Course creators charging $500+/seat told me this secret

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Course creators charging $500+/seat told me this secret. They do 1 thing at the start of every online session. (And it's not ask an easy question)

I'm a course growth coach at on Maven, a learning platform to teach cohort-based courses. My specialization is working with creators that have large courses (50+ students) and helping then grow bigger. These cohort-based courses typically cost $500-1500 to join.

Instructors are eager to make sure their courses are worth the price. And the worst part of every online call is often the beginning: The dead part. When everyone is joining. Looking at each other's faces. A wasteland of awkwardness...

If it's quiet when you join a call, the energy level drops sub-zero. BUT, if a conversation is already going, the new people joining feel left out. . You need an engagement strategy that works instantly and is accessible to everybody:

The key here is music. Not intro music or background music. I like to call it HYPE MUSIC. . Join a session with some music playing, and: People start comment on the tune... They dance in their chairs... It's a good time...

On Zoom, it's easy to share just music: But before you share, turn down the music about halfway. It tends to come through too loud to talk over. . 1. Start by clicking Share Screen (even though you're not sharing your screen.)

2. > Click in the Middle tab "Advanced" > Select "Computer Audio" BOOM, what you play on your computer plays to the Zoom call

Now you've got a tune for people to chat about as they join. > Instant energy-creator > Conversation topic > Makes you look cool > Makes your session feel high production value Hype music is a game-changer. (Hint: You can also play music during breaks and exercises.)

Now, I'm not the coolest cucumber in the pickle jar. So, I asked some people who are cooler than me for music recommendations so that my hype music was on-point. . Here are go-to hype music tracks to get you started:

🔸 Dynamite (BTS) A little funky song guaranteed to get people grooving. (Plus cool points for it being BTS.) youtube.com/watch?v=BV2FdDmGiW0

🔸 Sheesh! (Surfaces & Tai Verdes) This clip is on a 1-hour loop so you can just let it play forever. And the song is that good. youtube.com/watch?v=YULA9ujONmU&t=943s

🔸 Feel It Still (Portugal The Man) A killer hook and pop vibe that nobody can argue with. youtube.com/watch?v=pBkHHoOIIn8

🔸 Stronger (Kanye West) A blend of Daft Punk beats and Kanye raps. This one covers all the bases. youtu.be/PsO6ZnUZI0g

🔸 Beggin' (Måneskin) In case you need to rock. Like, to rock, A LOT. youtube.com/watch?v=f5_wrpmXiJs

🔸 Black & Yellow (Wiz Khalifa) Slowly surging bells, strings, and heavy beats. Can't go wrong. youtu.be/UePtoxDhJSw

🔸 GDFR (Flo Rida, ft. Sage The Gemini and Lookas) Just wait 'til the beat drops and everyone sits up straight. youtube.com/watch?v=Ob3Ky7qU9ZE

🔸 Can't Hold Us (Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ft. Ray Dalton) This song has a vibe. It's a party. It's LFG time. Can't hold this Zoom call back. youtube.com/watch?v=dbevJM-2lcY

🔸 Your Student's Favorite Song (Some Artist) Ask your course participants about their favorite music. Make a playlist. Get people excited when it's *their song* playing at the start of your next session. It's so cool to see.

High energy webinars and course sessions leave students feeling amazing. > Get more value from your webinar/course > More likely to post on social about it > More likely to tell their friends > High post-course NPS score So kick yours off the right way. With a hype track.