Table of Contents:
Part 1: How to Add Personality to your writing
Part 2: How to Add Value, Call to Action, and Format Posts
How to Become a Better Writer
Here are the best bullet-proof ways to become a better writer:…
Kidding.
There’s no such a thing.
No recipe on how to get better. No “one size fits all”.
However, there are some common steps that worked for many others before you.
1. WRITE A LOT
“…let me tell you one thing that held truth for me: PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT…
Your brain is a muscle; it needs a good workout, just like any other part of your body. Work it out every day and it will start paying dividends soon after.” Ana Hoffman, How to Successfully Write an Awesome Post Per Day – Every Day
Up to November of last year, I published a post per day. Yes, every day.
And the more I wrote, the better I got.
“There is a saying somewhere that if you want to become a better writer, write and then write some more and then write some more.
I used to write 1,000 words every day – now I’m up to 2,000 every single day. I don’t use it all, but all of it serves a purpose to hone my skills as someone who writes compelling content for others, not for me, but for others.” Christine Brady
2,000 words. Every day.
Practice makes perfect.
“I spent the entire 90s writing bad fiction. 5 bad novels. Dozens of bad stories. But I learned to handle massive rejection. And how to put two words together. In my head, I won the pulitzer prize. But in my hand, over 100 rejection letters.” James Altucher, 33 Unusual Tips to Being a Better Writer
2. READ A LOT
Even though Ramsay from Blog Tyrant doesn’t read many blogs, he does point out a few instances when reading other blogs is a must:
“Voice is an extremely important thing for a blogger.
Without a unique and appealing voice you run the risk of merging into that boring 98% that I talked about above.
And when developing a voice it can be really useful to immerse yourself in the smooth and soothing tones of someone that you admire and enjoy.”
Yet another great point from James Altucher’s33 Unusual Tips to Being a Better Writer:
“You can’t write without first reading. A lot.
When I was writing five bad novels in a row I would read all day long whenever I wasn’t writing (I had a job as a programmer, which I would do for about five minutes a day because my programs all worked and I just had to “maintain” them).
I read everything I could get my hands on.”
3. WRITE WHAT YOU READ
Here’s another great tip that helped my writing quite a bit.
When reading a great copy, whether it’s a post, a sales letter, or even an email, don’t just read it.
Write it down as you read it.
Internalize it.
Figure out why it works.
Marketing Takeaway
My brain is getting numb – a sure sign I said enough/too much.
Bottom line: no one can do this for you.
“There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.” – Ernest Hemingway
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Bleeding my 1,000 words per day,
Yea I’ll probably be needing this. Especially considering the fact that my blog tends to get a hundred or a thousand unique page views daily…but my blog “posts” are not seeing the same love.
Completely agree Ana. I find it hard to take a unique slant on a topic at times. I’m good at authorative, I’m not so sure I’m good at engaging every time. I must try harder.
Your posts sounds like you write them for SEO, Nick. I’d try to stop using “Cambodia SEO” so much.
Love the bigger font Ana… Immediately noticed it and it immediately adds to the experience. TGC is so much easier to read now.
Also I couldn’t agree with you more that it takes time to get your Voice. Voice is writing like we talk, writing as the person we are and not the person we feel we should be.
Great stuff…
Hanley
It was a pleasure to watch you finding your voice as well, Ryan.
Hey Ana, this post has made my day indeed. Although most of the things outlined here are sometimes easier to say than to do, but yet they are all surmountable ones given absolute attention and time. Will start applying one after the other.
Thanks, you’re a darling.
Very true, Theodore – some of the points I made in the post are more about trial and error (like writing with personality) and might simply take time.
I like the way your posts always “talk to me” (like there is no-one else) and this is an art. When I write I try to keep in mind I am talking to a friend over coffee, feeling relaxed and being myself. By doing this I am showing my personality and expressing my thoughts in my own unique way. People respond well when you are being real. Nice post, thanks.
Much appreciated, Midge.
Writing better titles is a quest that never ends, HP.
What’s up with dashes in your titles? Honestly, I don’t think either one makes sense/is catchy.
You asked… 😉
I would think that asking question is the best way to attract people to read especially asking a question that everyone else is afraid of asking. A good content must come with a good headline. Therefore, usually I will put a good question in my headline to attract people to continue reading my writing piece.
Another great article Ana – thank you!
Putting personality into your style of writing and what I call your ‘brand voice’ is so very important and allows a far deeper connection with your readers.
This is the exact opposite to articles written with too much jargon (that only people in the industry understand) and words you need to look up in the dictionary to understand their meaning. Yikes! [No thanks!]
Ana,
Totally agree with your comments about personality. I’m of the opinion that being uniquely you is one of the best ways, if not the best way, to give value to others.
One’s unique perspective is more powerful than people think. If people would just harness their uniqueness and own it, it would be some much easier to build a community/business around a personal brand.
Just my thoughts…
“Harness and own your uniqueness” – love it the way you put it, Dewane.
I think Number 117 works best for me:
“Make a post simplifying a complex problem.”
There’s just a huge demand to simplify SEO and internet marketing these days due to the growing number and competition of the online world. Refreshing reminder about my writing personality Ana!
Very true, Sean – there are plenty non-geeks out there that desperately need simplified version of all kinds of topics.
Good points, Ana. It’s tough to be engaging, but if you try and tell people something they don’t already, you might just get them to keep coming back for more! It’s tough to make some subjects interesting, but it’s always worth a try.
It’s not just worth it, Darren, but it’s imperative, really. Otherwise, as I said, it’s “piper down!”
Great Article Ana,
As a blogger you must understand what your readers want and writing for them will give value to your blog. Improving writing is continues task which can’t be learned in a day. This article will help me a lot Thank you.
Great follow-up Ana! These last couple of posts have really helped to open my eyes to what I can do to improve my blog. I’ve been working hard on trying things out and see what works and what doesn’t work as well. Thank you again for all of your advice!
Thanks a lot Ana.
I think after this post, I should start editing my posts again from the beginning.
I will try it and tell you what is the diffrence.
Thanks again.
Regards,
Ahmed Safwan
ToSTartBlogging.COm
Great follow up article Ana! A lot of great information. I want to tell you how helpful the first “Conduct Unbecoming a Dull Writer” was to me. I referred to it often while writing this past week, and look forward to digesting and applying the information from this article in future writing. One of the things that stands out to me in your writing (and there are many : ) is your use of white space and headings – definitely makes it easier and more enjoyable to read. Thanks for information, motivation, and encouragement! Look forward to stopping by again soon!
You are very welcome, Brent; look forward to your blog posts!
A blog post is the means of connection between the writer and the reader. It is through the ideas conveyed by the writer that a spark of relationship starts. And it is definitely true that readers feel if something is genuine or not. The only thing to do is to be TRUE – be true to yourself – and the world will walk with you. By being true, the canvas of ideas will flow from writer to reader (blogs post) and from reader to writer (comments). And when this happens, real communication occurs. Thanks Ana for reminding everyone on how to be real. 🙂