ENCORE: What I Learned from Creating a Course for CEUs with Matthew Bierds

Today’s session is all about rebranding. We are taking a behind-the-scenes look at how different circumstances might affect the business you’ve established and force you to rebrand. Should you view this kind of pivot as a failure? Absolutely not! Let’s explore this topic together.Our Featured GuestKevon CheungKevon Cheung is the founder and head teacher at Small School. He was a previous guest on the podcast several years ago, and I’ve taken his Build in Public Mastery Course to help overcome my fears about posting on social media. I learned a lot of helpful information about creating effective posts on LinkedIn, YouTube, and the STC podcast. Kevon’s wisdom and practical knowledge have helped me lean into vulnerability in many areas. In light of his rebranding from Public Lab to Small School, Kevon shares the pain and difficulties in business building and rebranding, why he felt the need to rebrand, and what he teaches in his online “small courses.” He also explains where he sees course creators stumbling the most. Small SchoolYou’ll Learn:The painful parts of Kevon’s rebranding process (Changing your identity and “rebuilding what you’re known for”)Kevon’s thoughts about working through the inevitable feelings of failure when a change became necessary (How to reframe your mindset about a pivot)The biggest mistake course creators makeKevon’s #1 piece of advice for entrepreneurs and course creatorsKevon’s reasoning behind his “all in” attitude about online coursesKnowing when to add a course as a new offering (Have you validated your expertise with your audience?)Where course creators stumble the most–and why the goal is to create an experience that connects, surprises, and delightsKevon’s perspective on what a “small course” isResources:Mentioned in this session: Sign up for the newsletter for high-achievers!Want to launch your podcast?Check out our free podcasting workshop for therapists (and therapists turned coaches and consultants). Visit https://sellingthecouch.com/podcastingworkshop.Want to launch your online course?Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit For Therapists: https://sellingthecouch.com/coursekitMentioned in this episode:Try Psych Careers!Today's podcast is supported by the American Psychological Association's Psych Careers. If you are a psychology professional looking to advance your career or thinking about a pivot, definitely encourage you to check out Psych Careers, which is the career center from the American Psychological Association Services, Inc. There are over 400 positions available. It's the perfect time to create a free account, upload your resume, and set up job alerts. sellingthecouch.com/APA Try Psych Careers!Need Community Support? Join the MastermindIf you are a seasoned therapist, and you are wanting to move from clinical to online course income, we actually have a specific mastermind for therapists who are doing this. We meet together to build and grow and scale our online courses. You can learn more about that mastermind over at https://sellingthecouch.com/mastermind.

Many of us have thought about creating continuing education courses and wondered how the process works and what factors are involved. Who better to learn from than someone who has done this successfully? Being successful at CEU course creation takes innovation, creativity, and an entrepreneurial spirit. Join us for informative insights from today’s guest!Our Featured GuestMatthew BierdsMatt Bierds, from Duke City Counseling, is a licensed professional counselor, course creator, and professional speaker who does in-person and virtual counseling and LPC supervision in Texas and New Mexico. As far back as ten years ago, Matt realized that the world of online education was expanding, and he knew there were interesting opportunities for LPCs in the area of online courses. After jumping into this arena, Matt went through a “failing forward” phase before making a few tweaks and creating a course for LPC supervisors. In today’s session, Matt shares the lessons learned along his fascinating journey and the mistakes and successes that have brought him to where he is today. Matt's WebsiteYou’ll Learn:Matt’s wisdom: “I learned the hard way that selling general continuing education courses online is pointless and a waste of time and money.”The value in pivoting and niching down when something isn’t workingDiscovering the sweet spot: How Matt created a course designed for a specific person in a specific situationCourse creation is successful when you see the need and solve the pain point.Matt’s path to building trust and cultivating repeat customersThe progression and development of Matt’s 40-hour course and 6-hour refresher coursesThe challenges in maintaining compliance and navigating changes in licensing requirementsCourse creation challenges: creating content and incorporating more video interaction and student engagementMatt’s biggest mistakes and successes in marketing his coursesResources:So you’ve probably heard that blogging is one of the best ways to attract your ideal clients as a therapist. But I know that it can be intimidating to SEO optimize your blog post so that it’s actually getting found by your current and future clients. Simplified SEO Consulting is a team of mental health professionals who genuinely want to help you attract more of your ideal clients using a proven on-page SEO process.Please visit https://sellingthecouch.com/simplifiedseo.**Use the code “MELVIN” to get 20% off any online, DIY SEO courses, and mention Melvin during your consultation for $100 off your onboarding fee for Done-For-You SEO services!Interested in becoming part of our affiliate program? Learn more athttps://sellingthecouch.com/jointhehealthcasters  Want to launch your online course?Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit For Therapists: https://sellingthecouch.com/coursekitMentioned in this episode:Need Community Support? Join the MastermindIf you are a seasoned therapist, and you are wanting to move from clinical to online course income, we actually have a specific mastermind for therapists who are doing this. We meet together to build and grow and scale our online courses. You can learn more about that mastermind over at...

