I try to write good content, but since a lot of my writing is done for clients, deadlines are important; I try not to miss them! One way to produce good quality content quickly is to use outlines, they help you stay on track, and they can help a lot if you have to write a great deal of short pieces on the sames subject, as for example in article marketing campaigns or web page content.

Outlines are useful in every type of writing, my own method of writing relies on them, and a good outlining tool is readily available in MS Word (which is still the standard used my many writers) I seriously suggest you become familiar with it.

Here’s a video which will give you a great overview.  Take a look, and when you’re done we can talk about what why an outline is helpful and how to use it. Don’t think that outlines are only for books. Anything you want to write, maybe with the exception of a tweet, can benefit from the use of an outline.

An outline is essentially  a plan or blueprint for the piece you are going to write.  It is ideal for articles, blog posts, essays, ebooks, books and information products. You can use an outline for both fiction (as in the example above – A Tale of Two Cities) and non-fiction.

Information Products

To get started, consider what you are going to write. Lets say it’s an information product with information on how to do something.

All writing consists of two basic parts

Deciding what to write

Choosing the words.

These are independent functions. A lot of people try to do both at the same time, but if you want to make the writing process really easy, it’s best to separate them, in fact since they involve a different type of thinking, one analytical and organizational and the other creative, you may find it best to split them completely and do them on different days.

With an information product you can begin by just writing down bullet points. What do you think your product should contain?

I’m working on a short pamphlet at the moment about how to make a decorative wreath to hang on your wall or door. I start out with my title

How to Make A Decorative Wreath.

Now I know what my reader needs to know.  Everything needs an introduction and conclusion, but what does the mid part of my product contain? All ‘how to’ information follows much the same plan, you discuss what you need to do the job and then go through the process step my step. At the end you may discuss where you can find the supplies you need, or you may choose to have that section at the beginning. In short ‘how to’ you may only have one set of step by step instructions. In a long ‘how to’ you may have a section on general technique that can be used in many projects (in my case this can be wiring flowers, cutting stems) and then a number of different project ideas which are then layed out step by step. Here’s an example:

How to Make A Decorative Wreath

Why you would want to do this (The Introduction)

Decoration

Foundation of other decorations

To give as gifts

to sell

Supplies you will need for all projects

Techniques which are generally useful

Individual projects

A Christmas Wreath

Specific supplies needed

Suggested color schemes/ideas

Step by step instructions

How to Use

Tablecenter

Door

Wall

A Thanksgiving Wreath

Specific supplies needed

Suggested color schemes/ideas

Step by step instructions

How to Use

Tablecenter

Door

Wall

An Easter Wreath

Specific supplies needed

Suggested color schemes/ideas

Step by step instructions

How to Use

Tablecenter

Door

Wall

Conclusion

Spend time thinking about what needs to go into your product and get together all the information you need. You’ll find the process of writing is much simpler, because the outline is telling you what you need to say. There’s no need to be intimidated by the blank page.

The Advantages of an Outline

Use of an outline will make your writing faster, but it will also improve the quality of what you produce.  In commerce there is a simple motto, find out what people want, then sell it to them. The problem is that many people sell what they want to sell, not what people want. A case in point, a swimming pool is a hole in the ground which is expensive to run and time consumming to maintain. It can even reduce the value of your home. Sensible pool vendors don’t sell swimming pools, because that’s not what people want, they sell a luxury vacation lifestyle, or a status symbol, which is something quite different.

Writers face the same problem. Good writing is filled with what the reader wants to know, NOT what the writer wants to say.  When you prepare an outline you spend time thinking about what your reader needs to know, your writing is tighter and more focused.

Use of an outline is important. Your writing will be faster, cleaner and better as a result.