Why Most Products Feel Bloated
Most people start building before they know what they're building.
They open a blank document and start creating. They add ideas as they come. They throw in bonus sections.
And halfway through, they realize the flow doesn't make sense, they're repeating themselves, and there's too much content with not enough clarity.
This is why so many products feel bloated. Not because the creator lacks skill. Because they started building before they had a map.
The Outcome Comes First, Not the Content
Most people outline backward.
They think: "What do I know about this topic?" Then they dump everything into sections.
The right question is: What does someone need to be able to do after using this?
Not understand. Not feel inspired. Do.
Once you have that outcome, everything else becomes a filter.
If a piece of content moves someone toward that outcome, it stays. If it doesn't, it's noise.
Read: Why Starting with the Outcome Prevents Overbuilding
How to Map the Outcome First
Here's the process:
Step 1: Write down the exact result someone should have after using this.
Be specific. "Feel more confident" is not a result. "Be able to write a cold email that gets responses" is.
Step 2: Work backward from that result.
What's the last thing they need to do before they can achieve it? What comes before that? And before that?
Step 3: Stop when you reach the starting point.
Your outline should take them from where they are now to the result in the fewest steps possible.
Read: How to Reverse-Engineer a Product Outline from the Outcome
Organize Ideas into Steps (Not Topics)
People organize by topic, not by action.
They create sections like "Understanding the Problem" or "Advanced Strategies."
Those sound organized. But they don't tell someone what to do.
Better structure looks like this:
Step 1: Identify the one problem you're solving
Step 2: Write your first landing page
Step 3: Set up a simple email sequence
Steps describe what someone does. Topics just describe what you're covering.
Read: Why Step-Based Outlines Work Better Than Topic-Based Ones
Avoid Content Bloat by Asking One Question
For every section, ask: Does this move someone closer to the outcome, or does it just sound useful?
If it moves them closer, keep it. If it just sounds useful, cut it.
Your job isn't to teach everything you know. It's to guide someone from where they are to where they want to be.
The outline is where you decide what stays and what gets left out.
Read: The One Question That Prevents Content Bloat
What a Good Outline Actually Looks Like
A good outline is simple. Almost boring.
Here's an example for a course on writing landing pages:
Outcome: Be able to write a landing page that converts cold traffic.
Step 1: Decide what the page is for (one action, not five)
Step 2: Write a headline that states the outcome clearly
Step 3: Explain the problem in the visitor's words
Step 4: Show what changes after they take action
Step 5: Remove unnecessary sections
Step 6: Add one clear call to action
Step 7: Test the page with one real person
Seven steps. No fluff. Just the path from not knowing to having one that works.
Read: A Real Example of a Product Outline (With Explanation)
Bottom Line
Most wasted work comes from building before outlining.
Start with the outcome. Work backward to the starting point. Organize by steps, not topics. Filter everything through one question: Does this move someone closer to the result?
If the outline is clear, the product is already half built.
Outline first. Build second.
Read: Why Outlining First Makes Creation 10x Faster