Online Writing Rules for Success โ๏ธ๐๐
After writing 3,000+ articles online over the past 8 years, here are some of my biggest lessons learned.
Follow these rules, and your writing will improve 10x.
Don't, and have fun with your blog nobody reads.
[THREAD] ๐งต๐
After writing 3,000+ articles online over the past 8 years, here are some of my biggest lessons learned.
Follow these rules, and your writing will improve 10x.
Don't, and have fun with your blog nobody reads.
[THREAD] ๐งต๐
1/ "Party in the city, not alone in your house"
Writing on your own blog is like drinking alone at home. It's secluded. Nobody is there. And you have to work HARD to convince people to come over.
Instead, write in social environments.
This is where everyone hangs out.
Writing on your own blog is like drinking alone at home. It's secluded. Nobody is there. And you have to work HARD to convince people to come over.
Instead, write in social environments.
This is where everyone hangs out.
2/ For the first ~2 years of writing online, editing is a waste of time.
In order to edit effectively, you have to know what you're editing FOR.
And the only way to learn that is by publishing lots of material and gathering data about what works and what doesn't.
In order to edit effectively, you have to know what you're editing FOR.
And the only way to learn that is by publishing lots of material and gathering data about what works and what doesn't.
3/ Readers skim first, and read second.
If your writing isn't skimmable, it's very hard to read online.
This means no big blocky paragraphs. Use subheads and section dividers. Alternate single sentence paragraphs w/ 3-5 sentence paragraphs. Etc.
Make it VISUALLY easy to read.
If your writing isn't skimmable, it's very hard to read online.
This means no big blocky paragraphs. Use subheads and section dividers. Alternate single sentence paragraphs w/ 3-5 sentence paragraphs. Etc.
Make it VISUALLY easy to read.
4/ The size of the question dictates the size of the audience.
Start w/ the audience in mind.
If you are writing about a niche topic, realize only so-many-people "have that question." But if you are writing about a broad topic, that's a more universal question.
Start w/ the audience in mind.
If you are writing about a niche topic, realize only so-many-people "have that question." But if you are writing about a broad topic, that's a more universal question.
5/ Measures for success:
Niche = Engagement
Broad = Reach
Don't write about a niche topic then get upset when 1M people don't read it.
Niche topics are about engaging highly specific readers.
Broad topics are about reaching a wide number of less-engaged readers.
Niche = Engagement
Broad = Reach
Don't write about a niche topic then get upset when 1M people don't read it.
Niche topics are about engaging highly specific readers.
Broad topics are about reaching a wide number of less-engaged readers.
6/ Always try to write at The Golden Intersection:
Answer the reader's question X tell a personal story.
The more you can give actionable advice AND tell a story (w/ emotional resonance), the more likely the reader will 1) pay attention, and 2) remember what they just read.
Answer the reader's question X tell a personal story.
The more you can give actionable advice AND tell a story (w/ emotional resonance), the more likely the reader will 1) pay attention, and 2) remember what they just read.
7/ Don't try to be clever. Be clear
The secret to messaging and writing that engages readers is CLARITY.
All the reader wants to know is *exactly* what you mean.
Avoid vague words/statements ("We tell human stories") and get to the heart of the matter.
Witty is overrated.
The secret to messaging and writing that engages readers is CLARITY.
All the reader wants to know is *exactly* what you mean.
Avoid vague words/statements ("We tell human stories") and get to the heart of the matter.
Witty is overrated.
8/ You can't have 2 main priorities. Choose 1.
In everything you write, the reader needs to know what the North Star is.
"Where are we headedโand why?"
If you try to tackle too many different ideas at once, the reader is left confused.
Confusion = "I'm gone."
In everything you write, the reader needs to know what the North Star is.
"Where are we headedโand why?"
If you try to tackle too many different ideas at once, the reader is left confused.
Confusion = "I'm gone."
9/ Timeless topics are better than timely topics.
Your goal as a writer is to build a Timeless Library of Content.
This is how your writing compounds results over time (shelf life is LONG).
Whereas if you only write timely topics (news, trending, etc.) your shelf life is short
Your goal as a writer is to build a Timeless Library of Content.
This is how your writing compounds results over time (shelf life is LONG).
Whereas if you only write timely topics (news, trending, etc.) your shelf life is short
10/ Don't compete. Create!
Some writers believe imitation is a good way of learning. I disagree.
It trains you to compete.
Instead, learn the fundamentals and CREATE your own voice, niche, category, etc.
This is how you stand out.
Some writers believe imitation is a good way of learning. I disagree.
It trains you to compete.
Instead, learn the fundamentals and CREATE your own voice, niche, category, etc.
This is how you stand out.
New to online writing? Want to learn the fundamental skills, mental models, and frameworks to become an influential voice in the Creator Economy?
Join the May cohort of Ship 30 for 30.
Enrollment closes soon!
ship30for30.com
Join the May cohort of Ship 30 for 30.
Enrollment closes soon!
ship30for30.com
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