A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Create a Content Outline

A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Create a Content Outline

Riley Walz

Riley Walz

Riley Walz

Apr 20, 2025

Apr 20, 2025

Apr 20, 2025

man working - Content Outline
man working - Content Outline

When writing an article or blog, getting lost in all the ideas swirling around in your head is easy. You might even sit down to write, only to find your mind racing in a dozen directions. Creating a content outline before you start writing can help you organize your thoughts and clear your head. This guide brainstorm ideas for writing will help you understand the importance of a content outline and give you a step-by-step guide to creating your own.

One of the best tools for creating a content outline is the content outline template from the spreadsheet ai tool. This spreadsheet uses artificial intelligence to help you brainstorm and organize relevant information for your content outline.

Table Of Contents

5 Important Things Every Content Outline Must Have

man working - Content Outline

1. Set a Clear Goal for Your Content Outline

Every piece of content should have a purpose. Without a clear goal, you risk writing a “nice-to-read” post that doesn’t do anything for your reader or your business. For example, does your blog post aim to educate, inform, drive conversions, improve SEO visibility, or build authority? How to apply it in your outline: 

Start With a Short Sentence

  • Goal: “This blog post should help first-time freelancers avoid costly mistakes and download our free pricing checklist.” This keeps you focused on delivering what matters most.

2. Identify Your Target Audience

If you don’t know who you’re writing for, your message will either be too broad or completely miss the mark. Outlines should be tailored to a specific reader persona. 

What to include

What do they already know? What are they struggling with? What tone or voice would resonate with them? 

Example Audience Brief in your Outline

  • Audience: “Early-stage SaaS founders struggling with customer retention who prefer short, direct content and real-world examples.” This helps you decide what not to include and makes the writing sound like it was made for them.

3. Build Out the Main Sections

These are the “bones” of your content. Each heading represents a significant idea or theme you’ll explore. A logical structure helps the reader stay engaged, improves readability, and makes writing the draft easier and faster. 

Tip 

Use a mix of H2s (main topics) and H3s (sub-points, examples, or steps). 

Example

  • H2: Common SEO Mistakes Startups Make  

  • H3: Ignoring keyword research

  • H3: Publishing content with no structure 

  • H3: Forgetting internal linking. 

Pro tip 

You can use Numerous to automatically generate headline variations in a spreadsheet and sort by length, tone, or category to quickly build out your main sections.

4. Talk About Key Points Under Each Section

These bullets are the heart of the outline; they turn headlines into meaning. They give you direction when writing each section and ensure you don’t forget to include valuable insights. What to add under each section: 

Key points or arguments, Stats or quotes you want to include, Internal or external links, Transitions or story examples 

Example

  • H2: How to Set Freelance Rates

  • Talk about the danger of underpricing

  • Include an example of someone raising rates + outcome 

  • Link to pricing calculator 

Download our rate card template. This level of detail turns a basic outline into a near-complete first draft.

5. SEO Notes for Your Content Outline

If your content is meant to rank on Google, you need to match the reader’s intent, not just include a few keywords. What the reader is trying to learn or achieve, the kinds of results currently ranking, the Keywords, and the questions to answer.

What to Include in Your Outline

Target keyword(s) Search intent type (informational, navigational, transactional) Key questions to answer (from tools like Google’s “People Also Ask,” AnswerThePublic, or Numerous prompts)

Example 

  • SEO Notes Primary keyword: “freelance pricing guide” 

  • Intent: Informational Questions to answer: “How do I calculate freelance rates?” 

  • “What’s the average hourly rate for designers?”

Related Reading

How to Come Up With Content Ideas
How to Write Product Copy
What is an AI Content Writer
How to Name a Product
• How to Write Character Descriptions
• How to Organize Your Thoughts
• How to Write a Content Brief
• How to Be Productive

A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Content Outline

woman working - Content Outline

1: Define the Content’s Purpose

Before you write anything, you need to know why this content exists. What do you want your audience to do after reading it? How does it support your business, brand, or project? 

Ask yourself

Is this content meant to teach, sell, inspire, or entertain? What’s the main action you want readers to take? Where will it live: blog, landing page, email, social, etc.? 

Example 

“This article is designed to educate first-time freelancers on how to price their services and drive sign-ups for our free pricing calculator.” 

