Because thinking outside of the box is unstructured, it can can lead to “swiss-cheese solutions”–answers that have holes in them–things that we just didn’t think of in our unstructured thinking. So I find that using structured tools relieves the stress of checking to make certain that all bases have been covered.
Content Development Tool
Ironically using boxes makes it easier to think outside the box. I use this content development tool to make sure that I have considered a topic from every direction before I start getting it ready for any audience. This tool works equally as well for planning an interview, a brand, an article, a small meeting, or a major presentation.
Purpose/Getting Attention: What does my audience want to know?
- What are my main points and ideas?
- __________________________________________________
- __________________________________________________
- __________________________________________________
- __________________________________________________
- What facts and details support them?
- __________________________________________________
- __________________________________________________
- __________________________________________________
- __________________________________________________
Presentation/Keeping Interest: How is it that I will show and tell them?
- How will it look?
- __________________________________________________
- __________________________________________________
- __________________________________________________
- __________________________________________________
- How will I say it with simple elegance?
- __________________________________________________
- __________________________________________________
- __________________________________________________
- __________________________________________________
Brand YOU/Reader Satisfaction: Why will they be glad they listened?
- Analysis, predictions, interpretations
- __________________________________________________
- __________________________________________________
- __________________________________________________
- __________________________________________________
- What value-added will leave my audience feeling satisfied?
- __________________________________________________
- __________________________________________________
- __________________________________________________
- __________________________________________________
Whether you’re inside or outside of the box, you need to know the what, how, and why of the information you’re offering any audience about any topic. That’s why I’m sharing this tool before we begin talking about getting ideas and solving problems.
I use it all of the time. It’s here now, if you need it.
–ME “Liz” Strauss
Related articles:
Got the Idea. Now What Do I Do with It?
Editing for Quality and a Content Editorââ¬â¢s Checklist
Introducing Power Writing for Everyone
Why Dave Barry and Liz Donââ¬â¢t Get Writerââ¬â¢s Block
You are my (not so) secret weapon.
Thanks for the tipsheet.
Hey you,
You don’t need me. You do fabulous without me. I’ve seen everything you do. You are a star!
Liz
Hmmm, I like swiss cheese …
Very ironic post, Liz – using boxes to live outside of a box 🙂
Hey, you should turn that form into a PDF file and offer it for free – a good value-added product from an SOB. I put my hand up to do it for you.
Thank you, Martin,
I’ll take you up on that. I’ve got a bunch of checklists raising their hand for a chance to be your friends as well. They like you a lot too. 🙂
Liz
Will do. I’ll send you a PDF file when I get it done probably tonight (my time) / your morning.
Now that’s blogging to a core: meeting of minds, quick decisions and something gets done – all within miutes – gotta love it 🙂
Martin,
Are you saying that such things would not happen in the corporate world of mainstream media?
In the corporate world of anything?
In the corporate world?
I’m laughing too hard to keep typing.
Liz