What Creating a Course Taught Me About Myself and My Personal Brand

Creating a course has been one of the most eye-opening experiences of my life. When I first started, I didn’t know where to begin. I didn’t have a roadmap or a step-by-step guide—just a bunch of ideas in my head that I knew could help people. What I didn’t realize was how much the process of building this course would teach me about myself, my audience, and my personal brand.

Learning About Myself Through the Process

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of clarity—not just for my audience, but for myself. As I started breaking down the course into chapters and modules, I had to ask myself questions I hadn’t considered before:

• What do I stand for?
• What value can I provide to others?
• How do I want to be remembered?

Answering these questions helped me understand not only what I wanted to teach but also who I wanted to help. It forced me to dig deep into my own journey and reflect on my experiences, strengths, and passions.

Creating the course also required a lot of time and attention, and there was a lot of back and forth. For example, I might have scripted something already and then later realize there was overlap with another module, requiring me to rewrite and adjust. This iterative process taught me patience and the importance of flexibility.

How a Crazy Idea Led to My Audience

Interestingly, how I got to my audience wasn’t even part of my original plan. It came from a conversation with my best friend during one of our weekly catch-ups, where we keep each other accountable. The conversation wasn’t about the course—it was about a crazy idea I had for a podcast. That discussion unexpectedly led me to realize who I really wanted to help: introverts who want to shine but feel unsure about how to start.

Building the Flow and Structure

The flow of the course came naturally because of my previous conversations with clients. I already understood their challenges and the step-by-step guidance they were looking for. Structuring the course around these common questions and struggles made the content feel authentic and actionable. It’s about meeting people where they are and guiding them forward.

Tools That Made It Possible

AI has been a tremendous help in keeping things organized and helping me understand why I wanted to create this course. Notion was invaluable for organization, serving as a collaborative space where my team could double-check scripts and ensure the content would resonate with our audience.

Then there’s Tella—by far the best tool I’ve used for recording. While there are some minor adjustments I’d make from a user experience perspective, it’s superior to Loom in my opinion (sorry, not sorry). Tella has made the recording process smooth and efficient, which is critical when creating a course.

Personal Growth Through Challenges

The process wasn’t easy. There were moments of self-doubt, frustration, and overwhelm. But each challenge taught me something valuable:

• Perfection Isn’t the Goal: The first version of anything will always have room for improvement. What matters is getting started and iterating as you go.
• Clarity Comes From Action: I didn’t have all the answers when I started, but the act of creating helped me figure things out along the way.
• Your Voice Matters: Even if your knowledge overlaps with others in your field, your unique perspective and delivery style are what make your content stand out.

Lessons for Course Creators

If you’re thinking about starting a course, here’s my advice:

• Record When You Have the Most Energy: Recording requires a lot of energy, and if you’re not excited about your course, why would your audience be?
• Expect Iteration: Be prepared to rewrite and adjust as you go. Overlaps and changes are part of the process.
• Stay Excited About Your Content: Your enthusiasm will shine through and make your course more engaging.

This course is a collection of research I’ve put together over a year, and I’m still learning new strategies for growing online. I plan to add bonuses in the future and eventually expand into one-on-one consulting. For now, my focus is on getting this course out to the right people.

Why You Should Consider Creating a Course

If you’re looking to build your personal brand or connect more deeply with your audience, creating a course is one of the best things you can do. It helps you:

• Define Your Expertise: The process of organizing your knowledge into a course forces you to identify what you’re truly good at and how you can provide value.
• Build Trust and Authority: A well-designed course showcases your expertise and builds credibility with your audience.
• Refine Your Message: You’ll learn how to communicate your ideas more clearly and effectively, which benefits all aspects of your personal brand.

Final Thoughts

Creating a course isn’t just about teaching—it’s about growing. It’s about learning more about yourself, connecting with your audience, and building something that reflects your values and expertise. If you’ve been thinking about creating a course but feel unsure where to start, my advice is simple: start messy and figure it out along the way.

The process will teach you as much as it teaches your audience—and it might just transform how you see yourself and your brand.