Tip

Write your goal at the top of your outline and refer back to it during writing to stay focused.

2: Research the Topic + Audience

You’re not writing in a vacuum. Understanding what your audience is searching for, struggling with, and talking about helps you create content they care about. 

How to Research

Google your topic and read the top 3–5 ranking articles. Check Reddit, Quora, and YouTube for common questions. Use AI-powered tools like Numerous to explore trending subtopics and FAQs by prompting: “List 10 common questions beginners ask about [your topic].” Identify knowledge gaps, emotional triggers, and misconceptions.

Tip 

Create a spreadsheet where you store these questions and use Numerous to organize them by theme, intent, or difficulty.

3: Choose a Structure That Fits the Topic and Goal

A good outline follows a format matching the content you're creating. Structure keeps readers engaged and helps you avoid rambling or repeating yourself. 

Standard formats

How-To Guide (step-by-step format) Listicle (e.g., “7 Mistakes to Avoid…”) Problem–Solution (ideal for case studies or lead magnets) FAQ-Based (great for service pages or educational content) Narrative/Story (useful for brand blogs or founder stories) 

Example

If you’re writing a “How to Start a Freelance Business” post, your structure might be: Introduction, 

  • Step 1: Choose a niche 

  • Step 2: Build a portfolio 

  • Step 3: Set your pricing. 

  • Step 4: Find the client,

4: Add Headings and Subheadings (H2s + H3s)

Headings are your content's roadmap. They help you (and your reader) stay on track and ensure your content flows logically. 

What to do

Outline your main sections as H2s. Under each, create sub-points or H3s to support the section. These should match both readers' expectations and the SEO structure. 

Example: 

  • H2: How to Set Freelance Rates 

  • H3: Understand your expenses

  • H3: Choose hourly vs. project-based pricing 

  • H3: Factor in taxes and software costs. 

Pro tip

You can use Numerous to auto-generate section headers based on a target keyword. 

Prompt

“Generate 5 blog subheadings that would naturally appear in a post titled ‘How to Price Freelance Projects.’”

5: Fill in Each Section With Bullet Points and Key Notes

This is where you map out your thoughts, data, and examples. It bridges the gap between a skeleton outline and a rough first draft. Include under each heading: The 2–3 main points I’ll cover, Any research, stats, quotes, or links, Stories or examples to support my point, Internal links or references to my other content, A CTA, question, or summary (if relevant)

Example

  • H2: Mistake #3  

  • Ignoring Taxes  

  • Many new freelancers forget to set aside 20–30% 

Tip

Use a separate savings account for taxes. Link to our free tax checklist for solopreneurs. With numerous. If creating multiple outlines for a content calendar, I can prompt: “Fill out three bullet points under each headline in Column A based on the topic and goal in Column B.” This speeds up bulk outlining significantly, especially for teams or agencies. 

How Numerous Can Help You Write Product Copy Faster and Better 

Numerous is an AI-powered tool that enables content marketers, Ecommerce businesses, and more to do tasks many times over through AI, like writing SEO blog posts, generating hashtags, mass categorizing products with sentiment analysis and classification, and many more things by simply dragging down a cell in a spreadsheet. With a simple prompt, Numerous returns any spreadsheet function, complex or straightforward, within seconds. 

The capabilities of Numerous are endless. It is versatile and can be used with Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets. Get started today with Numerous.ai so that you can make business decisions at scale using AI, in both Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel. Learn more about how you can 10x your marketing efforts with Numerous’s ChatGPT for Spreadsheets tool.

Tips and Examples You Can Use for Your Next Outline

person working - Content Outline

Use Templates for Repeatable Content Types

If you frequently create blog posts, YouTube scripts, case studies, or newsletters, you probably follow the same general format each time. Instead of starting from scratch, build reusable outline templates for each type. 

Bonus

Store these templates in a spreadsheet and use Numerous to auto-fill topics or section prompts across each template type. 

Write "Smart Bullets" (Not Just One-Word Placeholders)

You're already halfway to a finished draft when you write full-sentence bullet points under each heading in your outline. This speeds up the writing process and ensures clarity later. 

