So You Are Not a Writer
There is no progress in Internet marketing unless information is communicated to the market. That information is provided in articles, web pages and blogs. it is communicated over the social networks and by email. it is extremely important.
One of the problems that new members of wealthy affiliate have to face is that they are going to have to write. (Either that or pay someone to write for them.)
But they say, "I am not a writer."
While neither was Hemingway before he started to write. Everyone has to start from scratch.
It’s true that some people have a natural talent for writing. To these word smiths, it just comes naturally to them. Others struggle continually.
But we often struggle more than we need to.
A Problem for New Members
New members want to know how to write. But in reality they don’t need to write as a writer. What they need to do is to communicate. I mean like talking to your neighbor over the back fence. I mean as you write to your grandmother in Florida. So don’t look for some great formula for writing. Just follow a few fundamentals:
1. Decide what you want to communicate. That is if you want to compare Wealthy Affiliate with The Explosion Network, whatever that is, that is what you want to communicate. Now you can do it in a number of ways. You can simply make a table and compare one program with the other. Or you can list your criteria, the things you want to compare, and described them in words. You can use graphics and video. Even for video, you may want to write a script. I do.
2. In the first paragraph you will want to tell your reader watch you are going to communicate to him. That is: You are going to compare one program with another. You’re going to tell him about the Great Wall of China. You’re going to tell him or her how to avoid rabies. You’re going to tell him how to grow carrots in gravel in the wintertime.
3. In the next few paragraphs you will write your message. This is the meat of the article.
4. In the last paragraph you tell your readrs what you have told them. In other words, you summarize your article and draw a conclusion. This paragraph should also have a call to action. Such a call to actions might be to go from your article to your website to learn more. If you are comparing WAU with The Explosion Network, then you would link to your WAU affiliate URL.
While you’re writing make sure that you keep your sentences short. Also make sure that you use a simple vocabulary. You will not be writing to Albert Einstein. You probably couldn’t reach him anyway. You should write to a person with everyday vocabulary. If you use special vocabulary, then you may have to define your words. It depends on your audience. You have to decide when special emphasis is needed on a particular word.
So you are using short sentences and vocabulary and vocabulary suitable to your audience and you are going to put those sentences in short paragraphs.
Now you have something that is easy to read.
Not only that it is easy to write.
Headings:
Always use paragraph headings. These are very important. Search engines look for these headings when there surveying your article. It makes it easy to classify your article and to help those who are searching for the information that you provide.
Keywords:
Keywords are important in your article. They should be selected carefully to make sure you have eliminated most of your competition. They should be used in the first and the last paragraph and in the title of the article. Don’t stuff your article with keywords. That is a no-no for many search engines. I use JAAXY: Get 30 Free Keyword Searches.
Provide Relevant Information:
Remember this: you are providing a needed source of relevant content to those searching for information on the web. You are not writing to please the search engine. You’re not writing to please your English professor. You’re not writing to prove that you’re are a grammatarian. You are simply writing to communicate information. You do that in your own way, in your own words, and in a form that is enjoyable to read and that communicates the information you are providing.
Don’t Over Complicate Your Writing:
So don’t think that I’ve over complicated things here. Just realize that you need to communicate in a simple way the information that you are trying to provide. It is very important that you have that information before you start writing. You need the facts in hand before you start.
Writer’s Block:
Many writers get stuck, and I’m talking about professional writers as well as new writers, because they do not have their ducks lined up in a row. So get your facts together. Put them in a simple outline that you can follow while you are writing., And use the headings in your outline as headings in the text.
Now isn’t that an easy way to go?
Give it a go!
Have some fun while you are at it.
John
Recent Comments
68
Many here are earning money, some are not. What do you mean by successful? Are you talking about a new yacht? John
Think of Internet Marketing as a business. You have to know what you are doing or you may flop. That is why we are here, to learn. I'm in my fifth year and still learning. Also I am forgetting faster than I'm learning. I'm 81 years old.
Hi John
I enjoyed your blog and it'll be useful for anyone struggling with writing.
There's one thing I slightly disagree with and that's your statement about writing for people who have a high school education - 1) Because its hard to quantify - what that means and what impact it has on your writing and 2)Because it's not inclusive. Plenty of people will enjoy reading articles with or without out a specific level of education.
But perhaps I am just being pedantic.
