MC-Guide

Content Writing

Process 6: Visual & Design

This SOP named Pitching method is going to help you in your pitching process

This SOP will shows you, step by step, how a beginner can learn to pitch perfectly and follow up.

You will learn what information you should collect, how you can pitch and follow up.

Process 9 — Formatting & Assets (Connected to Process 1–8)

Content Writing Flow · Process 9/11 · Formatting & Assets

Process 9: Formatting & Assets (Package Draft v2 for an Editor)

In Process 5 you made a clear promise. In Process 6 you gathered proof. In Process 7 you Drafted. In Process 2 you gotten audience. In Process 8 you edited + fact-checked. Now you do the last “presentation” step before Final outreach: format it and add simple assets so the editor can say “yes” faster.

1 Submission format 2 Asset plan 3 1 diagram 4 1 checklist 5 Captions 6 Final package

📦 Build your submission package 🧩 Asset specs ✅ Checklist

Editors love packages that are clean, scannable, and ready to publish.

Overview

What you’ll build in Process 9

You will create a Submission Package with: (1) final formatting rules, (2) an asset plan (diagram + checklist), (3) captions/alt text, and (4) a clean “copy/paste” block for editors.

This is how Process 9 connects: your assets must support the Process 1 Goals and be backed by the Process 2 Audience. Your headings follow the Process 3 outline. Process 5 Promise in the assignment. Your content is already cleaned by Process 8.

Beginner steps Packager tool Asset specs Mistakes Checklist

Rule: If an asset doesn’t make the reader’s decision easier, remove it. One strong diagram beats five weak images.

Step-by-step

The beginner approach (6 packaging blocks)

Think of this as “make it publishable without extra work for the editor.”

1Submission format

Make it scan-ready

H2: questions; H3: answers/steps.
Short paragraphs (2–4 lines).
Use bullets for steps and options.

2Reader guidance

Add “takeaway” lines

End each major section with 1 takeaway line.
Make the reader feel progress.
Use simple verbs: choose, check, avoid, compare.

3Asset plan

Pick 2 assets only

1 diagram: explains the system quickly.
1 checklist: helps the reader act.
Both must match the Process 1 promise.

4Captions + alt text

Make assets editor-safe

Caption: what the asset shows (1 line).
Alt text: describe it simply for accessibility.
Include source notes if needed.

5Link hygiene

Make proof links clean

Put key sources in a “Sources” mini section.
No broken links.
Prefer official docs, standards, and primary reports.

6Final package

Prepare the exact block you’ll send

Title + dek (1 line) + outline + assets.
Short bio + credibility line.
Everything should be copy/paste ready.

Professional shortcut: If the editor can see the story in 15 seconds, your chance of assignment goes up.

Tool

Submission Packager (copy-paste for editors)

Fill these fields. The output becomes your “submission package” you paste into email or a doc. It stays connected to Process 1–8 automatically.

Process 9 Output Submission package text

Target publication (from Process 1)

Use the same publication you selected in Process 1. One idea = one outlet.

Working title (clear + specific)

Dek / one-line summary (what reader gets)

Process 1 goal (copy/paste from Strategy Brief)

This is your anchor. Every asset must support this promise.

Outline (from Process 3)

Top 3–6 sources (from Process 6)

Diagram idea (1 line)

Checklist idea (1 line)

Diagram spec simple + clear

Use a clean SVG or simple box diagram. Avoid tiny text. Prefer “flow / decision tree / comparison”.

Width: 800–1000px Big labels 1 purpose

Checklist spec actionable

Use 7–12 items. Each item starts with a verb. Reader should complete it in 2 minutes.

7–12 items Verb-first Printable

Caption for diagram (1 line)

Alt text for diagram (simple description)

Short author bio (1–2 lines)

Submission Package (copy-paste)

Fill fields and click Build submission package…

Tip: Paste package into your pitch email or Google Doc.

Quick preview (how an editor scans it)

This is not your full article. This is the “package” the editor can approve fast.

Publication

Working title

Dek / one-line reader value

Connection tip: If your diagram or checklist does not match your Process 1 promise, rewrite the asset idea.

Avoid These

Common beginner packaging mistakes (and the fix)

×Mistake: too many assets

“I will add 8 images.”

Fix: use 2 assets max: 1 diagram + 1 checklist.

×Mistake: weak captions

No explanation for visuals

Fix: add 1-line caption + simple alt text.

×Mistake: messy links

Proof is scattered

Fix: list your top sources in one clean block.

×Mistake: not connected

Assets don’t match promise

Fix: every asset supports the Process 1 promise.

Before Process 7

Checklist: are you ready to send or submit?

Click to check. When done, you’re ready for Process 7 (Pitch & Outreach).

Formatting clean: headings, bullets, short paragraphs, scannable.

Outline included: Process 3 structure is visible.

Sources block: top proof links listed and not broken.

Diagram plan: one clear diagram idea + caption + alt text.

Checklist asset: 7–12 actionable items the reader can do fast.

Submission package ready: copy/paste block prepared for the editor.

Next: Say Continue and I’ll create Process 7/11: Pitch & Outreach in the same connected style.