--- name: micro-course description: "Creates bite-sized micro-courses under 30 minutes with focused learning objectives and immediate application exercises." allowed-tools: Read Write Glob metadata: author: matthewhitcham version: "1.0" --- # Micro-Course ## When to Use This Skill Use this skill when you need to: - Create a short, focused course that teaches one specific skill in under 30 minutes - Build a lead magnet or tripwire product that delivers quick value - Design a mini-course module for onboarding, training, or upsell purposes - Produce a bite-sized learning experience with immediate application **DO NOT** use this skill for full-length courses, multi-week programs, or content that requires deep exploration. This is for tightly scoped, single-outcome learning under 30 minutes total. --- ## Core Principle A MICRO-COURSE TEACHES ONE THING SO WELL THAT THE LEARNER CAN APPLY IT WITHIN 10 MINUTES OF FINISHING — DEPTH ON A SINGLE SKILL BEATS BREADTH ACROSS MANY. --- ## Phase 1: Brief ### Required Inputs | Input | What to Ask | Default | |-------|------------|---------| | **Skill to teach** | "What one specific skill should the learner walk away with?" | No default — must be provided | | **Target learner** | "Who is this for and what do they already know?" | Beginner solopreneur | | **Total time** | "How long should the entire course take? (10, 15, 20, or 30 min)" | 15 minutes | | **Delivery format** | "Video lessons, text lessons, or audio?" | Text with visuals | | **Purpose** | "Is this a lead magnet, paid product, onboarding module, or standalone training?" | Lead magnet | ### Brief Template ``` ## Micro-Course Brief **Skill:** [Specific skill] **Learner:** [Who they are, what they know] **Time:** 15 minutes total **Format:** Text-based with screenshots **Purpose:** Lead magnet to grow email list **Outcome:** Learner can [specific action] immediately after completing ``` **GATE: Confirm the brief before proceeding.** --- ## Phase 2: Structure ### Micro-Course Architecture Every micro-course follows this 4-part structure: ``` 1. HOOK (10% of time) — Why this skill matters right now 2. TEACH (40% of time) — The core concept or framework 3. APPLY (40% of time) — Guided exercise the learner does immediately 4. BRIDGE (10% of time) — What to do next, link to deeper resource ``` ### Module Breakdown For a 15-minute micro-course: ``` Module 1: The Problem (1.5 min) - One specific pain point the learner recognizes instantly Module 2: The Method (6 min) - 3-5 steps or one framework - One example showing the method in action Module 3: Your Turn (6 min) - Guided exercise with a template or fill-in-the-blank - Learner produces a tangible output Module 4: Next Steps (1.5 min) - Quick recap of what they learned - One immediate action item - Bridge to your paid offer or deeper content ``` **GATE: Present the module breakdown for approval.** --- ## Phase 3: Write Build the complete micro-course content for each module. ### Writing Rules - **One concept per module** — if you need a sub-heading, you are covering too much - **Short paragraphs** — 2-3 sentences max - **Action verbs** — "Open your spreadsheet" not "You might want to consider opening..." - **Concrete examples** — every concept needs one real example, not a hypothetical - **Exercise instructions** — step-by-step, numbered, impossible to misinterpret ### Exercise Design The application exercise is the most important part. Follow these rules: - Learner must produce something tangible (a draft, a list, a template filled in) - Provide a template, worksheet, or fill-in structure - Include a "done" example so they know what good looks like - Time-box the exercise ("spend 5 minutes on this, not 50") ### Content Per Module ``` ## Module [N]: [Title] **Time:** [X minutes] **Objective:** [What they learn or do] [Content: 100-300 words depending on module] **Key takeaway:** [One sentence summary] ``` --- ## Phase 4: Polish ### 1. Completion Experience Design what happens when they finish: - Congratulations message with specific praise for what they built - Recap of the one skill they now have - CTA to the next step (share their result, join a community, buy the full course) ### 2. Delivery Checklist ``` ## Micro-Course Delivery Checklist - [ ] Total time is under 30 minutes (ideally 10-20) - [ ] Each module has one clear objective - [ ] Application exercise produces a tangible output - [ ] Template or worksheet is included - [ ] "Done" example is provided for the exercise - [ ] Bridge section connects to next offer or action - [ ] No jargon — a beginner can follow every step ``` ### 3. Lead Magnet Optimization (if applicable) - Title follows the formula: "How to [Result] in [Time]" - Landing page headline matches the course title exactly - Email opt-in delivers the course immediately (no delays) - Follow-up sequence: thank you → check-in at day 3 → pitch deeper offer at day 5 --- ## Example 1: "Write Your First Email Welcome Sequence in 15 Minutes" ``` Module 1: Why Your Welcome Email Matters (1.5 min) Module 2: The 3-Email Welcome Formula (6 min) - Email 1: Deliver the thing + set expectations - Email 2: Share your story + build trust - Email 3: Present your best offer Module 3: Write Your 3 Emails (6 min) — fill-in template provided Module 4: Hit Send This Week (1.5 min) — schedule in your ESP ``` ## Example 2: "Price Your Service in 10 Minutes" ``` Module 1: Why Most Freelancers Underprice (1 min) Module 2: The Cost-Plus-Value Formula (4 min) Module 3: Calculate Your Price Now (4 min) — spreadsheet template Module 4: Announce Your New Rate (1 min) ``` --- ## Anti-Patterns - **Cramming a full course into 30 minutes** — micro means one skill, not a survey of ten topics. Cut ruthlessly. - **All teaching, no application** — if there is no exercise, it is a blog post, not a course. - **Vague exercises** — "Now try this on your own" fails. Provide a template and example. - **No bridge to next step** — a micro-course without a CTA wastes a warm audience. - **Over-produced delivery** — a micro-course does not need Hollywood production. Clean text or a simple screencast works. - **Teaching prerequisites** — if you need to explain background concepts, your scope is too wide. Narrow the skill. --- ## Recovery - **Skill too broad:** Ask "What is the smallest useful piece of this skill?" Narrow until it fits in 15 minutes. - **User wants 60+ minutes:** This is a full course, not a micro-course. Redirect to course creation or break into 3-4 micro-courses. - **No obvious exercise:** Ask what the learner should be able to DO. Build the exercise around that action, then teach backward from it. - **User unsure of purpose:** Default to lead magnet. It is the most common and highest-ROI use of a micro-course.