5 Writing Tips That Will Improve Your Posts
So I've been here a little over a year and I've learned a ton about writing in that time frame.
I've even started branching our writing other things aside from blogs and I think I've really found my passion.
When I started here last year I knew very little about how to write like a true professional.
I've bought a lot of books and went through some courses since then and feel like I learned some things I can pass on to help some new writers out.
Let me just say that I am FAR from an expert writer, but my blog quality has definitely improved.
# 1- Use small paragraphs
There is nothing more defeating to a reader than pulling up a blog post and seeing huge long-running paragraphs.
The rare person will actually sit down and read like that, but most people are just reading for some information.
The blogs that I actually sit down and read are the ones that use short paragraphs.
I find them much easier to read and they keep my attention must better.
If I pull up a post and it's one gigantic paragraph I just close out of it.
# 2- Be concise
They way I was taught how to write in school was using a ton of different big vocabulary words mixed into elegant writing.
Not saying that it's not impressive, but a blog isn't a book.
The most popular blogs I read write very concisely.
They speak in plain language and do not take a paragraph saying something which could be said in a sentence.
The fewer words you can use the better.
# 3- Eliminate that
This is a recent tip I picked up, but I found it to be very true.
You can almost always eliminate your use of the word "that".
In most cases, it's thrown in as an extra word and not really needed.
After hearing this tip, I went through my posts and realized I was doing it everywhere.
# 4- Walk away before you edit
I know this is hard to do.
The second you finish writing your post, you just want to immediately edit it and get it posted.
I struggle with this one a lot.
I've found that when I take a break after I write it and before I edit it, I come into the editing phase with fresh eyes and a fresh mind.
What sounded good an hour ago no longer sounds good.
When I actually have the patience to do this, my posts come out better.
Even if it's just 15 minutes between writing and editing, I think you will notice a difference.
# 5- Make an outline
Something else I struggle with because I just want to start writing.
I've found that my blog posts are much more organized when I make an outline.
That might seem obvious, but I can tell that not many people are sitting down and sketching out an outline before they write.
Paragraphs don't flow well and don't seem to fit together.
Small improvements equal big results
These are just a few that I struggled with and I know that I have much more room for improvement.
A LOT of room for improvement!
I'm sure these tips were around when I first started on here, but I don't remember seeing them all so hopefully this helps a few people out.
Keep writing,
Dan
Recent Comments
18
This is great tips Dan.
What is out line please. I think I know but can you let me know.
Thank you kindly.
Anita.
Thank you!! When I say outline, I mean a rough draft of the organization of your blog post.
I personally just use a pen and paper and sketch/write it out.
The way I do it Is decide how many paragraphs I'm going to have and what the title of each one is going to be about and just write a smile sentence about it underneath.
Sometimes I will even write out most of the introduction paragraph by hand, but I'll admit I do a lot of the writing as I go.
As long as you have some type of structure in mind as your write it should help immensely!
Dan, great outline for all of those who need to blog.
In addition, for those who either struggle with writer's block, frustration, lack of content creation time, or who favor automation over manual work, there are also fairly reasonably priced and reliable outsourcing platforms as well as re-writer spinners which run mostly on autopilot, yet still deliver the same critical keywords, SEO and high search engine rankings.
We are about to turn the corner and to enter a new decade and DFY and automation are available, while some may still stick to the labor intensive old fashioned ways of blogging.
Each to his/her own, yet we all agree that "time is money" hence labor intensive and time consuming processes should be eliminated because they do not save neither time nor money.
Blessings!
Thank you so much! Great advice! I've never tried that personally and still do it myself, but I know many who have had great results with that, especially as the blog gets bigger.
I definitely agree with you on that and am looking to streamline much of the process at some point.
Great article.
Giving very structured approach for writing your post effectively.
Worth reading it.
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Hey Dan,Thanks for sharing such positive thoughts with us Congratulation to you .keep up the good work. All the best to you on your journey at WA. Have a great weekend.
You're very welcome! Thank you. All the best to you here as well!