Listen on Apple • Listen On Spotify
The online course world has exploded in the past few years, but with AI doing its thing and free content everywhere, you might be wondering…
Do people really still buy online courses?
If you’ve ever thought about creating one, but your brain spirals into:
- “I’m not expert enough”
- “Isn’t the market saturated?”
- “Where would I even start?”
…then today’s blog (inspired by my podcast chat with the incredible Sara Vezensek) is for you.
Sara went from private chef on superyachts to creating a thriving online business, all built on her desire for more freedom and a business that let her roam with rhinos (literally).
Let’s unpack her tips and truth bombs so you can finally get that course idea out of your head and into the world.
1. You don’t need to be the BEST. Just 10% ahead.
This one’s a mindset shift most people need before they ever open a Google doc. According to Sara, you only need to be 10% ahead of your ideal student to serve them 100%. That’s it.
You don’t need fancy credentials, a massive following, or years of teaching experience. You just need to know a bit more than the person you’re helping, and be able to walk them through that transformation.
So instead of asking, “What makes me qualified?”, try asking: “What do people always come to me for help with?”
2. Your story is your secret sauce.
There are thousands of Canva courses, marketing programs, and mindset trainings out there. The market isn’t lacking information…
But what it is craving? Connection.
People don’t buy from robots. They buy from humans. So if you’ve ever thought, “Why would someone choose me over that big-name coach?”
The answer is: because of your story.
Your voice, personality, teaching style, sense of humour, background, and unique approach are what make your course magnetic. Own it.
3. Ask your friends what you’re great at.
We’re all too close to our own brilliance. What feels easy or obvious to you might be someone else’s total blind spot.
Sara suggests asking a few close friends or trusted clients this question:
“If I had to teach a course on something, what would it be?”
You’ll likely hear patterns. Maybe you’re the go-to for simplifying tech, managing money, or creating schedules that actually work.
Let them reflect your genius back to you.
4. Start small. Test live. Tweak.
You don’t have to launch a full-blown evergreen program with a sales funnel and cinematic videos. In fact, please don’t.
Sara recommends starting with a live round, even a tiny group. Deliver the content in real time, pay attention to where people get stuck, and adjust as you go.
It doesn’t need to be perfect to be powerful. You just need to get your idea into the world and learn from real humans.
5. Transformation > Information.
This is where most courses go wrong. People think value = MORE content. But no one wants to wade through 12 hours of slides to get to the good stuff.
Instead, think about the end transformation your course promises. Then work backwards.
What are the exact steps your student needs to take?
What’s the outcome of each lesson?
Keep it clear, actionable, and supportive.
6. Don’t underprice it. Really.
It’s tempting to price low when you’re new. “If I make it cheaper, more people will buy it,” right?
Not necessarily.
A $200 12-week program can feel suspiciously low to the person looking for real transformation. People associate price with value.
Instead, price based on the result you help people achieve, and trust that the right people will see the value.
(And if accessibility is important to you, consider scholarships or low-ticket intro offers.)
7. Not everyone will buy. And that’s okay.
Your course might not fly off the shelves on day one. That doesn’t mean it’s a failure. It just means your audience needs more nurturing.
Sara suggests asking: “Have I created enough bingeable content for people to trust me?” If someone can’t spend a few hours getting to know you through your content, they’re probably not ready to invest.
Build trust. Stay visible. Keep showing up.
8. Your vibe will attract the right people.
Forget cookie-cutter content. Sara’s advice? Be wildly, unapologetically yourself. That’s what people connect to.
Whether that’s teaching from the jungle in your gym gear or sipping tea on your balcony in your dressing gown, your dream clients are looking for you.
When you show up in your full, honest vibe, you become a magnet for aligned people.
Final Thoughts
You already have a course inside you, and it doesn’t need to be groundbreaking. It just needs to be helpful, transformational, and delivered by someone real: YOU.
So go ask your friends what they see in you. Think about what people always ask you for help with. Then go test something small.
Because someone out there is literally waiting for what only YOU can teach.
ABOUT SARA VEZENSEK:
Sara Vezensek grew up in Slovenia, a place where the luxury yacht world wasn’t even something people believed was real outside of movies. But by her early 20s, she was living it: working as a private chef on superyachts, flying private, managing million-dollar deals, and earning $10K/month. From the outside, it looked like a dream. But on the inside, she felt trapped, constantly on call, and completely disconnected from her own freedom and purpose. Now, she’s an online business coach and mentor who helps ambitious women turn their lived experience into profitable, freedom-based businesses. Sara is known for helping her clients package their brilliance into high-impact offers, shift their money mindset, and finally stop trading time for money. She’s bold, real, and passionate about showing women how to build a business that actually supports the life they want.
CONNECT WITH SARA:
Website: www.saravezcoach.com
FREE offers: https://sara-vezensek.mykajabi.com/freedownloadshere
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saravezensek/
WORK WITH JACQUI:
// DIY Design My Biz: The best course for business owners DIYing their own brand and graphics in Canva. Learn more: https://whitedeer.com.au/diy-dmb
// The Co+Creation Design Club: Design WITH the help of a professional designer in this high-touch coaching space: https://whitedeer.com.au/designclub
// Design Studio: If you’re after fully done-for-you design services my studio team can help! https://whitedeer.com.au/designstudio
