Can I tell you something I’ve learned from buying far too many courses over the years?

And I mean a lot of courses.

Every niche. Every price point.

Some because I wanted to learn…

Some because I wanted to see what was working…

And some because it’s my job to evaluate courses and figure out the best of the best

And here’s the bit that surprises people:

A lot of them aren’t very good.

Some are fine-but-forgettable.

Some are chaotic.

Some don’t have the processes set up properly (login details don’t arrive, modules are inaccessible, bonuses are missing.)

Some look like the creator recorded them in a panic while the dog barked in the background.

And occasionally… the ones from the “big names” are the sloppiest of all.

So, why am I telling you this?

Because we all have this strange habit of assuming our competitors are perfect.

We imagine they’ve got immaculate systems, flawless content, a calm colour-coded calendar, and a team of 47 elves quietly editing their videos.

But no…

Of course, sometimes your competitors are brilliant – and that’s great.

And sometimes they’re just… people.

Making the same mistakes the rest of us make.

So please don’t put everyone on a pedestal and let it freeze you in your tracks.

You might be comparing your early draft to their rushed version.

And this leads me onto something else important…

⚠️ The funnel-hacking myth

Everyone loves the idea of “funnel hacking” looking at what others are doing and using it as inspiration.

And yes, it’s useful. In fact I teach it myself.

But here’s the danger nobody talks about:

When you’re studying someone else’s funnel, you’re not just seeing the smart decisions…

You’re seeing their mistakes too.

You don’t know which bit was intentional and which bit they slapped together at midnight.

You don’t know what they tested, what flopped, what they meant to update but never got around to.

You don’t know what’s actually converting and what’s just sitting there gathering dust.

It’s like copying someone’s cooking without tasting and realising they forgot the salt.

This is why the most successful creators don’t blindly imitate.

They observe, take notes, use things as clues… but then they test everything themselves.

Because the only data that really matters?

How your audience responds.

Not how someone else’s audience might be responding.

Not how the “big names” structure their upsells.

Not how some American guru swears it “must” be done.

Your people are your people… and the only way to know what works for them is to put things in front of them.

So if you’re in that early stage where you’re mapping out your course, designing your first funnel, or building your landing page… try this simple approach:

1. Study, but don’t worship.

Look at competitors for inspiration, not instructions.

Make a note of what seems clear, simple or clever.

But assume at least 20% of what they’re doing is a mistake.

2. Ask yourself: “Why might they have done it this way?”

If you don’t know, don’t assume it’s genius.

It could just as easily be a leftover from a previous version.

3. Test your version early – before you think it’s ready.

A half-finished funnel with real feedback beats a polished funnel with imaginary feedback.

4. Focus on the boring-but-important bits.

Clear messaging.

A strong offer.

Simple steps.

Good follow-up.

These outperform “clever tricks” every time.

5. Remember this: nobody has it completely together.

The people doing well aren’t flawless.

They’re just not scared to publish before everything is perfect.

And that’s the part most people miss.

Success doesn’t come from copying the right person.

It comes from taking action earlier than feels comfortable, and then improving it.

One of the lovely things my students say, and I hear it over and over, is that they’re surprised how doable it feels once they get started.

Comments like “I thought it would be overwhelming… but this is actually easy to follow” and “you’ve thought of everything… simply brilliant”.

That’s what I want for you too – momentum, not perfection.

So next time you’re tempted to freeze because someone else seems miles ahead… just remember:

They might be winging it.

And you might be far more capable than you think.