How Bob Vetter Turned His Passion for Healing Conversations Into a Profitable Online Course and Community
Oct 14, 2024Hi there! I’m James Marland, and today I want to talk about something near and dear to my heart—creating life-changing online courses that not only generate passive income but also help you fulfill your mission. If you're a therapist, healer, or someone who's been on a personal healing journey, this post is for you! Course creation allows us to take our unique gifts, our "don" as my guest Bob Vetter puts it, and share them with the world in a way that’s meaningful and impactful.
Discover Your Gift (Don) Through Healing
We all have a unique gift or don, which is something that we can offer the world. Bob Vetter, a cultural anthropologist and healer, shares that your life experiences, particularly the challenges you've faced, often shape your ability to help others. As a therapist or someone in the healing profession, you already have these tools in your hands— it's never been a better time to package them into an online course.
In Bob’s words, “Your own healing crisis is your don.” So often, the very challenges we face equip us to assist others going through similar experiences. That’s why many healers, therapists, and community leaders start with a desire to help others overcome their struggles—just as they did. This personal connection is what makes your course authentic and powerful.
Transform Your Passion into Passive Income
If you’ve ever thought about creating a course but hesitated, let me remind you—what you know can change lives. And while it’s wonderful to offer healing in person, an online course allows you to reach a broader audience and create a source of passive income. Imagine your work helping others while giving you financial freedom, allowing you to focus more on your passion.
Bob shared how he began by offering his services to a community of healers and how that evolved into a group-based online course. What started as a way to help turned into a side hustle and, eventually, a sustainable business. He made the leap, and you can too!
Building Community through Courses:
A huge part of Bob’s success, and something I believe in deeply, is building a community around your work. Healing is often a journey that people don’t want to walk alone. Whether it’s a therapist guiding clients or a healer working with individuals, the magic happens in the community. As Bob said, "It's easier to manage a group of 10 people than just three because they work together and learn from one another."
When you create an online course, you’re not just teaching—you’re building a space where people can connect, share, and grow together. This not only enhances the healing process but also increases the value of your course. People feel connected, supported, and seen.
Overcoming Challenges and Scaling Your Course
Let’s talk about courage and confidence. Creating an online course is not without its challenges. Bob admitted that the hardest part was reaching a critical mass—getting enough people engaged for the magic of group work to take place. But once you push past that initial hurdle, you’re on your way to scaling your course, bringing in more students, and offering deeper value through group interaction.
As Bob transitioned his healing work from in-person sessions to an online format, he realized the power of combining recorded lessons, live sessions, and individual coaching. This hybrid approach allows you to offer a richer experience while also managing your time and resources more effectively.
Lessons Learned for a Therapist to Create Their Online Course
If you’re ready to take the next step, here are some key points to keep in mind:
- Identify Your Don (Gift): Think about the unique knowledge or experience you can share. What problem do you solve for your clients or community?
- Start Small and Build: Don’t worry about having everything perfect. Begin with a small, intimate group and grow from there.
- Create Value Before Monetizing: Like Bob, you might start by offering your course for free or with a donation model, allowing you to build trust and community before transitioning into a paid program.
- Structure Your Course: A hybrid model—combining live sessions, recorded materials, and one-on-one coaching—can offer the perfect balance of flexibility and depth for your students.
- Be Authentic: People are drawn to real stories and genuine experiences. Your journey is part of your course’s value.
Final Thoughts
You have a gift that the world needs. Whether you’re a therapist, healer, or someone who has walked through personal healing, your experiences can inspire and help others. Creating an online course is a powerful way to do that while building passive income and serving your community.
As Bob said, "Each of us is on this incredible journey, and creating an online course is one way to help others on theirs." So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to put your mission in motion.
Resources
- Learn more about Bob’s business here. You can even find a free board game called Sustos.
- Join the Course Creation Community Hub for free advice and support.
Course Creation Planning Worksheet Download
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