From Content to the Written Word

It would be arrogant to suggest that I know how you should write your manual. Everyone has their own writing protocol and style. Because people are paying for your information and not your writing style, you can just about do anything you want. I write like I speak and my writing style is just me saying in my head what I would be saying out loud…and then just getting it down on paper.

You already know that I like to write in a comfortable atmosphere with some distraction—mostly outside and mostly on the water. Just find what works and don’t do what doesn’t. But just write.

I know speakers who like to write a little bit each day for their manuals. Or when they see a concept for their manual, rather than throw the keyword in their source file, they actually write out that section. I prefer to block out a chuck of time and write continuously until I the manual is finished. (my sore left wrist is evidence of that this week) Just find a method that works and just write.

I can’t recommend what to write and where to write, but I’m willing to share a “how to write” strategy that’s enabled me to produce 4 manuals in less than 2½ years and this manual in less than 7 days. If after examining my strategy, you have a better one—great! Use it—and use it right now! But if you have no idea “how to write” a manual, try this strategy until you discover something better.

Ok, here goes…

·       Decide a topic (not a title—that’ll come to you along the way) In this case, the topic was “how a professional speaker can develop and market an educational manual for huge profits.” It’s specific enough that it has a purpose and general enough to go in many directions.

·       Brainstorm a list of every conceivable general concept that would make your manual valuable to someone else. What do you know that they’ll need to know? General concepts for this manual included:

- why a manual

- how to get content for a manual

- how to write a manual

- printing and packaging

- selling from the platform

- pricing

and several others. Make your list as long as possible. You can always cut later.

·       Get a legal pad and write the general concept on the top of a page—once concept per page. Don’t worry about order. Now go through each concept and brainstorm as many sub concepts as you can and make a bullet list. Again, don’t worry about order. Just brainstorm. Here’s a brainstorm list for one of the concepts for this manual.

General Concept – Packaging

Sub Concepts –

- Shrink wrap

- Carry home bags

- Covers

- Color

- “Pile” theory

…and many more. Because you’ve organized your outline by general concepts, you can add more sub concepts whenever one pops into your head.

When you have brainstormed a list of sub concepts for each general concepts, you have an outline for your manual. It’s not comprehensive because I guarantee you’ll think of some more general and sub concepts along the way. Don’t worry whether something is a general or sub concept. Just write it somewhere in your outline so you won’t forget about it.

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