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010: How to do a Beta Launch for Your Online Course

How to do a Beta Launch

Beta Launches for Online Courses are essentially the way that you can test your proof of concept! Rather than creating a prototype of a physical product, you’re testing your course from top to bottom on a small group of people who agree to experience the course, share feedback, and be part of the creation process. 


Free or Paid?

One of the most common questions I get asked is, "Should my Beta Launch be Free or Paid (with discount)?"

I always recommend charging a small amount to participate in a beta launch…

  1. Prove it’s something people will actually spend money on
  2. They’re more likely to participate & take it seriously if they have a little bit of skin in the game
  3. Get a little bit of income while you create (course creation is time consuming)

 

…now, you’ll be providing a discount for a valuable experience. In exchange for this, it’s important to CLEARLY communicate what’s expected of them in return! 

 

Things to remember:

  • Set clear parameters & boundaries
    1. What are your beta testers doing to earn the discount or special privileges that you’re granting to them? If it’s in exchange for feedback & testimonials - clearly outline how the feedback is delivered and when it’s due to you.

    2. What is your “measuring stick”? I.e. how are you measuring progress, results, transformation ROI? This is CRUCIAL in your sales process & will help you to create case studies, “Before & After” features, and other persuasive tools & resources

 

  • Measure / Log / Track EVERYTHING!

 

    1. You can’t manage what you don’t measure! Treat this like a science experiment and keep a running log of anything & everything throughout your beta launch! Measure things like…
      1. How did you find the people for your beta launch?
      2. How did they opt in?
      3. How much time are you putting into your support mechanisms?
      4. How many collective minutes/hours of recordings are there?
      5. What questions are you being asked? (Use these to create an FAQ or Help Center to eliminate time spent doing customer support!) 
      6. What patterns are you seeing? (IT, questions, member activity)
      7. Where do you see INactivity? (Maybe this requires an extra nudge…i.e. People looking at or posting in a community)
      8. Anything & everything else!

 

What you’ll need:

  1. Course platform
    1. Kajabi
    2. Other course platform
    3. FB Group
    4. YouTube / Vimeo
  2. Feedback channels
    1. videoask.com is amazing! 
    2. Google form
    3. Assessments (Kajabi)
  3. Payment gateway
    1. Kajabi
    2. PayPal / Venmo
  4. Things to create content
    1. Course outline
    2. Recording set-up (I can share about equipment in another episode)
    3. Editing software, if needed
    4. Organized system & processes - communicate this with your team/support system

 

9 Steps to Running a Beta Launch:

 

  1. Clearly Identify Your Goals
  2. Define, Identify, and Connect with Your Ideal Audience 
  3. Create Your Course Outline (Framework)
    1. Content
    2. Delivery frequency
    3. Timeline 
  4. Create Your Trainings, Resources, & Materials
    1. Recordings (Video or Audio)
    2. Descriptions
    3. Worksheets / Workbooks
    4. Support Channels
    5. Community
  5. Decide on Your Pricing
    1. Retail pricing
    2. Beta pricing & parameters
  6. Set Up Feedback Channels & Analysis Protocols
  7. Document Your Results
  8. Debrief Your Beta Launch & Make Improvements
  9. Plan & Execute Your Official Launch!

 

Whew! That was a lot but I hope you're feeling more supported as you navigate your next Beta Launch! I'd love to hear about what you're creating! Tag us in your stories on Instagram @pualena.co and @coursecreators.academy! 

Keep Crushin'! 🙌🏽