Why More Courses Aren’t the Answer in 2025 (And What to Do Instead for Faster Results)
Oct 10, 2025
Full disclosure: this blog post wasn’t on the schedule. I rewrote it at 8pm last night—past my bedtime—because I couldn’t stop thinking about what I’m seeing in launches right now.
We just wrapped our second evergreen Anti-Social School™ launch. It was a solid five-figure launch, mostly through email, but here’s the truth: it took a lot of energy. And here’s what I noticed—again and again, when it came time to actually make a sale, it wasn’t a funnel doing the heavy lifting. It was real conversations. Humans talking to humans.
Connection: What’s Actually Selling Now in 2025
Here’s what I see over and over again—not just in my own business, but in mastermind conversations too: people don’t want more courses.
They don’t need another “10 Canva templates” pack or another five-hour module to watch. AI can spin out a template in 5 seconds. That’s not the gap.
What they do want is expertise. They want tools or systems that do the heavy lifting for them. And then they want a human—you—to add the nuance, the support, the accountability. That combination? That’s what’s selling right now.
When I look at what actually converts, it’s not "learn more." It’s:
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“Get me a result fast.”
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“Show me the shortcut.”
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“Be there when I hit a wall.”
And honestly, that’s refreshing. Because it means you don’t have to keep churning out content or building bigger courses. You just have to get better at building offers that deliver real transformation fast.
Clarity: Course Completion Stats & Market Trends
Let’s break down what the numbers say:
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Most online courses have a 10–15% completion rate. That means 85–90% of buyers never finish.
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Add coaching, tools, and accountability? Completion jumps to 70%+.
What does that mean for you?
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DIY digital products and templates aren’t converting like they used to.
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What is working? Workshops, strategy intensives, and hybrid coaching experiences.
Your audience isn’t buying more information. They’re buying:
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Clarity
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Accountability
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Quick wins
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.
Credibility: Real-Life Business Models That Work in 2025
Here’s how this model shows up in real business scenarios:
In My Business (Crush the Rush)
We completely revamped Anti-Social School™ around this model. Each module includes a custom AI chatbot trained on our curriculum. You get the content and implementation support—plus live strategy calls for nuance. The goal? A win in 24 hours.
For Service Providers
Swap your self-paced course for a Brand Intensive. One day. Live implementation. Plus an AI assistant trained on your frameworks. Your client walks away with branded copy, not homework.
For Podcasters
Instead of a course called “How to Start a Podcast,” offer a Podcast Sprint. You help them develop the show concept, record their trailer, and use AI to design visuals + promo copy. Done in days—not months.
For Coaches
Trade a 12-week group coaching program for a 90-minute Reset Intensive. Pair it with AI journaling tools and live strategy. Clients leave with a tangible plan they can act on immediately.
Bottom Line:
The magic isn’t more modules—it’s this formula:
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Speed: Help them win, fast.
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Systems: Let AI + automation handle the grunt work.
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Support: You bring the human touch.
This is how digital offers convert in 2025.
Call to Action: What to Create Instead of a Course
If you’re sitting on a new course idea, I want you to hit pause. Instead of asking:
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“What can I teach?” → Ask: “What transformation can I deliver faster?”
Your people aren’t buying content. They’re buying clarity, momentum, and results.
Want to see this in action?
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👉 Anti-Social School™ — our AI-powered strategy school for content creators and business owners
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👉 90-Minute Intensives — fast-track coaching containers that combine systems, strategy, and support
PS: This is Part 1 of a 2-part series. Come back next week for the full framework, including even more data and examples to help you evolve your offer suite.
About the author
Holly Haynes is a female business coach and business strategist who loves a good plan and flow chart. She is crazy passionate about teaching women like you how to build your dream job and scale to 6-figures without sacrificing your weekends or priorities.
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