Here are some real-world examples :
1. Marie Forleo's B-School (Kajabi)
Marie Forleo built her highly successful online business course, B-School, using Kajabi. She focused on delivering high-quality content that addressed her audience's needs—entrepreneurs wanting to build meaningful businesses online. Kajabi's all-in-one platform streamlined her course delivery, but her strategy of targeting a specific audience with a clear outcome made her program a hit.
Takeaway: Marie’s success wasn’t just about Kajabi. The key factors were her laser-focused messaging, expert branding, and value-driven content.
2. Ali Abdaal’s Productivity Masterclass (Teachable)
Ali Abdaal launched his popular productivity courses on Teachable. While Teachable offered a straightforward platform for hosting and selling his course, his success was built on leveraging his YouTube audience. By solving a specific problem—helping busy professionals and students master productivity—he drove consistent sign-ups through engaging YouTube content and targeted email campaigns.
Takeaway: Ali’s audience-first approach and content consistency mattered more than his chosen platform.
3. Amy Porterfield’s Digital Course Academy (Thinkific)
Amy Porterfield chose Thinkific to deliver her flagship program, Digital Course Academy. Her clear launch strategy set her apart, including webinars, live Q&A sessions, and a structured email campaign. The simplicity of Thinkific’s platform enabled her to focus on audience engagement and delivering actionable content.
Takeaway: Amy’s well-thought-out marketing and structured curriculum were far more critical than the platform.
4. Pat Flynn's Smart Passive Income Courses (WordPress + LearnDash)
Pat Flynn built some of his online courses using WordPress paired with LearnDash. This setup gave him flexibility and control but required more effort than an all-in-one solution. His courses succeeded because of his trust-based relationship with his audience and his reputation for delivering actionable, high-value content.
Takeaway: Even a more technical platform like WordPress can work if you focus on value and have a loyal audience.
Final Thought: The Tools Are Secondary
These examples highlight a common thread: platforms like Kajabi, Teachable, Thinkific, or WordPress are simply vehicles for delivering value. The success of these creators came from having a clear strategy, understanding their audience, and solving a specific problem.
If you’re still stuck deciding on a platform, focus on building your strategy first—then, the platform choice will naturally fall into place. Let me know if you'd like more inspiration or guidance!