Photo by Nick Morrison on Unsplash
We’ve all seen it. The Youtube influencer we follow promote their online course they swear by. They applied the methods, it worked, and now they are passing along the knowledge. They give you the secrets and recipe for success you can’t find online for free.
After all, why waste time and energy sifting through Google searches and YouTube videos piecing information together? Doesn’t buying an online course make sense?
The problem (myself included) is that most times we buy courses that sit in our email unopened. Currently I have about three courses sitting in the site’s dashboard I have yet to click.
Why do we do this?
Here’s a few reasons:
#1 The creator has developed a sense of urgency to buy via course countdowns, emails, newsletters, posts, pre orders, sales discounts
#2 Fear of missing out
#3 Easier to spend money to give the illusion of progress. Hey look at me, I’ve invested in myself. I’m trying, see? As one entrepreneur has said, “You can’t spend your way to success.”
#4 Hopping on the bandwagon (similar to #2) striking while the iron is hot on a new trend. Herd syndrome.
#5 Something that peaked short term interest
#6 Something to secure at the moment just in case
What is the alternative?
First calm down. Marketing is designed to create a sense of urgency to compulsively buy. Truth is, there is always another opportunity.
Second, what’s the timeline from consumption to completion? Is this course something you can begin consuming and implementing right away? Three months from now? A year?
Disregard any course that can’t be put into action immediately. The longer it gets put off, the least likely you to start and begin implementing.
Third, look up information for free. Google and YT, Reddit, Quora offer tons of information read and listen to others experiences. Research customer reviews. Search for free PDF’s online, Amazon, Ebay, or local library.
Fourth, give it time. Spending money is easy in the heat of the moment. Adrenaline is a heck of a drug. Sit with the idea for a few days. Give it 24 hours. For my prayer warriors pray on it first. If it’s still in your spirit after a few days, consider buying.
In the end
Time and money can be saved and better invested if we calm down and think before buying any online course. Most things aren’t as urgent or temporary as they seem.
To act when needed and beneficial for you takes patience and discipline. As humans that takes practice.
Anything from start to completion is tough. Especially with daily distractions and responsibilities. Buying an online course is a layered experience. It takes time, effort, willingness, action and consistency to get your money’s worth.
Choose where your money, time, and energy goes wisely.