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Podcast: Download (Duration: 2:58 — 2.7MB)
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Highlights in this episode:
00:27 – My Simple framework you can use to plan your course
00:45 – Using the popular ‘4mat’ format
01:18 – Why keep it under 12 minutes?
01:34 – The module format in action
02:19 – Today’s action step – Start your very own course module
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Transcription:
James Schramko here with a business tip and this one is going to help you create information products or to create courses for your customers even if they are consumer guides or paid products.
So, I put out a lot of products, usually one per month at a minimum, and many people come to me and say “James, do you have a template or framework for creating an information product?”, and the answer is YES I do.
The Framework Of Designing A Powerful Training Course
So here’s my process. I rule up a big whiteboard into a grid and it is the “product outline board” and it simply has columns which are the Course Intro, then Topic 1, Topic 2, Topic 3, so on and so forth, and in the end is the course summary. And then down the page, I simply have Introduction, WHY, WHAT, HOW, What IF, and this is using the popular “4mat” format.
So we want to explain with each module the introduction to the module. Why do we need to know this? What is it? How do we do it? and What about this or what about that? – covering off objections. And then you have a summary. Summary should be the “action steps” after each module. So if you use this format, then you are going to have information modules that are useful to people.
Designing A Powerful Training Course
The 12 Minute Principle
I recommend if you’re using videos or audios that you keep them under 12 minutes, that is the maximum. Two to twelve minutes is ideal. Short modules get high retention. And now if you want people to actually learn things, keep it short and finish on an “action step”.
Start Your Very Own Course Module Today
Now let’s run through this with this particular training module right now. So the introduction is I’m going to tell you about my training format. Why do you need to know this? Well, it’s going to make creating products much easier for you in the future. What do you do? You create a whiteboard with modules that you fill out so that you know exactly what each module is going to look like in advance.
How do you do it? You simply rule up the whiteboard, fill in the squares and then create your modules according to the plan. Now what if you’ve never done it before? Don’t worry, you can always ask me a question right near this video. You’ll find it gets easier and easier the more you do it. And then of course you have the action steps. The action step today is to go and rule up your whiteboard into a grid using the format supplied and create your first module.
Come back and post how you went. I’m James Schramko and I’d like to hear from you.
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Cool 4mat tips James. Will certainly give this a try!
Recently I discovered the video encoding & hosting solution Wistia and I just wanted to let people know that if they are creating a course this seems to me to be the best video hosting solution since Wistia videos can easily be viewed from an iPhone/iPad as well.
Cheers
Totally agree – Wistia is the best for video training. I use it and LOOOOVE Wistia
Fabulously helpful and “to the point” information as usual James. I’m about to start writing my first course using this method. Will also have a long overdue look at Wistia. Cheers.
Anthea I am sure your course will be awesome!
A genius at work. Solid info… thanks James!
Thank you Gideon
Great tip and very timely for us as we build out our programs!
Is a classic formula and I’m sure you’ll do really well with that
Almost perfect timing. I’m 3 modules deep into a 11 part video course and I’ve been winging it so far. But I’m going to make some changes and adjust to this format. Thank you James.
Awesome! Iterate on the fly – love that
This is a great formula! I have created a few products myself and was struggling a bit finishing one now but this should help.
wow that is excellent Gengis
It also looks like a good format for taking notes when trying to learn a new subject.
works well if the training was put into that format to start with :)
Thanks James, am currently creating my first product and life is much easier after watching this
Excellent Casey!
You should be charging people for this blog post, it’s been very valuable to me. Thanks
James
I certainly paid a lot top learn this. Thank you for your kind comments.
James you are truly an inspiration, the simplest, most productive and informative ever. thanks
Thank you Elmer?
Just re-discovered this post due to your recent interview/podcast with Business & Bootstrapping. I’m thinking this format will also work well on an excel spreadsheet for those of us without a colossal white board! James – what’s the maximum amount of modules your recommend? 10? or “until the training is done”? Thanks again.
Keep it manageable. Force yourself go be effective with ten or less modules
That’s awesome….haha my old podcast :)
Wow James, I put a heap into developing a course and can see in five minutes that I can make major improvements by simplifying it! Cheers!
Fantastic result Jason! Have fun
Glad that I found this website. As Internet marketers most of us think of building our own products but for some reason it seems very hard. Maybe it is because we want it perfect. That seems the case with me. Though I make money regularly having my own successful product is the way to go. C’mon help us succeed. Thx.
Well now you can help yourself
Hey James I’m working on an training course for my Kickstarter consulting/podcast to coach aspiring crowdfunders through launching successful campaigns. My question: screencasts vs being on camera vs slideshows/whiteboard with voice overs? Would love to hear your thoughts as a pretty experienced expert.
BTW thanks for being on my old podcast months ago. Really appreciated your honest feedback.
Hi Matt, use the medium that is going to move people better ie: make it engaging and someone consuming the training should be able to get results. You can also mix the formats up. Also a consideration is to choose a method that is more likely for you to execute (low friction). Always give your audience multiple modalities, video, audio, text and images will appeal to different learning styles.
Damnit James :) You’re always so freaking on top of it, super speedy in your responses and spot on in amazing advice.
Thanks a bunch for your feedback and help, its much appreciated.
have fun creating!
That was very helpful and practical. I am looking at producing a course and I am just getting an idea of what this will look like. Thank you!
perfect timing then! Enjoy
Nice but can you actually give us a sample of the template filled out? Because im trying to follow and its not easy for me..
Hi KC, I have several examples inside SuperFastBusiness membership where I help people get their own courses done. I went through an example at SuperFastBusiness Live 10 as well. http://www.superfastbusiness.com/membership