Outlining Can Be an Effective Tactic for Producing Better Work, Faster
“Before I shoot anything, I always outline it. It gives me a plan of attack and helps me get my thoughts in order.” – Casey Neistat
We’ve celebrated the virtues of outlining before, when it comes to your course and course modules. Now we’re back at it one more time, to talk about outlining from the perspective of the individual videos that make up your modules.
Outlining your videos pays dividends in the form of a lot of time and effort saved. And it has other, related benefits as well.
Research has shown that students who outline as a study strategy tend to have better academic performance and recall of information. In one formal study, students who used an outlining strategy performed significantly better on a comprehension test compared to those who did not.
In a separate survey of professional writers, 72% of respondents stated that they used an outlining strategy to plan their writing projects. Among the same group, 90% of those who outlined their work said it had a positive impact on their productivity.
If you are planning any type of video project creating a solid outline can make all the difference. With a clear plan in place, you’ll stay on track, hit all your key points, and save time in both filming and editing. A video outline gives structure to your ideas and helps you stay focused, so you can produce videos that connect with your audience. Follow these five steps to create a video outline that works, from choosing your topic to refining your outline before you hit record.
Lets bring this type of focus and efficacy to your own course videos, via a sound outlining strategy.
Why Outlining is Important for Video Course Creators
A video outline is more than a “nice-to-have”—it’s the backbone of your project and a foundational tool for organizing your thoughts and ideas.. Outlining helps you organize your main points and visuals, which keeps your message clear and prevents you from wandering off-topic. Think of it as a roadmap guiding you from concept to final cut, with each point leading you closer to a polished, cohesive video.
By breaking down your video into smaller parts, you can focus on each section individually and ensure that your message is clear and concise. It’s also a way to skirt writer’s block or procrastination.
Instead of worrying about scripting your entire video, start to finish, outline one subsection of one video in one module. Repeat this tactic until you’re done with your outline. Trust us, you’ll feel much better afterwards about your content plan and your ability to execute it fully later on.
This approach can also help you identify any gaps or inconsistencies in your content, allowing you to make revisions before you start recording.
Paper is cheap, as they say. Video, less so.
Identifying mistakes in your outline, and fixing them before time and money has been spent on recording, is a more cost-effective way to perfect the messaging in your video(s). When you have a clear plan to guide your video creation, you’re less likely to end up with too much excess footage, or content that’s so off the mark that it needs to be cut (or worse, re-recorded).
This means you’ll spend less time sifting through footage to find the right shots, and you’ll be able to edit your video more efficiently. Even if you plan to use your outline as the basis for scripting your video(s), you’ve still taken a big step towards greater efficiency. It can be easier to spot errant tangents within the clean and simple structure of an outline, as opposed to the more dense structure of scripted paragraphs.
Choose Your Video Topic
Your topic is the foundation of a great video, so take time to choose it carefully. A specific, focused topic will perform better and keep viewers engaged. For example, a cooking channel might choose “Easy Pasta Recipes for Beginners” instead of “Everything About Pasta.” This focus not only makes your video easier for viewers to follow but also helps it stand out in searches, since platforms like YouTube love a clear, searchable title.
By selecting a niche that matches your skills and interests, you’ll stay motivated and attract a dedicated audience. Do some research in your niche to see what’s popular and what resonates with viewers. A focused, relevant topic will set you up for a strong video outline and give you a solid foundation to build on.
Identify Your Target Audience
Knowing your audience is key to shaping your content and delivering a message that resonates. Your audience’s age, interests, and viewing preferences will help you decide everything from your language to the tone and style of your video. Are you speaking to beginners or advanced learners? Are they looking for quick tips or in-depth explanations? Getting clear on this will make your video more relevant and engaging.
For example, if your target audience is new to a topic, you’ll want to avoid jargon and keep explanations simple. If your viewers are experts, you might dive into advanced techniques right away. Understanding where your audience spends time online, what type of content they interact with, and what their pain points are helps you create videos they’re excited to watch.
Structure Your Video Outline with the H.I.C.C. Model
Now that you know your topic and audience, it’s time to create the structure. Here’s a replicable framework for crafting an effective video outline.
Your Framework
Step 1 – Start with an introduction: Clearly state the topic of your video and provide a brief overview of what you will cover. Examples of end results that viewers can expect by the end of the video, and/or metrics or testimony highlighting what success will look like later, can be helpful to include here as well. They’ll help excite and motivate your students.
Step 2 – Section out your video: Divide your video into sections based on the main points you want to cover. Each section should focus on one key concept or idea. Anything that doesn’t point back to this idea should be included elsewhere, if important, or else it should be cut from your outline.
Step 3 – Subdivide each section further, down into bullets: What details are important to include in each section? Jot them down in bulleted form. Be as specific as you feel you need to be, but remember that you can flesh your bulleted ideas out later in the scripting phase.
Step 4 – Write down transitions: This is a tactic that’s not always included in outlining, but merits some consideration. It’s simple to go back and add transitions in text content. For video, you’ll want o know ahead of time how you want to handle transitions. Note that we’re talking about ideas here, transitions that help trace a line from one idea to a new one. Editing transitions, when you’re assembling your actual finished video, are different. The point is to have a clear plan in your outline for how you’ll move from idea to idea, within your video and across videos.
Step 5 – Finish with a conclusion or CTA: This mentioned a bit more below. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to recap everything your students just learned with a concluding statement. They literally just watched the video, and can probably remember. However, a line or two that indicates where you’re going next (and why) will put a neat button on your video. Consider adding a call-to-action (CTA) here, even if it’s to hit play on the next video in the course module.