Keep It Lean—Not Overwhelming 

Outlines should guide your writing, not become a bloated task in themselves. Focus on clarity, not complexity. Avoid over-detailing if it will slow you down or cause decision fatigue. 

Match Outline Structure to Reader Intent

People read differently depending on what they’re looking for. If someone is skimming for quick info, use lists or short answers. If they’re trying to solve a problem, use a how-to or problem/solution format. 

Use AI to Brainstorm or Expand Sections  

Sometimes you’ll have a solid idea but feel stuck on subheadings or what to include under a section. AI tools like Numerous can help you get unstuck without leaving your spreadsheet. 

Related Reading

• AI Content Tagging
• AI-based Content Curation
• To Do List Ideas
• How to Make a Daily Checklist
• Generative AI Content Creation
• Blog Post Ideas
• AI Content Repurposing
• How to Use AI for Content Creation
• Creating a Tagline
• Product Name Generator

Make Decisions At Scale Through AI With Numerous AI’s Spreadsheet AI Tool

Numerous is an AI-powered tool that allows users to brainstorm writing ideas more quickly and effectively. Content marketers, Ecommerce businesses, and more can do countless tasks in minutes with the help of Numerous

For example, by simply entering a prompt, the AI can help users outline SEO blog posts, generate hashtags, mass categorize products with sentiment analysis and classification, and more. The more you use it. This means the more you use it to brainstorm writing tasks, the better it will deliver exactly what you need to work faster and create higher-quality content.

Related Reading

• AI List Generator
• AI Listing Description
• How to Get Unique Content for Your Website
• Benefits of Using AI Writing Tools
• How to Create a Tagline
• Event Description
• How to Write a Menu Description
• How to Write Seo Product Descriptions
• How to Write a Business Description

When writing an article or blog, getting lost in all the ideas swirling around in your head is easy. You might even sit down to write, only to find your mind racing in a dozen directions. Creating a content outline before you start writing can help you organize your thoughts and clear your head. This guide brainstorm ideas for writing will help you understand the importance of a content outline and give you a step-by-step guide to creating your own.

One of the best tools for creating a content outline is the content outline template from the spreadsheet ai tool. This spreadsheet uses artificial intelligence to help you brainstorm and organize relevant information for your content outline.

Table Of Contents

5 Important Things Every Content Outline Must Have

man working - Content Outline

1. Set a Clear Goal for Your Content Outline

Every piece of content should have a purpose. Without a clear goal, you risk writing a “nice-to-read” post that doesn’t do anything for your reader or your business. For example, does your blog post aim to educate, inform, drive conversions, improve SEO visibility, or build authority? How to apply it in your outline: 

Start With a Short Sentence

  • Goal: “This blog post should help first-time freelancers avoid costly mistakes and download our free pricing checklist.” This keeps you focused on delivering what matters most.

2. Identify Your Target Audience

If you don’t know who you’re writing for, your message will either be too broad or completely miss the mark. Outlines should be tailored to a specific reader persona. 

What to include

What do they already know? What are they struggling with? What tone or voice would resonate with them? 

Example Audience Brief in your Outline

  • Audience: “Early-stage SaaS founders struggling with customer retention who prefer short, direct content and real-world examples.” This helps you decide what not to include and makes the writing sound like it was made for them.

3. Build Out the Main Sections

These are the “bones” of your content. Each heading represents a significant idea or theme you’ll explore. A logical structure helps the reader stay engaged, improves readability, and makes writing the draft easier and faster. 

Tip 

Use a mix of H2s (main topics) and H3s (sub-points, examples, or steps). 

Example

  • H2: Common SEO Mistakes Startups Make  

  • H3: Ignoring keyword research

  • H3: Publishing content with no structure 

  • H3: Forgetting internal linking. 

Pro tip 

You can use Numerous to automatically generate headline variations in a spreadsheet and sort by length, tone, or category to quickly build out your main sections.

4. Talk About Key Points Under Each Section

These bullets are the heart of the outline; they turn headlines into meaning. They give you direction when writing each section and ensure you don’t forget to include valuable insights. What to add under each section: 

Key points or arguments, Stats or quotes you want to include, Internal or external links, Transitions or story examples 

Example

  • H2: How to Set Freelance Rates

  • Talk about the danger of underpricing

  • Include an example of someone raising rates + outcome 

  • Link to pricing calculator 

Download our rate card template. This level of detail turns a basic outline into a near-complete first draft.

