Here's where most people get stuck: they sit down to create their digital product and stare at a blank page for hours.

"What should I include?"
"How should I structure this?"
"Am I forgetting something important?"

Creator's block is real. But it's preventable.

The solution? A proven outline framework that works for every type of digital product.

THE 5-STEP PRODUCT OUTLINE FRAMEWORK

This framework works for ebooks, courses, planners, templates—everything.

STEP 1: THE PROBLEM

Start by naming the exact problem your product solves. Be specific.

VAGUE: "I help overwhelmed moms find time for themselves"

SPECIFIC: "I help working moms create a 5am morning routine that gives them 2 hours of alone time before chaos"

Your product outline should open with:

• What problem does this solve?
• Who has this problem?
• Why haven't they solved it yet?

EXAMPLE (Budget Planner):

Problem: Single moms earning under $50K struggle to save money because unexpected expenses constantly derail their budget. They've tried generic budget apps but they're too complicated and don't account for the reality of living paycheck-to-paycheck with kids.

This sets the stage. Your reader immediately knows: "This is for ME."

STEP 2: THE SOLUTION

What's the transformation you're delivering?

From overwhelmed → organized.
From broke → budgeting successfully.
From stuck → location-independent.

Outline the end result. What will they be able to do after using your product that they couldn't do before?

EXAMPLE (Budget Planner):

Solution: By the end of this 30-day planner, you'll have a realistic budget that actually works for your income level. You'll know exactly where every dollar goes, have an emergency fund started, and feel in control of your money—without the overwhelm.

Make the transformation clear and tangible.

STEP 3: THE METHOD

This is your framework, system, or process.

Break it into 3-7 main sections or modules.

EXAMPLE (Budget Planner):

MODULE 1: Track Your Spending (Days 1-7)
Learn where your money actually goes. No judgment, just awareness.

MODULE 2: Identify Money Leaks (Days 8-14)
Find the hidden expenses draining your account.

MODULE 3: Create Your Budget Categories (Days 15-21)
Build a realistic budget based on YOUR income and expenses.

MODULE 4: Set Savings Goals (Days 22-28)
Start building your emergency fund, even if it's just $5/week.

MODULE 5: Automate Your System (Days 29-30)
Make your budget run on autopilot so you don't have to think about it daily.

Each module should have 2-5 sub-lessons or action steps.

EXAMPLE (Module 1 breakdown):

MODULE 1: Track Your Spending

• Day 1: Download your bank statements
• Day 2: Categorize every transaction
• Day 3: Calculate your true monthly expenses
• Day 4: Identify patterns (when do you overspend?)
• Day 5: Reality check—income vs. expenses
• Day 6: Set your tracking system
• Day 7: Weekly review ritual

This gives you a clear roadmap for content creation.

STEP 4: THE IMPLEMENTATION

How will they actually DO this?

Include:

• Step-by-step instructions
• Templates or worksheets
• Examples
• Common mistakes to avoid

This is where your product becomes ACTIONABLE, not just informational.

EXAMPLE (Budget Planner):

Each day includes:

• A specific action step (e.g., "List all subscriptions you forgot about")
• A worksheet to fill out
• Real-life example from another single mom
• Common mistake: "Don't include aspirational spending—be honest about what you actually spend"

People don't just want information. They want a path to follow.

STEP 5: THE RESULTS

Close with what they'll achieve. Be specific about outcomes.

NOT VAGUE: "You'll be better with money."

SPECIFIC: "You'll save $500/month" or "You'll have a portfolio website live in 7 days" or "You'll launch your first product in 30 days."

Include a next steps section: What should they do after finishing your product?

EXAMPLE (Budget Planner):

By Day 30, you will:

• Have $200+ in your emergency fund
• Know exactly where every dollar goes
• Have automated bill payments set up
• Feel confident saying "no" to unnecessary purchases
• Have a system that works on autopilot

Next Steps:

• Continue using this planner monthly
• Increase your savings goal by $50/month
• Join the Soft Life Tribe community for ongoing support

This gives them a clear finish line and keeps them engaged beyond the product.

HOW TO USE THIS FRAMEWORK

Step 1: Open Google Docs. Create a new document.

