It was October of 2011 that I announced I would be teaching my very first online class in the 4th quarter of 2012. Someone please tell me - how is it possible that time has flown by so fast that it’s already time for registration??
Friends, I hope you will consider signing up. I have never done anything like this before. I’ve taught many live, in-person classes. I’ve written several books. I’ve made plenty of videos and published hundreds of blog posts. But developing content for an online class is its own category – and working on this has been a labor of love.
I am so very grateful to Big Picture Classes for inviting me to be a part of their vision – bringing education & inspiration into the comfort of your home. Stacy and I go way back and like many of you, I adore her and want her to live next door so we can be trail-running buddies and I can taste-test her recipes. It is so, so, so fun for both of us that after all these years of working side-by-side in the scrapbooking industry, that we are once again working TOGETHER on something really special. I feel very blessed to be able to utilize the infrastructure that BPC has in place, as the home base for my class. Plus, I just adore working with the whole team there.
Let’s get down to the details, shall we? I want you to be as informed as possible as you decide whether this is for you or not.
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Q: Where do we go to sign up for your class?
A: Click HERE for the registration page on BigPictureClasses.com.
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Q: Are there a limited number of seats?
A: NO, that’s the beauty of online classrooms; there is a seat for everyone!
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Q: When will the last day of registration be?
A: October 10, 2012 at 10:00pm PST.
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Q: When does the class start?
A: October 4, 2012.
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Q: How long will your class run?
A: It covers the whole 4th quarter of this year; my last week’s worth of material will be shared December 26.
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Q: How much will it cost?
A: $99
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Q: Is your class open to people living outside of the U.S.?
A: You bet. Anyone, anywhere.
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Q: What will be the purpose of your class?
A: My goal for you in taking this class is that you feel enriched, motivated, and inspired to cultivate a better life – and truly liberated in the way you approach the documentation of that life. You will get a healthy dose of my personal real-life insights about both of those areas – creating and documenting a good life. Sounds vague, eh? Keep reading.
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Q: What will be the final results of your class?
A: We are covering so many areas in which we can all cultivate a better life, so I believe that taking this class will result in you having the perfect life. Just kidding! For real, these topics we’ll be talking about, and these ways we’ll be documenting our life over the next few months, will be very enriching. Our eyes will be opened a little wider to how we approach our not-so-perfect life. I think we’ll all feel more motivated to embrace the real life that is ours. And of course document that life along the way.
As for tangible results, we will be completing 12 Project Life layouts over the 12-week course. I’ll have oodles of photo challenges to get the wheels in your head spinning about how to document everyday life. Be prepared to keep your camera handy the whole time. I’m also pretty confident that you’ll be tackling an organizational project or two in your home. There are also several other optional projects/challenges/tasks (homemaking, decorating, scrapbooking “older” photos, etc.) that I’ll be presenting. Did I mention optional?
The beautiful thing about my philosophy is that I have a NO PRESSURE approach to teaching. If you want to enroll, check the classroom weekly and sit back while you watch my videos and read my material and do nothing with my assignments or challenges, I have no problem with that. If you want to create extensive to-do lists based on the ideas I’m sharing, then I can keep you very busy. You will set your own pace. I’m there to offer suggestions and hang out with you a little through the holiday season that will soon be upon us.
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Q: What will we learn that we can’t already learn from your website?
A: Excellent question. I share a lot right here on my blog, for free. All the time. On a regular basis. For free. At no cost. Doesn’t cost you a dime. What’s different about developing content for a class that people pay for, is the cohesiveness that strings through all of the content, pulling it all together for a much more effective impact on lives – resulting, hopefully, in some seriously eye-opening experiences.
Similar to developing products, I have put a lot of thought & energy into how my class content will resonate with you, and how I can add value for you. Countless hours creating slide show presentations, videos, handouts, etc. This is totally a step above blogging when it comes to not only the preparation, but the outcome.
Each week I’ll be sharing content and ideas with you (including hanging out in different spots around my home) that have not been addressed on my blog. I’m diving in a little deeper on organization, time management, homemaking, traditions … all that good stuff that makes up LIVING LIFE.
Interested in seeing the 12 topics that we’ll cover? Here is the PDF: ProjectRealLifeCalendar
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Q: What is the difference between Project Real Life and Project Life?
A: Project Real Life is my class – what this big, giant blog post is all about. Project Life is the line of products that I have developed to take the guesswork out of memory-keeping. If you’re new here, you can see what Project Life looks like HERE.
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Q: Did you say something about getting a set of cards with the class?
A: Indeed. Anyone who enrolls in the class will receive a set of exclusively-designed Project Life cards (3×4 and 4×6) that are not available anywhere else.
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Q: Is this class going to be self-paced or will we have weekly assignments?
