• Who: Dr. Kelvin Fernandez
• Website: acemedboards.com
• Course Topic: MCAT Training
• Interesting Stats: steady increase in enrollments

Who are you and what course have you created?

I’m Dr. Kelvin Fernandez, a PGY-1 Internal Medicine resident and a USMLE Tutor and Medical Residency Advisor at Ace Med Boards. I’ve created a comprehensive online course aimed at preparing medical students for their board exams – the USMLE and COMLEX. You can view my course and its details at Ace Med Boards.

What market does your online course serve?

My online course serves medical students who are preparing for their USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) and COMLEX (Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination) board exams. It’s an incredibly demanding market, as these exams are crucial stepping stones for a career in medicine in the United States.

What’s the biggest benefit of taking your course?

The biggest benefit of taking my course is the detailed and realistic preparation it provides for these critical board exams. With up-to-date content, interactive sessions, and personalized one-on-one tutoring, students are not only prepared to pass but also to excel in their understanding of complex medical topics.

How did you get into the market?

I entered the market driven by my own experiences preparing for medical board exams. I recognized the stress and challenges that come with it and saw an opportunity to apply my knowledge to help others succeed.

Why did you decide to create an online course in the first place?

I decided to create an online course to reach a broader audience of medical students who could benefit from my expertise and unique tutoring methods. I wanted to offer flexible, comprehensive, and up-to-date resources that would be accessible to students anywhere.

Did you have any moments of doubt before you created/launched it?

Certainly, like many, I had moments of doubt before creating and launching the course. I questioned whether I had the right set of skills and knowledge to build an engaging and effective course. However, my desire to support and contribute to other students’ success in the medical field propelled me to overcome these doubts and launch the course.

What’s your online course like?

My online course is a blend of different methods. It includes video lectures that mix PowerPoint presentations with live-action explanations, practice exams, quizzes, and interactive tutoring sessions, where I engage with students directly to assess their understanding and provide real-time feedback.

How long did it take you to create your course?

It took me about a year to create the course. The process involved outlining the curriculum, developing content, filming lectures, creating practice questions, and setting up interactive components. I collaborated with other medical professionals to ensure the content was extensive and up-to-date.

Tell us a little about the process of launching your course and getting your first sale(s).

Launching the course was an exciting and nerve-wracking experience.

I started by promoting the course to my existing network of medical students through social media and word-of-mouth. - Dr. Kelvin Fernandez Click To Tweet

The first sales trickled in soon after launch, which was an incredibly rewarding moment that validated my efforts.

Do you have a lead magnet?

Yes, I have a lead magnet—a free trial of the course and sample lectures. This helps potential students experience the style and quality of the course before making a purchase, and it has worked well in converting leads to enrolled students.

What’s the traffic strategy that works best for you?

The traffic strategy that serves me best is a combination of content marketing through blog posts and tips on social media platforms coupled with testimonials from past students. I started by sharing valuable content and experience on platforms where medical students are likely to spend time, and it has been effective in drawing attention to the course.

What online course platform are you using?

I am using a tailored platform built specifically for Ace Med Boards, which allows us to ensure a high-quality, personalized experience for our students.

Do you like it?

I like the control it gives us over the learning experience, enabling us to make on-the-fly adjustments and updates to the course work as needed.

Are there any features you wish it had?

One feature I wish it had is advanced analytics that could offer deeper insights into student performance and engagement patterns.

What made you decide to use your chosen platform over others?

I chose this platform over others because, with a WordPress-based system, I could customize and control every aspect of the course delivery, aligning it perfectly with my vision and the specific needs of the students we serve.

What other tools do you use to run your online course business?

Besides the course platform itself, I use a CRM for customer relationship management, email marketing tools, and analytics software to measure and enhance our operational efficiency.

What books or training programs have you found useful on your journey to a successful business owner that others might find valuable too?

Books like “Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning” have been invaluable in informing how to structure learning experiences, and training programs like those from the Association for Medical Education in Europe (AMEE) have offered strategies to improve as an educator.

Do you have any big mistakes you’ve made along the way that you’d be willing to share?

A significant mistake I made early on was underestimating the importance of marketing. It took time to realize that no matter the quality of your course, you need to be proactive in reaching out to potential students.

Please share some idea of revenue.

While I prefer to keep specific numbers private, I can share that the course has seen a steady increase in enrollments since its inception, helping to establish it as a reputable resource in the field.

Please tell us a little about what the money you’ve earned from your course has done for you.

The income from my course has enabled me to reinvest in better production equipment and resources, ensuring continuous improvement in the quality of the course material. It has provided me with financial stability and allowed me to dedicate more time to what I love most – teaching.

In addition to revenue are there any numbers you would like to share?

Just recently, we managed to add over 50 subscribers to our email list in a single week following a strategic content release that went viral among our niche audience. - Dr. Kelvin Fernandez Click To Tweet

This bump in subscribers was a result of a coordinated effort involving engaging social media posts, targeted emails, and word-of-mouth referrals.

What has creating your course done for you personally?

Creating the course has been an empowering journey personally. It reinforced my belief in continuous learning and growth and gave me the confidence to tackle even larger challenges in the future.

Do you have a story of a transformation from any of your clients?

One transformation I’m particularly proud of is from a student who struggled with her practice exams but, after taking the course, scored in the top percentile of the USMLE. Knowing that I contributed to such an incredible turnaround is profoundly fulfilling and reinforces the importance of what I do.

What advice do you have for people just starting out? What do you wish you knew before you started?

My advice for those just starting out is to remain focused on the value you bring to your students. Design your course to address their specific needs and challenges. - Dr. Kelvin Fernandez Click To Tweet

Something I wish I had known beforehand is the importance of community building; it’s not just about selling a product, it’s about fostering relationships and establishing trust.

Learn more about Dr. Kelvin Fernandez of acemedboards.com:

• Website: acemedboards.com
• LinkedIn