If you have ever used tutorials or guides, you know how useful and informative they can be. A well-crafted tutorial is brief but contains all the needed information, leaving users without additional questions. Even though the guide covers a complicated topic, it’s written (or spoken) in simple language, so everything is explained quite simply. Still, have you ever wondered how it is to create a tutorial yourself? You literally need to explain the complex in simple words. You need not only to know the subject but also be able to create an explanation, provide examples (if required), and give additional tips.
If you think about giving up, we are about to change your mindset. Creating a tutorial becomes easier when you have…a tutorial for it. Stay with us as we will show you what to do to explain the complex in simple words and do it in a convincing fashion.
Write a Plan
Simply knowing how to solve the problem is not enough. You are writing an explanation for those who may not understand the topic at all. This means you should follow the logical sequence and move from one point to another. To ensure everything will go smoothly, consider creating a plan for the tutorial. You start with a catchy introduction, then move to the body part with a detailed explanation, examples, etc. The guide ends with a short conclusion summing up everything you said before and explaining why your guide is the best option for users.
Conduct a Research
The creation of a guideline starts with the research. Since you select the niche you are competent in; you need to refresh your knowledge, outline core points, and decide on the central part of your tutorial. It’s essential to decide what perspective you will work at because different questions can be answered from multiple angles.
For example, suppose you create a guide about choosing an essay service. In that case, you can first recommend exploring the local network: compare price lists, read reviews, check social media profiles (if available), ensure the writers follow the deadline, connect with customer support, etc. If the local services won’t offer something the clients are looking for, the next step is going wider and searching among foreign platforms. You can also share recommendations you or your friends successfully used.
This is one approach where you show the more minor options and then move to larger ones, advising the readers to repeat the same protocol. The second approach to creating a guideline is to move consistently from one point to another. A good example is a guideline about using a washing machine. You explain the first step, the second one, and so on. Moreover, you give additional tips that are not necessary but can make the process even simpler.
Keep It Simple
Imagine explaining coding to an 8-year-old kid. Make every step clear and understandable. Keep in mind that people who don’t have the same understanding of the topic as you. Image that you are looking for a guide. Ask yourself the following:
- How do you want the guide to look like (structure)?
- How do you want to answer the questions?
- Do you want to see examples of applying specific recommendations?
Work on the guide, remembering you have to answer these questions and explain complex terms. Be clear and get straight to the point without adding any water. Also, ensure you write your tutorial in a friendly tone. If your audience consists of students looking for an essay writing guide, talk to them like a student. They will definitely choose your guide and try writing the task themselves instead of looking for an alternative.
Add Visual Materials
When well-written text is supported by visual content, readers understand the writer’s idea much better. This works well with complex topics like science, coding, UI UX design, etc. You can include the main guidelines in the text part and add visuals to describe examples. People will see the images and immediately read an explanation. Moreover, some information should be presented only with visuals because the text version takes up too much space, and switching the format will be unreasonable.
Describe Multiple Methods of Solving One Problem
It’s great when you were looking for a solution and finally found it. Still, what if you can use multiple methods to solve the problem? For example, if using plan A is not an option, there will be a plan B. Take time to create a clear structure for each plan so you won’t need to explain the differences between them to avoid logical inconsistencies. As a bonus, add a section with frequently asked questions (FAQ). It may help to include the information you were unable to share in the main text.
Double-Check Your Tutorial
Once you finish the writing part, it’s time to check everything. Do it carefully because others will use it to solve cases and avoid issues. Regardless of the topic, your guidelines should be clear and convincing. People should understand that this is a tutorial they can trust because it’s correct and has everything they need to do the job.
Ensure the grammar and spelling are good. After that, check the text to ensure it follows the logical sequence (nobody needs misunderstandings). If something is incorrect, you better change it now than manually trying to do it after publishing the text. If you added links to additional materials or made references to thematic articles, ensure they work. Small advice: start working on your tutorial beforehand, so you will have enough time to write, edit, proofread, and publish it.
Final Thoughts
The best tutorial explains complex things in simple language. People don’t need to search for another guide if they already find the one that has everything they need. If you are still not confident about creating a tutorial, look for some examples to have references. The more examples you’ll find, the quicker you’ll understand what kind of tutorial you want to create. Sometimes, people need one more push to start doing what they need.