Writing content that truly connects with your audience doesn’t have to be complicated or overwhelming. Whether you're working on a blog, website copy, or social media post, the key is to approach it in a way that feels manageable, and true to your voice.
Here are a few essential tips and techniques to help you write content that stands out, engages your audience, and feels easy to create. If you're struggling with your content or don't know where to begin, you’ll find the steps here helpful for getting started.
Start with a Brainstorm or Brain Dump
One of the best ways to get started with any piece of content is to let your ideas flow freely. We often get stuck because we want things to be perfect from the very first draft, but that’s not how good writing happens.
Instead, focus on doing a "brain dump." This is a technique where you just write down everything that comes to your mind on the topic you're tackling. Don’t worry about spelling, grammar, or organization—just get the ideas out of your head and onto the page. (I do this all of the time.)
The goal here is quantity over quality. You're not editing yet; you're simply capturing the essence of your thoughts. Once you've done this, you'll likely have a wealth of ideas to work with, even if it seems a bit chaotic at first. You can always go back later to clean things up, but it's much harder to edit a blank page.
Create a Simple Outline
Now that you have a bunch of ideas down, it’s time to bring some structure to them. This is where outlining comes into play. Outlining your content helps give it a natural flow and makes sure you're covering all the key points. It also prevents you from going off on tangents or getting stuck mid-way through writing.
An outline can be as simple or detailed as you like, but at a minimum, it should include:
- Introduction: What are you writing about, and why is it important?
- Main Points: These are the key ideas or sections that support the topic.
- Conclusion: Wrap up the content by summarizing your main points and offering a call to action (CTA) if necessary.
Having an outline to follow keeps your content focused and organized. It’s a map that guides both you and your readers from start to finish without losing direction.
Write in Your Own Voice
One of the biggest mistakes people make when creating content is trying to sound overly formal or professional. While there’s a time and place for formal writing, most content—especially blogs, social media posts, and web copy—benefits from a more conversational tone.
Write like you talk. Use your own voice, your own words, and your own style. This not only makes the content easier to write but also helps you connect more deeply with your audience. People want to read something that feels real and relatable, not a piece of writing that sounds stiff or robotic, or sounds like AI do the writing for you.
Avoid relying too much on “canned content,” which refers to pre-written, generic templates you might find online. While it can be tempting to use these as shortcuts, they don’t reflect your unique brand or personality. Your content should be a reflection of you—your values, your ideas, and your expertise.
Don’t Edit While You Write
This might seem counterintuitive, but it’s crucial: don’t edit as you write. Editing and writing are two very different processes, and doing both simultaneously can slow you down or stifle creativity. When you're writing, focus on getting your ideas out. Save the editing for after you’ve completed your first draft.
Editing while writing can lead to self-criticism, which often results in writer’s block. Instead, try to let your ideas flow freely, knowing that you'll have time to refine and polish later. Once your draft is complete, then you can go back and check for spelling, grammar, structure, and clarity.
Be Clear and Concise
People are busy, and they don’t always have the time or patience to wade through long, meandering paragraphs. Try to keep your writing clear and to the point. Each sentence should serve a purpose, and if you find yourself rambling, it’s okay to cut things out. Readers will appreciate content that gets to the heart of the matter quickly.
Use short paragraphs, bullet points, and subheadings to break up the text. This makes your content easier to scan and digest, especially online. Think about how you consume content yourself—most of us skim through articles first and only stop to read something in depth if it catches our attention.
Make It Engaging
The best content is engaging. This means writing in a way that not only informs your readers but also makes them want to keep reading. Ask questions, share personal anecdotes, or use metaphors to illustrate your points. Anything that invites the reader to connect with your content on a deeper level will make your writing more memorable and impactful.
So, here's my Call to Action: Let Me Help You Write Your Content
Feeling overwhelmed with your content creation? You don’t have to do it alone! I specialize in helping businesses and individuals craft content that’s engaging, and effective. As a special offer, I’m giving away a free blog post to the first three people who reach out and connect with me. Let me help you get started with your next project. Drop me a message, and let's create something amazing together!
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