Step 2: Write out these 5 sections as headers:

THE PROBLEM
THE SOLUTION
THE METHOD
THE IMPLEMENTATION
THE RESULTS

Step 3: Fill in the details for YOUR specific product under each header.

Step 4: Don't worry about perfection. This is your working outline. You'll refine it as you create.

The goal is to have a clear roadmap BEFORE you start creating content.

This prevents you from:

• Rambling without direction
• Forgetting important sections
• Creating something that doesn't flow logically
• Getting overwhelmed and quitting

OUTLINE EXAMPLES BY PRODUCT TYPE

EBOOK OUTLINE EXAMPLE:

Title: "The 2-Hour Meal Prep System for Busy Families"

PROBLEM:
Busy parents waste 10+ hours weekly on meal planning, grocery shopping, and cooking. They resort to expensive takeout because they don't have time to cook healthy meals.

SOLUTION:
A simple system that lets you meal prep an entire week's worth of dinners in just 2 hours on Sunday.

METHOD:

• Chapter 1: The 10 Core Recipes You'll Rotate
• Chapter 2: Your Weekly Shopping List Template
• Chapter 3: The 2-Hour Sunday Prep Routine
• Chapter 4: Storage and Reheating Systems
• Chapter 5: Customization for Dietary Needs

IMPLEMENTATION:
Each chapter includes step-by-step instructions, photos, shopping lists, and time-saving hacks.

RESULTS:
Spend only 2 hours on Sunday, eat healthy home-cooked meals all week, save $400+/month on takeout, have more time with your family on weeknights.

HERE'S DAY 12 - COPY THIS INTO TEACHABLE:

DAY 12: OUTLINING YOUR PRODUCT

Here's where most people get stuck: they sit down to create their digital product and stare at a blank page for hours.

"What should I include?"
"How should I structure this?"
"Am I forgetting something important?"

Creator's block is real. But it's preventable.

The solution? A proven outline framework that works for every type of digital product.

THE 5-STEP PRODUCT OUTLINE FRAMEWORK

This framework works for ebooks, courses, planners, templates—everything.

STEP 1: THE PROBLEM

Start by naming the exact problem your product solves. Be specific.

VAGUE: "I help overwhelmed moms find time for themselves"

SPECIFIC: "I help working moms create a 5am morning routine that gives them 2 hours of alone time before chaos"

Your product outline should open with:

• What problem does this solve?
• Who has this problem?
• Why haven't they solved it yet?

EXAMPLE (Budget Planner):

Problem: Single moms earning under $50K struggle to save money because unexpected expenses constantly derail their budget. They've tried generic budget apps but they're too complicated and don't account for the reality of living paycheck-to-paycheck with kids.

This sets the stage. Your reader immediately knows: "This is for ME."

STEP 2: THE SOLUTION

What's the transformation you're delivering?

From overwhelmed → organized.
From broke → budgeting successfully.
From stuck → location-independent.

Outline the end result. What will they be able to do after using your product that they couldn't do before?

EXAMPLE (Budget Planner):

Solution: By the end of this 30-day planner, you'll have a realistic budget that actually works for your income level. You'll know exactly where every dollar goes, have an emergency fund started, and feel in control of your money—without the overwhelm.

Make the transformation clear and tangible.

STEP 3: THE METHOD

This is your framework, system, or process.

Break it into 3-7 main sections or modules.

EXAMPLE (Budget Planner):

MODULE 1: Track Your Spending (Days 1-7)
Learn where your money actually goes. No judgment, just awareness.

MODULE 2: Identify Money Leaks (Days 8-14)
Find the hidden expenses draining your account.

MODULE 3: Create Your Budget Categories (Days 15-21)
Build a realistic budget based on YOUR income and expenses.

MODULE 4: Set Savings Goals (Days 22-28)
Start building your emergency fund, even if it's just $5/week.

MODULE 5: Automate Your System (Days 29-30)
Make your budget run on autopilot so you don't have to think about it daily.

Each module should have 2-5 sub-lessons or action steps.

