Are you terrified of writing?
When I first got started in this industry, I was terrified of writing articles or blogging.
Here are some fears that ran through my mind:
- My grammar and spelling are awful.
- What will people, my family or friends will think?
- Suppose no one likes what I write.
- What if I offend someone?
- I'm not a professional writer.
- Why would anyone want to read what I have to write?
- What can I really add that someone else hasn't covered?
Does any of this sound familiar?
If it does, you're in great company. I think a lot of bloggers and people you may read have felt the same thing. And yet you're reading their blogs and articles all the time.
How to get over the fear of writing?
Pick the right niche or topic.
If you're picking a niche that you're not really passionate about or have knowledge of, it's going to show in your writing. Your audience will probably see it too. This will lead you into even more insecurities and fear. So avoid that by writing what you know about or love. People will be able to sense this and react accordingly. You'll also be a lot more confident because it will be like a normal conversation which brings me to my point.
Write like you talk.
I came from a Corporate America background where my writing was always scrutinized by my department head who must have been a freaking English major in a past life. Prior to working there I had a lot of confidence in my writing. My teachers always complimented me on it. Granted, my grammar was never perfect, but the spirit of my writing usually overshadowed that. But for years my confidence was shot because of this manager. Initially I tried to write very corporate. It was boring and I didn't really get the feedback I longed for. One day I decided to start writing in more of a conversational style. I injected my humor and my voice. Bingo! It resonated with people. I discovered that most people prefer conversational articles.
Write Reviews
A lot of times when you're starting a blog you may run into writer's block because you've exhausted the number of ways you can talk about a given niche. Fortunately, if you picked the right niche there are probably tons of products and services you can write reviews on. Reviews are by far one of the easiest styles of writing because you're just following a format that consists of:
- Intro to the product or service
- What it does
- The Things You Like
- The Things You Don't like (or complaints)
- Where to buy?
- Do you recommend this or not?
There are a lot of variations to this. But you get the point. You can literally do this for years to come and I have. So if you can follow a format like that and picked a niche with a lot of products or services, you'll always have content to write.
PRO TIP: If reviews aren't your cup of tea, there are plenty of other article types you can use:
Use WA Blogs
I've really come to love the WA's blog system. Sure, it's great for the whole community and help aspect. But did you realize it's the perfect tool to help you boost your confidence and improve your writing? When you blog here you get to see what type of blog post will get a reaction. You learn how to communicate with others via comments which you'll be doing with your own blog. You get to figure out what your voice is or should be. And best of all, it's in a friendly environment that is encouraging. This will help boost your confidence when it comes to writing in the wild.
It's ok to be scared....
At the end of the day, your fear is natural and normal. The reality is your first couple of articles and blog posts are going to suck unless you're a professional writer or English major. I look back at some of my early writing and I cringe. But that's how you get better. Fortunately, you have WA blog system so you can literally practice here until you feel confident enough to get out in the real world.
Either way, you can't use your fear as an excuse. You have to just get out there and start writing. It's the only way to improve. But hopefully some of these tips will help you get up to speed faster.
And for you English majors out there, yes, my article is probably riddled with grammar and spelling errors. Sorry about that. But I have discovered that most people don't really care and it's never really hindered the money I've made online. Most people tend to find my blog posts informative and/or entertaining. So there! LOL
Let me know what you guys think down below by leaving a comment. Did you find this useful? Are there other tips you want to share? Chime in.
Eddy with a y
I am stuck right now and going to take a break to clear my head. Then I will come back and complete these three steps. I have 2 websites but they need "fixing".THANKS AGAIN @
Karen
For me, there is a fear of what to write and how to make it engaging for my audience - I do not want to bore the .... out of them.
But I will follow your advice.
Thanks again,
AQ
Thanks
Steve
I will strive to give full attention to quality as I hold close to my heart and ability, and find that its more time consuming, as I haven't perfected the art of efficiency at all.
I believe proof reading is essential to any official document or one that could possibly generate income. Finding typos in documents means either the author was lazy or did not care. I pass by anything that does not meet my standards.
My mother was a proof reader and editor for a scientific journal so my brother and I grew up with an essential understanding (or else!) of what to say and how to express ourselves eloquently.
Thanks,
Richard
I wanted to drop in a big thank you for the article, it definitely gives me hope for the future.
Thank you
Mike
Words can't express how I feel now. I am humbled to be a part of this community, to be in a virtual classroom that is free for 7 days, is a blessing .
Give thanks to the founders for such an amazing opportunity at a reasonable cost .
You, yes you, Eddy! Thanks very much for this. You have helped me a lot, I love your ,"cheat sheet"
Thus far , you have simplified for me to understand..
Thanks again! Love from Jamaica.
I'm going to work hard on things tonight.
Thankyou Eddy.
You have great imfo.
Angie
Thank you for sharing this post, Eddy. It was really informative. I just started WA two days ago and during my training, I was prompted to write a blog post about receiving my 1st badge...woohoo! So, I did! The problem is I did not realize that everyone would see it..haha
So, then I started thinking what am I really suppose to do with this WA blog post; should I write my personal experience as I go, do research and write about topics, or just do anything and practice?
