Abe Crystal, PhD
Co-founder of Ruzuku · Author of The Business of Courses · Host of the Course Lab Podcast
With a PhD in Human-Computer Interaction from UNC-Chapel Hill, Abe specializes in learning design and user experience research. As CEO of Ruzuku, he's helped host 75,000+ courses serving over half a million students worldwide. He also teaches seminars on educational innovation as an adjunct professor in the UNC School of Education.
Education, Experience & Expertise
PhD in Human-Computer Interaction
UNC-Chapel Hill
Specializing in learning design and user experience research
Author
The Business of Courses
Practical guide to building and selling online courses, published 2021
Podcast Co-Host
Course Lab Podcast
Weekly insights on course creation with co-host Ari Iny
Ruzuku Co-Founder & CEO
Since 2011
75,000+ courses hosted, serving 500,000+ students worldwide
Adjunct Professor
UNC School of Education
Teaching seminars on educational innovation
What I Believe About Course Creation
After helping thousands of course creators over 13+ years, these are the principles I've seen separate truly successful courses from the rest.
Transformation over Information
Students don't pay for content—they pay for the change you help them achieve. Every course should promise and deliver a meaningful transformation.
Simplicity Enables Excellence
The best courses aren't the ones with the most features or content. They're the ones that remove friction and help students focus on what matters.
Community Accelerates Learning
Learning is inherently social. When students connect with each other and with their instructor, they learn faster and stay more engaged.
Start Before You're Ready
The biggest mistake course creators make is waiting too long. A simple course that helps real students is infinitely better than a perfect course that never launches.
Published 2021
The Business of Courses
Everything I've learned from 10+ years helping course creators build successful online businesses. This isn't theory—it's the practical, tested advice that actually works.
- How to design courses that deliver real transformation
- Pricing strategies that reflect your true value
- Launch approaches from simple to sophisticated
- Building community that keeps students engaged
Course Lab Podcast
Weekly conversations with Ari Iny about course creation, learning design, and building sustainable online teaching businesses.
Why Most Courses Fail (And How to Build One That Doesn't)
Breaking down the core principles that separate successful courses from the 90% that never find their audience.
The Psychology of Pricing Your Course
Understanding value perception and how to price your course so students see it as an investment, not an expense.
From Expert to Educator: Making the Transition
Why being good at something isn't the same as being good at teaching it—and how to bridge that gap.
"If it was just about the information, you wouldn't need the online course in the first place. What makes courses special is the active facilitation—the interaction between instructor and participants."
— Abe Crystal, The Business of Courses