We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Rebecca Cuevas. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Rebecca below.

Hi Rebecca, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

The most innovative thing I’ve done in my career is developing the Course Design Formula®, a comprehensive methodology that bridges the gap between traditional instructional design and the unique challenges of online learning. This formula isn’t just a set of guidelines; it’s a transformative approach to course creation that integrates cognitive science, learning theory, and digital pedagogy.

What makes the Course Design Formula® innovative is its ability to systematize the complex process of creating effective online courses while still allowing for creativity and personalization. It provides a structured framework that helps course creators:

💡Analyze their content and break it down into learnable chunks

💡Align learning objectives with appropriate assessment methods

💡Design engaging activities that promote deep learning

💡Leverage multimedia elements effectively without cognitive overload

The formula also incorporates cutting-edge research on how the brain processes information in digital environments, ensuring that courses designed with this method are optimized for online learning.

Perhaps the most innovative aspect of the Course Design Formula® is its adaptability. It can be applied to a wide range of SUBJECTS and learning goals, from simple skills training to complex professional development programs. This versatility has allowed me to help clients in diverse fields create impactful online courses, from art therapy to engineering.

As my community and I have discovered through deep exploration of the formula over the course of many years, it can also be applied at any SCALE. The formula works to help you create a single media item, a lesson, a course, an online academy, or an entire learning-infused business.

The formula works not just to create formal courses per se, but to innovate a COURSE OF ACTION. It serves as a highly effective and efficient problem-solving tool that can be applied across a wide range of activities, from job hunting to making life decisions.

By creating this formula, I’ve not only innovated in my own career but have also provided a tool that enables others to innovate in their respective fields through effective online education. It’s a ripple effect of innovation that continues to expand as more educators and entrepreneurs apply these principles to their own course creation efforts.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Rebecca Cuevas, Founder and CEO of Learn and Get Smarter, Inc., and the author of “Course Design Formula: How to Teach Anything to Anyone Online.” My journey into the world of online education began with a passion for teaching and a background in cognitive science and learning design.

After years of teaching in classroom and workshop settings, I recognized the immense potential of online learning to democratize education and empower individuals worldwide. However, I also saw a significant gap between the promise of online courses and their actual effectiveness. Many online courses, despite being visually appealing or technologically advanced, failed to deliver meaningful learning outcomes. This realization sparked my mission to revolutionize online education by grounding it in solid learning science principles.

At Learn and Get Smarter, we provide a range of services and products designed to help experts, entrepreneurs, and educators create online courses that deliver truly transformational learning experiences. Our flagship offerings include:

1. The Course Design Formula® Master Course: An intensive, cohort-based program that teaches participants how to design, develop, and deliver high-impact online courses.

2. The Streamlined Course Creation Course: A self-paced program for those who want to quickly create effective online courses without compromising on quality.

3. Consulting Services: Personalized guidance for businesses and individuals looking to develop custom online learning solutions.

4. The “Course Design Formula” Book: A comprehensive guide that distills our methodology into an accessible format for self-study.

What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to the science of learning. While many in the online course space focus primarily on marketing or technology, we prioritize creating courses that deliver deep, transformative learning. Our approach integrates cognitive science, instructional design theory, and multimedia learning principles to ensure that every course we help create is not just engaging, but truly effective in facilitating learning and behavior change.

We solve several key problems for our clients:

1. Translating complex expertise into learnable content
2. Designing courses that maintain engagement and motivation in online environments
3. Ensuring knowledge retention and practical application of skills
4. Maximizing the impact of online courses on learners’ lives and careers

I’m most proud of the ripple effect our work has created. By empowering experts and entrepreneurs to create effective online courses, we’re indirectly impacting thousands of learners worldwide. Every time a client successfully launches a course designed with our methodology, more people are gaining access to high-quality, transformative education in more areas of human experience.

What I want potential clients and followers to know is that at Learn and Get Smarter, we’re not just about creating courses – we’re about changing lives through education. We believe that when done right, online learning can be a powerful force for positive change in the world. Our mission is to equip course creators with the knowledge and tools they need to make that vision a reality.

We’re also deeply committed to ongoing innovation and improvement. The field of online learning is constantly evolving, and we stay at the forefront by continually researching, testing, and refining our methods. When you work with us, you’re not just getting a static set of guidelines – you’re joining a community of lifelong learners dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in online education.

Lastly, I want people to know that we practice what we preach. Every product and service we offer is designed using the same principles we teach. This means that when you learn with us, you’re not just gaining knowledge – you’re experiencing firsthand the power of well-designed online learning.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

At Learn and Get Smarter, our approach to client engagement and brand loyalty is deeply rooted in community building, continuous learning, and mutual support. Our strategy has evolved organically, particularly in response to the challenges posed by the pandemic, and has become a cornerstone of our brand identity. Here’s how we keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty:

1. **Weekly Community Meetings**: Nearly four years ago, we initiated weekly live Zoom meetings focused on thriving with online courses and businesses during challenging times. What began as a response to uncertainty has blossomed into a vibrant community gathering. Over 260 participants have contributed to these sessions, creating a dynamic “think tank” where creative experts from diverse fields share insights, favorite books, business tools, and problem-solving strategies.

