Description
This template is for you if you offer online courses on business, entrepreneurship, wellness, health, fitness, self-care, or food topics.
Clearly set out payment terms + protect yourself and your business with this easy-to-use DIY Terms of Use template for [Select whether you are a Business Coach/Entrepreneur or Health/Wellness/Fitness Coach].
You should use a Terms of Use agreement to set out the terms and liability before customers purchase your online course. Don’t worry, it’s not hard to fill out either! Just follow along with my video How-To Tutorial & fill-in-the-blanks.
WHEN DO I USE TERMS OF USE?
You use Terms of Use with your online course or self-paced program that’s either evergreen (content that’s always available) or when people can download, purchase, or sign up for your course or program on their own. In other words, you use Terms of Use as something clients have to “agree to” before purchasing your course, since you’re not personally involved in them signing up for your course.
Clients don’t sign Terms of Use, they acknowledge + agree to it, typically by checking off a “I agree” type box at checkout.
Your Terms of Use should also appear as a link on the bottom of your sales/landing page advertising or selling your course.
If you’re running a small group program and are going to have your clients sign a contract, you should use a Group Program contract instead of Terms of Use.
WHAT ARE TERMS OF USE?
Basically, terms of use are the rules & regulations of your course that you set out before a customer buys it. That way, you don’t have anyone purchasing your program who doesn’t understand the rules upfront. In fact, it’s vital that your customers read (or have the opportunity to read) Terms of Use before they purchase anything from you. Some of the benefits of using Terms of Use are:
- Fewer refunds, miscommunications, and complaints.
- Getting paid, even if a customer cancels her credit card mid-payment
- Disclaiming liability so you can’t successfully be sued for just anything
- Keeping your costs low by requiring alternative dispute resolution (aka. arbitration)
WHERE SHOULD TERMS OF USE APPEAR?
You should post your Terms of Use template as a:
- Link on the footer of your sales/landing page advertising or selling your course; AND
- Checkout link clients have to agree to + acknowledge they’ve read before they purchased. Typically, at checkout with a “I agree to the following Terms of Use” checkbox.
DO I NEED IT?
I’d say “yes!” There is inherent risk in offering coaching programs online. We want to be especially careful when offering courses in things like wellness, self-care, food, exercise, etc. Your customer needs to understand several things before purchasing a course or program, or you could be in serious trouble down the line. Terms of Use makes sure that you can…
- Get paid by setting out payment terms
- Enforce your refund policy, since it’s clearly spelled out in the agreement
- Protect yourself & your company with disclaimers & limitations on liability
- & so much more!
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
- DIY Terms of Use Template — One (1) downloadable, editable .docx file containing a detailed Terms of Use template with fill-in-the-blanks to make it your own.
- How-To Video Tutorial — a video tutorial (that actually shows you the document while I talk!) where I walk you through what each paragraph means (in English, not legal language) & where you’ll need to make changes. You’ll be comfortable and confident to make the Terms of Use your own.
- Guidelines & Tips Guide — a PDF guide that teaches you what to do with this template & how to make it your own.
- BONUS: you’ll receive my Legally Legit checklist to make sure you’re on the right track.
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO ONCE I DOWNLOAD?
- Read the Guidelines & Tips Guide first.
- Next, edit the doc! Follow along in my video How-To Tutorial which shows you where you need to put in your info.
- Add your personal info and make any necessary changes based on how you run and operate your business + website.
- Use it with your courses, programs, or individual clients! You can start sending this document to your new clients in less than 1 hour from download.
WHO IS THIS FOR?
- Health/wellness/nutrition/fitness coaches and entrepreneurs who offer online courses or other evergreen or instant-download documents, programs, or products!
- If you’re still not sure, email me and I’ll help you pick the document that’s right for you & your business!
IMPORTANT: This document is a downloadable, customizable general template for you to make your own & to fit your business. Purchase of this or any other document from this Site does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Sam Vander Wielen. The documents, or anything on this Site, should not be construed as legal advice. You should have all documents you use or prepare reviewed by a local attorney to ensure they comply with State and local laws where you live and work. Sam Vander Wielen is licensed to practice law in New Jersey. Use of this Site, and purchase of any documents, are subject to these Terms & Conditions.
QUESTIONS? Email [email protected].