5. SEO Notes for Your Content Outline

If your content is meant to rank on Google, you need to match the reader’s intent, not just include a few keywords. What the reader is trying to learn or achieve, the kinds of results currently ranking, the Keywords, and the questions to answer.

What to Include in Your Outline

Target keyword(s) Search intent type (informational, navigational, transactional) Key questions to answer (from tools like Google’s “People Also Ask,” AnswerThePublic, or Numerous prompts)

Example 

  • SEO Notes Primary keyword: “freelance pricing guide” 

  • Intent: Informational Questions to answer: “How do I calculate freelance rates?” 

  • “What’s the average hourly rate for designers?”

Related Reading

How to Come Up With Content Ideas
How to Write Product Copy
What is an AI Content Writer
How to Name a Product
• How to Write Character Descriptions
• How to Organize Your Thoughts
• How to Write a Content Brief
• How to Be Productive

A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Content Outline

woman working - Content Outline

1: Define the Content’s Purpose

Before you write anything, you need to know why this content exists. What do you want your audience to do after reading it? How does it support your business, brand, or project? 

Ask yourself

Is this content meant to teach, sell, inspire, or entertain? What’s the main action you want readers to take? Where will it live: blog, landing page, email, social, etc.? 

Example 

“This article is designed to educate first-time freelancers on how to price their services and drive sign-ups for our free pricing calculator.” 

Tip

Write your goal at the top of your outline and refer back to it during writing to stay focused.

2: Research the Topic + Audience

You’re not writing in a vacuum. Understanding what your audience is searching for, struggling with, and talking about helps you create content they care about. 

How to Research

Google your topic and read the top 3–5 ranking articles. Check Reddit, Quora, and YouTube for common questions. Use AI-powered tools like Numerous to explore trending subtopics and FAQs by prompting: “List 10 common questions beginners ask about [your topic].” Identify knowledge gaps, emotional triggers, and misconceptions.

Tip 

Create a spreadsheet where you store these questions and use Numerous to organize them by theme, intent, or difficulty.

3: Choose a Structure That Fits the Topic and Goal

A good outline follows a format matching the content you're creating. Structure keeps readers engaged and helps you avoid rambling or repeating yourself. 

Standard formats

How-To Guide (step-by-step format) Listicle (e.g., “7 Mistakes to Avoid…”) Problem–Solution (ideal for case studies or lead magnets) FAQ-Based (great for service pages or educational content) Narrative/Story (useful for brand blogs or founder stories) 

Example

If you’re writing a “How to Start a Freelance Business” post, your structure might be: Introduction, 

  • Step 1: Choose a niche 

  • Step 2: Build a portfolio 

  • Step 3: Set your pricing. 

  • Step 4: Find the client,

4: Add Headings and Subheadings (H2s + H3s)

Headings are your content's roadmap. They help you (and your reader) stay on track and ensure your content flows logically. 

What to do

Outline your main sections as H2s. Under each, create sub-points or H3s to support the section. These should match both readers' expectations and the SEO structure. 

Example: 

  • H2: How to Set Freelance Rates 

  • H3: Understand your expenses

  • H3: Choose hourly vs. project-based pricing 

  • H3: Factor in taxes and software costs. 

Pro tip

You can use Numerous to auto-generate section headers based on a target keyword. 

Prompt

“Generate 5 blog subheadings that would naturally appear in a post titled ‘How to Price Freelance Projects.’”

5: Fill in Each Section With Bullet Points and Key Notes

This is where you map out your thoughts, data, and examples. It bridges the gap between a skeleton outline and a rough first draft. Include under each heading: The 2–3 main points I’ll cover, Any research, stats, quotes, or links, Stories or examples to support my point, Internal links or references to my other content, A CTA, question, or summary (if relevant)

Example

  • H2: Mistake #3  

  • Ignoring Taxes  

  • Many new freelancers forget to set aside 20–30% 

Tip

Use a separate savings account for taxes. Link to our free tax checklist for solopreneurs. With numerous. If creating multiple outlines for a content calendar, I can prompt: “Fill out three bullet points under each headline in Column A based on the topic and goal in Column B.” This speeds up bulk outlining significantly, especially for teams or agencies. 

