288: How to go from Idea To Income with your online course

How to Turn Your Idea Into Income With an Online Course: A Beginner’s Guide Inspired by Her Empire Builder Show

Are you sitting on a wealth of knowledge and considering starting an online course—but have no idea where to begin? You’re not alone. In Episode 288 of the Her Empire Builder Show, Tina Tower shares a practical roadmap for anyone at the very start of their course creation journey. Here’s a breakdown of her advice to help you get from “just an idea” to your first sale.

1. Start Where You Are—Just Start!

Tina’s first message is simple but vital: don’t get stuck in “one day” mode. Instead, make today “day one.” If you’re juggling too many ideas and feeling paralyzed, pick one and get going. Your business will evolve, and it’s far better to learn by doing than spend a year on the sidelines.

Ask yourself:

• What do you love talking about?
• What comes easily to you but is tricky for others?
• What are people already asking you for help with?

Your winning course idea sits at the intersection of what you love, what people want, and what they’re willing to pay for.

2. Validate Before You Build

Don’t risk spending time creating a course nobody actually wants. Tina recommends starting with a short, transformation-focused course—think 6-8 weeks. But before you even record videos or build fancy modules, teach the course live to a small beta group (Zoom is perfect for this!).

This live format gives you:

• Real-time feedback (so you can see what truly resonates)
• Authentic testimonials and stories
• A chance to debug your content before investing in a polished version

And most importantly, it tests whether people not only want your course, but will actually pay for it.

3. Embrace the Vulnerability

Transitioning from selling products or services to “productizing yourself” requires bravery. Yes, people will judge you—Tina gets real about this—but, “if you’re lucky, thousands of people will be watching.” Are you willing to put yourself in the arena for the rewards of freedom, flexibility, and impact?

4. Keep the First Version Simple

Don’t overcomplicate things with a grand business model on day one. Start with a minimal viable product—a simple course that gets people results and gives you experience. If you’re struggling to choose your focus, think about your network. Can you name 10-20 people who might benefit from your course right now? If not, consider refining your idea to something more immediately accessible.

5. Launch Small, Then Grow

Your first sales will likely come from people you know—friends, family, colleagues. That’s normal! Don’t worry if your first group is tiny. The important thing is to deliver transformation, gather feedback, and build confidence. From there, you can expand your email list, grow your social media, and scale up your impact.

6. Focus on Your Why

Creating and launching a course is hard work—there will always be reasons to procrastinate. Tina encourages you to tie your motivation to the impact you’ll create for others, as well as the freedom and lifestyle benefits for yourself. That “why” will carry you through the tough days.

3 Day Idea To Income Challenge: https://www.herempirebuilder.com/income for your free guide on How to Start Your Online Course Business.