The Course Creator Show

SIGN UP FOR THE JAN 22 MASTERCLASS: https://gemmabonhamcarter.com/2025

In this kickoff episode for 2025, Gemma reflects on her “coast year” of 2024, a year filled with travel, family time, and strategic business maintenance. 
She shares a behind-the-scenes look at how she worked just 60% of the year, still hit $1M in gross revenue, and what lessons she’s carrying into the new year. Plus, Gemma teases next week’s masterclass, where she’ll be sharing even more insights to help course creators and coaches crush 2025.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• What a “coast year” looks like for a 7-figure business owner.
• Highlights from 2024, including record-breaking launches and leaning into AI.
• Lessons learned from flops like funnel neglect and stalled email list growth.
• How Gemma’s systems and strategies kept her business thriving.
• A teaser of what’s to come in Gemma’s January 22nd masterclass.

Your Next Steps:

• Sign up for the masterclass on January 22nd: https://gemmabonhamcarter.com/2025
• Work with Gemma: https://www.gemmabonhamcarter.com/programs
• What Gemma Uses to Run Her 7-Figure Business: https://gemmabonhamcarter.com/tools
• Connect on Social: https://www.instagram.com/gemma.bonhamcarter

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I’m thrilled to bring you Jason Zook, cofounder of Teachery, the online course platform I’ve used for years to run my business. Jason has a unique approach to the online business world—one that’s refreshingly simple, effective, and, yes, a bit unconventional. In today’s episode, Jason walks us through his story, starting with his “I Wear Your Shirt” project back in 2009, to his new “done-for-you” course strategy in the evolving digital space.

We dive into why Teachery stands out among course platforms (spoiler: it’s not an all-in-one), the big move to lifetime pricing, and why focusing on ONE offer has been a game-changer. Plus, Jason shares his predictions for 2025, what he sees changing in online education, and why a “done-for-you” approach will be key to future success.

What You’ll Learn:

- Jason’s entrepreneurial journey from “I Wear Your Shirt” to Teachery
- How Teachery differentiates itself in a crowded course platform space
- The shift to lifetime pricing: why it works and what you should know
- How simplifying your offer can skyrocket your business
- The importance of AI and “done-for-you” tools in 2025
- Why shorter, bite-sized content is winning in the online space
- Jason’s insights on building customer loyalty through genuine support

Resources Mentioned:

- Teachery: https://gemmabonhamcarter.com/teachery
- Wandering Aimfully: https://wanderingaimfully.com/
- Gemma’s Free Course Creation Class: https://learn.gemmabonhamcarter.com/class/

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Ready to hear from someone who’s built a thriving online business from the ground up? In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend and online business pioneer, Meagan Williamson. Meagan and I started as OG bloggers in the Canadian home decor scene—long before either of us dove into course creation. Fast forward to today, and Meagan is a go-to expert in Pinterest marketing for digital businesses.

We dive into her evolution from accidental blogger to seasoned course creator and Pinterest pro, reflecting on what we’ve learned over 15 years in the industry. Meagan’s sharing how she refined her launch strategy during her busy “mom of two” years, what she’s seeing as critical for online success in 2025, and why having a blogging background has been such an advantage in adapting to a constantly shifting digital world.

Join us for an unfiltered chat on launching, navigating growth, and keeping the business fun, no matter how many pivots come your way!

What You’ll Learn:

- Meagan’s unique journey from home decor blogger to Pinterest expert
- The power of refining one core offer vs. always launching something new
- Key strategies for building patience and delayed gratification into your business
- The surprising benefit of sticking with “old-school” strategies in a social media-driven world

Resources Mentioned:
- Meagan’s Website: https://www.meaganwilliamson.com
- Connect with Meagan on Threads: @meaganawilliamson
- Meagan’s Pinterest Program: https://pinpotential.com/

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Ever worried about someone stealing your online course or repackaging your hard work? If you’re a course creator, you know that copycats can show up in more ways than one, and this week’s episode is all about protecting your business. Today, I’m joined by lawyer and contract expert Jaime Bell from Contracts Market to tackle this all-too-common issue.

From spotting subtle “inspirations” to finding your course on sketchy resale sites, Jaime shares everything you need to know to handle content theft—without losing your mind. She’ll walk you through exactly how to respond, how to document proof, and the steps you can take to get your work taken down. Whether it’s reaching out with a friendly DM or sending a formal takedown notice, you’ll walk away knowing what you can do when a copycat strikes.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

- Why content theft is becoming so common and how it affects creators
- Steps to assess whether your work has actually been infringed upon
- How to document proof of theft (screenshots, URLs, Looms—you name it)
- Tips for confronting a creator who may have copied you
- What a DMCA takedown notice is and how it works on sites like Facebook and Shopify
- How to use copyright law to protect your work, even without a lawyer
- Why drip content can protect your course and reduce chargebacks

