LET’S LOOK AT THE DATA
Student Metrics & Outcomes
Between December 12, 2021 – January 6, 2023, we surveyed 150 of our DigitizeU course participants when the course was in private beta. Respondents represent multiple countries including widespread representation throughout the US/Canada and Mexico. They are ages from 18 to 80+ and all genders and levels of education. This report focuses on their approach and feedback before taking the course and after, including success metrics. Respondents represent student’s stated perspectives and are not meant to indicate or predict actual future student behavior. The survey was conducted in English only. Read the full report below for more detail.
STUDENT DATA & METRICS
Age Distribution
Students that took the course in the private beta ranged in age from 18-80 with the largest representation in the 35-44 year old age bracket, followed by those 45-54 and 25-34. Interesting to note the 6% of those age 65-80.Â
Profile of Students: Gender
In our beta test group, there was a near 50/50 split based on gender.
Status of Employment
We asked the participating students prior to taking the course, what their current employment status was. The vast majority (64%) were either fully-employed working in a 40+ hour role or employed part-time.
Geographical Representation
The vast majority of the beta group resided in the United States and Canada (86%) with a 10% representation outside of North America.
Technical Expertise or Understanding
We wanted to know if prior to taking the DigitizeU course, did they have any experience in maintaining or building a website of any kind. The vast majority did not.
Career or Work Experience Duration
Determining the career duration or work experience was determined with 65% of students having 6-19 years of experience in their chosen field at the time of taking the course.Â
STUDENT DATA & METRICS
Customer Acquisition
Upon taking the course and launching their online presence, the way in which many students are acquiring customers is split via paid advertising, social media and search engine optimization.
Employment While LaunchingÂ
It was a 50/50 split for students who worked or kept their current job compared to those who quit their job or employment to push their online venture.Â
Types of Products Sold Online
Students who took the course and launched their online presence found that digital products, online courses and consulting predominated in their offerings with physical products sold being the least favorable.
What are your average monthly sales?
Students that launched sites and reported monthly sales activity with $1001-$5000 per month being the largest segment, with $5000-$10,000/monthly representing the second largest proportion. In fact, 62% reported monthly revenues from $1001-$25,000.
Forecasting Online Growth
88% of students reported optimism relative to their online efforts in the next 12 months compared to only 12% that cited staying the same was where they saw their 12-month forecast.
How long before you started making sales online?
58% of post-course respondents reported that they were making sales in as few as 6 weeks through 6 months. 24% reported that they were making sales online in fewer than 6 weeks.
Financial investment to start
68% of polled students reported that it took approximately $1-$1,000 dollars to start their online business.
Major goals over the next 12-months post launch.
While there were many goals cited by students after taking the course, the top goal was to be able to quit their current or other jobs followed by building retirement/savings/emergency funds and retiring early.
Top challenges faced by students in the next year.
The top challenges cited by students were managing online advertising followed closely by managing data and finances with branding and evolving products round out the top 5 challenges.Â
Methodology
This report of success metrics focuses on two groups of students: 1.) those who took the DigitizeU online course in 2022 while it was offered in a private beta release and 2.) those that effectively launched their online business after taking the course who have at least one live product listing for sale online. The respondents for taking the course in the private beta that comprise the majority of 2022-2023 report data reflects 157 students in that cohort. Feedback of student who launched an online presence from that initial data set include 91 active online business owners. Respondents represent students’ stated perspectives and are not meant to indicate or predict actual future seller behavior. See our earnings disclaimer for more details.