A: This is an instructor-led (that’s me!) class with weekly updates for 12 weeks. I will be interacting on the message boards and galleries. The content I share will all be centered around cultivating a good life in the midst of reality. You can absolutely participate on your watch, and no one is holding you to any sort of “deadlines”. If that’s what you mean by self-paced, then yes. : )
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Q: Will the class have chats?
A: Yep. Apparently I’m even doing 3 live video chats. Sounds fun!
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Q: I have never taken an online class before. It is all written out?
A: I’ve never done this either – how fun to try this together! There are beautifully designed handouts and worksheets, but there are also videos, slide presentations, chats and the chance to interact with all of the other students as well. There will be transcripts available for videos and slideshows.
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Q: Will you be discussing how to organize our photos?
A: You bet!
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Q: Is this class suitable for Project Life beginners?
A: A thousand percent, YES. If you have never touched Project Life – you are so going to dig this. If you have never even scrapbooked EVER – oh boy. You will really love this! I am not about complicated gadgets and intricate techniques that leave you with glitter in your hair and sores on your fingers. I am ALL about a simple solution for documenting life. Stick your photos + written memories into Photo Pocket Pages. No adhesive. No fancy trimmer. Just get it done and LOVE your album. : )
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Q: Will the class be beneficial for those of us who have been doing Project Life for a few years now?
A: Absolutely. If you’re already a Project Lifer, you understand the simple nature of the system. There’s no need for a class to teach you “how” to do Project Life because all you do is place items in pockets and that is all. Zero education needed. My class is far more focused on cultivating a better life. Recording life will already come naturally to you.
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Q: Will this class be beneficial if I am doing Project Life via Shutterfly or your digital elements?
A: Sure! No matter what your approach (phyical products + prints or doing it digitally) – the concepts of what we are doing are still the same.
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Q: Once we have registered, will we always have access to the gallery, files & other items from the class?
A: Any class you take at Big Picture Classes is archived in your account. It’s something they call Forever Access and it means that you will have all of the ideas, inspiration and information that I share to keep and refer back to again and again. It also means that you can LIVE your life and not worry too much about keeping up every single week!
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Q: Does the class cover other ways to document using Project Life besides the weekly approach?
A: Yes indeedy.
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Q: Is this class designed to help us get caught up with past photos or is it a present, going-forward type of class?
A: Yes. And yes. I love it ALL, so we’ll cover the spectrum.
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Q: Will I be able to take your class using my iPad or do I need to be on a computer?
A: All of the content in a BPC classroom is iPad friendly – how cool is that!?
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Q: Will you be offering your class again in early 2013?
A: Nope. We may offer it again in 2014, but the best thing to do is take it now and know you can refer back to it at anytime!
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Go on. Register. As soon as you do, you’ll have access to a fun presentation I pulled together. See you in class!
Would love to take this class Becky but it is not in my budget right now
Madeline,
If you haven’t signed up to BPC before you can use my affiliate link, that will then give you (and me) a discount on any other class you sign up for http://www.bigpictureclasses.com/register.php?refer=ACE0FAD5 then go to http://www.paperclipping.com/roundtable. They offer a 10% discount for a BPC class there. So you save a lot of money!
Also even though registration is open now, the class doesn’t start until Oct so you can put $11 a week aside and afford to take it.
I hope that helps xxx
Oh I meant paperclipping.com/bigpicture
and I also remembered that when you sign up to BPC to get a $10 voucher after you spend $100
Sounds Good, hope I can work into my budget
Agreed…..sounds wonderful but feel the price is a little high.
Ditto the other comments. I would LOVE to take this class. I know you put your heart into it as you do with all things you create. I am certain it will be amazing and worth the investment. I just wish it was in my budget. $100 is a more than I can swing these days. Wish there was some way to make the class more affordable…
Sounds great. Looking forward to it. Will register after Sept 1 when the budget is a little freer.
Thanks Becky – can not wait to sign up! Looking forward to the learnings and the adventures ahead. Based on your other products it will be a wonderful class. Thanks, Michelle.
The class sounds great!
But I agree with others it is a little to expensive.
I have done classes at Big picture before and cant see how it could be worth that much. But I am sure the class will be great for the once that take the chance
Hope it’s a great class for you. Like others, $100 is too steep for my budget right now. I spent all my money on my various Project Life kits (LOL) so I’ll just have to handle it all on my own. Love all of your products! Have fun!
Sounds like a fantastic course and at $99 for 12 weeks of content plus live chats that’s not bad at all. It comes out to $8.25 per week! Since you won’t have a cap on the class size and it doesn’t start until October, that gives me some time to work it into the ol’ budget I think.
Looking forward to it!
$99 for 12 classes, journal cards, and so many ideas is a great deal…. I think people are looking at the amount as in one class…. but since when has anyone paid less than $10 for a scrapbooking class? I am so very much looking forward to this 12 week class series!
