As many of you know, I’m knee-deep right now in writing a book.

And clustering is a writing technique I learned recently that’s really helpful.

To start clustering, take out a piece of paper, preferably blank, no lines.

Draw a small circle in the middle of it. For the purposes of this example, let’s use my own clustering for the Multiple Streams book.

So in the small middle circle, write the words “Multiple Streams of Coaching Income.”

Now draw five or so lines from the middle circle, towards the edges of the pages, like a kid drawing a picture of a sun.

At the end of each line, draw another small circle. In each of those circles, write one of the following:

> TeleSeminars
> Feeder Coaching Programs
> Day Jobs
> Info Products
> Live Events
> Coaching Gyms
> Programs in a Box

My cluster ended up with more than 13 circles, each one representing a stream of coaching income.

Then, take a second piece of paper. Repeat, by drawing another circle in the middle of the paper and filling that circle in with “TeleSeminars” the first on the above list.

Off of that circle, repeat, by drawing lines spoking out from the middle, pointing to the edge. More circles on the ends of those lines. And then, what I did, was fill those circles in with “Free,” “Fee,” “Single Session,” “Multiple Session” etc.

I kept drawing more lines and circles until I could think of nothing more to add.

This is called clustering, and the point is that it engages both sides of your brain in a process that empties the structure of your content onto paper.

Keep clustering until you are done, in other words you have nothing left to cluster.

Whether you are writing your first eBook, or something else, you will have created an outline, headings, subheadings and even subpoints if you follow this through all the way.

Then, using the clusters, you can fill in the spots to complete your book, article, or even presentation, To do list, shopping list, anything.

You can actually see part of a cluster in the masthead logo at the top of this page: http://www.multiplestreamsofcoachingincome.com

I first learned this technique from Ramon Williamson and Nomi Orr and it’s been very helpful indeed.

Hope that helps! If you have any questions or comments, just leave them below or email andrea@andreajlee.com

(Multiple Streams Members, we’ll go over this more as we go into some of the other streams. Cheers!)