How Numerous Can Help You Write Product Copy Faster and Better 

Numerous is an AI-powered tool that enables content marketers, Ecommerce businesses, and more to do tasks many times over through AI, like writing SEO blog posts, generating hashtags, mass categorizing products with sentiment analysis and classification, and many more things by simply dragging down a cell in a spreadsheet. With a simple prompt, Numerous returns any spreadsheet function, complex or straightforward, within seconds. 

The capabilities of Numerous are endless. It is versatile and can be used with Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets. Get started today with Numerous.ai so that you can make business decisions at scale using AI, in both Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel. Learn more about how you can 10x your marketing efforts with Numerous’s ChatGPT for Spreadsheets tool.

Tips and Examples You Can Use for Your Next Outline

person working - Content Outline

Use Templates for Repeatable Content Types

If you frequently create blog posts, YouTube scripts, case studies, or newsletters, you probably follow the same general format each time. Instead of starting from scratch, build reusable outline templates for each type. 

Bonus

Store these templates in a spreadsheet and use Numerous to auto-fill topics or section prompts across each template type. 

Write "Smart Bullets" (Not Just One-Word Placeholders)

You're already halfway to a finished draft when you write full-sentence bullet points under each heading in your outline. This speeds up the writing process and ensures clarity later. 

Keep It Lean—Not Overwhelming 

Outlines should guide your writing, not become a bloated task in themselves. Focus on clarity, not complexity. Avoid over-detailing if it will slow you down or cause decision fatigue. 

Match Outline Structure to Reader Intent

People read differently depending on what they’re looking for. If someone is skimming for quick info, use lists or short answers. If they’re trying to solve a problem, use a how-to or problem/solution format. 

Use AI to Brainstorm or Expand Sections  

Sometimes you’ll have a solid idea but feel stuck on subheadings or what to include under a section. AI tools like Numerous can help you get unstuck without leaving your spreadsheet. 

Related Reading

• AI Content Tagging
• AI-based Content Curation
• To Do List Ideas
• How to Make a Daily Checklist
• Generative AI Content Creation
• Blog Post Ideas
• AI Content Repurposing
• How to Use AI for Content Creation
• Creating a Tagline
• Product Name Generator

Make Decisions At Scale Through AI With Numerous AI’s Spreadsheet AI Tool

Numerous is an AI-powered tool that allows users to brainstorm writing ideas more quickly and effectively. Content marketers, Ecommerce businesses, and more can do countless tasks in minutes with the help of Numerous

For example, by simply entering a prompt, the AI can help users outline SEO blog posts, generate hashtags, mass categorize products with sentiment analysis and classification, and more. The more you use it. This means the more you use it to brainstorm writing tasks, the better it will deliver exactly what you need to work faster and create higher-quality content.

Related Reading

• AI List Generator
• AI Listing Description
• How to Get Unique Content for Your Website
• Benefits of Using AI Writing Tools
• How to Create a Tagline
• Event Description
• How to Write a Menu Description
• How to Write Seo Product Descriptions
• How to Write a Business Description

When writing an article or blog, getting lost in all the ideas swirling around in your head is easy. You might even sit down to write, only to find your mind racing in a dozen directions. Creating a content outline before you start writing can help you organize your thoughts and clear your head. This guide brainstorm ideas for writing will help you understand the importance of a content outline and give you a step-by-step guide to creating your own.

One of the best tools for creating a content outline is the content outline template from the spreadsheet ai tool. This spreadsheet uses artificial intelligence to help you brainstorm and organize relevant information for your content outline.

Table Of Contents

5 Important Things Every Content Outline Must Have

man working - Content Outline

1. Set a Clear Goal for Your Content Outline

Every piece of content should have a purpose. Without a clear goal, you risk writing a “nice-to-read” post that doesn’t do anything for your reader or your business. For example, does your blog post aim to educate, inform, drive conversions, improve SEO visibility, or build authority? How to apply it in your outline: 

Start With a Short Sentence

  • Goal: “This blog post should help first-time freelancers avoid costly mistakes and download our free pricing checklist.” This keeps you focused on delivering what matters most.

