My Take on James Wedmore's "Course Chronicles"

Ready for a peek behind the curtain?

In this episode, I spill the beans on how I’m rolling out Video Editing Made Easy, and why owning your revenue beats crossing your fingers for ad revenue all day, every day.

I break down the exact steps I’m taking (inspired by James Wedmore’s Course Chronicles):

Why digital products beat ad and affiliate income when you want predictable cash flow…

How I juggle a membership and a brand-new course without losing my mind…

and the truth about those wild swings in YouTube ad and affiliate payouts (and how to smooth them out).

Thinking about launching your first course?

Or leveling up your video marketing game?

This is for YOU!

VIDEO: My Take on James Wedmore’s “Course Chronicles”

Some product links in this post are affiliate links, and I will be compensated when you purchase by clicking our links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Why I’m So Passionate About Owning Your Revenue Streams

One thing I’ve learned in my years of creating content and running an online business is this: the best revenue streams are the ones you control.

It sounds simple, but it took me a long time to truly understand it.

I’ve dealt with:

Sudden drops in YouTube AdSense because of a glitch
Affiliate programs are changing their rules overnight
Brand deals that felt less like content creation and more like running a full-blown advertising agency

Every one of these experiences reminded me that when you rely too heavily on platforms or programs you don’t control, you’re always one algorithm change or policy update away from a major setback.

Shifting my focus to my own offers, my courses, my programs, and my membership changed everything. Not only did it stabilize my income, but it also made running my business more enjoyable. There’s nothing quite like creating something yourself and watching it truly help people.

That’s the foundation that eventually led to Video Editing Made Easy.

How James Wedmore’s Course Chronicles Inspired My Process

If you follow James Wedmore’s Mind Your Business podcast, you may have heard his mini-series called Course Chronicles. He breaks down everything from the decision to create a course, to validating your idea, to launching even before you create the course.

Even though I’m an affiliate for his Business by Design program, I’m also a long-time student. His framework works. It’s helped me build my business for eight years. But here’s the twist: I didn’t follow his process this time.

Instead, I used what already works for my audience and business.

Why I Decided to Create a New Course

At the start of this year, I wasn’t planning on creating another standalone course. My main priority was growing Video Brand Academy, and I had already grown it from 30 members to 100 in just one year. My focus was there, and honestly, it was working.

But something kept tugging at me:

My audience kept asking for help with video editing.

Every time I shared a Descript tutorial, it performed well. My analytics, comments section, and inbox all backed it up. People wanted a simple, accessible way to edit videos without spending hours learning complicated software.

And the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. A video editing course wouldn’t compete with my membership; it would complement it.

So even though creating a new course wasn’t in the original plan, it quickly became clear that it was the right next step.

Validating the Idea (Without Starting From Scratch)

One of the biggest advantages I had going into this project was data. I didn’t have to guess whether people wanted a course like this; the demand was already there.

I could see exactly which videos on my channel were getting traction and what viewers were searching for. Descript tutorials consistently performed well across the board

On top of that, I’d been getting direct messages and comments asking for a full editing course. Sometimes validation doesn’t need to be complicated; just listen to what your audience tells you they need.

This made me feel confident moving forward. I wasn’t launching something because it sounded fun. I was creating something that would truly help people.

Naming the Course and Setting a Launch Date

Naming a course always feels harder than it should. You want it to be clear, memorable, and aligned with what people are actually searching for.

After wrestling with a few ideas, I landed on Video Editing Made Easy because it said exactly what people wanted: a simpler way to edit. No confusion. No fluff. Just clarity.

Then I had a funny moment: I typed the domain name into my browser…

and realized I already owned it.

Maybe that was a sign. I knew this course was coming before I consciously admitted it.

Once the name was set, I made a decision I’d been avoiding:

I picked the launch date.

Monday, May 19th.

There’s something about putting a date on the calendar. It forces you to stop tinkering and start executing, gives you a deadline, and builds momentum. And honestly, it holds you accountable to your own vision.

My Pricing Strategy for the Launch

Pricing is always one of the trickiest parts of creating a course. You want to make it accessible, but you also want it to make sense within your business ecosystem.

After thinking it through, I decided to launch the course in a way that would serve my long-term goals:

For the initial release, Video Editing Made Easy will be a free bonus for new members joining Video Brand Academy.

This approach offers a few major benefits:

It rewards new members with incredible value right away.
It gives me space to gather feedback and refine the course before a full public rollout.
It helps me test demand and positioning in a low-pressure way.

Later, once the course is fully polished and I’ve gathered the feedback I need, I’ll release it as a standalone offer with pricing that aligns with my overall YouTube funnel strategy.

For now, this approach feels simple, smart, and aligned with where my business is heading.

Creating the Content

The good news? Most of the course content is already done. I’ve built out the main modules, recorded the core lessons, and structured everything to help beginners get fast wins without feeling overwhelmed.

All that’s left are a few bonus lessons that I’ll record and edit before launch day.

Having the bulk of the content done early has been such a relief. It frees me up to focus on the marketing and launch strategy, something that often gets neglected when creators are still scrambling to finish recording.

When you’re not rushed, you get to be intentional. And intentionality always leads to a better experience for your audience.

What’s Next—and How You Can Be Part of This Journey

This launch is just the beginning. I’m already brainstorming updates, new modules, and expanded lessons based on what my audience needs most. But if you want to stay connected and get access during the launch period, here are the two best steps you can take:

1. Join the Rise of the Digital CEO Training

Every year, James releases his free Rise of the Digital CEO series, and it always gives me fresh insights, even though I’m already inside his programs.

If you’re thinking about launching a course, membership, or online business, this training is gold. It’s free, and if you ever join the Business by Design program through my link, you’ll also receive my complete YouTube funnel bonus bundle.

This free training from my mentor has been one of the most impactful resources in my entrepreneurial journey. Every time I attend, I walk away with new ideas and clarity. I’ll be participating again, and I’d love for you to join me.

2. Join Video Brand Academy

For a limited time, new members will get Video Editing Made Easy as a free bonus. If you’ve been thinking about joining, this is the perfect moment you receive the full new course and the entire Video Brand Academy experience.

Final Thoughts

Creating and launching Video Editing Made Easy has reminded me why I started this journey in the first place to teach, empower, and simplify the path for creators who want to show up confidently on video.

Whether you’re dreaming of launching your own course or you’re simply looking for a better way to edit your content, I’m grateful you’re here. This course has stretched me, inspired me, and reminded me that building something of value is always worth the effort.

Thank you for being part of this chapter, and I can’t wait to share what comes next.

If you have an online business with a course, program, or any other kind of offer, and you’re not currently generating consistent sales on autopilot, I’d like to introduce you to the hands off youtube funnel that has made me over $20k on a $147 course! That way, you too can make consistent sales of your offer, with the beauty and simplicity of organic, evergreen traffic from YouTube! Start here with my free “AIT Method” training.