Use the H.I.C.C Model
While you follow those steps above it’s good to keep the H.I.C.C. model in mind. This is the Hook, Idea, Content, and Call to Action model which is a simple yet effective framework to keep your video clear and engaging. Here’s how each part works:
Hook Your Audience
The first few seconds are critical for grabbing attention. Your hook is what pulls viewers in and gives them a reason to keep watching. This should be short, relevant, and engaging. For instance, if you’re creating a travel vlog, start with a breathtaking scene or a question that sparks curiosity, like “Ever wondered where the most beautiful hidden beaches are?”
A good hook piques interest and makes viewers want to see more. Aim to catch their attention in the first 7–10 seconds to improve audience retention.
Present Your Key Points
After the hook, lay out the main points you’ll cover. Limit yourself to 3–5 key points to keep the content focused and engaging. This way, you avoid overwhelming your viewers and keep the information clear.
Organize these points logically, so each one flows into the next naturally. Bullet points can help you keep things simple and straightforward. By sticking to a few focused points, you prevent the video from feeling cluttered or scattered, making it easier for viewers to follow along.
Create Compelling Content
Now it’s time to flesh out your content. This is where you bring your main points to life with examples, stories, or demonstrations. If you’re giving cooking tips, for instance, show the steps in real time, or include before-and-after shots for added impact.
Consider where visuals, like graphics or on-screen text, could add emphasis or clarity. Visual aids can highlight key points, break up sections, keep viewers engaged, and make the content more dynamic and memorable.
Craft a Strong Call to Action (CTA)
Your call to action is where you guide viewers on what to do next. Whether you want them to go to another video, download a document to review, or leave a comment, a clear CTA gives them direction. Make sure it aligns with your video’s goals and feels natural.
Add Details to Your Outline
Now that the main structure is set, add the details that will bring your video to life. Here are a few extras to consider:
– Bonus Tips or Surprises: Mentioning a bonus tip at the end keeps viewers engaged until the last second.
– Sound Effects and Music: Use sounds to heighten emotions and enhance key moments, making the experience more memorable.
– Visual Cues and Graphics: Add infographics, on-screen text, or images that emphasize your points and help viewers retain information.
As the saying goes, “Show, don’t tell.” Using visuals to support your message makes the content more impactful and engaging.
Review and Revise Your Outline
Before filming, give your outline a thorough review. Ask yourself if it flows well, if any points feel unclear, or if there are areas that could use more focus. If possible, get feedback from a friend or colleague—they might catch things you’ve overlooked or suggest improvements.
Revisiting your outline also gives you the chance to tighten up your ideas and ensure that the content aligns with your original vision. This step helps you catch small details that can make a big difference in keeping your video cohesive and easy to follow.
Preparing for Filming
With a refined outline, you’re ready to prep for filming. Lock in your script, share copies with any collaborators, and do a quick read-through to make sure everyone’s on the same page. This preparation minimizes surprises and keeps the filming process smooth and efficient.
Double-check that everything is set up according to your outline. A well-prepared outline keeps you focused and reduces the need for multiple takes, so you can deliver your content with clarity and confidence.
Post-Production Tips
In post-production, your video outline becomes a valuable tool. Use it as a reference to ensure the content flows smoothly, cut unnecessary footage, and keep the final product focused. Visual and sound effects can elevate your video’s impact, but use them sparingly to avoid overwhelming viewers.
Let your outline guide you as you edit. This will help you stay true to your initial concept while adding the finishing touches that enhance the overall experience. A cohesive, polished video resonates more with viewers and makes a lasting impression.
Final Thoughts
The best case we can make for outlining is that, if you do all of the above, it will almost certainly take you less time to record and edit the videos that make up your course.
This also means things like scripting and editing will cost you less, if you’re outsourcing any of that labor.
Even if you’re not outsourcing, you’re saving your own time, that can be invested elsewhere. That leaves more time that can be devoted to other important elements of your video course, like optimizing the videos themselves from a technical point of view, and marketing and selling to your audience.
The peace of mind that outlining can bring shouldn’t be undersold either.
Outline in as much or as little detail as you feel is appropriate for your course and your personal tastes. But give it a try if you haven’t before, and we bet you’ll be glad you did.
Mastering a video outline doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s a quick recap of the five steps:
1 – Choose a Clear Topic: Pick a specific topic that aligns with your skills and resonates with your audience.
2 – Identify Your Target Audience: Shape your content based on who you’re speaking to, so that it’s relevant and engaging.
3 – Structure the Outline with the H.I.C.C. Model: Follow Hook, Idea, Content, and Call to Action for a well-organized flow.
4 – Add Extra Details: Include bonus tips, visuals, and sound effects to enrich the viewing experience.
5 – Review and Refine: Polish your outline to ensure clarity, cohesion, and a strong final product.
By following these steps, you’ll create videos that are not only organized and engaging but also resonate with your audience. An effective video outline keeps you focused during filming and simplifies editing, so you can produce polished, professional content with ease.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is a video outline important?
A video outline organizes your content and makes it easier for viewers to follow along and stay engaged. It’s your foundation for creating clear, effective videos.
How do I choose the right video topic?
Pick a specific, relevant topic that aligns with your expertise. Focus on areas within your niche that are trending or meet audience needs.
What is the H.I.C.C. model?
The H.I.C.C. model—Hook, Idea, Content, and Call to Action—structures your video to capture attention and maintain engagement throughout.
How can I keep viewers engaged throughout the video?
Start with a strong hook, limit key points to 3-5, and include a clear CTA that encourages interaction.
What are some post-production tips?
Keep your editing aligned with the outline, use visual and sound effects thoughtfully, and ensure the final cut flows smoothly and meets your vision.