I work full time and don’t have kids, will this still be something that I can benefit from and use? IE the video chats will I be able to see them other than live if they are while I am at work and will it matter that I won’t have kids to do these projects with/for?
Melanie – YOU are important! I don’t have children and I am single and I do Project Life and always have so much to put in it. It is about cultivating a good life (you don’t need children to do that!)
BPC always archive the chats so you can see them if you didn’t catch them live. They are awesome!
Thank you, I do Project Life and scrapbook, but I know a lot of this is always focused around family and preserving memories for your kids to enjoy so I am hesitent to spend the money if it isn’t really geared towards me? ya know? However I am always interested in making my life in general better all the way around so that part interests me for sure.
Melanie, I’m in the same position and so I’m really interested in hearing an answer to your question. I’ve been doing PL for 3 years and it fits fantastically into my grad-student, family-of-one (+kitty!) life, but I am wondering about the class. If a lot of the lessons are going to be family/kid focused and/or domestic/stay at home mom focused I wonder if much of it will be applicable to my life. At a certain point in my life as a vegan I stopped buying omnivore cookbooks – “but the seven recipes in there that I *can* eat look great!” – because I realized that for me I feel bummed when I am relegated to using only a small segment of something I’ve paid for. I’ll check back to this thread but maybe I’ll also send Becky an email as well, in case this particular comment thread gets lost in the shuffle.
I agree with Nicole! I am looking forward to this class and think that 12 weeks for $99 is not terrible. I understand that you have put a lot of effort into this project, and with all of the projects that you currently have going on, this must be worth your time also! As a SAHM, I often wonder what I can be doing differently to “Cultivate a good life” and I can’t wait to see your perspective! Thank you for all that you do!
Hi Becky – all of this sounds really exciting!!! I can’t wait to register. I think that $100 is an awesome price when you consider the content, time and thought that you’ve put into it and the fact that by taking this class…. my whole family and my friends are going to benefit from me taking it in one way or another
Living here in New Zealand means that with the exchange rate – it’s going to cost a bit more, but hey…. I bet I and so many others will get much more than our moneys worth from this course. Thank you 
Woot woot for NZ
In other countries, we pay far more than US customers so I’m not too worried about the price – I do wonder how the timing of live content, etc would suit international customers though
Live just means that the teacher is avaliable for those dates (Oct – Dec in this case) after that the class will be in your archives and you can always go back and look at the content but the teacher will no longer be there to answer questions. Live also means that the classroom will be updated each week (Thursdays) with new content/lesson. The new lesson goes live approximately 12 am Pacific time. The teacher chooses when to pop into the message board and answer questions, whenever her life’s schedule allows her. The live chats typically don’t work too well for those outside of North America, but they are transcribed/recorded and posted within a week. The chat is the only truly live part of the class that you may miss out on. Often they go really crazy fast and you are better off just posting your question on the message board.
Also if you are away for a week or two or whatever, don’t let that stop you from taking the class. You’ll catch up when you come back and with the class still being live you can get some great ideas/help from the teacher and fellow classmates.
Can you tell I’m a bit of a BPC junkie?!
Ha a BPC junkie – love it! That should be a badge or something.
To those of you looking for a break on the price, there’s a 10% discount, if you use coupon code “paperclipping2012″ you’ll get that discount if this is your first class with Big PIcture
Thanks!!
Thanks Nicole! – just what I needed to push me over the line
Given the potential for what one can get out of this class series if they so choose, I think $99 is a steal! I am so looking forward to this – and I believe that completing 12 weeks of Project Life layouts with Becky’s guidance will give me the momentum and inspiration I need to continue updating my album weekly! Thanks for all that you do, Becky!
Awesome. As some others has said, class price is a bit high, but considering that it is a 12 week course, it is worth it. I need to wait till September also to save some money for this class.
Thanks for doing this though. All excited.
As other $100 is way to steep for my budget, I’ve still been trying to get a project life core kit, plus the rest to go along with it. So although when you break it down it is a good deal it is a little much consider all thats going on in the country. So I’ll have to see but it probably will not be something I will be able to swing. I do look forward to my future core kit once they are back in stock and continuing my project life journey.
Registration *is * open! I think this class will be great for all …and it works out to $8.25 a week. A great deal. I’m sure it will be as awesome as Project Life is. Do hope everyone can swing it.
Cheers~
I agree with the majority of the comments that its a pretty pricey but I bet its worth it. I just now for myself its out of my budget and I’m behind on Ali’s One Little Word Class on Big Picture and her most recent 31 Things so I can’t justify starting another class! I can’t wait to hear what people thing about the class once it starts!
I’ve hardly even started Ali’s 31 things, but I couldn’t stop myself from signing up for this one! MAYBE it will get me to finish 31 things before October??? lol
Of the 31 Things, I found that I didn’t complete them all yet either, but I really DID enjoy printing them out and reading them each day. I did MUCH of the writing, but still have not finished them all. Plus, it was affordable.