2. Identify Your Target Audience

If you don’t know who you’re writing for, your message will either be too broad or completely miss the mark. Outlines should be tailored to a specific reader persona. 

What to include

What do they already know? What are they struggling with? What tone or voice would resonate with them? 

Example Audience Brief in your Outline

  • Audience: “Early-stage SaaS founders struggling with customer retention who prefer short, direct content and real-world examples.” This helps you decide what not to include and makes the writing sound like it was made for them.

3. Build Out the Main Sections

These are the “bones” of your content. Each heading represents a significant idea or theme you’ll explore. A logical structure helps the reader stay engaged, improves readability, and makes writing the draft easier and faster. 

Tip 

Use a mix of H2s (main topics) and H3s (sub-points, examples, or steps). 

Example

  • H2: Common SEO Mistakes Startups Make  

  • H3: Ignoring keyword research

  • H3: Publishing content with no structure 

  • H3: Forgetting internal linking. 

Pro tip 

You can use Numerous to automatically generate headline variations in a spreadsheet and sort by length, tone, or category to quickly build out your main sections.

4. Talk About Key Points Under Each Section

These bullets are the heart of the outline; they turn headlines into meaning. They give you direction when writing each section and ensure you don’t forget to include valuable insights. What to add under each section: 

Key points or arguments, Stats or quotes you want to include, Internal or external links, Transitions or story examples 

Example

  • H2: How to Set Freelance Rates

  • Talk about the danger of underpricing

  • Include an example of someone raising rates + outcome 

  • Link to pricing calculator 

Download our rate card template. This level of detail turns a basic outline into a near-complete first draft.

5. SEO Notes for Your Content Outline

If your content is meant to rank on Google, you need to match the reader’s intent, not just include a few keywords. What the reader is trying to learn or achieve, the kinds of results currently ranking, the Keywords, and the questions to answer.

What to Include in Your Outline

Target keyword(s) Search intent type (informational, navigational, transactional) Key questions to answer (from tools like Google’s “People Also Ask,” AnswerThePublic, or Numerous prompts)

Example 

  • SEO Notes Primary keyword: “freelance pricing guide” 

  • Intent: Informational Questions to answer: “How do I calculate freelance rates?” 

  • “What’s the average hourly rate for designers?”

Related Reading

How to Come Up With Content Ideas
How to Write Product Copy
What is an AI Content Writer
How to Name a Product
• How to Write Character Descriptions
• How to Organize Your Thoughts
• How to Write a Content Brief
• How to Be Productive

A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Content Outline

woman working - Content Outline

1: Define the Content’s Purpose

Before you write anything, you need to know why this content exists. What do you want your audience to do after reading it? How does it support your business, brand, or project? 

Ask yourself

Is this content meant to teach, sell, inspire, or entertain? What’s the main action you want readers to take? Where will it live: blog, landing page, email, social, etc.? 

Example 

“This article is designed to educate first-time freelancers on how to price their services and drive sign-ups for our free pricing calculator.” 

Tip

Write your goal at the top of your outline and refer back to it during writing to stay focused.

2: Research the Topic + Audience

You’re not writing in a vacuum. Understanding what your audience is searching for, struggling with, and talking about helps you create content they care about. 

How to Research

Google your topic and read the top 3–5 ranking articles. Check Reddit, Quora, and YouTube for common questions. Use AI-powered tools like Numerous to explore trending subtopics and FAQs by prompting: “List 10 common questions beginners ask about [your topic].” Identify knowledge gaps, emotional triggers, and misconceptions.

Tip 

Create a spreadsheet where you store these questions and use Numerous to organize them by theme, intent, or difficulty.

3: Choose a Structure That Fits the Topic and Goal

A good outline follows a format matching the content you're creating. Structure keeps readers engaged and helps you avoid rambling or repeating yourself. 

Standard formats

How-To Guide (step-by-step format) Listicle (e.g., “7 Mistakes to Avoid…”) Problem–Solution (ideal for case studies or lead magnets) FAQ-Based (great for service pages or educational content) Narrative/Story (useful for brand blogs or founder stories) 

Example

If you’re writing a “How to Start a Freelance Business” post, your structure might be: Introduction, 

  • Step 1: Choose a niche 

  • Step 2: Build a portfolio 

  • Step 3: Set your pricing. 

