Today, content writing is one of the most critical marketing skills to have. Aside from resumes, this skill is also essential in starting a career and increasing traffic to business websites.
A lot of people find writing an intimidating activity. That is especially true for those who do not write regularly or for a living.
Fortunately, there are several ways to make writing not agonizing. Anyone can improve their writing skills with a willingness to learn and a little discipline.
Don’t worry if you are a newbie writer; here are some tips to level up your writing:
Tip #1: Make It a Daily Exercise
The popular saying “practice makes perfect” also applies to writing.
You can compare writing to other skills like dancing, singing, or cooking. And you will see that if you do not practice, do not expect any improvement. In short, you will not become a great writer if you only write one piece of content.
You can do daily writing exercises. Don’t worry; they do not have to be time-consuming and long-winded. For example, you can write one paragraph daily.
You can also look for a writing buddy who also wishes to enhance their writing skills. One of the biggest advantages of having a writing buddy is you can read each other’s work and see what changes have to be made.
Tip #2: Read!
People naturally learn best by example. And you can also improve your writing skills if you see excellent examples.
You can read other writers’ work and discover how they effectively convey their messages. You will also learn what language, tone, or words they use or how they structure their sentences and paragraphs.
So, make reading part of your writing exercises. You can write a summary or review of what you read, but ensure to take various elements of others’ writing styles to find and develop your own voice.
Tip #3: Be Succinct
Do you often use filler or complicated, long words? Then, you may only confuse your readers.
If you infuse your content with those words, readers can be disinterested in what you are saying. Instead, keep your sentences and paragraphs short.
Avoid using words like just, really, very, etc. These words can make your sentences long. They also take up the readers’ cognitive space.
Tip #4: Edit Thoroughly
Your task does not end after the last sentence in your writing. You also need to edit it thoroughly.
Unfortunately, many newbie writers neglect the importance of thorough editing. You have to check the spelling, grammar, and other things that may affect the quality of your content.
Any error in your writing can impact the message you want to convey. This can also decrease the trust and interest of your readers in your reputation as a writer.
Beware that our brain usually overlooks small errors when proofreading a content piece. So, you can use editing tools like Grammarly, as it will help you polish your work.
You can also try AI-powered content writing tools like ChatGPT, CloserCopy and more. Check out this CloserCopy review for more information.
Tip #5: Deliver a Clear Message
Your readers may experience frustration if your content does not get to the point.
When writing, determine what you want to say and what message you wish your readers could get. You will also need to ensure that message is clear from the start.
It is also critical to consider your target audience. This is where you need to figure out what your readers want to hear and how they would like the message to be conveyed.
It will help if you know whether you need to use a formal or informal tone. You also need to know whether you have to use humor when developing the message or get straight to the point.
Tip #6: Join Workshops
Some people are hesitant to be in front of strangers. However, joining writing workshops is helpful in boosting your writing skills. It will also give you lots of fun while learning.
Professional development and content marketing meet-ups are getting more popular. You can easily find LinkedIn groups or writing workshops and meet like-minded writers.
After you pick a topic and write it out, you can show it to your group and ask for feedback. From there, you can revise your content and produce better quality work.
Tip #7: Sketch Out an Outline
Outlines are writers’ best friends, while blank pages are their worst enemy.
Before getting your pen or opening your laptop, create an outline first of what you want to write. You do have to make the outline complex.
Instead, sketch out a simple framework, ensuring sections appear in a particular order. You also need to ensure each section has a few sentences. However, if your topic is more complex, the outline can be that too.
If you have an outline before writing, you have a path where your writing will go. If you feel you are getting out of topic, refer to your outline and continue writing.
Tip #8: Use Conversational, Writing Tone
Every writer has a unique writing style. So, try to find your own style.
You can convey the message in your comfort zone. This means to write like you are conversing. Use your original voice and thoughts in shaping ideas and try to avoid cliches.
Always remember that your writing style must reflect who you are – your personality.
Tip #9: Now, Write!
In some cases, the most challenging part of writing is to sit down and get the writing done. With the above tips, by this point, ensure that you already have a clear plan and general idea of what you want to say and how you should say it.
If you feel a little discouragement, look around and find inspiration. Do not force yourself to write; it should occur naturally. If you feel pressured, your ideas will not come out.
Final Thoughts
Writing and improving your skills seem daunting at first. However, your hard work will soon pay off. All you need to do is believe in yourself so that you can make beautiful content. We wish you good luck with your next content!