I will be out of the country for the month of October – lucky me – and I will come back with skads for photos I’m sure – my question is: It sounds like these classes will be archived with my purchase…so other than live chats will I be able to catch up and use the class when I return???? Thanks!!
I took a different BPS course that had live chat and live video chat. The transcripts and videos were archived and available!
Are the exclusive cards the size of a core kit? Any chance we could get a sneak peek??? I’m sure they are amazing.
I’d love to take it too, but its not in my budget either, although I’m sure its definitely worth it! Hopefully it’ll be available later on!
I’m so excited – just registered. Yes, $100 is a lot of money, but if we realized the amount of effort that goes on behind the scenes to prepare for a project such as this one, I think it would be very understandable why it costs what it does. Knowing Becky, I’m certain that those who are able to take the class will walk away feeling like they got more than their money’s worth.
I’ve been following Project Life since the beginning and have even purchased two of the physical Core Kits and one digital Core Kit but have yet to implement it because of my perfectionist/have to stay caught up mindset. Shame on me! (talk about a waste of money if the product’s going to sit unused) I’m so excited for this class to give me the jump start I need to become a true Project Lifer in a way that works for me.
Blessings, Becky — did I mention I’m excited?!? Yipeeeeee!
I would so love to take the class, too, but cannot afford as we are missionaries and raise all of our support. The class looks iabsolutely incredible, though, and I’m sure it is worth every penny.
I know lots of people are going to be able to afford this class and it will be no worries for you but the price is really too high for me too. With the 5 new shoes, school supplies and coats we need to buy (not to mention some new clothes, which I buy second hand) I can only dream of getting to take this class. I’m going to try to put away a little money here and there toward this, because, frankly, it’s exactly what I need to get my life and scrapbooking a kick in the right direction, but I do wish it was even 60 or 70$. $100 is steep.
Yeah, a hundred bucks? I hate to say it, but not worth that much.
I know all the background work and I know it’s 12 weeks, but that’s way too much for an internet course. The one and only BPC I’ve seen worth the money is LOM.
I think I’m hesitant to take on something during the busy holiday season. Gotta think this one through…
too expensive
I can’t afford it ither:( Would have loved to though!
12 weeks with Becky — eeek I am so excited cannot wait
I have to be honest and say that there is not enough content here to justify 99.00
I have taken many classes from BPC to include Ali’s 12 week class and LOM.
So based on these experiences I feel that the price is too high. I would feel comfortable paying 49.00.
My recommendation is that the price be lowered or seek out the other less expensive classes BPC offers.
IMHO
I just signed up for Becky’s class – I am so excited!!! Nicole – thanks so much for the coupon code!! I can’t wait for the class to begin. Becky, thanks for all of your inspiration!!!
Why are so many complaining about the price? There are lots of things I can’t afford. Life is that way. Stop trying to make Becky feel bad for making a living! She gives plenty for free on her web-site.
Please do not assume that the comments about the cost are intended to “make Becky feel bad for making a living”.
For me, my comment is intended to provide feedback to the creator/seller {Becky} regarding the price of a product for sale {Project Real Life}. I am well aware that I can’t afford everything and that “Life is that way.” If nobody stated their desire to take the course but their budget can’t handle the cost, Becky and BPS would never know that there were more potential students.
And gosh – without purchaser feedback, Becky might not have added all or some of the new plastic configurations. Those items were customer-driven – by customers just like or even those who are commenting here.
I wish this was an infomerical where she says, “But WAIT! Sign up now and receive one month free!” or at least offer monthly payments. $8.25 per week would then be $33.00 per month, and that it totally doable for me. But I can’t afford $100 at one time. Sounds like a great class, but its something I can’t afford at all.
Bummer.
Could you pay yourself that $33 a month and sign up in Oct? Hope it works out for you!
Ironically, the first thing I thought was WOW! This class is cheap! A three month course for only $100? I’ve paid more for courses in less time. I don’t know that it’s my style, per se, but as far as comparable, I think it’s very inexpensive. I don’t know how involved you will be beyond the 3 webinars, but you’re offering a course at a very reasonable price in my opinion.
p.s. If you purchase through PayPal, you just get Bill Me Later, and pay it off as you go. Just sayin….
I’m saddened to see so many women tell Becky, right to her face, that her work isn’t valued. I would hate for the people I work for to tell me “eh, I don’t think you worked hard enough this month, and things are tight, so we aren’t going to pay you as much”. I know that isn’t apples to apples, but she is woman who has developed unique content and is trying to provide for her family with it. Words hurt, please choose carefully.
I’m really looking forward to it, and think it will help me focus on the family times and memories that fall in these seasons!
Any chance that you could reduce the course price as the number of participants grows after you have made up for your initial cost? For example:
$99 if x or less students register
$75 if y to x students register
$50 if z to y students register
That way this community can help each other to make it affordable and fit into our budgets.
