Tutorial Outline – Steps, Screenshots & Troubleshooting
Build tutorials that are easy to follow, easy to scan, and easy to fix when something goes wrong. This framework helps you plan steps, screenshots, and troubleshooting on one simple canvas — ready for blogs, docs, and WIRED-style explainers.
Treat this page like a tutorial control panel: choose a topic → fill the 3 lanes → tick off the checklist as you build.
What is a “steps + screenshots + troubleshooting” tutorial outline?
A good tutorial doesn’t just tell people what to do — it also shows what they should see, and helps them fix things when it breaks. This outline gives you three lanes: steps, screenshots, and troubleshooting.
It works for blog posts, SaaS product docs, onboarding guides, and even WIRED-style explainers that walk readers through a process. Fill the lanes, then turn them into a clean, web-friendly article or help page.
Three lanes for every strong tutorial
Pick one topic and fill these three cards. Once each lane is clear, you can rearrange them into sections and subheadings in your article or docs.
Lane 1 — Action steps (what to click, type, or do)
This is your numbered list of actions. Each step should feel concrete and small, so readers can follow it without guessing.
- Use verbs: click, type, choose, drag, upload, save.
- Keep each step to one main action.
- Mention exactly where to look (menu names, buttons, labels).
Lane 2 — Screenshots & visuals
For each key step, decide what the reader should see on screen. Plan your screenshots before you open any design tool.
- Mark which steps must have a screenshot.
- Note what needs highlighting (buttons, fields, warnings).
- Keep the interface clean — close pop-ups and distractions.
Lane 3 — Errors, edge cases, and fixes
Write down what usually goes wrong — and what to do when it does. This is where your tutorial becomes genuinely helpful.
- List common error messages or confusing screens.
- Describe how to get “back on track”.
- Add notes for different systems (mobile vs desktop, OS versions).
Use better tutorials to earn from blogs, docs, and client work
Tutorials are where readers and users see your value in action. When you structure them clearly, you can:
- Earn from editorial explainers Outlets like WIRED, tech blogs, and niche magazines love hands-on walkthroughs that help readers actually do things.
- Sell tutorial projects to SaaS & tools Products need clear “how-to” content, onboarding flows, and help docs. This framework gives you a repeatable service you can charge for.
- Increase conversions and retention When tutorials are easy to follow, more people succeed with the product, which leads to more upgrades, fewer cancellations, and happy clients.
- “I design tutorials that combine steps + screenshots + troubleshooting.”
- “I specialise in turning complex tools into simple walkthroughs.”
- “I can create help center content that reduces support tickets.”
All of these are easy to understand and valuable to editors, product teams, and founders — which makes them easier to charge for.
Workflow: From idea to full tutorial
➊ Choose one outcome → ➋ Fill steps lane → ➌ Plan screenshots lane → ➍ Add troubleshooting lane → ➎ Turn into article / docs → ➏ Use checklist to polish.
Next you’ll see a demo tutorial outline built with this framework, plus templates you can fill with your own tools and topics.
Demo: Tutorial outline for “Auto-backup your phone photos to the cloud”
Topic: help readers automatically back up their phone photos to a cloud service, so they don’t lose memories if they lose their device.
Filled lanes (rough notes)
- Steps: Choose cloud app → Sign in or create account → Turn on automatic backup → Choose Wi-Fi / data settings → Confirm backup finished.
- Screenshots: App home screen with “Photos backup” option → Settings screen with toggle → Screen showing backup progress and confirmation.
- Troubleshooting: Not enough storage → App not allowed to access photos → Backup stuck at 0% → Battery saver blocking background uploads.
Structured outline (ready to turn into a post or doc)
H1: How to Automatically Back Up Your Phone Photos to the Cloud
Intro: Short paragraph on why backups matter + what the reader will achieve.
H2: Step 1 – Pick your cloud app
Explain choice (e.g., Google Photos, iCloud, OneDrive). Include screenshot of app icon and
download screen.
H2: Step 2 – Sign in and open the backup settings
Step-by-step actions with 1–2 screenshots showing where the backup option lives.
H2: Step 3 – Turn on automatic backup
Explain toggle, quality options, and Wi-Fi vs mobile data. Screenshot with toggle
highlighted.
H2: Step 4 – Check that your backup actually works
Walk through checking progress and verifying photos on another device. Screenshot of
“Backup complete” message.
H2: Troubleshooting – If your photos still aren’t backing up
Bullet list keyed to common issues: storage limits, permissions, battery saver, low signal.
For each, give one clear fix (“If you see X, do Y”).
This outline can be expanded into a full tutorial with narrative, captions, and small “pro tips” — but the core lanes are already done.
Fill-in-the-blank templates for tutorial outlines
Use these templates as a starting point. Replace each [bracketed text] with your own topic, tool, and details.
Template · Tutorial outline for a blog or article
Template · Tutorial outline for SaaS product docs
Template · Troubleshooting-focused tutorial outline
- Take one tool you use daily and outline a “getting started” tutorial.
- Then outline a second tutorial focused only on troubleshooting.
- Compare: which steps can be reused, and where do screenshots differ?
Over time, you’ll build a library of tutorial outlines that you can sell as blog posts, help center articles, or training material.
Click-through checklist: is your tutorial ready to publish?
Use this interactive checklist while you outline and build. Click the boxes as you go. You can reuse this on any tutorial where you combine steps, screenshots, and fixes.
Save this checklist with each new tutorial outline. Over time, your “steps + screenshots + troubleshooting” style will become a signature you can show to editors, clients, and readers.