How to Create a Topic Outline for Your First SMS Program

Are you stuck on how to outline content for a short-messaging-based program? Whether you're creating a coaching program, a training program, a challenge, a companion program, or converting an existing course to this delivery method, a good outline is key to organizing your content and delivering it in a structured, coherent way. In this article, we'll cover the key steps to creating a useful and effective outline for your program.

Step 1: Define your program objective.

Before you start outlining your content, it's important to define your program objective. What do you want your learners to achieve by the end of the program? What knowledge or skills do you want them to gain? Your program's objective should describe what you expect participants in your program to experience and ultimately accomplish. It should be clear, specific, measurable, and achievable. Write down your objective. Learn more about setting a program objective here.

Step 2: Brainstorm your content.

Once you have your objective in mind, it’s time to brainstorm your content. This could include topics, themes, activities, and assessments. Jot down everything that comes to mind, without worrying too much about organization or structure. Do this in a Google doc, a notebook, or even on sticky notes.

Step 3: Organize your content.

With your brainstorming notes in hand, start organizing your content into a logical sequence. Think about the best order to present your content, and group related themes, topics, and activities together. Use headings and subheadings to create a hierarchy of information, and consider using bullet points or numbered lists to break down complex topics into more manageable chunks.

Step 4: Flesh out your outline.

Once you have a rough outline, it's time to flesh it out with more detail. Add more specific information to each section, including activities, examples, case studies, assets, and assessments where needed. Think about how you'll introduce each topic, what activities or exercises you'll use to reinforce learning, and how you'll wrap up each section. Learn more about creating effective SMS content here.

Use the content planning table below to help guide you.

Themes - If there is an identifiable theme within the various topics, group all of those topics together.

Topics - Each topic should feel like a self-contained, bite-sized piece of content that builds on the previous day's topic and sets up whatever the next day's topic will be.

Tasks - Text is a great medium for reinforcing ideas and concepts and encouraging your users to apply those ideas via a task. A task speaks specifically to what you’ll be asking participants to do within the messages.

Assets - An asset is a resource to help participants accomplish the day’s task and ultimately achieve a program objective.

Below, you can see an example of a content planning table used for a program that aims to give participants an approach to wellness and fitness by providing a guide to establishing healthy habits, building physical fitness, and living a healthy lifestyle for those beginners who aren’t sure where to start.

Theme I	Establishing Healthy Habits
Day	Topic	Task	Assets
Welcome/ On Signup	Introduction to the Program and Overview of What Participants Can Expect	By the end of this day, participants will have saved the creator/program’s contact information.	Examples, but are not limited to: Audio file(s) Video file(s) PNG(s) PDF(s) Link(s) Survey/Form(s)
Day 1	Introduction to Mindfulness and Meditation	By the end of this day, participants will have completed a guided meditation.	Meditation (Audio file)
Day 2	Establishing a Regular Sleep Routine	By the end of this day, participants will have learned three things they can do to establish better sleep habits and implemented at least one of the recommendations at night.	Impactful Sleep Hygiene Practices (PNG)
Day 3	Introduction to Healthy Eating Habits	By the end of this day, participants will have learned what to eat and what to limit in terms of food and will be encouraged to make some substitutions in their next meal.	Example Food Guide (PNG)

Step 5: Refine and revise.

With your detailed outline in hand, take some time to refine and revise it. Make sure your program objective is reflected in your content, and that your activities and assessments are aligned with your objective. Consider the overall pacing of your program, and make sure it's balanced and engaging. Finally, proofread your outline carefully, checking for spelling and grammar errors. This outline will be the backbone of your program and will make developing your content much easier.

And there you have it! A step-by-step guide to outlining content for a short-messaging-based program. With a solid outline, you can create a structured and engaging learning experience for your learners.

Good luck, and happy outlining!

Learn more about setting the right topics for your program here.