20 sentences that will make you a better online writer than 98% of writers
After 16 years of online writing and 200,000+ readers later, there are some tips for great writing that I wish I had known sooner.
You won't be a better writer by merely knowing these, however.
You'll be better when you apply them…
But first, let's know them…
View everything you write as a way to ease the pain of something in your ideal reader's life.
Solve one obvious problem per piece of writing and make sure you can identify what that is.
You will find your voice when you experiment with lots of voices and different personas.
Don't view yourself as a writer, but as a painter of pictures with words.
Readers will not take action on a concept, but they will be more likely to act when they can visualise what you're saying.
People don't want to be impressed but want to be told the truth.
Good writing should simplify the reader's life, not add further complexity.
If you aren't enjoying yourself when you write, you will not resonate, so you must loosen up first if you aren't.
Get great at using attention-grabbing titles and first lines to grab readers in a noisy feed.
Everything you write should ideally have a clear, compelling call to action so the reader knows what to do next, and they don't just stop at the end of reading.
Don't wait for the perfect idea before you start writing.
Being vague is a sign of amateur writing, so you must develop your skill in showing us exactly what you mean by being specific.
Using stories, even brief ones, makes your writing more memorable, which is what everything you write should be.
Don't be afraid to break up your text to make it easier on the eye with devices like bullet points or subheaders.
View writing as a delicious and fascinating craft to master over the long term.
Write like you're writing to someone you like and want the best for.
Use active phrases and action-oriented words like discover, master, help and weave.
Have a purpose that ties all your writing together, so your readers can feel — and share in — the mission you're on.
Good writers don't talk down to their readers but speak to them like they are a good friend, even if they tease.
Write the way you speak, conversationally and with energy, but well-edited.
If these made sense to you, you'll love my Online Writing Alchemy course, which shows you how to effectively implement tips like these to build your brand fast.
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Good writers don't talk down to their readers but speak to them like they are a good friend, even if they tease.
Such a valuable pointer. Even if one is very knowledgeable, the awareness has to be consistently present, of not coming through as a condescendingly know it all.