IT'LL BE FUN, THEY SAID.
A couple of years ago, I was contracted to create a couple of courses, which I did, and then they didn't happen. But, I'd done the work, you know? So, eventually, after a few years, I decided to turn all that work into a book.  So, that happened, and I figured, how much harder could it be to create an online course? I mean, I certainly knew the material. I could create the course and use my own book as the class text. Winner winner.  In a previous job, I'd worked for an online art school. Part of my job was selecting background music clips for the modules, uploading the courses, and creating the online blurbs. I figured this experience gave me a leg up. All I had to do was figure out the best software for recording the course, figure out what gear I'd need, then get it done.  How hard could it be?  Thus began a period of procrastination that could not be rivaled.  The book came out in September, so I really wanted the course to come out in January. I set a schedule. And the deadline grew closer. There was so much to be done. I started by researching things like audio-visual requirements for the video modules themselves. Once I had that information, I started watching YouTube videos for recommendations on video editing software. Some of the suggestions I recognized from my days at the art school. I downloaded the free version of the others and checked them out. Then, I began the process of elimination. I couldn’t afford the software I really wanted, but I was pretty happy with my second choice. I spent some time messing around with it, learning the ins and outs. Next, I needed to do some recording. The computer webcam just didn’t cut it. The Canon’s battery didn’t hold up long for video. That left the iPhone camera. It soon became apparent that I was going to need a script. So, I wrote some. Sixteen, as a matter of fact. Then, over a period of several days, I recorded each episode, and then I recorded them again.  I wanted to be finished recording in 2024. Aaaand… The last episode was finished at 11:10 pm on New Year's Eve. ‘Cuz I know how to party. But then the real fun began. Each module needed editing, and they all needed background music, and they needed slides to accompany the dialogue, and I needed to decide if there would be captions, and… I discovered a site where I could download music tracks without copyright infringement issues, so I spent one fun-filled night playing with that app, then I started matching up the tracks with the themes of the modules I started clipping the bloopers out of the video recordings and putting the lessons together. Each module took a solid four to five hours to edit and produce. Remember, that is times 16! I created downloadable PDFs for the course, and I wrote the blurbs for each of the modules. Finally, it was time to upload it to both my websites and the other sites where I hope it will pass the standards test for sales. I added payment options to my websites, then I created a free coupon so I could join up as a participant to test it out. Guess what? It works! So, basically, this course has had me going around the clock for the last few months of my life. Was it worth it? Well, financially, that remains to be seen. In satisfaction at setting a goal, doing everything necessary to meet the goal, and accomplishing the goal? Ohh yeah! Today I created some promos and announcements and scheduled them to run on my social media. And, unless something happens that I haven’t foreseen, that’s a wrap! The course is done, and ready for its January 28th debut! |
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