Is your business course-ready? (S5E128)

Is your business course-ready? (S5E128)

Author: Autumn Witt Boyd | Go-To Lawyer for Online Entrepreneurs March 2, 2020 Duration: 23:42

It seems like everyone is adding a digital course to their arsenal of offerings these days. With tools like plug-and-play platforms and even courses on how to create your course, it's easier than ever to start earning serious income from these popular products.

But what about the legal side of digital courses? In the rush to get your course up and running, it may be the last thing on your mind, but not taking the time to put even the most basic legal protections in place can create some real nightmares for you later on.

In this episode, we'll cover:

  • One thing you must have on your website if you're collecting any type of personal data from visitors (hello, newsletter sign ups and opt-in forms!)
  • Why Terms and Conditions are an especially good idea to include on your website if you're looking to add a digital course to your offerings
  • When not including disclosures on your website can land you in a lot of trouble
  • How having a client contract (Terms of Use) with your course students can provide a tremendous amount of protection for you (even if it's not required by law)
  • The refund/chargeback/payment plan nightmares you can avoid in your Terms of Use
  • Why having a proven result from working with your 1:1 clients is the secret ingredient for big success with your digital course
  • Autumn's top questions to ask your ideal clients before you create your course

BONUS: Are you stuck trying to Google the answers to what you need and what's just a good idea to have legally to launch your online course? Head to www.awbfirm.com/podcast128 to get free access to my masterclass The 3 Legal Protections Your Course Business Is Probably Missing to make sure your online business is digital course-ready. 

Resources:

Legal Road Map® Episode 126: www.awbfirm.com/podcast126

Amy Porterfield's Digital Course Academy: https://help.amyporterfield.com/article/67-dca-details

This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

If you're so in love with your course, product, or business name that you're ready to say "I do", it's probably time to register your trademark. The AWB Firm can help! Clients love our seamless process and flat-fee pricing (i.e., no surprise bills for you!). If you're ready to learn more or get started, visit www.awbfirm.com/trademark-copyright.


Navigating the legal landscape of an online business often feels like deciphering a foreign language. Legal Road Map®: copyright, trademark and business law info for online entrepreneurs translates that complex language into actionable advice you can use right away. Hosted by Autumn Witt Boyd, a practicing attorney who focuses specifically on creative and digital businesses, this podcast serves as a reliable guide through the common yet confusing legal questions entrepreneurs face daily. Each episode tackles practical topics, from the essential contracts you need to protect your work and client relationships to understanding the real purpose behind website policies like terms of service and privacy notices. You’ll hear clear explanations on how copyright and trademark law applies to your original content, branding, and products, helping you secure your intellectual property without unnecessary jargon. Think of it as a regular consultation with a trusted expert, designed to demystify the law so you can make informed decisions and focus on growing your venture with greater confidence and security. Tune in for straightforward conversations that replace legal anxiety with a practical plan, making this podcast an invaluable resource for any entrepreneur building a business in the digital space.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Legal Road Map®: copyright, trademark and business law info for online entrepreneurs
Podcast Episodes
Legal for course creators - payment plan problems (S4E89) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:01
If you sell an online course, digital product, or do business online, you may offer payment plans to your customers. But what do you do when the customer stops paying? In this episode you'll learn: If it's possible to to…
Legal for course creators: Student problems  (S4E87) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:56
If you are providing an online course or digital products to students, members, or customers, you're bound to come across a few tricky situations sooner or later. But are you doing all you can on the front end to prevent…
Legal for course creators: Terms of Use with your students (S4E85) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:41
Terms of Use, Terms of Service… whatever you call it, you might not think of it as a contract, but it is – and an important one at that! This week's solo episode is all about this critical contract between you and your c…
Course creator interview: Jaclyn Mellone on contracts (S4E84) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:52
Go-to gal Jaclyn Mellone joins Autumn on the podcast to talk about the importance of contracts and her atypical path to running a successful online business. In this episode, you'll learn: Why new practices, without doin…
Legal for course creators: Privacy Policies & GDPR (S4E83) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:32
If you're running an online business, it's highly likely that you're collecting some form of personal information from your website visitors. But do your visitors know what happens to their data once they've given it to…
Legal for course creators: Website legal musts (S4E81) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:31
Your website is the front door to your amazing online course. But if you don't include the right legal documents on your site, it's like leaving your door wide open. In this episode, you'll learn: Which documents are req…