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Writing Outlines: What You Need to Know Before You Write Your EbookAlthough this article is about writing outlines, this is lesson three of a series on how to write an ebook. As part of the lesson plan, I recommend that you sign up for the free email course on how to write an ebook, so you can follow along with me, since these materials will be referenced as a part of the lessons. If you haven't already signed up for the free five day Infoproductsautoresponder course, please send a blank email to (Before you send off your email, please make the word MASTERS is in the subject line or you will not receive the course.): Free Five Day Infoproduct Masters Course and print out the emails. Writing Outlines for Your Ebookby Laura RamirezThis article covers the process of writing outlines, which is annecessary step in the process of writing your ebook. In the last lesson, we covered brainstorming ideas for your ebook,polling your subscribers and checking your idea againt the 10 pointreality checklist to determine whether it's marketable. Before we continue with writing outlines, let me ask ... Did you take these steps? Did you survey your subscribers or hang out innewsgroups to find out what people who are interested in your subject mostwant to know?(I know that some of my students took my advice and surveyed theirsubscribers. I know this because I subscribe to their newsletters.) Remember, in order to write an ebook that will SELL, you need to givepeople the information they want to know. In this issue, we'll learn about writing outlines. Maybe you've already startedyours. If you did, please STOP! Yes, STOP! Before you go any further, I want you to think about yourfollowup … about writing this ebook AND your next! Gee, this just project just became infinitely more complex, right? Wrong! Why? Because in business, everything should be designed with an eye toward the future. So before you start writing outlines, think about your follow-up book. Thisbook could be the lead-in to your next book and the next and the next! Creating two products simultaneously is too detailed for the lessons presented here, butyou can read all about in Monique Harris and Ken Evoy's book, Make Your Knowledge Sell!.If you haven't bought your copy yet, you'll wantto do so. In MYSS! Ken and Monique tell you how to develop two productssimultaneously and give you a 16 point checklist against which to evaluateyour ideas to make sure they're realistic before you put all the work into writing outlines and an ebook. More than that, you'll get a resource of 186 places on the net to promoteyour book. In addition, Ken has written a supplement about how to sellyour reprint rights. This is an exclusive report that's not availableanywhere else on the net. Okay, you've picked your subject, you've evaluated it against the 10 PointReality Checklist and have passed with flying colors. Now it's time to learn how to start writing outlines. If you already have experience writing outlines, then go for it. If you needsome help, check out the sample templates in "Make Your Knowledge Sell!"Anyone can write outlines using these templates, even if you've never thought of yourself as a writer. Not only will you find easy-to-fill-in templates, but you'll find some unique "brainjump-starting" techniques that will help you connect with the writer inyou. Even if you do consider yourself a writer, you should still consult thetemplates for ideas. They provide a foundation on which to build a solidinformation product. Divide your subject into sections, write a headline for each section witha few notes, quotes or directions for developing the content. Think of writing outlines as creating the skeleton of your ebook's BIG IDEA. In addition to developing your idea, you might want to have a foreword,introduction, tips section, tools section, final comments, etc. Ofcourse, the scope of the outline depends on the topic that you select. Your ebook might be a series of tips about a selected topic or youmight examine one idea. If you really, truly don't think of yourself as a writer, then write aresource book -- something like, "Save Big Bucks by Planning YourAfrican Safari on the Web." Essentially, this could be an ebooklet of links andresources with a short description of each link. I suggest that you start by writing outlines for your book. Yes, that's plural.Write at least two outlines. Once you've played around with writing outlines for your book, put them away for a day and then come back later. Add new ideas. Discover which book outline really speaks to you, then tweak it to make sure that one idea spills intothe next. Is anybody out there already writing outlines for their book? If so, send it tome and I'll publish it in this section as a guide for other budding ebook authors. Once you're happy with your outline -- the skeleton of your book -- beginto flesh it out. In the next lesson, we'll talk about putting some meat on the bones of your outline. Happy writing! Best regards, Laura Ramirez Author/Publisher/Ecommerce Site OwnerAbout the author: Laura Ramirez is the author of two books Keepers of the Children and Keepers of the Children Companion Workbook/Journal, the owner of Kokopelli's Treasures, an online specialtystore offering southwestern lighting and decor and the author/publisher of FamilyMATTERS! which features articles on conscientious parenting and the coreissues that today's parents face. She also is the author and webmaster forSelf Publish Ebooks. Write Ebooks Didn't find exactly what you were looking for? Search the web below:
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