Signed up!! Can’t wait! Fall is my favorite season and now it just got better!
$100 is totally worth it. For all those who really want to do it but can’t afford it consider eating out 1 time less during the week or less stops by Starbucks…you’ll have your $100 in no time!
Is this a set time every week that we log in for your class…or do we log into BPC each week to
Check the content for that week?
The class is at BPC. They update their classrooms each week at approximately 12am pacific time with a new lesson. What is included in that lesson is up to the teacher, could consist of any of the following: welcome message, video, slideshow, handout(s). That lesson stays current until next Thursday when it goes to the archives section of that class.
and you get an email to notify you that it has gone live
I don’t usually pipe in on the comments but I felt compelled to after reading through the whining about the price of this class. Lucrecia was spot on with her comment. Shame on those who implied that Becky’s hard work is worth any less than what the class is priced at. If you can’t afford the class, remember how lucky you are she provides so much valuable content for free on her website and Facebook. Try saying “thank you” instead of “gimme, gimme, gimme.”
Just the facts…
Big Picture Classes is a business.
Spending money should be based on common sense and not emotions.
Compared to other 99 dollar plus classes I have taken at BPC this class does not have enough content.
I love Becky and appreciate what she has done for the scrapbook world.
I can afford to take this class but based on past experience I made the decision that it is not a good use of my money.
I would not call my decision whining but more like carefully evaluating the class and making a choice that works for me.
Sierra, I agree. I know not everyone can afford it but that’s life. Start saving now and perhaps by October 10th you could afford it. But its not just Becky (the teachers) that put work into the classes its the staff behind the scenes at BPC also. Before and during the class the teachers and BPC put alot of work into these classes. I also agree that there is so much wonderful free content thast Becky (and so many others) put out their websites.
Becky, YEAH I AM SO EXCITED!!!!! THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS CLASS :O)
I signed up within minutes of your post.
I have to say that I am SO disappointed with all the negative comments about the price.
EVERYTHING you do is always done with so much heart & soul.
I know EVERYONE is saving there $ this is REAL LIFE, I believe this is a TOTALLY FAIR price.
Selling items on ebay to pay for it & school stuff, etc. it is easy & helps our budget.
I was actually thinking the class would cost more for all the WONDERFUL items you will be covering.
I cannot wait for your inspiration for my REAL LIFE! You are such a blessing.
God Bless, Ann Marie
When I read the cost, I cringed. It’s not that it isn’t worth the price… it’s just that I would have a hard time squeezing $100 extra out of the already tight budget. (It doesn’t help that we’ll soon be socked with an additional expense of $85/month copay for medicine.) I do like the rationale of breaking it up for price per week… that makes it sounds not quite as bad. MAYBE I’ll need to remind him that he didn’t get me anything for my birthday last year.
Life is all about choosing what is important to you. I know this class would reform the way I scrap and yes Becky did put a lot of time and effort to develop the material too. The price is right there with most other classes here on BPC, I just finished Ali’s 31 Things class and it was $31 for a month worth of daily content. Becky’s class lasts 3 months so that is the same price right? I think we see $99 all at once and it does hurt a little for those of us that live pay check to pay check. That is not my concern so much as will I follow through with finishing the course content. I love the classes here but rarely finish them all the way. That is just me getting bored or busy with life I guess. All in all I totally see myself signing up in the future.
Becky I am curious to see if I need a totally new set of PL cards and protectors or can it be incorporated into my existing 2012 album (that I am behind on by the way
).
I can’t wait to start this class, I think the price is great considering the content and the wide variety of things you are covering. Its not the type of class where you come out having put together a scrapbook page and having nothing else to show for it. This content sounds like it will help in lots of areas that I could use some help in (especially organizing and time management
) And all for less than the cost of lunch out once a week! Thanks for all you’ve put into this, Becky!
See you in class!!
Becky, I have been waiting for this class since Jan and I am so excited to finally get the chance to sign up! I have taken over 30 classes as BPS and I have rarely been disappointed! The classes that have cost the most have been my favorites! To get this much time with an instructor like you on my time schedule is soooo worth it! I love that I can do this class at 7 a.m. Or 11 p.m.!! Don’t let the negative price comments get you down, most of us understand what a true value this is and that you don’t set the price for your own class. Can’t wait till Oct!!!
Becky certainly has a significant voice in the price – what she receives per student from the class fee.
All of the 4 expert classes have been $99 to my knowledge so I don’t know if she does. But either way, once you see the content, you’ll be thinking wow, this is ONLY $99???
Exactly – I’m taking Stacey’s 12 class and it is so worth the money which was much more than Becky’s class price.
