How to Write for a Living

217: Creating courses people actually finish - and pay for (with Rodney Daut)


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Season 2, episode 17 is here!

In this episode, Rodney Daut breaks down what creators often get wrong about building and selling courses, and how to rethink content from the ground up. He shares practical insights, surprising analogies, and sharp strategies for creators who want their work to actually teach (and sell).

What we covered:

- Why traditional social media failed Rodney, and why Substack Notes became an unexpected growth engine for him

- What most creators misunderstand about course design, and how to build training that actually sticks

- How to teach complex ideas using “disconnected stories” that hook readers with curiosity before delivering insight

- A behind-the-scenes look at building courses for clients in health and education, including a surprising case study that involved milk and Mongolian horsemen (?!)

- How Rodney uses AI to improve course content, not replace it, and where it still falls short

- What makes a micro course feel valuable, not small, and how a “potato chip” analogy can change how you think about content

- A dead-simple trick for finding the real problem your course should solve, and how to name it

- Why specificity in your audience and offer isn't about who you are - it's about the problems only you can solve

👉 Make sure to subscribe to Rodney’s publication before you go, and grab your free ebook copy of Profitable Playbooks right here.



This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedavidmcilroy.substack.com/subscribe
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How to Write for a LivingBy David McIlroy

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