![]() ![]() Before putting pen to proverbial paper, sketch out an outline of what you plan to write. The blinking cursor of a blank page is a considerable foe, even for the most experienced writers. Over time, I eventually developed my own style, but reading the works of these writers and seeing how they constructed their essays and books was immensely helpful to me as a writer (see tip #3). I also attempted (and failed) to imitate writers such as Dave Eggers and Dan Kennedy, but soon realized that I wasn’t funny enough and gave it up. When I first started writing, I imitated some of my favorite nonfiction writers and essayists, such as Joan Didion, Truman Capote and Bill Bryson. Do they use pop culture references to make their work entertaining and useful? Try that, too. Does a writer you like use humor to spice up dry topics? Try it. Identify what it is you enjoy about their work, and see if you can use it to improve your writing skills. Just as you probably have a list of blogs you read often, you’ll likely also read the same writers on a regular basis. Imitate Writers You Admireīefore we go any further, a disclaimer – imitation is not the same as plagiarism. Read the full post here, and see how Morris masterfully tells the story of a band named Death and how this relates to writing content. This piece was first published back in June, and I still remember it. The pacing is excellent, it grabs your attention, and best of all, it keeps you reading. ![]() You can’t not read to see what happens next. Immediately, you’re hooked by Morris’ opening. Let’s take a look at a particularly powerful (and memorable piece) from Copyblogger that serves as a great example of this. See how writers take one subject and transition into another. Examine why you like these elements, and see if there are any common threads in your favored reading material. Next, just like your high school English teacher did, take a red pen and highlight things you liked: certain sentences, turns of phrase, even entire paragraphs. Most people read the same blogs or sites on a regular basis because the material appeals to them – but fewer people understand why their favorite blogs are so appealing.įind a handful of recent blog posts you really like, then print them out. Pick a topic, write something, listen to the feedback of the group, and then revise it. Join one of the many content marketing groups on LinkedIn to meet like-minded writers, or search for writing workshops near you on sites like Meetup. These days, content marketing meet-ups and professional development groups are becoming wildly popular. You don’t need to have an unfinished novel hidden away in your desk drawer to join a workshop. Every writer should have a copy of “ The Elements of Style” by Strunk and White on their bookshelf, as this small but invaluable book is one of the most comprehensive resources on the correct use of grammar and other helpful topics.įor quick and easy online resources, bookmark Grammar Girl and, of course, Merriam-Webster. This doesn’t mean you need to enroll in a prestigious creative writing program at an Ivy league university, but you will need to know the basics of grammar and spelling. Brush Up on the Basicsīefore you can start writing incredible content, you’ll need at least an intermediate understanding of the basic principles of writing. Want to become a better writer? Here are 16 ways you can start improving your writing skills right now. The good news is that writing doesn’t have to be agonizing, and almost anybody can improve their writing skills with a little discipline and a willingness to learn. Writing is intimidating to a lot of people, particularly those who don’t write for a living or on a regular basis. With content marketing shaping up as one of the most important marketing skills to have on your resume, getting a handle on writing could really benefit your career as well as the obvious benefit of increasing traffic to your company’s site. ![]()
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