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

-Get Jaime’s Contract Templates: https://www.thecontractsmarket.com/?ref=gemma_bonham_carter
- Jaime’s Guide to Taking Down Copycats: https://www.thecontractsmarket.com/products/copyright-infringement-templates?ref=gemma_bonham_carter 
- Contracts Market on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contractsmarket 
- Free Whois Lookup Tool: https://www.whois.com 
- AccuHost Lookup Service: https://www.accuhost.com 

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We’re welcoming Sam Vander Wielen, attorney turned 7-figure online course creator, who’s sharing how she scaled her legal templates business, built a thriving community, and nailed two record-breaking launches this year alone. After a burnout-filled career as a lawyer, Sam switched gears, using free calls to learn what her ideal clients really needed and turned those insights into her ultimate moneymaker—the Ultimate Bundle. Now, with 4,000+ buyers, she’s spilling all the strategies, from fostering genuine community to using micro-commitments to boost engagement.

Whether you're struggling to gain traction or feeling uncertain about launching in a more competitive market, Sam shares how she’s kept her business booming by adapting to new consumer trends and injecting real value into every interaction.

What You’ll Learn:

- Why 2024 is still a strong year for course sales and launches
- The story behind Sam’s Ultimate Bundle and her “aha” moment that led to it
- How creating a community-driven offer supercharged her sales
- Why engagement is key, and how micro-commitments make a difference
- Tips for staying calm and confident during high-stakes launch periods

Resources Mentioned:

- Sam Vander Wielen’s Ultimate Bundle: https://www.samvanderwielen.com/bundle
- Sam’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samvanderwielen
- Pre-Order Sam’s Book (coming April 15, 2024): *When I Start My Business, I’ll Be Happy*

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The online course landscape is shifting, and today, we’re diving into what that means for you as a course creator. If you’ve been feeling the changes in 2024—from savvier buyers to fiercer competition—you’re not alone. But here’s the thing: adapting to this new environment is entirely possible if you know where to focus.

In this episode, I’ll walk you through the changes in our industry, why they’re happening, and what you can do to keep your courses fresh, engaging, and appealing. From standing out in a crowded market to using AI tools that help students implement faster, these are the new strategies to help your course thrive. Plus, I’ll share the most critical piece that my top students are doubling down on right now to see success.

What You’ll Learn:
- The current state of online courses and what’s driving change
- Why differentiation is crucial to standing out in today’s crowded market
- Practical examples of what “good” vs. “bad” differentiation looks like
- How AI can enhance your courses and give students quicker wins
- Tips for streamlining your course to avoid information overload
- Three core strategies to help you thrive in this new era of online learning

Resources Mentioned:
- Get on the waitlist for our Black Friday Deal Week: https://learn.gemmabonhamcarter.com/2024-deals/
- Gemma’s Course Creator School: https://gemmabonhamcarter.com/coursecreatorschool
- Free Class: Launch Your Course: https://learn.gemmabonhamcarter.com/class/

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Mallory Rowan is doing a podcast takeover! 

This week, Mallory dives deep into creating a sustainable, high-impact Black Friday social media strategy—no gimmicks or empty sales fluff. She’s laying out a game plan of 5 essential steps to ensure your audience shows up ready and excited when your Black Friday deals drop. Whether you’re going all out on social media or keeping it low-key, these tips will help you connect authentically and boost engagement with ease.

Mallory covers everything from building early anticipation to planning dynamic stories and feed content that captures your audience’s attention. Tune in to learn how to prep your social media so your Black Friday sales hit differently this year!

What You’ll Learn:
- Why building anticipation early creates engagement and prevents the dreaded “empty concert” effect
- Mallory’s tips for setting up both organic and paid strategies to gather email leads in advance
- How visual branding (even subtle tweaks!) can increase engagement leading into Black Friday
- Why regular content with light promo hints builds excitement without overwhelming your audience
- Strategies for using Instagram Stories to show behind-the-scenes, add authenticity, and answer common questions
- Techniques for balancing your strengths in content format, whether stories, carousels, or video

Resources Mentioned:
- Follow Mallory on Instagram: https://instagram.com/malloryrowan
- Mallory Rowan’s Instagram Stories Workshop: https://malloryrowan.com/15-second-strategy 
- Join Mallory’s email community: www.malloryrowan.com
- Black Friday in a Box by Gemma Bonham-Carter: www.gemmabonhamcarter.com/blackfriday

Your Next Steps:
- Work with Me: https://www.gemmabonhamcarter.com/programs  
- What I Use to Run My Business: https://gemmabonhamcarter.com/tools  
- Launch Your Course (Free Class!): https://learn.gemmabonhamcarter.com/class/  
- Build Your Evergreen Funnel: https://learn.gemmabonhamcarter.com/funnel-kit/  
- Behind-the-Scenes on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gemma.bonhamcarter  

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If you’re tired of spending hours on repetitive business tasks or have dreamed of a team that could work round the clock, this episode’s for you! 

Today, I’m pulling back the curtain on my AI Assistants—yes, custom GPTs that handle tasks like email drafts, Instagram captions, and even my podcast show notes. After years of figuring it out, I’m here to show you how these virtual “team members” can become essential to your business. 