EXAMPLE (Module 1 breakdown):

MODULE 1: Track Your Spending

• Day 1: Download your bank statements
• Day 2: Categorize every transaction
• Day 3: Calculate your true monthly expenses
• Day 4: Identify patterns (when do you overspend?)
• Day 5: Reality check—income vs. expenses
• Day 6: Set your tracking system
• Day 7: Weekly review ritual

This gives you a clear roadmap for content creation.

STEP 4: THE IMPLEMENTATION

How will they actually DO this?

Include:

• Step-by-step instructions
• Templates or worksheets
• Examples
• Common mistakes to avoid

This is where your product becomes ACTIONABLE, not just informational.

EXAMPLE (Budget Planner):

Each day includes:

• A specific action step (e.g., "List all subscriptions you forgot about")
• A worksheet to fill out
• Real-life example from another single mom
• Common mistake: "Don't include aspirational spending—be honest about what you actually spend"

People don't just want information. They want a path to follow.

STEP 5: THE RESULTS

Close with what they'll achieve. Be specific about outcomes.

NOT VAGUE: "You'll be better with money."

SPECIFIC: "You'll save $500/month" or "You'll have a portfolio website live in 7 days" or "You'll launch your first product in 30 days."

Include a next steps section: What should they do after finishing your product?

EXAMPLE (Budget Planner):

By Day 30, you will:

• Have $200+ in your emergency fund
• Know exactly where every dollar goes
• Have automated bill payments set up
• Feel confident saying "no" to unnecessary purchases
• Have a system that works on autopilot

Next Steps:

• Continue using this planner monthly
• Increase your savings goal by $50/month
• Join the Soft Life Tribe community for ongoing support

This gives them a clear finish line and keeps them engaged beyond the product.

HOW TO USE THIS FRAMEWORK

Step 1: Open Google Docs. Create a new document.

Step 2: Write out these 5 sections as headers:

THE PROBLEM
THE SOLUTION
THE METHOD
THE IMPLEMENTATION
THE RESULTS

Step 3: Fill in the details for YOUR specific product under each header.

Step 4: Don't worry about perfection. This is your working outline. You'll refine it as you create.

The goal is to have a clear roadmap BEFORE you start creating content.

This prevents you from:

• Rambling without direction
• Forgetting important sections
• Creating something that doesn't flow logically
• Getting overwhelmed and quitting

OUTLINE EXAMPLES BY PRODUCT TYPE

EBOOK OUTLINE EXAMPLE:

Title: "The 2-Hour Meal Prep System for Busy Families"

PROBLEM:
Busy parents waste 10+ hours weekly on meal planning, grocery shopping, and cooking. They resort to expensive takeout because they don't have time to cook healthy meals.

SOLUTION:
A simple system that lets you meal prep an entire week's worth of dinners in just 2 hours on Sunday.

METHOD:

• Chapter 1: The 10 Core Recipes You'll Rotate
• Chapter 2: Your Weekly Shopping List Template
• Chapter 3: The 2-Hour Sunday Prep Routine
• Chapter 4: Storage and Reheating Systems
• Chapter 5: Customization for Dietary Needs

IMPLEMENTATION:
Each chapter includes step-by-step instructions, photos, shopping lists, and time-saving hacks.

RESULTS:
Spend only 2 hours on Sunday, eat healthy home-cooked meals all week, save $400+/month on takeout, have more time with your family on weeknights.

COURSE OUTLINE EXAMPLE:

Title: "Corporate to Freelance: Your 90-Day Transition"

PROBLEM:
Corporate employees want to freelance but don't know how to transition without losing income or burning bridges.

SOLUTION:
A step-by-step roadmap to launch your freelance business while still employed, then transition full-time confidently.

METHOD:

• Module 1: Choosing Your Freelance Niche (Weeks 1-2)
• Module 2: Landing Your First 3 Clients (Weeks 3-6)
• Module 3: Building Systems While Employed (Weeks 7-9)
• Module 4: Financial Preparation (Weeks 10-11)
• Module 5: The Exit Strategy (Week 12)

IMPLEMENTATION:
Each module includes video lessons, worksheets, templates (contracts, proposals, pricing), and weekly action steps.

RESULTS:
By Day 90: Have 3-5 clients, proven income stream, financial safety net, clear exit plan, and confidence to quit your job.