This class sounds very interesting and challenging; I think each student will get more out of it than she puts into it. On a per-class basis, $99 is cheap. For those on tight budgets, $99 is steep. Compared to live classes through events such as CKU, $99 is uber-cheap. With the holidays approaching, $99 is steep.
It seems like such a shame to me that the cost is $99. With unlimited enrollment, the number of students is quite likely to be enormous.
The quantity of gallery uploads will likely exceed Becky’s time for critiquing, limiting the opportunity for feedback. Even if Becky did no other work for these twelve weeks, focusing 100% on the class, time will be insufficient.
I don’t think anyone needs to feel sorry for Becky. She has over 30,000 followers on facebook, so even if a fraction sign up for her class, she is going to do just fine. I would rather take my $99 and invest it in “cultivating a good life.” I don’t need anyone to tell me how to do that.
Just signed up super excited , wasn’t going to miss this for the world!!!! Agree the price at first seemed a little in the high side , but for 3 months of coaching from Becky, really it’s a small price to pay and I’m happy and willing to pay it.
Really hope the feed back left here is ” constructive” and well meaning. Let’s not forget how much time and effort Becky puts into scrapbooking which we all benefit from. She gives so much to this community every week, and for that I want to say a great big thank you !!!! Bring on October !!!
P.s loved the intro slide show and welcome message …. Poor Claire ooouch
I don’t think that it’s about anyone feeling that the the value of Becky’s class is not worth $99. For me, I don’t have $99 right now. School is starting (clothes, shoes, supplies), and I just bought many of the Project Life plastics, core kit, and binder. Sort of shot my memory keeping budget for now. I would LOVE to take the class and I’m disappointed that that it is out of my reach right now. I had been looking forward to it!
P.S. I recently finished another Big Picture class, Kidding Around, a journal based activity for children. It was $30 and I balked at that!
There is nothing wrong with stating that $99 is too much for someone to personally pay for a class. I see there are many positive comments like: I’d love to, but it’s not in my budget – which isn’t insulting just honest and disappointed that you can’t join in. But to say it’s not worth it is insulting.
I am new at Big Picture Class, is there anyone who will send me a refer-a-friend-code? Thank you
http://www.bigpictureclasses.com/register.php?refer=ACE0FAD5
Thank you
Thank you!!!
I am amazed at how many people are commenting about the price of her class. Didn’t Becky just share with us all on Tuesday that she is dealing with challenging and difficult issues in her life? I really don’t think that she has the time, interest, or energy to think about how a $100 price tag is affecting all of us. If it works into your budget, great, sign up and enjoy the class. If it doesn’t work into your budget, then don’t purchase the class and enjoy the countless and FREE ideas and inspiration that Becky shares with us on an almost daily basis. Part of cultivating a good life is being grateful for what you have and NOT focusing on what you don’t have.
You said exactly what I was going to. Freedom of speech doesn’t mean you have to use it. To say something “isn’t worth it” – especially when it’s referring to someone’s time – is pretty harsh. Comments and suggestions are okay, but criticisms just don’t need to be there. She is a professional that deserves to get compensated for her time and efforts.
If you look at the price and convert it to an hourly wage, that $100 is 10 hours for an hourly wage of $10 per hour. Depending upon where you live, it could be $5.00 per hour and 20 hours. This class is 12 WEEKS long. Now I’m sure she isn’t going to be working a 40 hour week in this class, but I’m positive she’s probably put in at LEAST 20 hours already in prep, most likely quadruple that or even more. THEN she’s got to be available for all the classs materials.
I think it’s a deal. I might not be able to sign up because it’s possible that my budjet will be too tight, but that has nothing to do with Becky. That has to do with me.
I’m praying that the concept of sewing and reaping will kick in here. Becky gives allot of herself for free, and I’d love to see her rewarded for that.
It gets a little bite silly when people are trying to defend the price tag on the class, people have the right to express their thoughts. And I think people have done it in a good way. (and mayby even silly that I comment on their comments)
Actually I think Becky is a professional business woman that can take this I must say very mild critique. All successful business people listen to their costumers. That doesn’t mean that she price will change but maybe next time the price tag will be lowered or at least stay the same instead of being larger.
It seems like people forget that “Project life” is a successful business from which (I hope) Becky is making lots of money. Becky’s class at Big Picture is probably part of the plan for her whole business, the class will defiantly help her promote the product “Project life”.
I hope you, Becky, don’t take it personal. The brand “Becky Higgins” is not the same as the person “Becky Higgins”.
I think your products are great Becky! I love the concept of Project life! But I do think 100$ for a class that will probably make me use more of your products are a little bit to much.
No offense, I even think you are doing a great job as a business woman and wish you all the best!
I am very excited about this class….I am a scrapbooker but I want to use project life for my daughter for her ‘school year’ books and I’m a little nervous how to get started. She will be in first grade so I’m already behind a year. But I really want to get this started. Will this class be beneficial to doing that even though she will be in school for about a month and a half before the class starts? Also, working full time plus with my daughters dance and gymnastics in the evenings, will I still have access to all the class materials. If I miss a chat will I still be able to view to content?