I’ll share my own journey of frustration with generic AI tools, why I created my own personalized GPTs, and how you can do the same—no technical background needed. Imagine the freedom of focusing on your big-picture goals while AI takes care of the day-to-day work. By the end of this episode, you’ll know exactly why and how to build a custom team of AI assistants and get a sneak peek at my Black Friday launch of AI templates and guides!

What You’ll Learn:
- Why I decided to create my own custom AI Assistants instead of relying on existing tools
- A behind-the-scenes look at how I set up my AI team for my business
- The power of custom GPTs and how they go beyond typical AI prompts
- Practical examples of tasks you can offload to your AI team
- How AI Assistants save you hours weekly, increase productivity, and let you focus on growth
- A preview of the upcoming Black Friday Deal Week for my AI templates

Resources Mentioned:
- Get on the Waitlist for our 2024 Black Friday Deal Week: https://learn.gemmabonhamcarter.com/2024-deals/ 
- ChatGPT: https://openai.com/chatgpt

EXCLUSIVE SPONSOR: Get 30% Off Kajabi Templates! 
I’ve teamed up with Amanda from Just Add Your Brand to bring you an exclusive 5-day-only offer. Amanda’s Kajabi website, sales page, and course templates are beyond gorgeous—and they’re built to elevate your brand and boost your sales.
If you’ve been dreaming of a website that looks like you invested thousands (without actually having to), Amanda’s templates have you covered. These are fully customizable for your unique style, super easy to set up, and 100% optimized to convert your visitors into customers.
Use the promo code GEMMA30 to get 30% off right now—this is a bigger discount than Amanda’s Black Friday sale, and these template prices are set to rise in 2025. Head to this link to grab your templates before this deal expires on 11/15 at 11:59 pm CT: https://justaddyourbrand.com/pages/gemma
If you’re ready to give your brand a high-converting, totally stunning online presence, don’t miss out on this one. 

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What if you could level up your low ticket offer with a simple add-on that keeps your students accountable and drives revenue? In today’s episode, I’m diving into exactly that. I’m sharing how our VIP Week upsell for Black Friday in a Box was such a success and how you can use this approach yourself. 

Let’s talk about how powerful an “implementation week” can be for keeping customers on track and boosting results. If you’re ready to rethink how you structure your offers, this is for you!

What you’ll learn:
- How our VIP Week was designed to boost accountability and results for students
- Why implementation weeks make a real difference for low-ticket products
- Sales insights and the power of small add-ons like order bumps and upsells

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:
- Black Friday in a Box: https://gemmabonhamcarter.com/black-friday

Your Next Steps:

• Ready to plan your best Black Friday ever? Check out my Black Friday in a Box program: https://gemmabonhamcarter.com/black-friday
• Work with Me: https://www.gemmabonhamcarter.com/programs
• What I Use to Run My Business: https://gemmabonhamcarter.com/tools
• Launch Your Course (Free Class!): https://learn.gemmabonhamcarter.com/class/
• Build Your Evergreen Funnel: https://learn.gemmabonhamcarter.com/funnel-kit/
• Behind-the-Scenes on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gemma.bonhamcarter

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This week on the Course Creator Show, we’re diving deep into the world of AI with Kinsey, the host of the Authentic AI for Entrepreneurs podcast and CEO of Feel Good Social. Kinsey brings her unique human-first approach to AI, sharing valuable insights on how online business owners can leverage AI tools more effectively.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Kinsey's Human-First Approach to AI: Understand how to integrate AI into your business operations without losing the personal touch.
• Practical AI Tools and Workflows: Kinsey shares her expertise on using tools like Descript and OpusClip to maximize the efficiency of content creation, demonstrating how to transform a single piece of content into multiple outputs effectively.
• Real-World Applications: Learn from Kinsey’s own workflows and get actionable tips on incorporating AI into your daily business practices to save time and increase productivity.

Kinsey's insights provide a roadmap for any online entrepreneur looking to integrate AI into their business strategy effectively. Whether you’re just starting to explore the potential of AI or looking to optimize existing tools, this episode is packed with advice that can lead to tangible improvements in your business processes.

Tune in now to discover how you can harness the power of AI while maintaining the authenticity and personal connection that your customers value.

Learn more about Kinsey's work and insights on AI at Authentic AI for Entrepreneurs: https://authenticaiforentrepreneurs.com/

Follow Kinsey on Instagram for more updates and tips: https://www.instagram.com/authenticaiforentrepreneurs/

Your Next Steps:

• Ready to plan your best Black Friday ever? Check out my Black Friday in a Box program: https://gemmabonhamcarter.com/black-friday
• Work with Me: https://www.gemmabonhamcarter.com/programs
• What I Use to Run My Business: https://gemmabonhamcarter.com/tools
• Launch Your Course (Free Class!): https://learn.gemmabonhamcarter.com/class/
• Build Your Evergreen Funnel: https://learn.gemmabonhamcarter.com/funnel-kit/
• Behind-the-Scenes on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gemma.bonhamcarter

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