From Expert to Engaging Teacher - Overcoming the Hidden Challenges of Course Creation

I’m challenging the popular myth that women in creative and service-based businesses encounter resistance around creating courses because they doubt their expertise.

I believe it’s not about doubting your expertise. It’s about embracing your role as a teacher

There’s a popular narrative out there pushed by big-name coaches: women don’t feel confident that they know their stuff well enough to teach it, and that’s what holds them back from creating courses and scaling their businesses. This message resonates because self-doubt is something many of us relate to.

But what if I told you that this isn’t the whole truth?

The truth is, many of us know our stuff. We’ve built up skills over years, if not decades, of experience. We’re confident in what we do and the results we can achieve. The real challenge lies not in doubting our expertise but in doubting our ability to teach. And that’s a different kind of hurdle.

The real goal isn’t just about knowing—it’s about sharing that knowledge effectively. This is where teaching comes in. Creating courses is a fantastic way to scale your business, reach more people, and boost your income. It’s about making a bigger impact and gaining the time freedom to sustain a growing business into the future. But to truly engage people and generate those rave referrals, you need more than just good content. You need to inspire, and that requires embodying the qualities of a great teacher.

The Myth of Expertise Doubt

It’s easy to see why the myth persists. It’s a marketing tactic that plays into the self-doubt many women experience. When we hear messages that validate our fears, we feel seen. But validating a fear isn’t the same as addressing the real issue. For those of us with plenty of skills under our belts, the issue isn’t whether we’re knowledgeable. It’s whether we can communicate that knowledge in a way that engages, resonates, and makes a difference.

The real obstacle isn’t your lack of knowledge. It’s the belief that teaching requires something you don’t already have.

The Power of a Great Teacher

I’ll never forget my geography teacher, Mrs. Tan.

Mrs. Tan didn’t just know her subject; she made it come alive. Her beautiful, hand-drawn maps filled the blackboard with colors and contours. These maps sparked our imagination, gave deeper meaning to her words, and made them memorable.

But it wasn't just the maps.

Mrs. Tan had a quirky sense of humor that kept us on our toes. I still remember how she’d grin mischievously and call out, “Bring out yer dead!” in a perfect Monty Python accent when collecting homework. It was her way of lightening the mood, making us chuckle even when we were scrambling to find our assignments.

She respected our intelligence and didn’t need to yell to get our attention. She engaged us, made us care, and helped us see the world in a new way.

Mrs. Tan wasn’t just a dispenser of facts; she was a guide, leading us on a journey of discovery.

Your Business Needs You as a Teacher

If you want to grow your business, create more impact, and achieve time freedom, embracing your role as a teacher can open you up to so much more.

The fear isn’t about your expertise—it’s about whether you can bring that expertise to life for others. And the truth is, you already have the skills you need. You’ve just been using them in different ways. Let’s look at how you’re already teaching without even realizing it:

1. Reflect on Past Experiences

Think about a time you explained something to a colleague. You broke down a complex process step-by-step, making it easy for them to understand and apply. That’s teaching. It shows your ability to simplify and clarify, skills that are essential for effective teaching.

You’ve done this countless times in your career without thinking of it as teaching. But it is.

2. Leverage Your Storytelling Skills

You’ve used stories to connect, inspire, and make a point. Maybe you’ve shared a client success story to motivate another client, illustrating what’s possible.

When you tell stories that help others see themselves in a different light, you’re teaching. Storytelling is a powerful teaching tool because it connects emotionally and makes ideas stick.

3. Practice Teaching in Everyday Life

You’ve given advice or shared your methods with friends or family, perhaps explaining how you stay organized or manage stress. When someone takes your advice and finds it works, you’ve successfully taught them something.

Teaching doesn’t always look like a classroom; it can be as simple as sharing what you know in a way that others can use.

4. Recognize Teaching in Non-Traditional Ways

Consider the times you’ve helped someone reframe a problem. Maybe a child was struggling, and you offered a perspective that helped them feel empowered rather than suffering from a personal failing.

That’s teaching, too. It’s about helping others grow and develop new ways of thinking.

Taking Your Teaching to the Next Level

While you already have natural teaching abilities, there are some skills that can elevate your courses from good to exceptional:

• Catering to Different Learning Styles: Developing the ability to communicate in ways that resonate with various learning styles ensures that your message is received and understood by everyone in your audience.

• Creating a Sense of Community: Building a learning community is one of the most valuable—and often overlooked—aspects of individual growth. When learners feel connected and supported, their engagement and success soar.

• Making Learning Engaging and Memorable: Designing resources and activities that are interactive, personally rewarding, and memorable can make a huge difference in how your content is received and retained.

These are the areas where I can help. Together, we can develop these skills and enhance your presentation skills to ensure your delivery—whether through video, audio, or live sessions—supports your efforts to create something compelling and effective that people will rave about.

How to Take the Next Step

If you’re ready to move beyond the myth and embrace your role as a teacher, let’s talk. I offer 1:1 clarity brainstorm sessions designed to help you recognize the teaching skills you already possess, fill in the gaps, and develop a plan to make your expertise shine in a way that resonates with your audience.

These sessions aren’t about making you into something you’re not—they’re about helping you see the value in what you already bring to the table and how to build on that.

You don’t need to wait until you feel like a perfect teacher. Start with where you are, and let’s build from there.

Are you ready to see how you’re already teaching and how you can bring that into your course creation? Let’s work together to make it happen.

Creating an online course that captivates and engages your audience involves more than just sharing your expertise; it requires understanding your learners, crafting compelling content, and embracing the nuances of online teaching. If you’re feeling ready to take the next step but need a bit of guidance on how to start, I’m here to help.

I’m offering personalized Clarity Brainstorm Sessions to help you navigate the course creation process. In these 1:1 sessions, we’ll dive into your ideas, clarify your goals, and outline actionable steps to move forward with confidence.

What You’ll Get:

• Personalized Guidance: We'll explore your unique strengths and how to leverage them in your course.

• Actionable Steps: Get clear, actionable advice tailored to your specific needs and objectives.

• Strategic Planning: Develop a roadmap for creating a course that’s engaging and effective.

These sessions are designed to provide you with the clarity and direction you need to transform your ideas into a compelling online course.

Ready to get started? Schedule your Clarity Brainstorm Session now and let’s make your vision for an impactful course a reality. Click HERE to book a call.

I’m excited to help you create a course that not only scales your business but also makes a meaningful impact. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need further information.