micro-course

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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]

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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

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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)

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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.

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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.