In this article, I will share with you my initial experience of creating online content, specifically about my PLAB exam preparations in 2019, and how it provided me with valuable insights and lessons for more effective content creation in the future.
PLAB is an exam required to be taken by International Medical Graduates (IMGs) to be able to work as doctors in the UK
I set out to pass the PLAB exam twice, and through my second attempt, I was able to create my valuable study materials. These materials were a product of my own experiences, including my first failure and subsequent success.
As an IMG, I understand the challenges of preparing for this exam and, after taking it twice, I recognized the need for a comprehensive and effective online course.
I set out to create a course that was based on my own experiences, including my first failure and subsequent success. The process of creating the course was not easy, but through perseverance and experimentation, I discovered that the key to creating engaging and informative materials is to keep them relevant, captivating, and easy to understand. This experience taught me that even when faced with obstacles if I stay true to my goal and remain determined, I can achieve success.
The course was extremely effective, not only did it help numerous candidates pass the exam, but it also proved to be a financially rewarding venture for me. The feedback I received from students was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing their gratitude for the clear and concise study materials I provided.
This was a testament to the hard work and dedication I put into creating the course, and it was incredibly fulfilling to know that I was able to make a positive impact on so many individuals’ careers. Furthermore, the financial success of the course was a bonus and further motivated me to continue creating valuable resources for others.
Through this journey I have learned these lessons that you can also apply to any idea you have:
- Don’t wait for the go-ahead, make it happen right now.
One of the most profound lessons I learned was that true success and growth come from taking action and not waiting for permission. I decided to seize the opportunity and start creating my course without hesitation. I discovered that the process of creating the course itself was a form of learning and that by offering a valuable service, I had already earned the right to do so. This realization empowered me to take control of my learning and progress, and I urge others to do the same. Don’t wait for someone to give you the green light, take the initiative and start creating your opportunities for success today.
- Learn from the wisdom of those who have come before you.
I believe that one of the most powerful ways to achieve success is by learning from the wisdom of those who have come before us. This is exactly what I did when I set out to create an online course for the PLAB 2 exam. I knew I wasn’t the first person to attempt such a task, so I took advantage of the resources and information that were already available.
I conducted extensive research, studying other online courses and exams, reading resources written by experts in the field, and learning from the experiences of successful IMGs who had passed the PLAB 2 exam. By doing so, I was able to gain a wealth of knowledge and insights that I used to inform my own course.
However, I didn’t just rely on the information I found, I also added my own unique perspective, drawing on my own experiences, particularly my failure and subsequent success in the exam. The outcome was an impressive course that not only helped me pass the PLAB 2 exam but also helped numerous candidates to do the same.
This experience taught me that by standing on the shoulders of giants, we can gain valuable insights, knowledge and wisdom that will help us achieve our goals. It also showed me that adding our own unique touch to something can make it even more powerful and effective.
- Learn from your failures
One of the most valuable lessons I have learned in my journey is the importance of learning from failure. I had the misfortune of failing the PLAB 2 exam twice, but instead of allowing it to defeat me, I chose to see it as an opportunity to grow and improve.
I took the time to reflect on my failures and analyze what went wrong. I identified the areas where I needed to focus more, and where I made mistakes. This process allowed me to create a more comprehensive and effective course, as I was able to address the common problems and misconceptions that many International Medical Graduates (IMGs) face when preparing for the PLAB 2 exam.
It is through my failures that I was able to gain a deeper understanding of the material and the exam itself, this helped me to create a more effective course that is tailored to the needs of IMGs. This experience taught me that failure is not the opposite of success, but it is a stepping stone towards it. Failure is a valuable teacher that can help us improve and reach our goals.
- Start with a minimum viable product.
In business, The concept of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is a development methodology that focuses on creating a minimal version of a product or service that has just enough features to satisfy early customers and provide feedback for future development. The MVP approach allows businesses and entrepreneurs to test the market and validate their idea before investing a significant amount of resources into a full-fledged product. By starting small with an MVP, a business can minimize the risk of failure while gathering valuable information to help drive future growth and improve the product.
With this concept in mind, I have applied the idea of an MVP to my online course about PLAB2. Instead of creating a comprehensive course with all the materials and resources I wanted to include, I decided to launch an MVP version of the course with the essential materials and resources for students to pass the exam. By doing this, I was able to gather feedback from early students and make adjustments to the course before releasing the final version. This approach allowed me to test the market, validate my idea and minimize the risk of failure. Additionally, it gave me valuable information to help drive the growth and improvement of my course.
In the end, Starting a new business or venture can be a daunting task, but the key to success is to just start. Many entrepreneurs get stuck in the planning phase, trying to perfect their idea before taking action. But the truth is, no idea is perfect from the start and it’s important to understand that learning through the journey is the key to success.
So, if you have an idea for a business or venture, don’t wait any longer. Start now, and see where the journey will take you. Remember, the biggest risk is not taking any risk at all. Entrepreneurship is about taking action, learning and iterating. The journey may be challenging, but it will be worth it in the end.
