How To Write A Step-By-Step Tutorial That Helps Readers Get Results… FAST!
One of the most popular types of content you’ll create for your business is “How To” content. This includes your step-by-step articles, tutorials, and similar guides.
The first step (which is true of all these content “types”) is to ensure you’re creating something your audience wants.
Once you’ve confirmed it with your market research (Outside this course’s scope), you can use the following steps to create your content.
Here’s an overview…
Step 1: Determine Your Goal
Step 2: Detail Your Outline
Step 3: Develop Your Content
Let’s put a magnifying glass on each of these steps…
Step 1: Determine Your Goal
Before you even think about creating your “how-to” article or guide, you must figure out your aim. For this step, consider the following…
- What do you want your readers to LEARN? This is going to be the step-by-step process you teach. This is where the pedal hits the metal (where you offer real help to your audience).
- What do you want your readers to DO? You want your readers to do this when they reach the end of your content… it’s where you encourage and equip them to make the progress they desire.
Here are some of the most common actions you might want them to take…
- Apply what they’ve just learned.
- Read a related piece of content.
- Watch a related video.
- Purchase a related offer.
- Sign up for a related webinar.
- Share your content
- Request a free offer and join a list.
- Fill out a form.
For example… your readers are reading a piece of your content that teaches them how to train their dog to sit. And at the end of the content, there’s a link to a demonstration video you’ll want them to click.
It’s essential to define these two things upfront, as they’ll drive the development of your content.
Next…
Step 2: Detail Your Outline
Now you know what you want your readers to learn and do (knowing there’s a hot market), your next step is to start creating your outline. And since you’re sharing how-to content, you’ll organize it in a chronological step-by-step format.
In addition to sharing the process steps, you can add value to the content by sharing…
- Tips
- Mistakes
- Dos and don’ts
- Templates
- Questions
- Examples
For instance, your outline might look like this…
A. Introduction
B. Step 1.
- Details on how to complete Step 1
- Examples
- Tips for making it easier to complete this step
C. Step 2
- Details on how to complete Step 2
- Examples
- Questions to ask yourself before completing this step
D. Step 3
- Details on how to complete Step 3
- Examples
- Mistakes to avoid
E. Conclusion
TIP: The time you invest NOW in creating a detailed outline will keep your tutorial more focused and useful, plus it’s quicker and easier for you to write your content.
(believe me, I’ve been there, and it hurts).
As you’re developing your outline, keep these key points in mind…
Brainstorm Talking Points
Start developing your outline by brainstorming all the steps, tips, examples, mistakes, and other talking points. In other words, begin with what you know about the process… including any unique tips or ideas to make your content stand out from the crowd.
(Reminds me of a quote by Sally Hogshead… “Different is better than better”).
Research The Process
Next, you want to research talking points so you don’t overlook anything important. You can generate ideas by looking at…
- Bestselling Info Products.
- Tables of contents of popular info products.
- Sales pages for popular info products.
- Blog posts on a topic
- Social media posts on the topic
- Academic journals (see scholar.google.com).
IMPORTANT: Make sure you only gather IDEAS… do NOT copy anyone’s content.
Point Towards the CTA
You need to develop your content, so it naturally points to your call to action (CTA) at the end.
Example #1: If you want people to purchase an offer from you… create something that’s “useful yet incomplete.” The content is useful because it solves part of a problem, yet incomplete, so you can sell a related offer.
You offer FREE help in the content, and additional paid help that further explains or enhances the FREE content.
Example #2: If your goal is to get people to take action, be sure to offer detailed content with plenty of tips and examples so your readers can replicate the process. And at the end, give them suggestions for specific steps they can take to put the information into practice.
Now the last step…
Step 3: Develop Your Content
If you create a fairly detailed outline, it will be quick and easy to create the content itself. Keep these two tips in mind…
Craft Engaging Content
Your content will be more valuable if it’s engaging… keeping your readers “hooked” ’till the very last word. So, follow these tips…
- Tell relevant stories to connect with readers on a personal level.
- Inject humor… but do it sparingly
- Build anticipation at the beginning for what’s coming.
- Add value with tips, examples, infographics, etc.
- Offer something unique (stories, case studies, tips, examples, etc.).
- Share your content in a new way by creating a “formula” around your “how-to process” or using alliteration. NOTE: This lesson is an example of a tutorial using “alliteration” for each major step (determine, detail, develop).
- Develop your unique writing voice and a fresh take on the process whenever possible.
- Format the content for easy readability (e.g., be sure there’s plenty of white space).
- Make your content “Scannable” by emphasizing the most important parts with subheads, bolding, italics, bulleted lists, Johnson boxes, graphics, and similar techniques to draw the readers’ eyes to your message.
NOTE: Crafting engaging content is one of the “master keys” to becoming a successful info product creator.
Next…
Create a Compelling Title
Your title will help people decide whether to read your tutorial, so be sure to create an appealing, benefit-driven title, making sure your readers believe you really want to help them (and you do, right?),
E.G.,
- How to Housetrain Your Puppy in Three Easy Steps.
- The Step-by-Step Process for Selling Your Home In 30 Days.
- The Women Over 40 Weight Loss System.
Now it’s your turn…
Go forth and prosper!
