Million Dollar Micro Business Summary

Have you ever wondered how to turn your expertise into a scalable business that works for you, not the other way around?

1: Start Before You’re Ready

Waiting for perfection is the biggest mistake you can make when starting an online course. Tina Tower learned this the hard way when she launched her first course in just ten days, with flaws and all. But the imperfections didn’t matter – she made $10,000 and gained priceless experience.

A better version comes only after getting started. By taking the plunge, you’ll learn to refine your teaching, adapt based on feedback, and understand the logistics of delivering content online. Tower emphasizes that your first course doesn’t have to be your masterpiece. Rather, it’s your entry point.

Instead of chasing a perfect product, focus on identifying a topic that excites you and is within your reach to teach right now. Let action guide you instead of fear of failure holding you back.

Examples

• Tina’s first imperfect course earned her $10,000 despite its simplicity.
• Success came to course creators teaching “niche” topics like school lunch prep or eyebrow styling.
• Refined courses emerged as Tina gained more experience and feedback.

2: Choose a Specific Topic That Excites You

Start with something you love and know well. Your topic should lie at the intersection of what you're good at, what you enjoy talking about, and what others seek your advice on. Spend some time brainstorming these three areas.

A course topic should also have a clear goal. For example, helping beginners become confident speakers or teaching home gardeners to grow vegetables in small spaces. Specificity ensures that potential clients can easily understand the value of your course.

Broader topics may dilute your impact, whereas specificity builds trust and expertise. If you’re passionate about teaching a niche, it’s likely you’ll find others eager to learn about it.

Examples

• Eyebrow tutorials are niche but highly successful because they have a defined, passionate target.
• Tina asked three questions: what she was good at, what excited her, and what others wanted to learn from her.
• She found the “sweet spot” that informed her first and all future courses.

3: Understand Your Ideal Client

To create meaningful content, know exactly who you're speaking to. Successful courses serve a particular type of person – known as your "ideal client." Tina Tower even invented a persona for her target audience, Alice Carrington.

Getting specific about their needs, goals, and daily struggles allows you to tailor your course structure. Determine what problem you’re helping them solve and illustrate how their life will improve as a result. Naming your ideal customer makes them feel real, which helps you speak directly to their concerns.

This approach stops you from trying to attract everyone. By focusing your energy, you build trust with the audience most likely to resonate with your course.

Examples

• Tina visualized Alice Carrington, a fictional character representing her target audience.
• Parenthood classes thrived when targeting busy parents seeking simple, healthy solutions.
• Eyebrow courses targeted beauty professionals looking for better techniques.

4: Craft an Action-Oriented Course Structure

A clear structure helps students achieve results. First, brainstorm all topics your course should explore. Then, break them into specific lessons or modules. Let each module build towards the overall transformation your students seek.

Keep lessons actionable. For instance, a gardening course could progress from composting basics to harvesting techniques. Breaking the course into smaller wins keeps students motivated and ensures faster progress.

To enhance engagement, foster a sense of community. Whether it’s weekly Q&As or private groups, when students feel supported, they’re more likely to stay on track and complete the course.

Examples

• Gardening courses might go from “Design Basics” to “Harvest Day Plans” in logical steps.
• Course creators added Facebook study groups for peer support.
• Tina’s business courses used action points for busy entrepreneurs.

5: You Don’t Need Fancy Equipment

Many people mistakenly believe they need top-notch cameras or editing software to start. All you actually need is a smartphone and computer. Today’s devices allow professional-quality recording and editing at zero extra cost.

What really matters is authenticity. Your audience wants value, not a Hollywood production. Just be yourself and focus on delivering useful content. Initial discomfort on camera will subside as you gain confidence with practice.

Don’t hold yourself back with excuses about needing more tools. Record your welcome video today – your journey has already begun.

Examples

• Tina launched using her phone for filming and a laptop for editing.
• Many course creators use natural, imperfect teaching styles.
• Recording a welcome video is an easy, confidence-building first step.

6: Create an Engaging Website

A strong website is your home base. It introduces your potential clients to the course, showcases your expertise, and conveys your personal story. Include sections like FAQs, testimonials, and an About page to build trust.

A lead magnet, such as a free seminar, encourages visitors to provide their email in exchange for valuable, concise content. This grows your mailing list, giving you an audience for future courses or promotions.

Combining clarity, professionalism, and personal flair helps your audience connect with you and trust your brand.

Examples

• Tina uses Kajabi for her platform needs, combining hosting, design, and memberships.
• Including personal anecdotes strengthens trust on the About section of any site.
• Lead magnets like free eBooks help convert intrigued visitors into paying customers.

7: Leverage Social Media to Build Trust

Your social media presence is a powerful tool to promote your course and build student relationships. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn allow you to share insights, progress, and success stories with existing and future clients.

Through authentic content, your audience gets a feel for your personality and expertise. Connections are built, not only with what you teach but also with who you are. For social media cynics, remember that connection – not perfection – is the goal.

Focus on creating posts that reflect your values and align with the course’s theme to gain genuine followers.

Examples

• Tina shared her personal entrepreneurial journey on LinkedIn to build her brand.
• Eyebrow stylists posted video snippets of their course, sparking interest.
• Bloggers used humor and relatability to widen engagement.

8: Think Like an Entrepreneur

Course creation is only one part of building a profitable business. You also need to focus on pricing, promotion, and audience growth with a business mindset.

Set yearly income goals and reverse-engineer this into monthly targets. Decide whether you’re charging high prices to fewer people or aiming for affordability with larger numbers – then plan marketing accordingly.

Recognize that your work has value, and don’t be afraid to charge what it’s worth. Confidence in yourself breeds confidence in your clients.

Examples

• Tina planned her yearly financial targets and priced her courses at $1,000 levels accordingly.
• A weight-loss course priced monthly memberships at just $20 while attracting 500+ participants.
• Free live Q&A sessions drove enrollments with clear financial return on effort.

9: Embrace Community and Completion

Success isn’t just about profits; it’s about delivering value to your students. Online course completion rates can be low, but building community inspires learners to stay the course.

Group discussions or reward systems help students track their progress and celebrate together. Happy, engaged students are your best marketing tool – they will recommend the course to others.

Value lies in delivering transformation, not just knowledge. Aim for impact over reach, ensuring students achieve positive results.

Examples

• Weight-loss programs used shared milestones to create accountability and support.
• Facebook groups encouraged members to network with peers in the same course.
• Tina’s live streams offered real-time coaching to guide students mid-course.

Takeaways

1. Brainstorm topics right now by listing things you're good at, enjoy discussing, and are often asked about.
2. Record a welcome video on your phone today to overcome hesitation and start your course journey.
3. Build a simple website with a lead magnet to grow your audience via mailing lists and show potential clients your expertise.