How do you know if your online course business is built to last? Now, we’re not just talking about building success right here and now. Rather, it’s creating an empire that is intentionally designed to withstand whatever storms may come your way. And we all know that facing up to challenges is inevitable in any business.

I’ve had my fair share of ventures, but it was my third attempt that truly made me realise the importance of intentional business building. In my earlier endeavours, I made the mistake of not aligning the business with my passions and needs. The first one relied heavily on a volatile advertising model, and the second lacked genuine enthusiasm. These experiences taught me the value of creating a business that resonates with your goals, passions and long-term vision.

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The Three Pillars of a Lasting Online Business

So, how do you know whether or not your online course business is built to last? Well, it all comes down to recognising how strong your foundation is. I believe these three pillars are key in determining the success of your business:

Pillar #1: A Strong Offer Suite

• Easy to Sell: Your offers should be designed for effortless sales. If you’re constantly struggling to make sales, it’s time to reevaluate your offerings. 
• Deliver Exceptional Results: Your offers should consistently deliver outstanding results to your clients to create loyalty and strengthen your brand. 
• Profitable: Your offers should not just generate revenue but also be profitable. Profit ensures the sustainability and growth of your business. 
• Enjoyable: Your offers should align with your passions and interests. If you build a business around something you genuinely enjoy, you’ll ensure you stay motivated and invested in the long run.

Pillar #2: Effective Sales Systems

• Reliable: You should have a clear understanding of what results to expect from your efforts, as this reliability allows for better planning and scaling. 
• Repeatable: The majority of your sales processes should be systematised and repeatable. Creating a consistent approach to sales minimises the guesswork and streamlines your operations. 
• Predictable: You must have a good grasp of what actions lead to desired outcomes. By understanding your conversion rates, customer journey and sales funnel effectiveness, you can predict and optimise your sales efforts. 
• Enjoyable(ish): Choose sales methods that align with your preferences and strengths, and you’ll find more joy in sales activities.

Pillar #3: Robust Marketing Systems

• Simplicity: Avoid unnecessary complexity that can lead to confusion and errors. A straightforward marketing approach often yields better results. 
• Busy Life-Proof: Your marketing should continue running smoothly even when life throws curveballs, and remain operational despite unexpected events. 
• Predictability: You should know what works, how well, and be able to plan accordingly. Understand your marketing metrics, audience behaviour, and conversion rates to predict outcomes accurately.

• Measurability: Track key metrics and behaviour to gauge success. Monitoring data allows you to make informed decisions and keep improving your marketing strategies. 
• Self-Sustainability: Ideally, your marketing system should pay for itself, providing additional revenue. It needs to look after itself and be able to generate its own revenue.

So, while building a lasting online course business isn’t easy, focus on these three pillars and you’ll be on your way to make sure your online course business is built to last. Having that robust offer suite, effective sales systems and solid marketing strategies is your key to setting yourself up for long-term success. Remember, success isn’t just about now; it’s about creating something that endures through changing algorithms, economic changes and life’s unpredictable moments.