“I don't have time to create online courses!” – This thought is familiar to many trainers, coaches, and consultants. Online courses are popular in further education, but as a freelancer, time is always tight! We explain why the argument “no time” costs you more time and money than you need to invest.
“Actually, I should take care of online courses, but I just don't have the time for it” – this is probably one of the most common sentences from self-employed educators when it comes to digitalization. Often, the topic of “online courses” is repeatedly postponed with this argument. This is understandable: As a freelancer, you don't just create training and coaching sessions. On your priority list, in-person times, marketing, sales, and customer care also rank high.
However, the last few years, and especially the last few months, have increased the pressure: Traditional in-person events are less desired (or currently not possible), and online formats are highly appreciated by customers and companies.
So how does the mindset “I have no time for online courses” become a blockage for your business? And how do you resolve it?
3 Solutions for “No Time for Online Courses”
Of course, you cannot simply extend your day by a few hours. Fundamentally, you have three options to overcome the time blockage:
1. Change your mindset about online courses
Using your time wisely is important as a freelancer! How you use your time is fundamentally a question of your prioritization: Which actions can you benefit the most from in the future? If you have no time to create online courses, you may not see the advantages clearly enough:
If you invest time now in your own online offerings, you can save a lot of time in the future and generate additional income. Online courses replace the “time-for-money model” for trainers and coaches. Normally, you invest a lot of time in traveling and in-person events. With online courses, you will be time and location flexible:
You can either convey your knowledge completely online or reduce your in-person times through online support (blended learning). As a third option, you can also replace in-person sessions with webinars (virtual blended learning): This allows you to be present and nonetheless save travel time and costs.
Reading tip: You can find everything on this topic on our extensive info page:
Online courses also help you if you cannot attend an in-person event, for example, if you get sick (more in the article: “I am sick, and now?”).
You see, online courses offer you a variety of advantages and make your future as a self-employed trainer, coach, or consultant easier. Therefore, the first step is to prioritize “creating online courses” higher and to change your mindset towards the topic. Invest time now in online courses and save more time in the future than you invested.
Online courses are easy for trainers to create and save a lot of time permanently.// Source: blink.it
2. Use the current crisis time for online courses
The crisis situation of the Corona pandemic has hit many educators hard: Most trainers lost a large part of their planned in-person events without replacement – this means huge revenue losses. However, this also gives you (unwillingly) much more time to create your own digital “plan B.”
If you use this time for online courses, you have two advantages right away:
You can offer existing clients an alternative who had to cancel already planned appointments. Many companies are currently relying heavily on online courses and blended learning for training in home office. Here you have the opportunity to attract your customers with the appropriate offer and bind them to you despite the crisis.
You reach new target groups with online courses for whom your previous in-person offering was not interesting: You have a larger reach since you do not have to travel. Additionally, you can train more participants at the same time in the online course. (More about this in the article “Gain new customer groups for your training”)
So far, it is unclear how long the contact restrictions will last. You can continually use online courses and thus easily and quickly mitigate further cancellations. So view the situation as an opportunity and invest your freed-up time in future security: Digital education will remain relevant even after the crisis!
3. Save time with the right learning platform
Perhaps you have already looked at different platforms for online courses. Many are real “spaceships”: Huge and very learning- and time-intensive until you can really use and start them. This is mainly because many common LMS are geared towards companies. Additionally, typical LMS is not good software for blended learning. You can solve this problem by choosing a learning platform that is tailored to your needs as a self-employed trainer.
A suitable system should meet these five requirements to save you a lot of time and unnecessary effort:
The setup must be simple, even for technology newcomers without extensive IT knowledge. This means that the platform must be ready to use immediately without requiring you to need an IT specialist or waiting weeks before you can start.
It must have an intuitive interface where you can find your way around immediately without losing hours or even days for onboarding.
The features must be clear, following the principle “as much as necessary, as little as possible.”
It must allow for a great variety of media so that you can immediately integrate all the content you digitalize. (Here you will find tips and tools for the digitalization of your training materials.)
The operation must be easy for your participants as well so that they can find their way around quickly and learn effectively in the online course.
For example, blink.it meets these five points: The learning platform was originally developed specifically for trainers, coaches, and consultants who want to create online courses easily and quickly – without special IT knowledge and without long onboarding.
The simplest method to start with online courses is blended learning: Use your existing content from in-person events and combine them with a supporting online course. Start now with the guide “Blended Learning for Trainers” and invest your time in a valuable digital offer!
Free guide
Blended Learning for Trainers
Improve your training and create your first blended learning concept in 9 steps! Our guide will accompany you step by step, from goal setting through content creation, call-to-actions, and methods.
To the Trainer's Guide for Blended Learning
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