates how innovation can lead to success in unexpected areas. His journey from a teacher using Google Sheets for creative classroom activities to a successful online course creator is inspiring. His story demonstrates the power of taking action, the benefits of mentorship, and the potential for online courses to provide financial flexibility and support personal goals.
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