On this episode of Hustle and Flowchart, I had the honor of chatting with Marisa Murgatroyd, founder of Live Your Message and creator of the Experience Formula. Our conversation focused on how to create engaging and profitable online courses, integrating mission statements, and using gamification to enhance participant experience. Marisa's innovative strategies have helped many people achieve high success rates and complete their courses enthusiastically. She emphasizes integrating mission statements into course modules, setting clear goals and milestones, and using incentives to drive engagement. Marisa's methods ensure participants stay motivated through continuous rewards and structured frameworks. Joe Fier, your host, praises Marisa's creative approach and highlights the notable completion and success rates her programs achieve. Introduction to Marisa Murgatroyd Marisa Murgatroyd, the mastermind behind Live Your Message, has dedicated her career to creating experiential, transformational online courses. As the creator of the Experience Formula, she aims to keep users engaged through a framework that emphasizes continuous rewards and accomplishments. Joe Fier welcomes Marisa, noting it's been five years since her last appearance on the podcast. Integration of Mission Statements Marisa highlights the importance of embedding mission statements into every aspect of a course. By doing this, participants have a clear understanding of the goals and the value they will receive. For instance, the mission of her Experience Product Masterclass is to design, launch, and profit from experience products. This clear mission aligns every module and training session with the ultimate goal, ensuring that participants stay focused and motivated. Goal Setting and Milestones Setting specific, measurable goals is crucial in Marisa's programs. She structures her courses with clear milestones and offers rewards for achievements. Participants can earn a graduation bonus upon completing core modules and receive incentives through "launch wings," "money wings," and "proof wings." Marisa uses private Google Docs and milestone templates to help participants track their progress. Time-bound missions with countdown timers add a sense of urgency and help maintain engagement. Gamification and Engagement Turning learning into a game makes courses more exciting and ensures higher completion rates. Marisa uses gamification strategies like rewards and points to motivate participants. For example, her “Show Me the Money” training involves setting financial goals, and participants post these goals to a community page for visual reinforcement and community support. The constant wins from completing small tasks keep participants motivated and prevent them from feeling overwhelmed. Importance of Human Connection Marisa points out that consumers now expect more than just content; they seek human connections. Moving from broadcast-style deliveries to interactive, community-driven experiences enriches the learning journey. Course creators should focus on providing access to coaching, creators, and community support to meet these evolving expectations. Personal Touch in Automation While automation is useful for handling administrative tasks, Marisa believes that human interaction remains irreplaceable. She advocates for a balance between automation and personal touch to maintain customer loyalty and high course completion rates. Joe Fier emphasizes making experiences more engaging by adding personalized communication and direct interaction, effectively encouraging people to act. Storytelling in Learning and Marketing Stories play an essential role in both learning and marketing. Marisa discusses how incorporating stories into course content can aid in understanding and retention. She uses metaphors like "climbing Mount Everest" to break down complex learning stages, ensuring that participants grasp the material. Joe highlights storytelling as a powerful