| 7 Tips for Writing Effective How-To Instructions |
by Jennifer Tribe, Juiced Consulting
Many information products deal with how-to topics. Readers
buy these products to learn the specific steps and elements
of successfully completing a particular project. For
example, they might want to know how to decorate a small
balcony, how to write a press release, or how to meditate.
If readers aren't successful in completing the project by
following the steps you've described, then your information
product isn't doing its job. Make sure your instructions are
clear, practical and easy to follow. Below are seven tips
that will help you improve your how-to writing.
1. Know your readers and their level of subject matter
expertise. Tailor the detail of your instructions
accordingly. "Defrag your hard drive" may bewilder a
computer beginner but might be all the explanation a
technology specialist needs.
2. Limit the number of steps to nine or fewer. Research
shows that the human mind can effectively process and
remember no more than nine things at a time. If you have
more than nine items, try breaking them into two or more
sets of instructions. For example, let's say your
instructions on creating a press release have 16 steps. You
might put 9 steps under the heading Writing Your Press
Release and 7 steps under Sending Out Your Press Release.
3. Start each step with a verb. Use the active voice and
keep sentences short to make each step easy to read and
understand.
4. Keep the focus clearly on the task you're describing. If
detailed definitions, examples or background explanations
need to be included, consider placing them in a sidebar
where they won't interrupt the flow of the task.
5. Help readers avoid what you know are common mistakes.
Example: Make sure to dry the pieces for at least 24 hours
or they will warp.
6. Provide readers with opportunities to assess their
successful progress through the steps, if possible.
Example: If formatted correctly, your page should now show a
series of grid lines.
7. Test the clarity of your instructions by having someone
else (with the same level of expertise as your readers)
follow the steps exactly as you've written them. Did the
project turn out as expected? Did they run into problems or
have questions as they went along? Use the feedback to
fine-tune your writing.
Nothing is more frustrating than instructions that are
confusing or hard to follow. Take the time to think through
each step of the process you're explaining and use the tips
above to describe them effectively. Your readers will thank
you.
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© 2004 Juiced Consulting
Turn your expertise into money-making information products
like books, audio tapes and teleclasses! Juiced Consulting
shows you how. For a free e-zine and other resources, visit
http://www.juicedconsulting.com
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