136: 5 Reasons Group Programs Fail...(& How to Bullet-Proof Yours)

Launch debrief lovers, this one is for you!In Part 1 of this two-part series, I’m pulling back the curtain on my boldest (and highest cash) launch yet: the latest round of my Sold Out Group Programs Mastermind.I’m joined by my brilliant friend and Facebook ads expert, Claire Pells, for an honest, behind-the-scenes conversation that covers the messy middle, the mindset shifts, and the strategic moves that made this launch a wild success.Together, we dive into:Why launch debriefs are non-negotiable (and how to make them less tedious)The real story behind skipping a spring launchHow a simple pay-in-full bonus drove 75–80% of salesThe polarizing topic of payment plan pricing (we go there!)What it’s like to go into a launch with zero renewals...and still aim highSetting “Good / Better / Best” goals (and showing up for the stretch version of yourself)This episode is raw, real, and filled with practical insights.🧠 Heads up: We’re saving the juiciest numbers (ad spend, conversion data, and total results) for Part 2.Free on-demand sales training: 3 Simple Steps to Make a Sale in 24 hoursSign up here: https://stephcrowder.com/sdsclass

If you feel your sales have plateaued or you're just not selling the way you'd like, there's one big reason why.Whether you’re selling group programs, 1:1 offers, or anything in between—there’s a reason you’re not getting the results you want.And it’s probably NOT because your offer sucks.In this episode, I’m telling the (somewhat painful) story of how I—someone with 15 years of sales experience—skipped steps in my own selling and ended up with one-tenth of the results I expected.We’re talking about: ✔️ Why skipping steps is SO tempting (even for experienced business owners) ✔️ How "just sending a few emails" creates mixed signals for your audience ✔️ The psychological cost of doing a half-launch ✔️ The sneaky ways you might be letting your audience off the hook (without realizing it) ✔️ Why repetition in your marketing isn’t just okay—it’s essentialIf you’ve been coasting on partial effort and hoping for full results, this is your wake-up call.Plus: Enrollment for the Sold Out Group Programs Mastermind closes this Wednesday!If you want my eyes on your business and my full 5-week sales process in your hands, apply now --> stephcrowder.com/sogpFree on-demand sales training: 3 Simple Steps to Make a Sale in 24 hoursSign up here: https://stephcrowder.com/sdsclass

Feeling like the "responsible thing" is to save your money & figure it all out on your own? In this episode, we’re breaking down the hidden cost of waiting, second-guessing, and staying stuck in almost-there mode.If you’ve been saying things like:"Things are fine…""I’m making some sales…""I’ll figure this out on my own…""I want to be a good steward of my money…"This one’s for you.We’ll talk about:Why it’s so tempting to stay the course when it’s not a full-blown emergencyThe real risk of kicking the can down the roadHow “maybe later” often turns into another 6-12 months of spinning your wheelsWhat true stewardship of your business actually looks likeIf you’ve been thinking about joining the Sold Out Group Programs Mastermind, doors are open until Wednesday, July 2. And—because I want your investment to be a strategic one—you can also grab my free Group Program Revenue Calculator to run your own numbers and see exactly what it would take to cover your investment.👉 Catch the replay, get the calculator & apply hereFree on-demand sales training: 3 Simple Steps to Make a Sale in 24 hoursSign up here: https://stephcrowder.com/sdsclass

Fill your group program in 5 weeks: A 3-part roadmap to consistently sell out your offer (even in the summer, when you're busy & distracted!)In this action-packed replay of Steph's most recent training, you will learn how to:1) Pinpoint exactly what’s going wrong for you right now if you aren’t enrolling clients at the level you desire2) Identify the only shift you must make to clear the clutter in your business and fill up your programs simply – then put it on repeat 3) Implement the 3 key ingredients for a step-by-step, rinse & repeat sales cycle that brings you consistently full groups 4) Unveil my 5 week roadmap for 5-6 figure groups & exactly how this can break down on your calendar Steph will teach you how to make your sales strategy feel like you're inviting your clients to an amazing party -- and they'll be delighted to join you. Enjoy!Free on-demand sales training: 3 Simple Steps to Make a Sale in 24 hoursSign up here: https://stephcrowder.com/sdsclass

Melody Wilding launched her group program back in 2020 using Steph’s (now retired course), Crickets to Customers.Since then, over 500 people have joined her group program.But after a few years of full cohorts and overflowing interest… things started to slow down. Getting people to join suddenly felt harder.Melody realized she needed a new approach to selling. One that embraced objections, spoke directly to the transformation people wanted, and brought real connection back into her launches. That’s where Sold Out Group Programs came in.In this powerful conversation, Melody returns to where it all began, now as a bestselling author and multi-six-figure business owner, to share how she reignited momentum and confidence in a changed market.We dive into:What happens when you're doing “all the right things” (webinars, emails, promos)... but missing the conversations that actually convertHow Melody went from resisting objections to welcoming themWhy strengthening her mindset around the value of her offer was the key to selling it more confidentlyWhat it’s really like to be a high-level client inside a group coaching experience (and why it’s been exactly what she needed to scale)This is a masterclass in staying power: from launching a program five years ago to selling it out again and again in today’s market.Free on-demand sales training: 3 Simple Steps to Make a Sale in 24 hoursSign up here: https://stephcrowder.com/sdsclass

