The Real Shift Happening in Online Business (That Nobody's Talking About)
Sep 26, 2025
Let’s be honest—do we really need another Canva template bundle or 5-hour online course?
Spoiler alert: nope. Your dream clients don’t want more content—they want results. Fast. They’re not craving more things to learn. They’re craving clarity, support, and a shortcut to their next win.
And if you’ve felt like your launches are more draining than exciting lately? You’re not alone. But the good news? There’s a better way. One that gives you (and your clients) more time, more impact, and more yes please sales without selling your soul to the content hamster wheel.
This post breaks it all down—with stats, examples, and a little tough love. Let’s dig in. 👇
The Problem: People Aren’t Buying Information Anymore
We just wrapped a five-figure launch of the evergreen version of Anti-Social School™. Mostly through email. But here’s the kicker: when it came time to close the sale, it wasn’t our funnel doing the work—it was real, human conversations.
Across my clients, peers, and mastermind circles, we’re seeing the same thing: people are over courses.
Not because courses don’t work. But because life is BUSY. And a dusty 6-module self-paced portal doesn’t solve their actual problem.
What people really want:
- A shortcut to a result
- A done-with-you or done-for-you solution
- A tool or template that works with human strategy
- Someone to talk to when they get stuck
Sound familiar? That’s because your audience isn’t lazy—they’re strategic. They want to move fast, not just learn more.
The Stats Are In: Completion Rates Are Abysmal
Let’s break down what the data says.
Course completion rates:
- The average course completion rate is 10–15%.
- That means 85–90% of people never finish what they buy.
And in 2025? We’ve got AI that can write a lesson plan faster than you can pour your coffee. Information is everywhere.
So what makes the difference?
When you add:
- Coaching or live Q&A calls
- Implementation tools (think: AI bots, planners, checklists)
- Accountability (via Voxer, Slack, live touchpoints)
...completion jumps to 70% or more. That’s what people are investing in now.
Not more stuff. Not more videos. More progress.
What’s Selling Instead (Real Examples You Can Use)
Let’s talk about what IS working—and how you can apply it.
Example: Anti-Social School™ (My Business)
We rebuilt each module with an AI bot trained on our curriculum. So students can:
- Ask the bot specific questions
- Get custom implementation help
- Bring strategy questions to our live calls
The result? Progress in 24 hours, not 24 days.
Example: Brand Designers
Instead of another passive course, create a Brand Intensive:
- 1 day together
- A GPT bot that drafts brand copy in your client’s voice
- Walk away with logos, voice guides, and copy done
Example: Podcasters
Swap "Podcast 101" for a Podcast Setup Sprint:
- Concept clarity
- Trailer recorded
- AI-generated cover art + promo posts
- Done in days, not months
Example: Coaches
Create a Reset Intensive:
- 90 minutes of coaching
- AI journaling prompts + tracking tools
- Leave with a real plan, not more homework
You get the idea. The magic = speed + systems + support.
Introducing a new private podcast series that’s just for you if you’re sick of all the Instagram BS! (or insert social channel of your choice). You can build a business without being a slave to the social engine. Grab the free series.
The New Success Formula
You don’t need a 12-week funnel or another lead magnet. You need a container that delivers transformation quickly.
The new model:
Your Expertise
- Smart Tools (AI, automation, templates)
- Strategic Support (you on live calls, Slack, Voxer) = Fast Wins + Repeat Clients
This is the future of digital business. Especially for busy moms, caregivers, and life-first founders who want to:
- Reclaim their time
- Increase revenue without burning out
- Grow a business that aligns with their real life
How to Apply This to Your Business (Step-by-Step)
Here’s how you can shift from “more content” to “more results.”
1. Identify your best result
Ask: What is the #1 transformation I can deliver in 1–3 hours?
2. Build a tool that supports that
Think: an AI bot, a pre-written framework, a fill-in-the-blank template. Something that gets them halfway before they even talk to you.
3. Pair it with support
Live calls. Slack access. Accountability check-ins. It doesn’t have to be 24/7—but it does have to be human.
4. Package it simply
Give it a name. Put it on a landing page. Keep it tight and clear.
5. Market the result, not the content
No one cares about the hours of video. They care about:
- What will I walk away with?
- How fast will I get it?
- Will I have help?
Final Thoughts: Less Content, More Results
If you’re sitting on a course idea right now, pause.
Ask yourself: “What result can I deliver faster than anyone else?”
Because what people are buying now is not more information. It’s transformation—delivered quickly, clearly, and with support.
That’s how you build a life-first business. That’s how you scale without burning out. That’s how you actually help people.
And if you want to see how we’re doing this inside Anti-Social School™ or our private intensives? Check out: 👉 www.hollymariehaynes.com/intensive
