Online courses can be an incredible tool...or a crutch that holds you back.

They give you the opportunity to learn from experts and save time from Googling at 1am, but it’s also tempting to jump from course to course without pausing to implement what you’ve learned (guilty!).

I’d forgotten how many courses I’d taken until I sat down to write this post. Here, I’m sharing my favorites. 

I didn’t come up with a formal list of questions to ask myself every time I considered buying a course, but I typically thought through versions of these questions each time. I hope this helps you the next time you see a course promo drop in your inbox:

1. How could I prioritize this course in my budget? 

There have been courses I was interested in taking, but it wouldn’t have been a good financial decision, so I passed on them.

Going into debt to take a course is never something I considered or would recommend (I’m confident most if not all the educators on this list would say the same). 

2. What problem does this help me solve?

Sometimes it was saving me time, other times it was teaching me principles I knew I didn’t know much about (you don’t know what you don’t know, right?).

Some were valuable for accountability. But they all helped me with a pain point or desire to improve.

3. How long will it take to make back my investment?

This is closely tied with #1, and it’s a great question to ask yourself whenever you’re considering making an investment in your business or education.

Some might see $50 as an investment while you might view anything over $500 the same way.

It’s a little different for everyone, but figuring out how this applies to you could help you avoid shiny looking courses that might not actually help move the needle on saving time, increasing profitability, or more sales.

Making back your investment might not directly look like x number of sales or new clients, but it could be more efficiency and saved time (i.e. learning how to organize your business using Asana or Google Drive), which definitely has a financial impact. It’s just sometimes not as obvious.

4. Will I really actually make time in my life to prioritize this?

We all have pretty full lives.

Time is my core motivator, so I try to be aware + sensitive to how much room I’m willing to make in my life to schedule in video lessons, coursework, implementation, etc, etc.

The good thing about courses though is that they’re usually just for a specific period of time (i.e. 6 weeks plus lifetime access)!

Putting 2-3 hours each week into my planner to work on a course might be a stretch but if I know it’s only for a few weeks (and I’m motivated enough by the end result I’m aiming for), it feels more doable.

My Favorite Online Courses for Creative Entrepreneurs and Photographers

Part of me really wants to come up with a 5th question to round out that list (haha) but these 4 are the headlines from my head whenever I’m thinking through a course and trying to check my emotions against something a little more objective.

And finally, the courses!

Pinfinite Growth by Melyssa Griffin

I’m working through creating a repeatable system for myself so I can be more consistent with what I learned in this course, because if you really implement what Melyssa teaches, it can have a huge impact.

This is so good, I’m working through it again!

The Blueprint Model by Shanna Skidmore

Sadly, The Blueprint Model isn’t offered anymore (bummer, I know), but I wouldn’t leave you hanging!

Shanna has sooo many great resources on her website. This page is packed with Shanna’s best recommendations and resources.

Is it wrong to pick favorites? Because she’s probably (ok, definitely) my favorite business coach + educator. You need Shanna in your life. Just trust me :)

Copywriting for Creatives by Ashlyn Carter of Ashlyn Writes

I’m actually still working through this one! When our little one came early, this course was put on hold for baby snuggles.

If you’d like to read a Copywriting for Creatives course review, Paige Brunton has a great one on her blog.

(FREE) How to Grow Your Email List from ZERO-250 in One Month Flat by Jenna Kutcher

I’m currently working through this one too!

The J&M Ultimate “Get Booked” Business Course by Justin and Mary Marantz

If you’re a photographer wanting a behind-the-scenes look into a verrrry successful photography business, look to Justin and Mary.

They share some unique strategies in this course that helped me make back my investment very quickly!

*This post doesn’t contain any affiliate links. If it did, I’d definitely let you know! I only recommend things I have experience using and enjoy myself.