In this episode, Steph pulls back the curtain on how group programs have given her the flexibility to actually enjoy summer with her kids (without sacrificing client results). You’ll hear:How Steph supports nearly 100 clients in under 10 hours/weekWhy your live time isn't the only way clients get resultsThe key mindset shift that took her out of the “I have to do it all” trapA life-changing visualization exercise you can do todayIf you want to build a business that gives you both impact and freedom, this one’s for you.Check out Steph's SOLD OUT GROUP PROGRAMS mastermind here.Free on-demand sales training: 3 Simple Steps to Make a Sale in 24 hoursSign up here: https://stephcrowder.com/sdsclass

Jennet Ingle is a professional oboist and coach for musician entrepreneurs. She had a proven offer, a program she knew could change lives...but after a few strong launches during the pandemic, things slowed. A lot. "It was working, until it wasn't."She tried reinventing the wheel. Throwing together quick offers. Hoping for the best. And she was starting to wonder...was her audience just tapped out?Inside Sold Out Group Programs, Jennet learned to slow down, stretch her launch timeline, and use "the ripple" strategy to sell to the warm leads already paying attention.The result?✅ 13 amazing clients in her group✅ Half enrolled before the launch event ✅ Confidence to personally invite the right people (without feeling pushy)In this episode, Jennet shares the full story—plus what it’s really like to join Sold Out Group Programs, including her honest take on being “the new kid” in a high-touch space. (Spoiler: it worked out just fine 😉)Free on-demand sales training: 3 Simple Steps to Make a Sale in 24 hoursSign up here: https://stephcrowder.com/sdsclass

Ever launched a group that didn’t fill… or filled but flopped? Or maybe you haven’t launched one at all because it feels like there’s just so much to figure out.In this episode, I’m walking you through the 5 biggest detours I see entrepreneurs hit when it comes to group programs.Things like overbuilding (hi, 80-page workbook), underpricing, teaching too much (inside and outside the program), and something I call “support tunnel vision.”Whether you’ve run a group before or you’re just starting to explore the idea, this episode will help you spot the real reasons group programs underperform, and what to do instead.This is the kind of clarity that helps you stop spinning and start building a group that actually gets results (for your clients and your bottom line).Free on-demand sales training: 3 Simple Steps to Make a Sale in 24 hoursSign up here: https://stephcrowder.com/sdsclass

In this episode, I’m sitting down with Dr. Richard Low, a former dentist who built a thriving group program helping mid-career dentists get their health, and lives,  back on track.Richard opens up about the real story behind his burnout after leading a 35-office dental group, how he made the tough call to walk away, and the unexpected path that led him to launch a brand new business (without a website, funnel, or social media following).We talk through:The power of sharing a real story that meets your audience where they are (and how Richard’s viral post brought in 70+ leads)What it looked like to sell $100K+ before the program was builtWhy group programs offer freedom and flexibility that 1:1 models just can’t...What happens after a big launch (and how we’re coaching him through the next season)A raw, honest look at the pressure to do content “right” and how perfectionism gets in the way of growthWhy messy action still works in 2025, and how we build businesses that fit real lives.If you’ve ever wondered whether you need the perfect funnel, full curriculum, or huge audience before you launch… this one is for you.✨ Links Mentioned:Connect with Richard on Instagram: @dr.richard.lowFree on-demand sales training: 3 Simple Steps to Make a Sale in 24 hoursSign up here: https://stephcrowder.com/sdsclass

If you’ve ever asked yourself how to go from working 1:1 with clients… to helping more people in a sustainable, scalable way… this episode is your roadmap.Steph breaks down her complete three-stage framework to start, sell out, and scale your group program. This is the exact process that took her from a handful of 1:1 clients to hundreds of happy students, and it’s the same system she teaches inside her Sold Out Group Programs Mastermind.In this episode, you’ll learn:The real bridge between 1:1 and 1:many (most people miss this!)The 3 key phases of a profitable group program journey: Start → Sell Out → ScaleWhy you don’t need fancy curriculum to launch your first roundHow to create a repeatable sales system that keeps your group fullWhether you're launching your first group or ready to scale your current one, this episode is packed with clarity, confidence, and a clear plan to grow.Free on-demand sales training: 3 Simple Steps to Make a Sale in 24 hoursSign up here: https://stephcrowder.com/sdsclass