2. **Fostering Synergy and Support**: Our weekly meetings have become a rich tapestry of mutual support and idea exchange. Participants bring “hot seat” problems, and invariably, someone in the community can offer a solution or connect them with the right resource. This collaborative environment has turned challenging times into opportunities for growth and insight.

3. **Cultivating Deep Connections**: The community we’ve built has fostered deep friendships, some of which have extended into the “real” world as members discovered they lived near each other. This sense of belonging and connection has been crucial in maintaining engagement and loyalty.

4. **Facilitated Exploration**: As the facilitator, I provide the space and guide the interaction using what I playfully call my “Mother Rebecca secret meeting facilitation sauce.” Without a formal agenda, this approach allows for organic, yet structured discussions that keep participants engaged and returning week after week.

5. **Master Course VIP Treatment**: For our Master Course students, we ensure they feel nurtured and valued, treating them like “hothouse flowers” given space to grow under carefully curated conditions. This special attention fosters a strong sense of loyalty and community.

6. **Mentorship and Role Modeling**: We encourage returning students in the Master Course to become mentors and role models for new students. This not only provides valuable support for newcomers but also deepens the engagement of long-term community members.

7. **Balancing Procedures and Options**: In the Master Course, we focus on teaching the procedures needed to implement the Course Design Formula®. In contrast, our Saturday meetings explore a wide range of options, frameworks, and methodologies. This balance, inspired by Shelle Rose Charvet’s work on language and behavior profiles, caters to different learning styles and keeps our content fresh and engaging.

8. **Continuous Learning and Exploration**: Community members regularly introduce new concepts, and we collectively explore influential works, such as Thinking in Systems by Donella Meadows and SCALE by Geoffrey West. Our shared commitment to ongoing learning keeps our community intellectually stimulated and provides continuous value.

9. **Creating a Positive Narrative**: By focusing on having “the best week possible” with support from brilliant colleagues and peers, we’ve transformed challenging times into periods of opportunity and growth for many in our community.

10. **Personalized Communication**: We maintain open lines of communication through various channels, including our private Facebook group, personalized emails, and prompt responses to queries.

This multifaceted approach has not only kept our clients engaged but has also transformed many into brand ambassadors. The deep connections formed, the continuous value provided, and the supportive environment we’ve cultivated have created a loyal community that extends far beyond traditional client relationships.

Our strategy demonstrates that true brand loyalty comes from creating a space where clients feel valued, supported, and continuously enriched. By fostering this type of community, we’ve not only weathered challenging times but have thrived, creating lasting relationships and a resilient, engaged client base.

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

While we don’t manufacture physical products at Learn and Get Smarter, we are in the business of creating high-quality digital products that transform lives through education. Our “manufacturing” process is unique and powerful, leveraging expertise, life experience, and cognitive science to produce impactful online courses.

The journey began with the development of the Course Design Formula®, which serves as our primary “manufacturing device.” This formula ensures that every digital product we create meets the highest standards of quality control. In the world of online learning, quality control means ensuring that our products effectively deliver the promised learning outcomes to our students.

It’s a common misconception that digital product creation doesn’t require significant investment. In reality, I’ve invested considerable time, money, and expertise in developing the infrastructure needed to “manufacture” our learning products and services. This includes ongoing research and development to refine our methodologies, as well as investments in various software platforms and tech tools.

Our “manufacturing” process relies on a carefully curated tech stack, which includes:

1. Thinkific for hosting courses
2. Camtasia for video creation
3. Vimeo and YouTube for video hosting
4. Articulate 360 for eLearning creation
5. Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite for basic file creation
6. Flipsnack for digital flipbooks
7. Wobo.app for fillable workbooks
8. Mentimeter for interactive presentations
9. Zoom for virtual meetings
10. OnceHub/ScheduleOnce for scheduling

Each of these tools plays a crucial role in our digital product creation process, allowing us to deliver high-quality, engaging learning experiences.

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned along the way is the importance of continual adaptation and learning. The digital landscape is ever-changing, and staying current with the latest tools and best practices is crucial. I’ve also learned the importance of choosing tools that integrate well with each other, creating a seamless workflow.

Another key lesson has been the power of community in the manufacturing process. Through our weekly meetings and collaborative environment, we’ve created a think tank that continually contributes to improving our “manufacturing” methods. This collective wisdom has been invaluable in refining our processes and products.

Ultimately, what I love most about our approach to “manufacturing” is the empowerment it provides. Using nothing but our minds, expertise, and the right digital tools, we can create products that genuinely change lives. It’s a testament to the transformative power of knowledge and the incredible potential of digital education.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.learnandgetsmarter.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/coursedesignformula
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccafcuevas/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1bbgPitLc1Cn5b1fo9tMUg/videos
• Other:
  Book: https://www.amazon.com/Course-Design-Formula-Anything-Anyone/dp/1732782318Media page from my website: https://www.learnandgetsmarter.com/media-kit/Results: https://www.learnandgetsmarter.com/results-2/