Template notes – delete this row after reading:
- Use the blocks that you need to make your point clearly and concisely, and delete the blocks that you don’t need.
- This is an affiliate post, so use affiliate links on the product that you are recommending.
- The CTA at the end should always link to a Cash post within the same cluster to keep the 60/40 flow working.
Engaging Introduction
Explain what the checklist covers, who it is for, and what they will be able to do once they have worked through it.
Example:
“Whether you’re doing [task] for the first time or the fiftieth, it’s easy to miss a step when you’re in the middle of it. This checklist covers everything you need to [achieve the desired outcome] — in the right order, with nothing left out. Bookmark this page or grab the free download below and use it every single time.”
Download CTA (Above the Fold)
Place a lead magnet CTA near the top, before the checklist begins. Readers who want the PDF will grab it immediately — do not make them scroll to the bottom to find it.
Example:
Want a Printable Version?
“Download this checklist as a free PDF so you can print it out or save it for later.”
→ Download the Free Checklist PDF
Category Section Heading
Group checklist items under clear, logical phase headings. This makes a long list feel manageable and easy to navigate.
Example:
Phase 1: Before You Begin
Complete these steps before you do anything else. Skipping this phase is the most common reason people have to start over.
Checklist Item with Brief Explanation
Each item should be action-oriented and start with a verb. Include a one-sentence explanation of why it matters or how to do it. Repeat this block for every item in the list.
Example:
☐ [Action-oriented task in a few words]
[One sentence explaining why this step matters or the fastest way to complete it.]
☐ [Action-oriented task in a few words]
[One sentence explaining why this step matters or the fastest way to complete it.]
☐ [Action-oriented task in a few words]
[One sentence explaining why this step matters or the fastest way to complete it.]
Tool Recommendation Callout
A styled callout box placed within a relevant section recommending a specific tool that makes the nearby tasks easier. Natural, contextual spot for an affiliate link.
Example:
Recommended Tool:
“For steps 3–5 above, [Tool Name] makes this significantly faster. It handles [specific function] automatically so you don’t have to do it manually. [There’s a free plan available / It starts at $X per month.]”
→ Try [Tool Name] Free
Repeat Elements 3–5 for Each Phase
Each phase follows the same structure: a Category Heading, a set of Checklist Items with brief explanations, and an optional Tool Recommendation where relevant.
Example phases to suggest to students:
Phase 4: After — What to Do Next
Phase 1: Before You Begin
Phase 2: During / The Core Process
Phase 3: Final Checks Before You Finish
“If You Get Stuck” Section
A short section addressing the most common point of confusion or the step where most people stall. Links internally to a How-To Guide for more detail.
Example:
If You Get Stuck on [Common Sticking Point]
“[The sticking point] trips up a lot of people the first time through. The short answer is [brief clarification]. If you want a full walkthrough of this specific step, this guide covers it in detail.”
Conclusion + Download CTA (Bottom)
AA brief, motivating close followed by a second download CTA for readers who made it to the bottom without grabbing the PDF at the top.
Example:
“That’s everything. Work through each phase in order and you’ll have [achieved the desired outcome] without missing a step. The hardest part is just getting started — once you check off that first item, the rest follows naturally.
Save this for later:”
→ Download the Free Checklist PDF
NOTES:
- Aim for 3–4 phases with 4–7 items each. Fewer than 10 total items feels too thin; more than 30 starts to feel overwhelming.
- The Download CTA appears twice — at the top and the bottom. This is intentional. Different readers convert at different points in the page.
- This post type is the backbone of your List Builder cluster. The PDF download is the opt-in. Every email subscriber you get from this post is a direct result of the checklist being genuinely useful.
- Keep the item explanations short. If an item needs more than two sentences to explain, it belongs in a How-To Guide, not a checklist. Link to that guide instead.