PLANNER OUTLINE EXAMPLE:

Title: "The 90-Day Goal Achievement Planner"

PROBLEM:
People set goals but never achieve them because they lack a daily action system.

SOLUTION:
A structured 90-day planner that breaks big goals into daily actions with built-in accountability.

METHOD:

• Section 1: Vision & Goal Setting (Days 1-7)
• Section 2: Monthly Planning Pages (Months 1-3)
• Section 3: Weekly Action Pages (Weeks 1-12)
• Section 4: Daily Tracking Sheets (Days 1-90)
• Section 5: Reflection & Review Prompts

IMPLEMENTATION:
Each section includes prompts, tracking boxes, reflection questions, and progress charts.

RESULTS:
Achieve your 90-day goal with daily clarity, consistent action, and visible progress.

COMMON OUTLINE MISTAKES

MISTAKE #1: Too Much Content

Your ebook doesn't need 20 chapters. Your course doesn't need 50 lessons.

Fix: 5-7 main sections is perfect. More is overwhelming.

MISTAKE #2: No Clear Transformation

You teach information but don't guide them to a specific outcome.

Fix: Every section should move them closer to the promised result.

MISTAKE #3: Skipping Implementation

You tell them WHAT to do but not HOW.

Fix: Include worksheets, templates, examples, and step-by-step instructions.

MISTAKE #4: No Logical Flow

Sections jump around randomly instead of building on each other.

Fix: Each section should naturally lead to the next. Think: What do they need to know FIRST before moving to the next step?

MISTAKE #5: Creating the Outline While Writing

You start writing without an outline and end up confused, stuck, or rambling.

Fix: ALWAYS outline first. Then write.

THE OUTLINE TEST

Before you move to creation, test your outline:

✅ Can you explain your entire product structure in 2 minutes?
If not, it's too complicated. Simplify.

✅ Does each section build on the previous one?
If not, reorder them.

✅ Is the transformation clear?
If not, clarify what they'll achieve.

✅ Would YOU be excited to use this?
If not, make it more compelling.

YOUR ASSIGNMENT

Complete your product outline using the 5-step framework:

1. THE PROBLEM
Write 2-3 sentences describing the exact problem your product solves and who has it.

2. THE SOLUTION
Write 2-3 sentences describing the transformation they'll experience.

3. THE METHOD
List 5-7 main sections/modules/chapters with 2-5 sub-points under each.

4. THE IMPLEMENTATION
List what tools you'll include (worksheets, templates, examples, instructions).

5. THE RESULTS
List 5 specific outcomes they'll achieve by the end.

Time to complete: 30-60 minutes

Don't overthink it. Get it done.

This outline is your roadmap. Once it's complete, creating your product becomes 10x easier because you know exactly what to write/create.

TOMORROW

Tomorrow, we're diving into creating your first draft.

And I already know what you're thinking: "But it won't be perfect."

Let me tell you the truth that will save you months of procrastination:

Your first draft is supposed to suck.

Every successful digital product creator has a messy first draft. Mine was terrible. Typos. Awkward phrasing. Incomplete sections.

And you know what? I still launched it. Made sales. Got testimonials. Then improved it.

Here's the secret: Done is better than perfect.

Perfect keeps you stuck. Done gets you paid.

See you tomorrow for Day 13: Creating Your First Draft.

Lesson Summary

The text offers advice on effectively managing client projects, focusing on setting boundaries and clear communication to prevent stress and save time:

• It stresses the importance of managing client relationships by establishing boundaries and maintaining open communication.
• It suggests a structured offboarding process that includes steps for testimonials, referrals, and how to stay connected.
• It provides guidance on handling challenging client situations and professionally terminating relationships when necessary.
• Practical assignments are included to help readers create effective client management systems.

It discusses client management techniques for business owners, highlighting the significance of initial boundaries and expectations:

• The text introduces a key principle: "You train your clients how to treat you from Day 1."
• It breaks down the client journey into five phases: Inquiry → Discovery, Proposal → Contract, Onboarding → Kickoff, Delivery → Completion, and Offboarding → Referral.
• Each phase is described with common mistakes and recommended approaches for efficient management.
• Specific strategies are suggested, such as sending prompt proposals, maintaining communication boundaries, and managing scope creep for successful client relationships and project outcomes.