Your Expertise Is Messy. That's Normal.
Here's something nobody tells you about course creation.
You probably know too much.
Years of experience, dozens of mental connections, countless "it depends" situations—all swirling in your head. Turning that into a clear, linear curriculum feels impossible.
I get it. I've been there.
But here's the good news: there's a process. And by the end of this article, you'll have a framework to organize any topic into a logical, learnable structure.
Let's do this together.
Phase 1: The Brain Dump (Don't Skip This)
Before you organize, you need to externalize. Get everything out of your head and onto paper (or screen).
How to Do It
Set a timer for 30 minutes. Write down everything you could possibly teach about your topic.
Don't organize. Don't judge. Just dump.
Include:
- Core concepts and frameworks
- Step-by-step processes
- Common mistakes people make
- Tips and tricks you've learned
- Stories and examples
- Tools and resources
- Vocabulary and definitions
- Advanced techniques
Write in fragments. Use bullet points. Don't worry about order.
The Goal
You should end up with 50–100+ items. Seriously. More is better at this stage.
If you run out of steam, prompt yourself:
- "What do beginners always get wrong?"
- "What did I wish someone told me when I started?"
- "What questions do people always ask me?"
Phase 2: Grouping (Find Your Modules)
Now the organizing begins.
Step 1: Look for Natural Clusters
Read through your brain dump. You'll notice items that belong together.
Maybe you have 8 items about "setting up your workspace" and 12 items about "the actual workflow." Those are modules.
Step 2: Name the Clusters
Give each group a working title. These will become your modules or weeks.
Don't overthink the names yet. "Module 1: Getting Started" is fine for now.
Step 3: Aim for 4–8 Modules
Most courses work best with 4–8 major sections.
- Fewer than 4: Content might be too thin, or modules too dense
- More than 8: Students may feel overwhelmed, or you're overcomplicating
If you have 12 clusters, see if some can combine. If you have 3, consider breaking one apart.
Phase 3: Sequencing (Find the Right Order)
Order matters. A lot.
Students should feel a sense of progression—each module building on the last.
The Logical Learning Sequence
Most courses follow one of these patterns:
Pattern 1: Chronological Follow the natural timeline of a process.
- Week 1: Planning
- Week 2: Setup
- Week 3: Building
- Week 4: Testing
- Week 5: Launch
- Week 6: Optimization
Pattern 2: Simple to Complex Start with basics, add layers of complexity.
- Week 1: Fundamentals
- Week 2: Basic Techniques
- Week 3: Intermediate Skills
- Week 4: Advanced Strategies
- Week 5: Troubleshooting
- Week 6: Mastery Projects
Pattern 3: Problem → Solution Address challenges in order of importance.
- Week 1: The Biggest Obstacle
- Week 2: The Second Biggest
- (and so on)
Pattern 4: Inside → Out Start with mindset/strategy, move to tactics.
- Week 1: Mindset & Goals
- Week 2: Strategy
- Week 3–5: Tactics
- Week 6: Putting It All Together
How to Test Your Sequence
Ask yourself:
- Does each module depend on knowledge from previous modules?
- Could a student skip Module 3 and still understand Module 4?
- Where might students get confused?
The best sequence minimizes "wait, what?" moments.
Phase 4: Breaking Down Modules (Create Lessons)
Each module should contain 3–8 lessons.
Lesson Length Sweet Spot
- Minimum: 3–5 minutes (any shorter feels insubstantial)
- Maximum: 15–20 minutes (longer loses attention)
- Sweet spot: 7–12 minutes per lesson
How to Identify Lessons
Take your module and ask:
- What are the distinct sub-topics within this?
- What steps are involved?
- What could be taught in one sitting?
Example Module: "Email Marketing Basics"
Lessons might include:
- Choosing an Email Platform (7 min)
- Setting Up Your First List (10 min)
- Writing Your Welcome Sequence (12 min)
- Creating a Lead Magnet (15 min)
- Designing Emails That Get Opened (8 min)
- Module Action Plan (5 min)
The "I Can Do This" Test
After each lesson, students should be able to do something they couldn't before.
If a lesson is just information without action, it might be filler. Cut it or combine it.
Phase 5: The 6-Week Template
Here's a proven template for structuring a typical course:
Week 1: Foundation & Mindset
- Set expectations
- Explain the "why"
- Cover essential prerequisites
- Get quick wins to build confidence
Goal: Students feel oriented and motivated.
Week 2: Core Skill #1
- Introduce the first major skill or concept
- Break it down step-by-step
- Provide examples and demonstrations
- Include practice activities
Goal: Students can do the basics independently.
Week 3: Core Skill #2
- Build on Week 2
- Introduce the second major skill
- Show how skills connect
- Address common mistakes
Goal: Students can combine skills.
Week 4: Core Skill #3
- The final major skill area
- More complex techniques
- Real-world application
- Case studies or examples
Goal: Students have all major pieces.
Week 5: Putting It Together
- Integration projects
- Troubleshooting common issues
- Advanced tips and optimizations
- Personalization for different situations
Goal: Students can apply skills independently.
Week 6: Launch & Beyond
- Final project or assessment
- Maintenance and ongoing growth
- Resources for continued learning
- Community and support options
Goal: Students feel confident to continue on their own.
A Real Example: Course on "Starting a Newsletter"
Let me show you how this works in practice.
After Brain Dump:
87 items about newsletters, email, content, growth, monetization...
After Grouping:
- Cluster 1: Deciding your niche (8 items)
- Cluster 2: Platform setup (12 items)
- Cluster 3: Writing content (18 items)
- Cluster 4: Growing subscribers (22 items)
- Cluster 5: Monetization (15 items)
- Cluster 6: Consistency & systems (12 items)
After Sequencing:
Week 1: Finding Your Newsletter Niche
- Why newsletters are powerful
- Choosing your topic
- Defining your ideal reader
- Your unique angle
Week 2: Setting Up for Success
- Choosing a platform (ConvertKit, Substack, etc.)
- Creating your signup page
- Writing your welcome email
- Setting up integrations
Week 3: The Art of Writing Newsletters
- Your weekly writing routine
- Subject lines that get opens
- Newsletter structures that work
- Editing and publishing workflow
Week 4: Growing Your Subscriber Base
- Organic growth strategies
- Social media promotion
- Cross-promotions and swaps
- Lead magnets that convert
Week 5: Monetizing Your Newsletter
- Sponsorship models
- Paid subscriptions
- Selling your own products
- Affiliate strategies
Week 6: Building Systems for Consistency
- Content batching
- Automating what you can
- Staying motivated long-term
- Measuring what matters
See how the messy brain dump became a clear path?
Common Structuring Mistakes
Too Much Content Per Lesson
If a lesson is 30+ minutes, break it up. Attention spans are short.
No Clear Progression
Each module should clearly build toward the final transformation. If a module feels random, it probably doesn't belong.
Skipping the Foundations
Experts often forget what beginners don't know. Include more basics than feels necessary.
All Theory, No Practice
Every module should include something students DO, not just watch.
Your One Small Win Today
Here's your assignment:
- Set a 30-minute timer
- Brain dump everything you know about your course topic
- Don't organize—just get it out
Tomorrow, you can start grouping. But today, just dump.
You'll be amazed how much you know once it's on paper.
Next Step: Once your structure is set, learn how to keep students engaged with Microlearning & Nanolearning—why shorter lessons lead to better results.