We love to store stuff.
- We pay storage unit fees for years
- We keep downloads indefinitely
- We dedicate drawers to storing junk
When we finally face our storage, we are thrilled when we find something we can actually use.
Like business writing outlines.
Remember those?
Training Wheels for Writing
Somewhere in your educational past, you were probably taught how to create outlines.
For some people, the exercise was painful.
- When do you use alphabetical versus numeric?
- Was that Roman numerals or Arabic?
- Capitalized or lower case?
That experience may be the reason you stuffed those outlines in storage.
Outlines are the training wheels for better business writing.
It’s okay to admit we still need them.
Benefits
We are going to unlock the virtual storage unit that holds our training wheels and strap them back on.
Even professional writers who have been free-wheeling for years benefit from outline training wheels.
The following are a few of the benefits of a business writing outline.
Puts your focus on the journey
Remember the first time you tried to ride without the training wheels?
- You worried your way through each wobble
- Your focus was on your balance instead of where you were going
Bet you crashed that first time. Me, too.
With the training wheels, the time was all about the journey.
Outlines focus you on the business writing.
Helps speed you along
Boy, you sure could fly with those training wheels on.
Outlines speed up the writing process.
- You organize your thoughts
- You map out your destination
- You navigate the bumps and holes
An outline improves your productivity.
How to Create
Now that you dragged your outline out of storage, let’s make sure it’s in good working order.
This is your writing tool, so the design is up to you. No one is going to grade you on it.
Start by answering these three questions.
- What is your topic/theme?
- What’s your objective?
- Who is your ideal reader?
Example:
- Topic: The introduction of new strategy for increasing sales
- Objective: Demonstrate thought leadership through education, resulting in new leads for your business
- Ideal Reader: Small business owner
The post, Why Do We Make Writing So Complicated, offers the following tips.
- Think of your topic – your product, your service – whatever
- Create a list – write down words that pop in your head related to your topic
- Free form – do not edit yourself – let the words flow
- Group the words – group words that seem to belong together
Give your grouped words form.
The following is an example for this post.
Form Example:
Introduction: Outlines are like training wheels for business writing
Benefits:
- Provide focus
- Improve productivity
- Organize thoughts
- Map out direction
- Identify gaps, inconsistencies
How-to: Tips for developing – use example
Share Your Plan
Sharing your outline with clients ensures everyone is on the same page.
Okay, you may need a bit more form for sharing; however, most clients won’t quibble over the proper format.
Ensure the shared document is ~
- Well-organized
- Easy-to-follow
Click on this link for an example.
Dusting Off the Cobwebs
Every time I skip this process, I regret it.
Using outlines focuses me on the writing, provides a plan, and improves my productivity.
Clients appreciate receiving them.
Do you use outlines? What is your process?
Storage unit image credit: BigStock Photo
Training wheels image credit: BigStock Photo
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Outlines are a useful tool, Cathy. I often use them to plan articles so that I don’t forget anything. They are usually bare-bones but they do the trick.
Bare bones work. That’s what mine are like, unless I’m sharing them with a client. Then I get a bit more detailed.
We only use outlines for projects- not for writing. Now that I’ve made that statement, our reports always follow a specific format- which could be considered an outline, in a generic sort of way.
My (technical) books never were written via outline (ok, I can hear you saying- we figured that out, too…), except that I knew the chapters (not their order, just the titles)…
I was NEVER a fan of outlines- and, yes, I was required to produce same- under great duress until I escaped elementary/secondary school.
I agree with Roy. I hate outlines. On the other hand, I think I use numbers and bullet points in my writing as outlines for people reading. I also think in terms of chapters even if I don’t write them down or know exactly what is going to fit where until later. I do like to be reminded of the purpose that I write. Thanks, Cathy.
I don’t use outlines as such. I do create a 10 word purpose and an ideal reader, then I make a list of x number of things about the purpose that must be said and go from there. Similar in many ways.
Whatever works for you, Roy. You obviously don’t suffer for it. 🙂
Just your own special form of outline, Anne. I always said you were an original. 🙂
Sorry, Ann (Mullen)-for some reason you got dumped in spam. 🙂
I’m a big believer in doing what works best for you. Me? I work better with an outline. It’s usually just bulleted words (unless I’m sharing it with a client). Just enough to organize my thoughts.
Thanks for sharing your view, Ann.
Interesting and valuable topic. When I took English 1A in college the instructor beat it into us to make an outline for anything and everything, so by the time I had completed her class I was so tuned to making an outline for almost everything it has become second nature. Excellent post. Chuck
Thank you, Chuck. I’ve rescued you from the spam folder so hopefully you won’t have that problem again.
It’s nice to hear from someone who supports the idea of outlines. I really do think they make me more efficient. Thanks for stopping by and your perseverance. 😉
I love outlines. I rarely skip them. It can be anything from a rough article outline (where I just lay out the title, subheadings, and list info) to index card outlines for e-books to 60-80 page book outlines. I’d never get any writing done without them. 🙂
Thank goodness, Jenn. I was beginning to think I was standing alone on this one. 🙂