I’m very excited and I believe I will sign up….but just have a few questions first!
Hey Lindy… YES! You can definitely use this class and what you learn for your daughter’s school album. A little bit of prep work now will save you frustration later… take a minute each day to jot down something she did or said each school day…. (not a whole paragraph, don’t think journalling… think memory jogging SENTENCE! pictures too if you think about it, not posed prepared pictures…. her practicing, doing her homework… even a picture of your vehicle or getting gas (since you’re doing all that running!). Project Real Life is about just that, the details of your (or her) real, every day life… the good, the bad, the mundane and the exciting!! Enjoy the class!!! And yes, you’ll be able to access all the materials, and usually the chat transcripts are available too.
Yvonne
While I cringed at the price, I looked at it this way- I can afford to take the class, even though this limits the rest of my scrapping budget the rest of the year, but I know I won’t regret the things I learn in this class. Reading Becky’s blog and switching to using Project Life for my day to day memory keeping has already made me know that. I tend to keep my house more picked up, I pick up my camera more often, I embrace more creative projects, I find more adventures to tackle, and I put more effort into getting into pictures myself because I can see on a daily basis what my life looks like through my albums now.
So while this means money is a bit tight, and my move will be chaotic, it’s going to be worth it if it even gives me more ideas for cultivating a good life for myself.
One question for you Becky- according to BPC, the exclusive journal cards will be given out right around the start date for the class. I am literally moving a week before the class starts, do we know how early things will be shipped out? Will we be able to change our address or anything to make sure I can get these cards?
I’m wondering the same thing! I actually move from Australia to the USA THE DAY BEFORE the class so am wondering if the cards can be sent a week later. If not, no big deal – I can get them sent to my MIL in the states and have her mail them to me.
Make sure you stock up on PL products before you come over its very very hard to get stuff over here in Australia. I’ve been waiting 4 months already on I have friends who have waited longer.
Kuddos to Just My Opinion…
I have been amazed at how affordable Becky has kept Project Life. $25 dollars for an entire year of scrapbooking papers/supplies? Seriously? Kuddos to her and her people for keeping it so affordable. I think that is something that they tried so hard to do, and with the popularity of the product, they could have easily jacked up the price. And yet, they didn’t.
The other huge problem with social media…just because you think it, you don’t have to post it!
ALso, met Becky personally this Spring at a local restaurant here in Utah. So overwhelmingly kind. SO down to earth. She chatted with me and my little girl. Afterwards my little girl commented, “Wow, mom. Are all famous people that nice?” Funny.
Let’s keep things positive folks. She obviously is going through a hard time. She and Stacy Julian obviously felt that was an acceptable price for the class, it sounds wonderful! And she gives so much to us for free! Let’s keep the positive comments coming!!!!
I told my DH that this class is what he can get me for my birthday this year!
Now please hurry up and tell us about the baby and childhood goodies!! I have a box of scrapbooking stuff that I would love to get rid of but I have to be 100% sure I’m no longer into traditional scrapbooking. Baby stuff is my last hang-up.
You are correct, Allie! Those $10 vouchers are great! I plan to use one I’ve already earned to make this an $89 class. Also, you don’t have to be new to Big Picture to use the Paperclipping discount code. It just has to be the first time you’ve used the code in 2012. This is a great class to use it on. Somebody also pointed out that if you use Paypal, you can charge it to Bill Me Later and make payments.
I understand some people truly can’t afford to take this class or simply have other priorities, and that’s fine, but I’m amazed at the uproar here over the price. This is a business, folks! And all of the 4 Experts classes have been at least $99 or more. The amount of content remains to be seen since we haven’t taken the class yet and Becky is probably still in the process of creating content. The value will be subjective for each individual, and that is a chance you take every time you sign up for any class.
How do I do the “Bill me later” option in Paypal? I did a search on the Paypal site and it didn’t come up. Perhaps the poilcy is different for Australia.
WOW, I cannot believe some of the comments I have been reading. I understand giving a review on something, but shame on you ladies for not having the decorum to put it in the right place or in a positive manner. People usually post on other review sites like Yelp. Whine to BPC. Not to mention, that NO ONE has actually taken THIS course to give an accurate critique. The very fact that some of the more insulting comments have not been deleted is a credit to Becky. I have not enjoyed nor found the tone from the negative comments helpful. Someone commented that Becky uses feedback, well from this feed back why would she even want to ever do another class? Obviously taking online classes is a choice!!! What we each value and are willing to pay are our own choices!!! Have any of you ever heard Becky give a critique on anything ie..despairing its value? I believe she deserves the same respect from all of you who read her blog.
