Should your online course have community? | MC 024 w/ Jordan Godbey

Summary

In this engaging conversation, Jordan Godby, founder of Growth Community, shares his journey from SEO specialist to helping experts monetize their audience through community building. He discusses the evolution of his digital marketing expertise, the pivotal shift from service-based to product-based business, and the power of community in driving transformation and success. The discussion highlights the importance of specialization, leveraging high-ticket programs, and the psychology behind value and pricing in the world of online courses and coaching.

Takeaways

• 😀 Jordan Godby, the founder of Growth Community, specializes in helping experts monetize their audience and expertise through community building.
• 🌟 The importance of SEO was highlighted as a powerful tool for Jordan to start his online business journey, enabling him to compete with large companies.
• 💡 Jordan's business evolution involved expanding from SEO into web development, digital marketing, and eventually running a full-service digital marketing agency.
• 🔍 The realization that a broad range of services was not as unique as initially thought led Jordan to consider specialization as a path for growth.
• 🛠️ Jordan's experience with HubSpot introduced him to the world of productizing services and focusing on larger B2B contracts, but it wasn't a long-term fit due to the lack of differentiation.
• 🚀 A shift in Jordan's career came when he moved from agency work to creating an online course in the medical field, specifically for radiology and MRI, which allowed him to apply his digital marketing skills to a new challenge.
• 🏆 The value of transitioning from a service-based business to a product-based business was underscored as a way to potentially create more value without being limited by time or client numbers.
• 🤔 The discussion highlighted the difference between information and intelligence, suggesting that communities can provide the context and sequence of actions needed for real transformation.
• 🔑 Jordan emphasized the role of community in supporting learners through the implementation phase of their education, which is critical for achieving desired outcomes.
• 💰 The script touched on the psychology of pricing and value, noting that high-ticket programs often include elements of mindset and identity shifts that are essential for success.
• 🏝️ Finally, the conversation wrapped up with a light-hearted look at Jordan's favorite ice cream and the challenge of choosing between chocolate chip cookies and oatmeal raisin.

Q & A

Who is Jordan Godby and what is his professional focus?

Jordan Godby is the founder of Growth Community, and he helps experts monetize their audience and expertise through community building.

How did Jordan Godby's journey in digital marketing begin?

Jordan's journey began in college where he was interested in computers. He started with SEO while living in France, trying to make money online, and landed his first client remotely.

What was the turning point for Jordan Godby in his career?

The turning point was when Jordan decided to specialize and focus on building online courses, coaching, and community for experts, moving away from being a generalist digital marketer.

What is the significance of the community in online courses according to Jordan Godby?

According to Jordan, the community is the new foundation for online courses, providing support, interaction, and a sense of belonging, which increases the success rate of the course participants.

How does Jordan Godby define the difference between old school courses and modern community-based courses?

Old school courses are typically video-based and lack interaction, while modern community-based courses focus on engagement, support, and practical implementation, providing a more transformative experience.

What is the role of mindset in high-ticket course programs?

Mindset plays a crucial role in high-ticket programs as it addresses the internal beliefs and identity shifts necessary for participants to fully embrace the transformation and implement what they've learned.

How does Jordan Godby perceive the value of information in the age of infinite online content?

Jordan believes that while information is abundant, what's missing is the application and context, which is where communities and coaching come into play to provide personalized guidance and support.

What is the common challenge that Jordan Godby sees in the traditional online course model?

The common challenge is the low completion and success rate, as many courses are designed in a way that is difficult to integrate into the busy and noisy modern world.

What advice would Jordan Godby give to his younger self based on his current experience?

He would advise his younger self to focus on becoming a productized service business and to specialize in delivering a specific transformation or outcome repeatedly.

How does Jordan Godby view the future of online learning?

Jordan sees the future of online learning moving towards community-based models that offer more than just information, but also include support, interaction, and practical implementation.

What is the key takeaway from Jordan Godby's experience with building an online course in the medical field?

The key takeaway is the importance of specialization and the opportunity to create a unique product that fills a specific need in the market, leveraging both expertise and technology.