Less is MORE. Starter Training Update.
Hi Everyone,
We’ve all heard the old saying that “less is more” and at Wealthy Affiliate we absolutely believe in this when it comes to processes that lead to success.
From a technical standpoint, removing steps, making it easier to navigate and find the things that you regularly need, simplification of training and removing potential road bumps for those just getting started is critical. And when it comes to mindset - it can seem daunting when you are getting started and see 25+ tasks in your immediate path to getting started.Today we’re talking about simplification and the removal of tasks in our Getting Started training, and shortening the overall length of the initial level of training for Starter members. We have just made changes to our Core training to get people creating more success, faster, and in a way that allows them to have the help and support when they need it most.
Our core Training Level 1 course has been updated from 10 lessons to 5.
This update has been in the queue for a very long time as we understand the need to simplify what a new user is suggested to work on in that course. Level 1 being FIVE lessons will focus on these core topics:
1. An Introduction to Wealthy Affiliate and how it can help you
2. A detailed overview of how online business works
3. Choosing a Niche/direction for your online business
4. Building your Website
5. The next steps to take in your business.
We’ve moved the lessons that focus on installing Plugins, Keyword Research, and Creating initial content over to Course 2 with the intention of avoiding confusion and folks feeling overwhelmed as they get started.
Fewer tasks will help folks move forward and get the foundation of their online business up and running. We’ve taken some of the more technical tasks out of this course and moved them to Course 2 so that folks have the ability to send private messages, drop links to their websites, and get the technical help they may need by contacting SiteSupport.
We can probably all remember what it felt like when we created our first website and having the support available to get a hand is KEY when installing plugins, setting up analytics, and creating your first posts etc.
Being within WA and helping 1000’s of people a week gives us access to a ton of communication, and it’s clear that it can be overwhelming when faced with too much training before you may be ready for it.
Our goal is to have every single member of WA strapped with a website, an idea of what niche they are going into, and the knowledge of how online business works and operates. Less potential road bumps will make for a far smoother experience with more people achieving the milestone of having their first website up and running ready for traffic producing content.
Course 2 will move from 10 to 15 lessons, however will be far more achievable with the ability to Private Message, and get help via SiteSupport as its Premium and Premium Plus+.
For All of Our Awesome Affiliates here at WA...
If you mention that the Starter membership comes strapped with a 10-Lesson course, you’ll want to adjust that messaging to reflect that it’s now 5. This move will have far more of your referrals getting to the point where they are ready to begin learning about content creation and marketing taught in Course 2.
There will be no plugin or website setup required, thus reducing the number of people who might get stuck working through technical setup. That can all be done when SiteSupport or myself and Carson are just a Private Message away from getting help related to your specific website.
Less confusion, and less overwhelm is going to naturally lead to more people successfully building a website and a foundation within the first level of training. That will lead to more people loving their progress, and subsequently upgrading to a Premium or Premium Plus+ membership.
Simplifying training while achieving a similar outcome is what we have done with the move to a 5-lesson Starter Course, and we are really excited to see how this impacts our newest members while they are just getting rolling.
We also have updates to the training coming, and ongoing updates taking place within the core training (new changes being rolled out weekly).
We just wanted to keep everyone in the loop in respect to community related updates, and if you have any feedback we would love to hear it. :)
Recent Comments
154
The 5 core lessons are great for newbies , as in their own context they are big topics to cover
1. An Introduction to Wealthy Affiliate and how it can help you
2. A detailed overview of how online business works
3. Choosing a Niche/direction for your online business
4. Building your Website (Maybe add in here why you have chosen wordpress and explain the great deal that businesses receive example, domain, hosting , design cost this is done really well when you can provide a comparison with other major web providers )
5. The next steps to take in your business (This is crucial as by this stage the new member will know whether WA is for them or not. Here I would be giving a comparison of exactly the value for money that they are receiving with both the premium and the premium +. This is where you provide a list that show members exactly what they receive with the premium packages. For 1 month they get the discount , and so emphasise that by following the training steps in the next part of the course , they can optimise these tools to leverage their niche and website to bring in income to cover their next months premium package . If they bring in more that is a bonus. Also from a business advantage the premium packages monthly cost are minimal expenses for a business.