That would be “disparaging it’s value”
I have to admit I thought $99 was a little steep, but based on everything I’ve ever seen that Becky Higgins has been a part of- it’ll be worth that $99 and then some. Plus, if that’s what they charge for the other expert classes, then that’s what they charge. Unfortunately, it’s out of my budget. Maybe I’ll set up a payment plan for myself and then sign up.
This works out to be little over $8 a class. That is about lattes. I’m in. I will go through paperclipping to get the coupon!
Interesting enough I have been very lucky to be a part of one of the other 4Experts class and the caliber of the class, content and delivery is extremely high. As a long time BPC member I really enjoy the range and quality of the classes they offer. Many of them are very affordable and there are even some that are free.
When I first heard about the price initially for the 4 experts class I thought I would not be able to take the Twelve class with Stacy Julian that I wanted, but when I worked it out over time as someone mentioned above and the class equated to an extremely affordable and manageable amount if I put bits away.
This is just my opinion, I feel that if you are avid readers and followers of Becky and her amazing advice and ideas, you already know that the caliber of her class (even though it is her first online class) is going to be outstanding, just as all the other 4Experts class have turned out to be.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I completely understand that it seems very steep but from my experience what you take away in skill, ideas, confidence and friendship from Big Picture Classes like Becky’s and the other 4Experts classes will be priceless. If it is possible, give it a go. If not keep it as an idea for the next time and start saving.
Thank you Becky for making the big decision to offer an online class, I very much appreciate the chance to learn from you as I missed the opportunity to meet and learn from you when you were in New Zealand. Go have a wonderful class and I’ll be making one suggestion to Mum and Hubby for my birthday/Christmas present – your class! Hope to meet you soon.
Kind regards Karen.
Before I decide , I would like to know the amount of video contents we are going to get with this class.
Will we get videos every week?
I prefer online classes that are loaded with video tutorials , like “The Art of Observation” by Heidi Swapp. That class was worth every single penny I’ve paid.
All signed up for class and awaiting Oct 4th very impatiently!
To any aussies thinking about signing up check the rate first you might just end up paying less!
Hi Becky
I have a question. I have done PL in the past, but I am not currently doing it. Will this class be as useful to someone who isn’t doing PL right now? Will the ideas translate over to traditional layouts? If not that is fine, just wanted to know.
Sidenote: I love BPC and your class is priced on par with the others. I don’t think it is fair for others to berate you because they can’t afford the class. You have shared tons of great free ideas here that I have incorporated into my home.
[...] Have you got your seat yet? It all starts October 4.All the fun details can be found HERE. [...]
4Experts classes at BPC are WELL worth their price tag. You get access to materials forever, chat transcripts are available even if you miss one, and the best part is you get up close and personal with the instructor to ask them YOUR questions and you benefit from all of the interaction on the message boards. At first sight, $99 sounds steep. But if this class if anything like any of the other 4Experts classes, the per-class breakdown makes it affordable and its something you won’t regret afterward. So much content, information, and interaction!
While I’m not sure if I can afford the class at this time, I know I am going to try as hard as I can to save the money for it because, in my opinion, it is excellent value.
As has been pointed out, $99 over 12 weeks is just over 8 dollars a week, which is extremely affordable for classes in the scrapbooking industry. We all know that Becky never does anything half-heartedly, so we know every piece of content is going to have her heart and soul into it.
Plus, there will be exclusive Project Life cards – not just in digital, but in hard copy as well – that we don’t have to pay any extra for. No postage or anything. Sounds like a great deal to me.
[...] sure to consult my big Q+A post if you have questions about Project Real Life. Super packed with helpful [...]
What day will the class fall on and what time? I would love to take this class but I do have a few commitments that I can’t change.
What day and what time will these classes take place?
Debbie — I think it’s mostly whenever you have time to check in. I think there are a few live chats, but mostly it’s whenever you choose to participate…
Yippeeeee!! Just signed up!! Happy birthday to me!!
I think 99 dollars is totally worth it if there’s video(s) every week ….online class to me has got to be video classes otherwise is an e-book. I hope I won’t be disappointed with this class…
I’m still debating whether I should sign-up for this course….
I’m doing PL (new to it) & I’m enjoying it very much.
However Im single & stay on my own.. It would be great to know if the materials of this class have a portion that dedicates to single ladies who do not have a child or staying with their family
Best regards
I don’t think it’s devaluing BH’s work by saying that it’s out of budget. Her work is top notch and, like many other things, also out of realm of my budget right now. I waited this long to see if maybe we caught a “break” somewhere that would allow me to sign up…. but, sadly, no.
‘Hope that everyone enjoys the class
[...] 2. If you’re wondering about something that perhaps I do not address in this post, it’s quite likely that I’ve already answered the question in another post. I strongly encourage you to read this one. [...]
[...] p.s. If you have questions about Becky’s class, I would encourage you to read the Q+A posted on her blog! [...]