Then, today I find your blog post...thank goodness because you have done a great job in explaining what I should be doing before I am out there in the wild with the wolves...lol.
I love to write, love researching and reviewing but, I have never written a blog post before. So, yes I did find myself pondering over some of those fears, mainly of who would read my post, not wanting to offend anyone, and what can I add of value when it has been done already. Those are my main fears but, they do not paralysis me enough to keep me from moving forward so, that is a good thing.
With being said, I can now start acting like a pro blogger...and get the practice and improve my skills as time goes on.
Thanks for sharing this was a great blog...
I have so much stuff swirling round in my mind and I do have strong opinions about a lit of things, and so naturally, many people assume I can write easily about all those things. But having an opinion and actually being an authority on anything are two different things. Which makes reviewing other's works a truly pretentious thing for me to do, I think. At any rate, that's what research is for, I suppose.
Finding a true niche that I care about is the key, I know. But sometimes, the things I'm truly interested in might not have any obvious "products" or "merchandise" that I can attach to it to review or earn revenues from. Like politics and history.
Again, a truly inspiring piece. Thanks. I'm sure we'll break through and ultimately reach our goals, like many of you have.
Louie nd Gigi
Sadly, easier said than done. But we must persevere. They used to drill this into our heads in boot camp: no pain, no gain! So true.
I have a question: I have a few passions in my life (art, fitness, health, and a few more...). I always liked interior designing too, and I recently became very interested in that. it comes naturally to me, so for the same reason I don't know how to really explain it in writing. I wanted to have a formal education on that, so recently I started an online diploma course on Interior Designing. I feel I should choose my niche on Interior designing because of the amount of study materials that I have to cover and all the research I need to do on that, but don't know how to narrow it down yet. So I was wondering whether to just discuss what I learn on this course on my writing for now. I don't know whether it's ok with the institute, but if I do it like a review, there shouldn't be a problem. I'd really appreciate your thoughts on this. Thank you!
Thanks again Eddy for a great and informative post.
Ken.
Learn along they you sure do I was so scared about others that are excellent writers. At first telling me my spelling mistakes and grammar. Some people are teachers a good teacher will guide you so thanks EDDY your are a good teacher.
We learn by our mistakes
always a better way
Linda
Actually, the part saying, "You can't use fear as an excuse." was quite inspiring for me. Although having won against the initial fear of writing, we can fear about a lot of things, fill ourselves with doubt and end up dropping like a stone (metaphorically) before we know it.
Therefore if you've been following the lessons in WA, don't doubt yourself, just follow through no matter the obstacles and you will progressively learn how to be successful.
Thanks again for the wonderful message Eddy!
Regards,
James
It's not really that I'm afraid of writing, I just don't like to write. I don't mind answering posts or questions, I just hate to initiate articles just to satisfy Google.
I know I need content but in the case of promoting the Wealthy Affiliate niche there is not much I can add to what's already been said a thousand times.
P,S, - I'm going to follow you throughout my journey here with WA as you have a lot of information and idea to offer! :)
Best regards - Connie
I have to admit something about your grammar: AWESOME dude! lol, English is not my main language, so there was a little bit of fear of writing a lot but thanks to you, that fear is out! you are right, it is more important to people (majority) if what they read is an easy read and informative to them! Keep up the great work
Seier
Can "writing" be a niche? Is it too broad?
Does one have to have the right to give their feedback (good and BAD) about a particular product without inviting or offending the owners of the product?
How can one "earn money" by writing about a particular genre of products (consumer electronics, clothes, automobiles etc etc)?
Hmm...
As soon as I hit the publish button and went to look at what I wrote from the outside perspective, I felt like it wasn't good enough or that something was missing and started tweaking away some more.
I'm going to have to remain aware that this is all par for the course and as time goes by I'll get better and to not stress it so much.
I especially like your second to last paragraph to the English majors. Lol.
Telesha
If I might add one more tip: read, read, read! It's like priming the pump. You'll come across cool words you forgot about, and next thing you know, you're putting them into your own work. (not plagiarism -- I'm talking about interesting verbs and adjectives, etc.) You become your own thesaurus!
Thanks for posting this, Eddy!
I decide to live with it and gradually improve.
Dorcas
Your advice of writing like I talk is the best advice I can take, thank you so much for publishing these experiences and good luck for the future.
All the best
Hisbel
AC (matelot)
I'm in two communications classes in School and I get critiqued about my writing to not show certain expressions like an exclamation point!!!! I get excited and that's how I express it
I prefer a down to earth style of writing with a little humor like this article.
Thanks!
Mary
You have been an inspiration to me since I first read blogs you have on the web on ways to make money online. It was one of your blogs that brought me to WA.
Just getting started at WA but I intend to make the most of all the experience. Thank you for all you do.
I love writing and blogging and I like to think I'm pretty good. When I don't write, it's usually not out of fear. It's because I can't concentrate! Go figure. Well, I guess it's a discipline that just takes practice.
Thanks again Eddy for a great article and encouragement to just go for it.
~Mandu
I think you're in my head!! Kyle turned me on to your article because I felt stuck when it comes to writing content. Your article is pretty Awesome and makes me feel much more comfortable about what to say and how to say it. I can converse pretty good - so thanks for your wise advice.
LaBarbara