If you’ve had a standoff with perfectionism in starting something new, you’ll want to join us for this coaching call in today’s session. Like most clinicians who are branching out with an online course, my guest is struggling with her fears about this new endeavor and whether she will get it right. Join us to hear the conversation.Our Featured Guest for today’s coaching callKatie Lear, LCMHC, RPT, RDTKatie Lear is a therapist in solo private practice near Charlotte, NC. She was part of the Online Course School Live Cohort, and she’s part of the Online Course School Mastermind this year. She is preparing for the beta group launch of her course, and her next step will be to record the digital version. This process gives a chance to collect feedback from beta students on the lessons and modules before creating the digital version. Join us for this open and honest conversation around fear and perfectionism.Katie's WebsiteYou’ll Learn:A look at how Katie arrived at her private practice niche working with preteens and tweens around anxiety and OCD symptomsWhy Katie decided to jump into the online course worldHow an online course income stream helps clinicians build a balanced life outside their career, have more time and capacity for family, and utilize another way to reach clientsThe starting point for content in Katie’s course: teaching about coping skillsHow Katie is looking to incorporate a playful element into her courseHow Katie is dealing with “blank-page syndrome” in creating her course slidesTips for Katie in distilling and refining the content for her courseWhy heart and intent matter more in an online course than “Hollywood-level” productionWhy there is great value in teaching with the structure of three tips, three steps, and common mistakesResources:Interested in becoming part of our affiliate program? Learn more!Want to launch your online course?Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit for Therapists at https://sellingthecouch.com/coursekit.If you are a seasoned therapist who wants to move from clinical to online course income, we have a specific mastermind for you. We meet together to build, grow, and scale our online courses. You can learn more at https://sellingthecouch.com/mastermind.Mentioned in this episode:Try Psych Careers!Today's podcast is supported by the American Psychological Association's Psych Careers. If you are a psychology professional looking to advance your career or thinking about a pivot, definitely encourage you to check out Psych Careers, which is the career center from the American Psychological Association Services, Inc. There are over 400 positions available. It's the perfect time to create a free account, upload your resume, and set up job alerts. sellingthecouch.com/APA Try Psych Careers!Need Community Support? Join the MastermindIf you are a seasoned therapist, and you are wanting to move from clinical to online course income, we actually have a specific mastermind for therapists who are doing this. We meet together to build and grow and scale our online courses. You can learn more about that mastermind over at https://sellingthecouch.com/mastermind.

