School didn’t teach you how to write online.
Here’s how writing online is different from what you learned. in school.
1. Distractions are everywhere: 90% of writing well is not getting distracted by the Internet. Put your phone away. Turn off the Internet. Focus on the words.
Here’s how writing online is different from what you learned. in school.
1. Distractions are everywhere: 90% of writing well is not getting distracted by the Internet. Put your phone away. Turn off the Internet. Focus on the words.
2. Grammar doesn’t matter.
When I was in school, I had terrible grammar and spelling. Still do. But auto-correct and advanced software solved my problem. If I make a mistake, the computer will instantly correct it for me. School is built for the age of handwriting.
When I was in school, I had terrible grammar and spelling. Still do. But auto-correct and advanced software solved my problem. If I make a mistake, the computer will instantly correct it for me. School is built for the age of handwriting.
3. Remote work rewards people who write well.
When you work on the computer instead of an office, you spend less time in meetings and more time writing long-form. Less voice, more text. People who write well can think well.
Love this snippet from @dhh and @JasonFried.
When you work on the computer instead of an office, you spend less time in meetings and more time writing long-form. Less voice, more text. People who write well can think well.
Love this snippet from @dhh and @JasonFried.
4. Writing online is networking.
Writing online is the best networking tool ever invented. Better than conferences, better than LinkedIn, better than 99% of universities. Skip the networking events and spend three hours writing online instead.
Writing online is the best networking tool ever invented. Better than conferences, better than LinkedIn, better than 99% of universities. Skip the networking events and spend three hours writing online instead.
5. Online writing rewards people who are prolific.
In school, we write a few big essays. In life, we write many little ones. Online writers must master the art of having an idea, typing it up, and publishing their words in one week or less.
In school, we write a few big essays. In life, we write many little ones. Online writers must master the art of having an idea, typing it up, and publishing their words in one week or less.
6. You need to be self-motivated.
In school, the teacher tells you what you write. Just follow the syllabus. In life, you can write about whatever you want. No rules. But if you’re going to write, you need a routine so you can write even when you don't feel like writing.
In school, the teacher tells you what you write. Just follow the syllabus. In life, you can write about whatever you want. No rules. But if you’re going to write, you need a routine so you can write even when you don't feel like writing.
7. Note-taking.
You didn't learn how to take notes. They expect them to spend hours researching, compile the best ideas in a long document, publish an essay from those notes, then throw the notes away afterward. You can't be prolific without a system.
You didn't learn how to take notes. They expect them to spend hours researching, compile the best ideas in a long document, publish an essay from those notes, then throw the notes away afterward. You can't be prolific without a system.
8. You need interesting ideas.
When you write online, you have to earn the attention of your readers. Everybody has a million things to read and nobody owes you their time. When you write online, you can’t just educate readers. You have to entertain them too.
When you write online, you have to earn the attention of your readers. Everybody has a million things to read and nobody owes you their time. When you write online, you can’t just educate readers. You have to entertain them too.
9. The upside is bigger.
When you write in school, the best you can do is get an A+. When you write online, you can reach the smartest people in the world, make new friends, or build a million-dollar business. The potential is limitless.
When you write in school, the best you can do is get an A+. When you write online, you can reach the smartest people in the world, make new friends, or build a million-dollar business. The potential is limitless.
10. Build an audience.
Nobody likes shouting into the void. People want to feel heard, so they can tap into the magic of the Internet. Audience building is as important as writing, but schools don't know how to teach it.
Nobody likes shouting into the void. People want to feel heard, so they can tap into the magic of the Internet. Audience building is as important as writing, but schools don't know how to teach it.
If you want to learn to write online, sign up for my 9-day email course.
You’ll learn about Personal Monopolies, the Netflix Principle, and why you should write about small ideas.
ageofleverage.com/course
You’ll learn about Personal Monopolies, the Netflix Principle, and why you should write about small ideas.
ageofleverage.com/course
