By Sogi Chukwuanu
Writing a non-fiction book can be daunting, especially for busy entrepreneurs who feel they don’t have the time or resources to devote to such a large project.
But what if I told you there was a simple way to outline your book that would save you time and energy and make the writing process much less overwhelming?
In this blog post, we’ll explore a straightforward approach to outlining your non-fiction book, with actionable tips, strategies, and valuable pointers to help you get started.
A teaser: I’ll be sharing the same strategies that all of WBR’s authors use to get their books on track and maximise their writing (or speaking) efforts.
Let’s dive in.
Step 1: Brainstorm the chapters
The journey to writing a business book always begins with a good old brainstorming session. This allows you to lay out a mental picture or a rough sketch of what the final product will look like.
Identify the major topics that will form the chapters of your book. Each chapter should represent a specific theme or a major point that contributes to the overall subject of the book.
Action points for brainstorming your book’s chapters
a. Define your core message: Start with a clear statement of what your book aims to convey. What are the key takeaways for your readers? This message will guide the entire brainstorming process.
b. List key themes and topics: Write down all the topics that are vital to your book’s core message. Don’t filter these ideas just yet; the goal is to consider everything that might be relevant.
c. Ask critical questions:
– What background information does the reader need first?
– What are the main arguments or ideas that you want to discuss?
– What unique perspectives or solutions are you providing?
– What are the logical steps a reader should follow to understand or implement these ideas?
d. Use mind mapping: Utilise mind mapping tools to visually organise your thoughts and the connections between them. This technique helps you see how topics can evolve into chapters.
e. Select major topics for chapters: Based on the mind map, select the most substantial topics that will effectively carry your core message across. These topics will become the chapters of your book.
Step 2: Create a table of contents
Once you’ve worked out your chosen topics, it’s time to organise them into a coherent sequence that makes navigating through your book intuitive and logical.
Action points for creating your table of contents
a. Arrange chapters logically: Determine the best order for your chapters. Begin with foundational concepts and progressively delve into more complex ideas.
b. Decide chapter titles: Craft clear and concise titles for each chapter that reflect the content and hook the reader’s interest. If you’re not happy with your chapter titles at this stage, remember you can always come back to edit them later.
c. Evaluate the flow and cohesion: Ensure that there is a logical progression from one chapter to the next. Each chapter should build on the previous one and prepare the reader for the next.
d. Adjust as necessary: Modify chapter titles and sequences as you refine the table of contents. This step may require several iterations until you achieve a smooth flow.
Step 3: Fill in the outline structure
Now that you’ve created a comprehensive table of contents, the next step is to develop a detailed blueprint for each chapter by outlining specific sections and key points.
Action points for filling in the outline structure
a. Break down each chapter: For each chapter, list the main sections, sub-sections, and key points that you plan to cover. This detailed structure acts as a scaffold that you will flesh out during the writing phase.
b. Ask section-level questions:
– What is the objective of this section?
– What are the essential details or arguments that need to be included?
– How will this section help achieve the chapter’s goals?
– Are there any supporting data, quotes, or case studies that need to be included?
c. Incorporate engaging elements: Plan where to include stories, anecdotes, data visualisations, diagrams, and calls to action to make the content engaging and actionable. If you’re working with an editor, they should be able to offer more suggestions around this.
d. Revise for depth and breadth: Review the outline for each chapter to ensure that all necessary aspects of the topic are covered comprehensively and precisely.
Leveraging AI to outline your book
While these steps will help you create your book outline in less time, there are ways to further streamline and enhance the process. Over the past few months, the WBR team has been brainstorming new ways to drive efficiency using AI and automated processes.
That’s why we partnered with Cliobooks.ai, the world’s first AI-powered business book creation platform. With this tool, you can answer a few cues or prompts about your book (like who your target audience is and the key topics you’d like to cover) and then get a table of contents created in under ten minutes.
While introducing AI into your process can often feel overwhelming, there are a lot of benefits to enjoy, such as:
- Efficiency: Speed up the book creation process using AI-driven tools that minimise manual organisation tasks.
- Convenience: Create and modify your book outline on the go using simple prompts and commands.
By following these actionable steps or utilising tools like ClioBooks.ai, you can develop a solid outline that lays the foundation for a successful and engaging book.
Remember, writing a book is a journey, and outlining is a way to set a clear map for that journey. Embrace the process and enjoy the satisfaction of seeing your ideas come to life in a polished and compelling book that inspires your readers!
If you’d like to find out more about how our team of professionals can help you bring your book to life, book a free Clarity Call here.