In today’s busy online world, virtual presentations are everything in how you are received AND perceived. If you put forth the effort to create an online course, webinar, or speaking engagement, you want to show up authentically and masterfully to engage your audience. This is an important area in which there is always room for improvement! My guest today is a proven expert in virtual presentation, and she’s here to share her knowledge with us. Join us to learn more!Our Featured GuestLorraine K. LeeLorraine Lee is a top career and business virtual keynote speaker who has been featured in several publications and on podcasts with numerous accomplishments and awards throughout her career. She has worked in several editorial roles at LinkedIn and Prezi and has built a LinkedIn following of over 300,000, so she is very much immersed in the world of virtual presentations and online learning. She is the perfect person to help us understand more about improving our virtual presentations. Lorraine's WebsiteYou’ll Learn:How virtual presentations give you access to a wider audience and help you stand out in your expertiseWhy the entertainment factor of virtual presentations cannot be ignoredExamples of different types of virtual presentationsLorraine’s tips for improving your virtual presentations:Add movement to your presentations and incorporate “state changes.”Curate your background with features that are calming, positive, personable, and professional.Include visuals on your screens to help people learn and remember. (90% of the information processed by our brains is visual!)Use eye contact to improve your connection to your audience.How to implement visuals like logos, color gradients, and simple info on your screenHow to use artwork, photos, and personal elements to cultivate a deeper connectionHow to set up your monitor, camera, laptop, etc. to maximize eye contact with your audienceLorraine’s tips for introverts in showing up better in visual presentationsAn overview of Lorraine’s expanding consulting business Resources:Interested in becoming part of our affiliate program? Learn more!Want to launch your online course?Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit for Therapists at https://sellingthecouch.com/coursekit.If you are a seasoned therapist who wants to move from clinical to online course income, we have a specific mastermind for you. We meet together to build, grow, and scale our online courses. You can learn more at https://sellingthecouch.com/mastermind.Mentioned in this episode:Try Psych Careers!Today's podcast is supported by the American Psychological Association's Psych Careers. If you are a psychology professional looking to advance your career or thinking about a pivot, definitely encourage you to check out Psych Careers, which is the career center from the American Psychological Association Services, Inc. There are over 400 positions available. It's the perfect time to create a free account, upload your resume, and set up job alerts. sellingthecouch.com/APA Try Psych Careers!Need Community Support? Join the MastermindIf you are a seasoned therapist, and you are wanting to move from clinical to online course income, we actually have a specific mastermind for therapists who

Here we are, all set for the final episode of 2024. We will fill the next few weeks with replays of popular episodes and be back in 2025 with exciting new episodes. During this hiatus, I’ll be using these “Walden months,” as I call them, for extra rest and taking time to work on specific projects, like my online course. If you are considering launching an online course, today’s episode is for you! I’ve learned a lot over the last 9 years as a course creator, and I’m sharing an honest look at my biggest lessons learned and what I would tell anyone on this course creation path. You’ll Learn: 5 things I want to share about launching an online course:Focus on what you already know and love to teach. (Stay within your niche!)Hear my thoughts on course creation and AI.Start small and build slowly. (Think about your “value ladder.”)Think about recurring offers related to your course.Validation is non-negotiable. (Validate your course idea before you proceed.)Download the free Course Creator Starter Kit. Embrace the tech, but don’t let it overwhelm you. Start with “good enough,” and upgrade your sound, lighting, and camera when you can.Hear my recommendations for basic tech for someone just starting out in course creation. Take a “defaulting to action” perspective rather than waiting for perfectionism. Build your audience early.Don’t wait until your course launch to build your email list.Use social media and discovery platforms. Use these affiliate links for more information: Teachable, ConvertKit, and CartraResources:Try Upheal Secure AI Therapy Notes! Visit https://sellingthecouch.com/upheal and enter the promo code “COUCH” to get 50% off for the first three months! Interested in becoming part of our affiliate program? Learn more!Want to launch your online course?Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit for Therapists at https://sellingthecouch.com/coursekit.If you are a seasoned therapist who wants to move from clinical to online course income, we have a specific mastermind for you. We meet together to build, grow, and scale our online courses. You can learn more at https://sellingthecouch.com/mastermind.Mentioned in this episode:Need Community Support? Join the MastermindIf you are a seasoned therapist, and you are wanting to move from clinical to online course income, we actually have a specific mastermind for therapists who are doing this. We meet together to build and grow and scale our online courses. You can learn more about that mastermind over at https://sellingthecouch.com/mastermind.Try Psych Careers!Try Psych Careers!Today's podcast is supported by the American Psychological Association's Psych Careers. If you are a psychology professional looking to advance your career or thinking about a pivot, definitely encourage you to check out Psych Careers, which is the...