  • Step 4: Find the client,

4: Add Headings and Subheadings (H2s + H3s)

Headings are your content's roadmap. They help you (and your reader) stay on track and ensure your content flows logically. 

What to do

Outline your main sections as H2s. Under each, create sub-points or H3s to support the section. These should match both readers' expectations and the SEO structure. 

Example: 

  • H2: How to Set Freelance Rates 

  • H3: Understand your expenses

  • H3: Choose hourly vs. project-based pricing 

  • H3: Factor in taxes and software costs. 

Pro tip

You can use Numerous to auto-generate section headers based on a target keyword. 

Prompt

“Generate 5 blog subheadings that would naturally appear in a post titled ‘How to Price Freelance Projects.’”

5: Fill in Each Section With Bullet Points and Key Notes

This is where you map out your thoughts, data, and examples. It bridges the gap between a skeleton outline and a rough first draft. Include under each heading: The 2–3 main points I’ll cover, Any research, stats, quotes, or links, Stories or examples to support my point, Internal links or references to my other content, A CTA, question, or summary (if relevant)

Example

  • H2: Mistake #3  

  • Ignoring Taxes  

  • Many new freelancers forget to set aside 20–30% 

Tip

Use a separate savings account for taxes. Link to our free tax checklist for solopreneurs. With numerous. If creating multiple outlines for a content calendar, I can prompt: “Fill out three bullet points under each headline in Column A based on the topic and goal in Column B.” This speeds up bulk outlining significantly, especially for teams or agencies. 

How Numerous Can Help You Write Product Copy Faster and Better 

Numerous is an AI-powered tool that enables content marketers, Ecommerce businesses, and more to do tasks many times over through AI, like writing SEO blog posts, generating hashtags, mass categorizing products with sentiment analysis and classification, and many more things by simply dragging down a cell in a spreadsheet. With a simple prompt, Numerous returns any spreadsheet function, complex or straightforward, within seconds. 

The capabilities of Numerous are endless. It is versatile and can be used with Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets. Get started today with Numerous.ai so that you can make business decisions at scale using AI, in both Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel. Learn more about how you can 10x your marketing efforts with Numerous’s ChatGPT for Spreadsheets tool.

Tips and Examples You Can Use for Your Next Outline

person working - Content Outline

Use Templates for Repeatable Content Types

If you frequently create blog posts, YouTube scripts, case studies, or newsletters, you probably follow the same general format each time. Instead of starting from scratch, build reusable outline templates for each type. 

Bonus

Store these templates in a spreadsheet and use Numerous to auto-fill topics or section prompts across each template type. 

Write "Smart Bullets" (Not Just One-Word Placeholders)

You're already halfway to a finished draft when you write full-sentence bullet points under each heading in your outline. This speeds up the writing process and ensures clarity later. 

Keep It Lean—Not Overwhelming 

Outlines should guide your writing, not become a bloated task in themselves. Focus on clarity, not complexity. Avoid over-detailing if it will slow you down or cause decision fatigue. 

Match Outline Structure to Reader Intent

People read differently depending on what they’re looking for. If someone is skimming for quick info, use lists or short answers. If they’re trying to solve a problem, use a how-to or problem/solution format. 

Use AI to Brainstorm or Expand Sections  

Sometimes you’ll have a solid idea but feel stuck on subheadings or what to include under a section. AI tools like Numerous can help you get unstuck without leaving your spreadsheet. 

Related Reading

• AI Content Tagging
• AI-based Content Curation
• To Do List Ideas
• How to Make a Daily Checklist
• Generative AI Content Creation
• Blog Post Ideas
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Make Decisions At Scale Through AI With Numerous AI’s Spreadsheet AI Tool

Numerous is an AI-powered tool that allows users to brainstorm writing ideas more quickly and effectively. Content marketers, Ecommerce businesses, and more can do countless tasks in minutes with the help of Numerous

For example, by simply entering a prompt, the AI can help users outline SEO blog posts, generate hashtags, mass categorize products with sentiment analysis and classification, and more. The more you use it. This means the more you use it to brainstorm writing tasks, the better it will deliver exactly what you need to work faster and create higher-quality content.

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