If your course participants are ghosting you faster than a bad blind date, you’re not alone. Many course creators face the same frustrating trend: enthusiastic sign-ups, a few initial logins, and then... radio silence.

This isn’t just a blow to your bottom line—it’s a missed opportunity to help your students achieve real results and turn them into loyal advocates for your program.

The good news? Student disengagement is not a permanent or inevitable problem. With a few strategic tweaks, you can transform your course into one that people not only complete but rave about to their friends.

In this blog, we’ll uncover why students ghost your course and, more importantly, how to fix it. By addressing these common issues, you can boost engagement, improve retention, and create a course that delivers results.

Prefer to watch? I recorded a 17 minute youtube video that dives deeper into this same topic! 

My Journey to Cracking the Code on Student Engagement

When I first launched my $297 course back in 2019, I thought I had everything figured out. The sales were rolling in, and the program was packed with high-value content that I was sure would help my students succeed.

But something unexpected happened. About half of my students would dive in, take action, and see incredible results. The other half? They’d log in once or twice and then disappear. It was like they vanished into thin air.

At first, I blamed myself. Was the course too long? Too complicated? Then I started hearing other course creators talk about “industry-standard” completion rates—around 15% to 20%—and assumed that was just the way things were.

But deep down, I knew that wasn’t good enough. Students signed up for my course because they had a problem they wanted to solve. If they weren’t engaging, it wasn’t just their loss—it was mine, too.

So, I got curious. Instead of writing off disengagement as “just how it is,” I asked myself three crucial questions:
1️⃣ How can I help students start strong?
2️⃣ Where are they dropping off?
3️⃣ How do I get them back?

Answering these questions completely changed the way I approach course creation. What I discovered not only helped me increase engagement and retention but also scaled my course to over $1 million in lifetime sales.

I discovered the three biggest reasons people are ghosting your course, and what you can do to fix it.

Reason #1: They're ghosting you because... They’re Not Making Progress (Or Don’t Feel Like They Are)

One of the biggest reasons students disengage is the lack of perceived progress. Even if they are making strides, they might not realize it, which can lead to frustration and abandonment.

Define Clear Objectives

Imagine running a race without a finish line. It would be demotivating, right? The same principle applies to your course. If students don’t know what they’re working toward, they’ll lose interest quickly.

The solution? Define a crystal-clear outcome for your program. Instead of vague promises like “Learn social media marketing,” aim for something like “Launch your first paid ad campaign in 30 days.” A specific result gives students a finish line to work toward and a way to measure their success.

Create Measurable Milestones

Big goals can feel overwhelming, especially for new learners. Breaking your course into smaller, achievable milestones helps students stay motivated. Think of these as checkpoints along the way to the final goal.

For example, in a course about starting an online business, milestones could include:
1️⃣ Choosing a profitable niche.
2️⃣ Setting up a website.
3️⃣ Launching a first product.

By celebrating these small wins, students feel a sense of accomplishment that keeps them moving forward.

Audit for Sticking Points

Even the best courses can have areas where students get stuck. Maybe it’s a complicated lesson, an overly long video, or a lack of clear instructions. When students hit a roadblock, they’re more likely to drop off.

Take the time to review your course for potential sticking points. Where do students typically stop engaging? Collect feedback from current or past participants to identify pain points, then make adjustments to simplify, clarify, or provide additional support. 

Reason #2: They're ghosting you because...They Forgot Your Course Exists

Life is busy. Between work, family, and endless distractions, it’s easy for your course to slip off your students’ radar. If you’re not consistently reminding them of the value you provide, you’ll lose their attention.

Engage Immediately with Onboarding

First impressions matter. A strong onboarding experience sets the tone for the entire course and gets students excited to dive in.

On your course thank-you page, include a welcome video that introduces them to the program and encourages them to take their first action. This could be filling out a survey, joining a community group, or completing a simple, introductory task.

The key is to build momentum from Day 1, so they’re less likely to abandon the course later.

Send Regular Reminders

Email marketing is your secret weapon for re-engaging students. Many learners sign up for courses in the heat of the moment—whether it’s late at night or during a busy day—and forget about them shortly after.

An email sequence can keep your course top-of-mind. Send regular updates, share actionable tips, and remind students why they signed up in the first place. Use subject lines like “You’re closer than you think!” or “Let’s make progress today!” to re-capture their attention.

Encourage Quick Wins

Design your course to deliver small victories early on. A “7-day quick win” is a powerful way to hook students and show them the value of your program.

For instance, if your course teaches photography, you could have them take a professional-looking photo using basic techniques within the first week. This quick success boosts their confidence and encourages them to keep going.

Ultimately, people WANT to complete your course, they just lost track of it in their mind. By getting them started strong, encouraging quick wins and sending them gentle reminders when they disappear you can bring back those people and get them the results they were hoping for.

Reason #3: They're ghosting you because... They Felt Catfished

Few things are more frustrating for students than realizing the course they purchased doesn’t match what was advertised. This disconnect can destroy trust and lead to disengagement—or even refund requests. So how do you avoid this?

Align your Marketing with Delivery

Your marketing promises need to reflect the actual course experience. Be specific about what your program offers and who it’s for. For example, if your course is designed for beginners, make that clear to avoid attracting advanced learners who will quickly lose interest.

Transparency isn’t about underselling—it’s about setting the right expectations so your students feel satisfied with their investment.

Qualify Your Students

Not everyone is the right fit for your course, and that’s okay. By qualifying your audience, you’ll attract learners who are more likely to succeed.

Use your sales page or marketing materials to spell out any prerequisites or skill levels required for your program. For example: “This course is perfect for first-time entrepreneurs looking to launch a product, but not ideal for experienced business owners scaling to six figures.”

Overdeliver on Value

To truly wow your students, go above and beyond their expectations. Not by stuffing your course with irrelevant information just to boost the "perceived value" but by creating a whole learning experience that makes them feel empowered and welcome.

When students feel like they’re one in a million, they don't feel valued or like their presence in the program even matters. But when you engage them in the community, make them feel seen and valued, and deliver what they paid for, not only will they take action, but they will be way more likely to share your program with anyone they interact with in the future. 

At the end of the day, your students want to engage in your offer.

 Engagement isn’t just about keeping students happy—it’s about delivering the transformation you promised. By defining clear goals, creating an exceptional onboarding experience, and delivering on your promises, you can build a course that people finish, rave about, and recommend.

Are you ready to create a course that stands out? Check out the Million Dollar Course Workshop to learn step-by-step strategies for boosting student engagement and retention.