From nothing to published.
STEP ONE: DECIDE
Who reads this, and what should they be able to do afterwards?
Write that down before starting.
STEP TWO: GATHER YOUR SPECIFICS
What do you know that a general source does not? Examples, figures, experience, mistakes.
Rough notes are enough.
STEP THREE: ASK FOR AN OUTLINE
"Produce an outline for an article on [topic] for [reader]. Descriptive headings. One line on what each section covers."
STEP FOUR: EDIT THE OUTLINE
Remove sections that say nothing. Add what is missing. Reorder so the most useful part is not buried.
STEP FIVE: WRITE SECTION BY SECTION
"Write the first section from this outline. Here are my notes for it: [paste]."
STEP SIX: EDIT EACH SECTION
Cut the preamble. Add your specifics. Remove anything that could apply to any business.
STEP SEVEN: VERIFY
Every fact, figure, name and claim.
STEP EIGHT: READ IT AS A READER
Does it answer what the title promised?
THE FINAL TEST
Remove your business name. Could a competitor publish it?
