Running a creative service-based business can feel like juggling a hundred hats—SEO strategist, designer, Pinterest manager, content creator, podcaster. And if you’re anything like me, you’ve probably thought: “How in the heck am I supposed to learn everything?”

That’s where online courses come in. In this episode of the Being Better Everyday Podcast, I break down the online courses for creative service providers that have made the biggest impact on my business. These aren’t just “nice-to-have” resources—they’ve saved me time, money, and a whole lot of sanity.

“Courses have been my secret weapon as a small business owner because they let me tap into experts for a fraction of the price of hiring someone one-on-one.”

72 \\ Why Online Courses are my Secret Weapon as a Small Business Owner on the Being Better Everyday Podcast

Why Do Online Courses Matter for Creative Service Providers?

As a mom, wife, and business owner, I don’t have endless hours to spend piecing things together from YouTube videos or AI prompts. Online courses compress time. They allow you to learn from experts who’ve already figured it out instead of reinventing the wheel.

I love that I can go at my own pace, re-watch when I need a refresher, and apply the lessons directly to my business. Courses have been the difference between spinning my wheels and actually moving forward. “You’re not just buying the information, you’re buying the authority. You’re learning from someone who’s already done the thing, tested it, and refined a system that works.”

📌 Related resource: If you’re just getting started with SEO, check out my SEO Monitoring Tools Guide.

Can AI Replace Online Courses for Small Business Owners?

No.. I use AI every single day in my business—to brainstorm, speed up my work, or spark new ideas. But it’s not a replacement for a well-built course.

AI doesn’t filter quality. It can give you outdated info, half-truths, or just plain wrong advice—especially when it comes to SEO or Pinterest. That’s why I still turn to courses when I want proven strategies. Think of AI as the assistant. But a course? That’s your blueprint.

My Top 5 Online Courses for Creative Service Providers who want to do Web Design, Branding, or SEO Strategy

These are the five courses that shaped my business and built the foundation for what I do at P&W Designs:

SEO on Tap by Duo Collective

This course changed everything for me. It’s bite-sized, self-paced, and covers everything from keyword research to blogging, Google Analytics, and more. Honestly, it’s the reason I’ll never build a website without SEO again.

📌 If you want to dive into this course, don’t forget to use my code JULIEW for $50 off at checkout for SEO on Tap.

Designer Summer Camp

A deep-dive into branding and design fundamentals, Adobe Illustrator, Figma, and portfolio building. It’s intense but worth every hour if you’re looking to sharpen your design eye.

Procreate Course by Brie Design Co.

This one was more of a creative outlet at first, but it sparked my love of Procreate and added a whole new layer to my branding and design services.

The Podcast Lab by Jenna Kutcher

This course gave me the basics to launch the Being Better Everyday Podcast. From systems to monetization, it simplified what felt overwhelming.

The Pinterest Lab by Jenna Kutcher

This course gave me the fundamentals for Pinterest marketing. While I’ve developed my own batching system that works better, it was still a helpful starting point. (And yes—my own Pinterest course is launching November 2025!)

What Are the Biggest Benefits of Online Courses?

• Courses Save Time — You don’t have to reinvent the wheel.
• Courses Save Money — Learn from experts for a fraction of 1:1 coaching.
• Courses Save Sanity — Rewatch modules anytime for confidence and clarity.
• AI Helps but Doesn’t Replace — Courses give you proven systems that AI can’t
  

FAQs About Online Courses for Creative Service Providers

Why I Believe in Online Courses

Here’s the truth: you don’t need to know it all. But you do need to know where to learn what matters most. For me, that’s been through investing in online courses for creative service providers—and now, it’s also through sharing what I’ve learned with you.

At P&W Designs, I help women grow their businesses with strategic branding, web design, SEO, and Pinterest marketing that actually work—not just look pretty. And just like the courses that shaped me, my mission is to give you clarity, confidence, and results.