If you are a therapist in private practice in the US, this episode will be helpful for you. We are breaking down the new legal requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act. This act requires that you comply by the end of 2024, so time is running out. This act is part of an effort to reduce money laundering by shell companies, focusing on business ownership. If you have an LLC or an S-corp, please take the time to listen and learn more.  Our Featured GuestsDan Mayer and Dr. David YoodDan Mayer is an attorney who works with many mental health and healthcare practitioners. Dr. David Yood is a licensed psychologist and private practice owner who gives his perspective of the Corporate Transparency Act and its requirements. Dan and Dave co-host the Protecting Your Practice Podcast for mental health practitioners. In this session, they use simple language to explain what the CTA is, what the filing requirements and processes are, the implications of non-compliance, and the constitutionality of the act. Dan's websiteDave's websiteProtecting Your Practice PodcastYou’ll Learn:What is the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA)?Dave’s perspective about the CTA, his private practice, and compliance requirementsA look at the compliance requirements of the CTA (mostly about ownership of companies)Who needs to register under the CTA? (Get professional help if you aren’t sure!)Thoughts on the constitutionality of the CTADave’s perspective on what the CTA requires of himConsequences of not filing under the CTADan’s recommendations for business ownersFind out more about the CTA and how to file (in just a few minutes): fincen.govResources:Interested in becoming part of our affiliate program? Learn more!Want to launch your online course?Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit for Therapists at https://sellingthecouch.com/coursekit.If you are a seasoned therapist who wants to move from clinical to online course income, we have a specific mastermind for you. We meet together to build, grow, and scale our online courses. You can learn more at https://sellingthecouch.com/mastermind.Mentioned in this episode:Try Psych Careers!Try Psych Careers!Today's podcast is supported by the American Psychological Association's Psych Careers. If you are a psychology professional looking to advance your career or thinking about a pivot, definitely encourage you to check out Psych Careers, which is the career center from the American Psychological Association Services, Inc. There are over 400 positions available. It's the perfect time to create a free account, upload your resume, and set up job alerts. sellingthecouch.com/APA Need Community Support? Join the MastermindIf you are a seasoned therapist, and you are wanting to move from clinical to online course income, we actually have a specific mastermind for therapists who are doing this. We meet together...

If you have aspirations to be a keynote speaker of any kind, this episode is for you! I recently had the opportunity to speak at my first conference, the Mental Health Marketing Conference, in Franklin, TN. This conference is for clinicians and marketing tech people in the mental health field, and it was a fantastic gathering of about 300 in-person participants. I’m sharing what I wish I had known earlier about speaking at conferences. I hope you find this episode helpful!You’ll Learn:7 things I wish I had known earlier about speaking at conferences:Know the setup. This varies from conference to conference. Know about rehearsal opportunities, Green Room, mic/sound/slides check, timekeeping, etc. Find a place to rest and re-center before you go backstage.I didn’t do a great job at this, and I should have made other arrangements.Make sure the mic doesn’t hit your clothes when you move.I’ll be more careful with this and test it better next time.Use social media to share “before/after” posts to document your journey.I did LinkedIn posts and selfies and had friends in the crowd take pictures during my presentation.Have a small squad of friends sit near the front in the crowd.This 100% helped give me confidence.Start with a story that people will remember.Leading with a story makes an impact and connects you to your audience. (Hint: Be clear about your topic.)Understand the crazy power in public speaking. Pace yourself.The endorphin rush of being “in flow” brings an amazing level of external validation. I loved it!Resources:Interested in becoming part of our affiliate program? Learn more!Want to launch your online course?Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit for Therapists at https://sellingthecouch.com/coursekit.If you are a seasoned therapist who wants to move from clinical to online course income, we have a specific mastermind for you. We meet together to build, grow, and scale our online courses. You can learn more at https://sellingthecouch.com/mastermind.Mentioned in this episode:Need Community Support? Join the MastermindIf you are a seasoned therapist, and you are wanting to move from clinical to online course income, we actually have a specific mastermind for therapists who are doing this. We meet together to build and grow and scale our online courses. You can learn more about that mastermind over at https://sellingthecouch.com/mastermind.Try Psych Careers!Try Psych Careers!Today's podcast is supported by the American Psychological Association's Psych Careers. If you are a psychology professional looking to advance your career or thinking about a pivot, definitely encourage you to check out Psych Careers, which is the career center from the American Psychological Association Services, Inc. There are over 400 positions available. It's the perfect time to create a free account, upload your resume, and set up job alerts. sellingthecouch.com/APA

The perfect recipe for burnout is to work in a caring profession, be a slave to perfectionism, and neglect your needs. As clinicians, we realize that we work in a flawed healthcare system in the US, but how do we exist in this environment to do good work and sustain ourselves from a holistic perspective that goes way beyond basic self-care? We are diving into this topic with today’s guest. Join us!Our Featured GuestDr. Jessi GoldDr. Jessi Gold is the first Chief Wellness Officer for the University of Tennessee System, which comprises five campuses and more than 60,000 students. Also serving as an associate professor of psychiatry, Dr. Gold is a speaker, media advocate, author, and mental health consultant. She recently wrote How Do You Feel? One Doctor's Search for the Humanity in Medicine.  In today’s session, Jessi shares her experience in teetering on the edge of burnout and what she learned about herself. Dr. Jessi GoldYou’ll Learn:The basics of Dr. Jessi’s role with the University of Tennessee and what it means to be a Chief Wellness OfficerThe differences and barriers from campus to campus in a university system“Silo-breaking” as it relates to mental healthThe difficulty in caring for ourselves while caring for othersPerfectionism, burnout, and why “it’s OK not to be OK”The pandemic’s part in training us to wear a “badge of honor” for not caring for ourselves and our mental healthWe are human—and we forget that very often.The event that was the impetus for Dr. Jessi’s book—and why it left her feeling horribleSigns of early burnout that Dr. Jessi only noticed in hindsightMaking the shift to navigate perfectionist tendencies to prevent burnoutThe importance of having self-compassion and reframing the mean things we say to ourselvesThe value of timeout for MEResources:Interested in becoming part of our affiliate program? Learn more!Want to launch your online course?Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit for Therapists at https://sellingthecouch.com/coursekit.If you are a seasoned therapist who wants to move from clinical to online course income, we have a specific mastermind for you. We meet together to build, grow, and scale our online courses. You can learn more at https://sellingthecouch.com/mastermind.Mentioned in this episode:Try Psych Careers!Need Community Support? Join the MastermindIf you are a seasoned therapist, and you are wanting to move from clinical to online course income, we actually have a specific mastermind for therapists who are doing this. We meet together to build and grow and scale our online courses. You can learn more about that mastermind over at https://sellingthecouch.com/mastermind.Try Psych Careers!Today's podcast is supported by the American Psychological Association's Psych Careers. If you are a psychology professional looking to advance your career or thinking about a pivot, definitely encourage you to check out Psych Careers, which is the career center from the American Psychological Association Services, Inc. There are over 400 positions available. It's the perfect time to create a free

Have you thought about starting a podcast? If you run a busy private practice, you might wonder how you could take on such an endeavor in addition to all the other things you do. I feel your concerns, as I’m coming up on ten years as a clinician-turned-podcaster. I’ve learned a lot, and I want to share five unique ways you can launch and run a successful podcast without it feeling like another “job” you have to do. Join me in this session to learn more!You’ll Learn:Fact: Podcasting has made my life a lot easier in many ways. Five unexpected insights into podcasting as a beneficial addition:Batch record and automate.This will save you a ton of time, which is your most precious asset. Look at your schedule and identify a 2-3 hour block of time for recording episodes. (Captivate makes it easier!)Bonus tip: Stack this by creating a podcast on your live schedule so you don’t have to record new episodes every week/month. Repurpose your existing content.Look for common themes and pain points with your clients.Capture ideas during the course of your day with notes or a notes app.Bonus