How to Finish Off a Mini Book Outline That Practically Writes Itself

(This is a chapter of my Amazon #1 Best Selling Book, Mini Book Straitjacket: How to Finish Your Non-Fiction Draft in 7 Days or Less. If you missed the previous editions of this newsletter you can click HERE.)

You are almost done outlining.

You've got your chapter titles. You've outlined 3 points. Now it's time to tighten up the straitjacket all the way.

It's time to drill down into the sub-points of your outline.

3 Sub-Points Per Point

Under each point of your chapter, you'll outline three sub-points per point.

This gives you nine sub-points (and potential H3 headings) per chapter. This enhances the structure and learning for the reader but keeps the scope limited.

In the end, the reader feels they went on a journey and made a ton of progress.

Just like points, these sub-points can be things other than straight sentences.

You can use lists, frameworks, processes, or choices as sub-points. These sub-points should also be top of mind and almost stupidly obvious, just like the main points. It's leading the reader on a straightforward journey while filling in the pot holes in their mind.

You should focus on giving your reader a smooth ride.

Sub-points are Nuances

The sub-points provide a great opportunity to develop your points.

You could make a point in one sentence, but that would be like a tweet. A reader has picked up this mini book, hoping to achieve a new level of understanding. If you deliver some nuances to your points, the reader will have a richer experience.

There are several different types of nuances that come to mind:

• Stories
• Lessons
• Tips

Stories

Stories are your secret ingredient.

No one has lived your life or can tell your stories. By sharing your experiences, you make even the most generic information your own. Without your stories, your words are meaningless.

A sub-point of your point could be focused on a story of yours.

You can also share other people's stories.

Whether testimonials from customers, case studies, historical references, or even quoting modern works. You can use other people's stories to drive a point home. Within the Mini Book Straitjacket, you'll have to share a story in just a few sentences.

Even a short story can be powerful.

Lessons

Lessons learned from your trials are extensions of your stories.

They are often the most powerful part of the book. It shows a point to be true without simply stating it. When you share what you tried and the lessons you learned, it not only makes the information uniquely yours but also builds your authority.

This authority, even if lessons were learned in failure, is what will propel the reader to try things you suggest in your book.

In the Mini Book Model, I shared how my "small" book about Adjuster Resumes sold better than the legacy non-fiction book it was a part of.

That story lends credibility to me because I've written both types of books. It also lends credibility to the idea that mini books can sell better than a big book. With this lesson, I can bridge multiple hurdles in just a few sentences.

That is the power of lessons that you can mix into your sub-points.

Tips

There are a lot of smart people in the world.

You can provide advice and tips to help your reader accomplish the point they are working on. Everything doesn't have to be original from you. Your POV (point of view) is the originality that the book needs.

Helping your readers succeed is the greatest gift you can give.

By adding tips from other places, you are helping them in their journey and helping them achieve success with your book. If you are helping them understand how to create time in their life to accomplish something, sharing the 80/20 (Pareto Principle) and how it could help them is a great sub-point. Use a combination of information, stories, lessons, and tips to fill your sub-points with valuable information.

Empower your readers with the tools they need to succeed.

Clarification

Sub-points are also meant to offer clarification.

While you could communicate everything in a single point, the reader may still have questions. Had I left this chapter without any sub-points, it might not have been clear that stories, lessons, and tips are different kinds of sub-points that add nuances to your point.

This kind of clarification helps the reader see the path to success.

Bridging Gaps

The reader already has some understanding of your topic.

Your job is to bridge the knowledge gap from where they are to where they want to be. Sub-points are the mental scaffolding that a reader may need to swing from one bar to the next. Your job is to build this mental playground.

Keep each learning point close together so they don't slip off and close the book.

Highlighting Differences

Sub-points are where you can show differences.

If there are differences of opinion on a topic, or different features in an email marketing software, sub-points allow for that alternative point of view without confusing them. Keep these conflicting views to a minimum unless it is completely necessary and beneficial to the reader. Remember, your single POV (point of view) must be the thread through the entire book.

Don't be afraid of the other opinions, just be sure your POV stays in the spotlight.

Dominos

To experience a transformation, readers must shatter their old beliefs.

It's not a single point, sentence, or story that changes their mind and actions, but a rapid series of belief-breaking and replacing. My readers used to think they needed to spend $16,000 or have a publisher select them, then spend years writing 50,000 words.

Point by point, sub-point by sub-point, I deconstructed that myth in the Mini Book Model.

Like dominos, each new belief helps knock down the next one that they need to believe.

Russell Brunson of ClickFunnels talks about the Big Domino. What is the one big domino your customer must believe is true so that if they believe that all price, competition, and everything else falls away and they choose you? Your book is tackling the one big domino.

Both your points and sub-points act as smaller dominos, gaining momentum to bring about that transformation.

Action Step: Choose 3 Sub-points Per Point

Determine what your three sub-points are for each point in each chapter.

Once you've done this, you'll have a fully completed outline and be ready to begin connecting the dots of your outline. (some call this writing) Your outline should look something like this:

Chapter 1: Promise to the Reader

1. Title
2. Subtitle
3. Cover

Chapter 2: Choose Structure

1. W's
2. Sequential
3. 10 Problems

Chapter 3: Points

1. Choose 3
2. Top of Mind
3. Exceptions

Chapter 4: Subpoints

1. 3 Per Point
2. Nuances
3. Clarification

Chapter 5: Connect the Dots

1. Appetizer
2. Meat and Potatoes
3. Dessert

Chapter 6: Get Your First Draft Done

1. Set a Time
2. Get Accountable
3. No Blank Page

Chapter 7: Finishing Your Book

1. Conclusion
2. Introduction
3. Lead Magnet