I agree with shifting the plugin and website setup requirements , as I am a web designer and I found the early introduction of the technical aspects overwhelming. This is also confirmed by the messages coming through from newbies needing clarification.
Thanks for your feedback, it was overwhelming to have to deal with some of the more technical stuff in particular when people feel like they are on a clock when starting out. More people are making it further along in the training than ever, so we have some good data already since this update.
Annamarie, thank you very much for this detailed insight from a new WA member.
You have now outlined and confirmed the value and ease for our incoming members.
As Kyle has shared, the changes are quite beneficial and have improved the User Experience.
Good to have you on board!
Cassi
Thank you Cassi, I am loving every aspect of my journey with WA. Amazing Co Founders, Ambassadors , Community, Everything.
Wow to have this feedback so early in the changes is wonderful news and worth the stress. :-)
Hi Kyle. I absolutely agree with your thinking on this subject. Being under pressure to complete too many things too fast would take me out of the game. I wonder about your word “strapped “ with a website? Did you mean “equipped” with a website? Thank you for clarifying that for me.
Good afternoon everyone
Hi Kyle
OMG yes I have an idea no way to impliment it yet . But how about follow the yellow brick road?
Let me explain, I know there ate different paths to take whatever YOU. Decide.
So pick a path means pick a color start at the beginning and just follow through when you finish you are where you want to be.
Personally I am not deterred by 70 steps ahead of me the mountain is only so tall. But when I can't figure out where I'm supposed to be and doing what I am supposed to be doing to reach my goals.
My apologies for throwing up a problem without being able to give a solution 🙃
Joe & Keira
Yes, the yellow brick road is the one to choose, and follow. And as we evolve, that is going to be more clear at least in the very early stages of your business until you have a skillset that will allow you to diversify into the many other facets of business, which Classes will help you with. :)
If there are helpful videos and information along the way also denote those with appropriate color or colors have a MAP that shows your progress much like some we currently have for some sections, also on map show any deviations you should see
Yes I agree especially for beginners there are so many out there that want to understand, I am a beginner myself struggling to understand but if there is anything I can do to help this process please ask.
My philosophy is if I help anyone including you My life will get better an awesome team makes awesome leaders.
I think that this is a Game-Changer, Kyle.
When I started in WA I found the lessons somewhat challenging and overwhelming.
My IT background and experience helped a lot.
However, for people who are totally new to the online world, it can be a struggle.
This really simplifies it and also provides a sense of accomplishment and encouragement to move forward.
Well done!
Cassi
Yeah, it was simply too much for some...thus we want to focus on helping those that are getting overwhelmed accomplish things at a much higher rate. Glad you approve of this, it is one of many updates we are making to the Starter side to simplify things, and make it easier to accomplish things in the early stages
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When I was just new, having my very first website here was a real selling point for me.
I didn’t want to leave my site and ideas just on the table and walk away. The site was a tangible outcome that I could point to and be kinda proud of. I wasn’t going to leave my “baby” behind - I had put too much work into her! Errrr… I meant “it” not “her”…
I’m probably in a minority but the tech stuff and website really drew me in. I was really able to see something tangible and, as broke as I was back then, moved heaven and earth to even come up with the first $19.
Just my two cents!
Darlene
Hi Darlene
yes we also know that initial 19.00 was such a struggle it is such a relief to have the opportunity we have here its really amazing. Its kinda funny to listen to some others tell their story how some didn't have .75c for lunch and want you to come up with500.00 or 2500.00. I don't think they realize what they are asking. I do see the with WA helping others successful makes all of us successful. I am really enjoying that. so welcome.
Thanks for your feedback, and the website and tangible "entity" is something that people can and will still have up and running.
This is going to be in place by lesson 4, and the reality is that a website and brand truly starts when you get a domain...so the domain is going to be a key component to someone creating a business and that is now going to be included within the first month offer (in the coming week).
The overwhelm is gone, people are starting to accomplish more than ever, and they can rest easy as the first level is now only 5 lessons, instead of 10. :)