Continuing education is becoming more attainable even with our busy schedules, but how do we trust someone’s abilities as an expert? And if you are an expert, how do you market yourself and get users to commit to more than one class?

We recently tackled the growing trend on “Dot Complicated with Randi Zuckerberg on SiriusXM.” Check out these choice soundbites from our guests:

Ingrid Sanders is the CEO of PopExpert, a site that allows others to learn the things they’ve always wanted to learn in live, face-to-face video sessions with experts.

On the vast amount of similar content sites online: “It goes to show the ability of different people to connect into the consumer consciousness”

On entrepreneurship: “It’s hard to know when you launch a company where it’s going to end up. Because the idea came from an experience I had, my vision has stayed fairly true.”

On the easiest way to learn something new: “Make it accessible from video so you could watch the teacher from home using online workshops where you can learn at your own pace featuring the very best teachers”

On finding work/life balance: “The way we’ve spoken about it for 10 or 15 years is as one singular ideal for the perfect life balance. The reality is very few would claim that they’ve achieved that.”

“Gain a clear understanding of what you value in your life at that given point of time. If you value achievement and are working 10 to 12 hour days, that’s ok because that’s what you value at that time.

On starting a company: “It’s far easier and way harder to start a company than I ever would’ve imagined.  Anyone can do it if you have the will. It’s easy because you can find a way to make it happen. It’s hard because to make it successful you have to do whatever it takes.”

On finding experts: “We think about how we can affectively showcase and elevate amazing experts that are teaching and coaching others. In order to attract them, we have to resonate well with their own personal brand.”

If someone could only take one course: “How to play the ukulele in 7 days. It makes people smile. It’s easy to play. Plus it’s important to have creativity in your life to create a sense of wonder.”

On mentorship: “Know thyself in authenticity. Understand what you’re seeking and find a way to connect with somebody that resonates on that same level. People like to be mentors because it makes them feel good and help others.

Favorite apps: SHOTO “The app can auto-recognize photos from events that you can share or not share.”

LADY TIMER: “For girls only. It gives nice insight into your cycle. So many of us are not taught about what our body goes through during the month and how our cycle affects us.”

Apps deleted: “I like SLEEPCYCLE which monitors your sleep patterns, but you have to sleep with your phone under your pillow and I decided to remove all electronics out of the bedroom or at least put them on airplane mode.”

Find more out about Ingrid Sanders and POPEXPERT or follow her @ingridsands or @PopExpert

Damona Hoffman is has a background in television but switched over from TV production to becoming an online dating expert.

On why she moved from TV to online dating: “I used to teach classes for actors for on how to brand and market themselves when I was a casting director. I was also online dating at the same time and realized some similarities between what I would tell an actor about having a photo that stood out.”

On marketing yourself: “Authenticity is so important. All you really have is you. It’s the strategy that I know works.”

A favorite online dating tip: “Have pictures that capture your life story. Tell your story through pictures and through what you’ve written aside from saying it subjectively.”

How clients discover her: “Word of mouth or seeing other people go through the process.”

The biggest dating mistake: “Trying to be all things to all people. Specificity is important. A nice, pretty picture doesn’t say anything about you. Turn off the people who are not going to be a good fit for you is better than trying to be a catch-all.”

Favorite app: WAZE “I live in Los Angeles so you need something that’s in real time and adapts with you. It cuts time off my commute.”

Deleted app: ELMO’S POTTY “My daughter is finally potty trained.”

Read more about Damona Hoffman at Datesandmates.com or follow her @DearMrsD or @DatesMatesMedia

Jeanne Lewis is the founder of Creative Bug, an online hub for arts and crafts instruction videos and tutorials aimed at people with hectic schedules.

On the thought process: “Visualization is a powerful thing.”

On starting a creative-driven start-up: “I started Creative Bug out of my own passion. I wanted to learn from experts. I wanted every man in the room to want to learn how to paint after watching our prototype pilot video. I wanted to tell a story.”

On conquering hurdles to pitch to investors: “I used analogy: We would be Netflix for creatives. Partnering a more modern aesthetic with very little time.”

On getting value out of paying to learn a craft: “We create value in the space. The categories we have are born out of domestic needs and these crafts at a real art form.”

On how to value time: “My personal life has suffered starting a company. So I’ll carry knitting around with me as a fix for myself in stolen moments. My goal for this year is more time with friends.”

Favorite app: SILVA MEDITATION “I use the Good Morning exercise before meeting with investors or before a pitch.”

SPRIG: “Ordering on-demand, delivery-only restaurant in San Francisco.”

Deleted app: FITBIT “I’ve gone through my 3^rd Fitbit and that finally died. I would not exercise unless I could measure it.”

Find out more about Jeanne Lewis and CreativeBug or follow her @CreativeBug or @FounderMom

Tune into “Dot Complicated with Randi Zuckerberg on SiriusXM” next Wednesday when we discuss parenting and technology. Our show airs every Wednesday at 9am PST / 12 EST on Sirius XM 111.

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