---
name: ebook-outline
description: "Outlines downloadable ebooks with chapter structure, design notes, and lead magnet positioning strategy. Use when creating a free or paid ebook as a content asset or lead generator."
allowed-tools: Read Write Glob
metadata:
  author: matthewhitcham
  version: "1.0"
---

# Ebook Outline

## When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when you need to:
- Outline an ebook for use as a lead magnet or paid digital product
- Structure chapters with key points, estimated word counts, and design callouts
- Plan the lead magnet funnel positioning (landing page, opt-in, delivery)
- Create a comprehensive ebook blueprint before writing

**DO NOT** use this skill to write the full ebook — this produces the outline and strategy only. Use it as the planning phase before drafting.

---

## Core Principle

AN EBOOK THAT TRIES TO COVER EVERYTHING COVERS NOTHING — NARROW THE SCOPE TO ONE TRANSFORMATION THE READER WILL ACHIEVE BY THE LAST PAGE.

---

## Phase 1: Brief

### Required Inputs

| Input | What to Ask | Default |
|-------|------------|---------|
| **Topic** | "What is this ebook about?" | No default — must be provided |
| **Purpose** | "Is this a free lead magnet or a paid product?" | Free lead magnet |
| **Reader transformation** | "What should the reader be able to DO after finishing this ebook?" | No default — must be provided |
| **Target reader** | "Who is this for? Be specific." | Solopreneurs and small business owners |
| **Length** | "Target page count or word count?" | 20-30 pages (~5,000-8,000 words) |
| **Design style** | "Minimalist, corporate, creative, bold?" | Clean and modern |
| **Opt-in context** | "Where will people download this? Landing page, blog post, social media?" | Dedicated landing page |

**GATE: Confirm brief before building outline.**

---

## Phase 2: Outline

### Ebook Architecture

```
**Title:** [Working title — benefit-driven]
**Subtitle:** [Clarifies scope or audience]
**Total chapters:** [5-8 for lead magnet, 8-15 for paid]
**Estimated length:** [word count / page count]

**Front Matter:**
- Cover page
- About the author (2-3 sentences)
- Who this ebook is for
- How to use this ebook

**Chapter 1:** [Title] (~[word count] words)
- [Key point 1]
- [Key point 2]
- [Deliverable: worksheet / checklist / template if any]

**Chapter 2:** [Title] (~[word count] words)
...

**Back Matter:**
- Key takeaways summary (1 page)
- Next steps / CTA
- About [business name]
- Resources mentioned
```

**GATE: Approve outline before proceeding to detailed chapter breakdowns.**

---

## Phase 3: Write

### Chapter Detail Template

For each chapter, provide:

```
## Chapter [N]: [Title]

**Purpose:** [What the reader learns or achieves in this chapter]
**Word count:** [Estimate]

### Key Sections
1. [Section heading] — [2-3 sentence description of content]
2. [Section heading] — [2-3 sentence description]
3. [Section heading] — [2-3 sentence description]

### Actionable Element
- [ ] [Worksheet / checklist / template / exercise for the reader]

### Design Notes
- [Callout box, pull quote, diagram, or visual suggestion]
- [Page layout note if relevant]
```

### Lead Magnet Positioning Strategy

If the ebook is a lead magnet, provide:

```
## Lead Magnet Strategy

**Landing page headline:** "[Benefit-driven headline]"
**Landing page subheadline:** "[What they get + time to consume]"
**Opt-in form fields:** [Name + email only — minimize friction]
**Delivery method:** [Instant PDF download via email automation]
**Follow-up sequence:** [3-5 email series post-download]
  - Email 1 (immediate): Delivery + "Start with Chapter [X]"
  - Email 2 (Day 2): Key insight from the ebook + question
  - Email 3 (Day 4): Case study or testimonial related to the topic
  - Email 4 (Day 7): CTA for paid offer
```

### Design Direction

```
## Design Guide

**Format:** PDF, optimized for screen reading
**Page size:** 8.5 x 11 or A4
**Brand colors:** [User's brand colors or suggestion]
**Typography:** [Header font + body font suggestion]
**Visual elements:**
- Chapter title pages with full-width color blocks
- Pull quotes in branded callout boxes
- Icons for key takeaways
- Worksheets designed as fillable or printable pages
**Tools:** Canva, Google Docs, or Adobe InDesign
```

---

## Phase 4: Polish

### 1. Ebook Outline Checklist

```
## Pre-Write Checklist

- [ ] Title is benefit-driven and specific
- [ ] Each chapter builds on the previous (logical progression)
- [ ] Reader transformation is clear from Chapter 1 to the final page
- [ ] At least 3 chapters include an actionable element (worksheet, checklist, template)
- [ ] Design notes are specific enough for a designer to execute
- [ ] Word count per chapter is balanced (no chapter is 3x longer than others)
- [ ] Lead magnet strategy includes landing page copy suggestions
- [ ] Follow-up email sequence is outlined
- [ ] Back matter includes a clear CTA for the next step
- [ ] Ebook can be consumed in one sitting (under 45 minutes for lead magnets)
```

### 2. Title Variants

Provide 5 title options with different angles:

```
1. [How-to]: "How to [Achieve Result] in [Timeframe]"
2. [Blueprint]: "The [Topic] Blueprint: [Specific Promise]"
3. [Mistakes]: "[N] Mistakes [Audience] Make with [Topic] (And How to Fix Them)"
4. [Ultimate]: "The [Audience]'s Guide to [Topic]"
5. [Number]: "[N] [Things] to [Achieve Result] Without [Common Obstacle]"
```

---

## Example: Lead Magnet Ebook for a Freelance Coach

```
Title: The Client Magnet Playbook
Subtitle: 5 Proven Systems to Land Freelance Clients Without Cold Pitching

Chapter 1: Why Cold Pitching Is Broken (~1,000 words)
Chapter 2: System 1 — The Referral Engine (~1,200 words)
Chapter 3: System 2 — Content That Attracts Clients (~1,200 words)
Chapter 4: System 3 — The LinkedIn Inbound Method (~1,200 words)
Chapter 5: System 4 — Strategic Partnerships (~1,000 words)
Chapter 6: System 5 — The Portfolio That Sells (~1,000 words)
Chapter 7: Your 30-Day Client Magnet Plan (~800 words)

Lead Magnet Landing Page Headline:
"Stop Chasing Clients. Make Them Come to You."
```

---

## Anti-Patterns

- **Scope creep** — an ebook that tries to be a textbook. Lead magnets should be 20-30 pages, not 100.
- **No actionable elements** — if the reader cannot DO something with each chapter, it is a blog post, not an ebook.
- **Burying the value** — the best content should be in chapters 1-3, not saved for the end. Readers drop off.
- **Generic titles** — "Marketing Guide" tells the reader nothing. Specificity wins: "5 Systems to Land Clients Without Cold Pitching."
- **No follow-up sequence** — a lead magnet without a nurture sequence wastes the lead. Always plan the post-download emails.
- **Design afterthought** — a poorly designed ebook undermines credibility. Include design notes from the start.

---

## Recovery

- **Topic too broad:** Ask "What is the ONE thing the reader should be able to do after reading this?" Narrow to that.
- **Too long for a lead magnet:** Cut to 5-7 chapters. Move advanced content to a paid product or blog series.
- **No design resources:** Recommend Canva ebook templates. Structure chapters to fit standard template layouts.
- **No email platform:** Suggest free options (MailerLite, ConvertKit free plan) and provide a basic automation setup guide.
- **Outline keeps expanding:** Cap at 8 chapters for lead magnets. Anything beyond that becomes a paid product.