tip: My private Slack subchannel helps me. Use podcasting as a client-attraction tool.Your podcast can reduce your marketing workload and attract clients and customers organically.Podcasters are the most trusted media personalities.Podcasts are evergreen and have binge potential.Bonus tip: Create episodes around questions clients ask that are related to your niches and specialties. Keep episodes short and impactful.Shorter episodes are easier for you AND the listener. (15-25 minutes is an ideal length.)Bonus tip: Set a 20-minute timer and cover one question relating to a common struggle within your niche. Outsource editing to free up your time.You don’t have to be the editor; hire someone!Outsourcing allows you to focus on your zone of genius and not get bogged down with the technical side. Bonus tip: Reach out to local colleges and universities for students who are looking for work. Check out the free workshop, Using Podcasting to Grow Your Business. Click here.Resources:Try Upheal Secure AI Therapy Notes! Visit https://sellingthecouch.com/upheal and enter the promo code “COUCH” to get 50% off for the first three months! Interested in becoming part of our affiliate program? Learn more!Want to launch your online course?Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit for Therapists at https://sellingthecouch.com/coursekitMentioned in this episode:Need Community Support? Join the MastermindIf you are a seasoned therapist, and you are wanting to move from clinical to online course income, we actually have a specific mastermind for therapists who are doing this. We meet together to build and grow and scale our online courses. You can learn more about that mastermind over at https://sellingthecouch.com/mastermind.Try Psych Careers!Try Psych Careers!Today's podcast is supported by the American Psychological Association's Psych...

Today’s topic is one we’ve danced around but never tackled head-on. We’re covering the transition from being a solo practitioner to a private pay group practice. There are many things to consider in making this shift, and today’s guest shares an open and honest look at his experience. Join us!Our Featured GuestDr. Adam Assoian Dr. Adam Assoian is a licensed clinical psychologist and the owner of Ally Psychological Services. His full private-pay group practice began in 2019 and now employs more than eight clinicians. They experienced their busiest month this past summer when there is traditionally a seasonal slowdown. Adam joins us to share his transition from solo practitioner to private practice group practice and why he did not go the insurance route, which is seen as the “safer” move. We get Adam’s take on logistical tips about finding office space, finding clients, marketing, and payment options. Our conversation wraps up with a discussion of sustainability during uncertain economic situations. Adam’s Website: Ally PsychYou’ll Learn:An overview of Ally Psych’s growth over the last five yearsFactors in Adam’s decision to be private pay vs. insuranceTips on maintaining a “people over profits” mentalityConsiderations in choosing a physical space and location for an officeThe importance in figuring out the numbers for sustainability in a group practiceAdam’s commitment to prioritizing the comfort of the client as part of the entire therapy experienceAdam’s perspective on what his clinicians charge for therapy servicesThe biggest stressor for Adam as a practice ownerFactors in Adam’s diversified marketing approachThe importance of networking relationships and referralsCommon mistakes therapists make in this transitionAdam’s structure for accepting payments at Ally PsychHow Adam prepares for sustainability in his practice during seasonal slowdowns and an uncertain economyResources:Want to launch your podcast?Check out our free podcasting workshop for therapists (and therapists turned coaches and consultants). Visit https://sellingthecouch.com/podcastingworkshop.Want to launch your online course?Please check out our free 7-Day Course Creator Starter Kit For Therapists: https://sellingthecouch.com/coursekitMentioned in this episode:Try Psych Careers!Need Community Support? Join the MastermindIf you are a seasoned therapist, and you are wanting to move from clinical to online course income, we actually have a specific mastermind for therapists who are doing this. We meet together to build and grow and scale our online courses. You can learn more about that mastermind over at https://sellingthecouch.com/mastermind.Try Psych Careers!Today's podcast is supported by the American Psychological Association's Psych Careers. If you are a psychology professional looking to advance your career or thinking about a pivot, definitely encourage you to check out Psych Careers, which is the career center from the American Psychological Association Services, Inc. There are over 400 positions available. It's the perfect time to create a free account, upload your resume, and set up job alerts. sellingthecouch.com/APA