The most important 5 mins in your course

2008 was brutal.

The economy tanked, banks were failing, and the real estate market went sideways.

Things got so bad that property owners gave up. Lawns started dying - first yellow, then brown.

Even million-dollar homes looked abandoned.

Here’s the thing about first impressions…

That house could have marble countertops, a gourmet kitchen, and breathtaking views.

But none of it matters when you’re fighting against a dead lawn.

(In our area desperate real estate agents even started spray painting lawns green!)

The fact is - first impressions matter. A lot.

And your course faces the same challenge.

Today I’ll show you:

• Why the first 5 minutes matter more than the next 5 hours
• How to engineer quick wins (that actually matter)
• How to work everything in

Let’s dive in…

The 5-Minute Rule

Let me share a truth that might make you uncomfortable:

Your welcome video will be the most-watched part of your entire course.

Not because it contains your best insights. Not because it’s your most polished content. Not because it delivers the most value.

Simply because it’s first.

Yet I watch course creator after course creator squander this golden opportunity.

They waste these precious first moments on mind-numbing administrative tasks:

“Here’s how to navigate through the modules…”
“Let me show you where to find our community guidelines…”
“Don’t forget to join our Facebook group and hit that notification bell…”

It’s the equivalent of that dead, yellow lawn.

You’re losing them before they ever see what you really have to offer.

Engineer the Win

Here’s where we flip the script.

Instead of boring them with administrative tedium, give them an immediate victory.

But – and this is crucial – not just any victory.

Take a step back and look at your entire course transformation.

What’s the end goal?

Now, find the smallest, most achievable piece of that transformation that still delivers genuine value.

Something they can complete in under 5 minutes.

This isn’t about cheap dopamine hits or participation trophies.

It’s about strategic momentum that proves they made the right decision investing in your course.

Early wins make all the difference.

Beyond the Basics

Let’s paint a clear picture of how you’ll stand out:

Your competition starts with logistics.
You start with transformation.

Your competition begins with orientation.
You begin with activation.

Your competition focuses on features.
You focus on feelings.

Your competition tells them where things are.
You show them where they’re going.

See the profound difference in approach?

The Switch

Now here’s where it gets really interesting…

You can’t to abandon all those administrative details.

They’re still important.

You just have to strategically delay them.

Once your students have experienced that first meaningful win, once they’re excited and genuinely engaged with your content – that’s when you can seamlessly weave in the housekeeping details.

The beautiful part?

They’ll actually be more receptive to this information now.

Why? Because they’re already invested.

They’ve already experienced value. They’re primed to receive more.

Remember: A yellow lawn kills curb appeal faster than any luxury feature adds value.

Don’t let your course make the same fatal mistake.

Your course has amazing value to offer.

Make sure your first impression reflects that.