product factory
Step 5: Develop Your Content with a Table of Contents 

The table of contents provides the consumer with a framework to understand what content is to be provided, and creates a way to organize the material to ensure that you’re covering all the key points. It also allows you to then break down the content development into manageable sections. If you’ve already created a strong, workable framework for “delivering your story” (as discussed in lesson 4) it will be a simple exercise to craft a table of contents. Whichever role you choose for delivering your story (lesson 3), the consumer will perceive you as an expert at presenting the information and your table of contents should be well organized and professional. Whether you choose to use only main titles or to include section titles and either a brief synopsis or bullet points about the included content, the consumer should be able to quickly and easily scan the table of contents in order to gain a general understanding of the key points and main concept.

WRITTEN EXERCISE:

  • Write a first draft of your table of contents. Remember that the table of contents is simply an outline of the material you’ll cover.
  • Next, using the draft of your table of contents, begin to develop the content further by listing beneath each heading or subheading, a brief synopsis or key points which will be covered.
  • Then, use the table of contents you’ve just created to fully develop your content. Don’t let this step overwhelm you. It’s actually a series of steps. Break it down by heading/sub-heading into manageable pieces.
  • And remember, start by creating a schedule for completion of the first draft of each section. Remember how important your habits of commitment making and fulfilling are. 
  • If you’re stuck, go to your local bookstore or library and read through the table of contents in 10-20 books in a similar area as your product (even if you’re not writing a book). 

That’s it for today! 

Now go out there and produce!

ABOUT THE EXPERTS: Michael Port is the Leader of The Think Big Revolution, a membership club of over 750 big thinkers and an internationally known marketing and business development expert for entrepreneurs and creator of Book Yourself Solid, The 7 Keys To Getting More Clients Than You Can Handle.Mitch Meyerson is a visionary and the creator of many critically acclaimed books and programs that have sold well over 100,000 copies in 21 languages, including the Guerrilla Marketing Coach Certification Program.