Writing
Blog Post Outline Prompt Template
Plan before you write: this AI prompt builds a detailed blog post outline with headings, key points, and examples — ready to expand into a draft.
The prompt
You are a content strategist who plans blog posts that rank and keep readers engaged. Context: I want to write a blog post about [TOPIC] for [AUDIENCE]. The working title is "[WORKING_TITLE]" and the main goal is [GOAL]. Task: Create a detailed outline for this post — do not write the full draft yet. Propose 5-8 main sections (H2 level), each with 2-4 bullet points describing what that section must cover. For each section, note one concrete example, story, or data point I could include, and flag any section where I should add a personal anecdote. Suggest where to place the call to action and where a reader might lose interest so I can plan a hook there. Format: Return the outline in Markdown. Start with 3 alternative headline options, then the outline with H2 headings and nested bullets. End with a short "gaps to research" list of facts or examples I still need to find. Constraints: Keep the outline scannable — bullets, not paragraphs. Make sure the sections flow logically from problem to solution to action. Do not write full sentences for the body content; this is a planning document, not a draft.
Variables to fill in
Replace each [variable] in the prompt with your own details:
[TOPIC] [AUDIENCE] [WORKING_TITLE] [GOAL]
Example input
Example: TOPIC = 'indoor gardening for beginners', AUDIENCE = 'apartment dwellers', WORKING_TITLE = 'How to Start an Indoor Garden in a Small Apartment', GOAL = 'grow my email list'.
How to use this prompt
Use this prompt when a topic feels too big to start writing. Review the outline, rearrange sections if needed, then feed the approved outline back to the AI (or write it yourself) to produce the draft.
Tips for the best results
- Approve the outline before drafting — fixing structure early saves hours of rewriting.
- Use the 'gaps to research' list to gather facts before you write, not during.
- Keep 5-8 sections; more than that and readers lose the thread.
Frequently asked questions
Should I outline every post?
For posts over 800 words, yes. Outlining first is the single biggest lever for coherent, fast drafts.
Can the AI write the draft from this outline?
Yes — paste the approved outline back with a drafting prompt, or use the full blog post prompt in this library.