Most people suck at writing.
But if you use these 10 writing secrets, I guarantee you won’t:
🧵
Write line by line
The worst thing you can be online is boring.
If you don’t vary sentence length, your reader will drown you out. So, use this trick:
Write your drafts line by line (h/t @sivers)
Make your sentences sing.
Rule of One
Most writers attempt to say too much.
But if you try to please everyone, you please no one.
Always use the Rule of One:
· One big idea
· One captivating story
· One core emotion
· One core benefit
· One call to action
Specificity is the secret.
Use the Zombie Test
Passive voice is wordy and confusing.
If weak writing is the problem, zombies are the solution.
Swap Your Sentence Structure
People remember the final word the most.
If you want your sentences to hit hard, finish strong.
The 50% Rule
Schools teach you to maximise word counts. The internet does the opposite.
Set a rule to force more quality:
From first draft to publishing, reduce the volume by 50%.
Say what needs to be said, then say no more.
Round 2 Writing
Most people publish and move on.
But your best ideas are a result of iteration.
If at first you don’t succeed, refine and try again.
Swap Complexity for Clarity
Confusion is the killer.
You can’t make an impact if you’re trying to impress.
Simplify your language.
Be clear, not clever. Concise, not complex.
Slippery Slope Writing
The best writing feels effortless to read.
Use:
· Curiosity
· Questions
· Open loops
Help your audience glide down the page.
Package Your Best Ideas
The ‘sticky writing’ toolkit:
· Juxtaposition
· Alliteration
· Symmetry
· Rhymes
· Rhythm
Don’t ruin important ideas with poor packaging.
Dive Deep With The 5 Why’s
A golden rule of human motivation:
We act with emotion then justify with logic.
… Which means your writing should too.
For each point you make, ask ‘Why should they care?’
Drill down to core desires.
Thanks for reading!
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Over the past 2 years, I've gone from burned out dentist stuck in the rat race to building my dream business.
And it's all because of writing.
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