Struggling to get started with your business writing? A solid outline might be the solution.
WHY IT MATTERS: A clear outline helps you organize your thoughts. It improves your message clarity, and keeps you focused on the key message. It’s the roadmap that keeps your writing on track.
Here are the steps I use for my writing (including this post):
- Step 1: Start by identifying the purpose. Am I informing, persuading, presenting a solution, or recapping? In this case, I am presenting a solution.
- Step 2: I stay reader-focused. Whether it’s my students, staff, or a client, I tailor my message to their needs, their interests, and their concerns. I stay reader-focused.
- Step 3: Organize my message into 3-5 main points. This makes your writing clear and easy to follow. I like the Rule of Three, so I shoot for that.
- Step 4: For each main point, include data, examples, or reasoning to support your argument. I like analogies for this because they drive home the idea in our minds.
- Step 5: Summarize the key message and end with a clear next step for your reader. I usually do this with a BOTTOM LINE and NEXT STEP.
PRO TIP: Keep your outline simple. It’s there to guide you, not to complicate your writing process. See my example below.
BOTTOM LINE: An outline helps you stay clear, concise, conversational, and consistent. This ensures that your writing hits the mark every time.
YOUR TURN: Take this idea for a spin. I don’t always use each part, but this is my outline template. Maybe it’ll help you:
TITLE: Depending on the medium, I’ll do this or not.
HOOK: Start with a thought-provoking question or statement to grab attention.
WHY IT MATTERS: Explain the value.
STEPS/INFORMATION:
– Step/Bullet 1
– Step/Bullet 2
– Step/Bullet 3
PRO TIP: Practical tip.
BOTTOM LINE: Summary.
CALL TO ACTION: What’s the next step?