---
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.