Beverley
Hey Beverley....I was thinking that it meant that you need to keep it at that level...Some have a tendency to sound to sophisticated...and that may not sound as real or down to earth...like you were talking to a friend...just some thoughts...
Well, I'm very glad. I see too many folks with this problem so I decided to take another whack at it. Thanks, Rennee! John
Well, I looked at your bio and you have a great niche to work in. Also, you should have written this. Thanks again! John
That would be great, John. I live in Delaware. A fair distance! Perhaps Skype would be an alternative. Lee
I don't know, John. I've never eaten there. We're fairly new to Delaware, having lived most of our lives in the Greater Boston area and on Long Island in New York. Lee
Absolutely! It's a landmark. The first time I ate there was in 1963 and the last time was in 1998. Lee
Oh I really want to be a writer! I have ideas for 3 different books. This is why I REALLY want to get comfortable with Blogging. I do sometimes journal and I love it and really should do it more often. I think perhaps blogging is different? Even here I can't figure out the Blog, I don't know what it is I need to tag, this a persons name? So yes, I'm a bit confuzzled, yes I am. ;)
Hi Jedi, I have another idea. Call your Superintendent of Schools and ask for any retired Junior or Senior English teachers. You may strike it rich and find someone who needs a little supplement to her income. These are the teachers who taught writing and would enjoy passing along their spark. Maybe you can barter by enhancing her computer skills.
If you are going to be a writer then keep a journal. When I retired about 20 some odd years ago I was writing novels. I always wished I had kept a journal and not depended on my memory for things that could be used to make a novel more realistic. Besides, keeping a journal will improve your writing greatly. Good luck! John
Thanks John! I do keep a journal, but I need to make more of an effort to write in it more. :) Thanks for the idea and I will check out your site too. Cheers! :)
Hi, here's another way to look at it. Start re-visiting websites, blogs, etc. that you like. Read the blogs out loud. Then try writing a blog message of your very own-and read it outloud. Still not comfortable, check out BumMarketing and read aloud what Travis says. This man makes money with less than the English his teachers might approve of. Of course he does it on purpose for effect. And it works; everyone feels right at home with Travis.
Perhaps you could take a adult education class at night. Everyone is there for the same purpose: to learn what they failed to learn in day school.
Or surrender and go to fivrr.com and pay a little for a few articles until you begin to get the skill.
And, of course, you can simply follow John's advice and smile all the way to the bank!
You said it......I am struggling hard with the writing part...as you said I am nota regular writer.....try to follow you advice....thanks
Decide what topic you want to write on, Rexton, and then read up on the Internet or at your library. See what the competition is doing if you have competition. Then see what you can do to make your stuff more original and useful. Then write in your own words making sure you do not copy from websites. Scribble out a rough draft and then go back and polish it off. Don't be afraid to let it sit overnight or to have a friend or family member read your stuff. Good luck! John
thanks John........you are always in the chat room chatting away and helping members....do you have 28hrs/day
I don't think I have 28 hours. I'll have to count them to be sure. As for helping, Kyle, Beverly, Craig, Rich and others do a much better job. In fact if they are there to answer questions, I hang back. John
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For me,,, I feel like Moses when God asked him to speak to pharaoh. Write... I don't even write letters or I never write on FB because of my writing. So this is very interesting God has given me this new task. But...with God all things are possible. ; O) RIght?
Thanks for the outline, great job. ; O_)
God bless
Kymee
Hello Kymee, I am right behind you when it comes to writing, thank goodness for spell check. I am sure WA will find a program we can use to help us with our content. have a great day
The main thing is to pour a little of yourself into your writing. Your enthusiasm and sincerity will give your reader a sense of security and excitement. They will care if you do. And you have no trouble with writing. You write to me all the time in the best way. John
Thank you John. ;o)
Terialf honestly I have content to the end of the earth. ask anyone who sits with me, and wants me to shut up....it is putting it in writing. don't like to do that. I write like I talk and a often times that just does not make sense.... ; O)
I have all the confidence that contend will get easier and easier for you.
God bless
Kymee
When I first started here I never was good at writing and my grammar was terrible. I still use the spell check and don't know what I would do without it. The thought of writing 400 words seemed impossible, but now It seems like at 400 words I am just getting started.
Thanks to WA I didn't let the fear of writing get in my way and I now have an awesome website. I don't know where I would be if I kept telling myself I can't write.