Four Small Steps to Start Improving Your Writing Today

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“Content is King.” 

Bloggers, content writers employed in a digital marketing agency are all too well versed with this maxim. In fact, as a content writer or blogger, this is ingrained in them the moment they took the job. It is basically what they do and is essentially the driving point of their jobs.   However, this aphorism is all for naught if the writers themselves cannot deliver efficient and compelling content that would motivate readers to keep coming back for more. True enough, content writing is not only about meeting your weekly quota—it is about publishing online articles that writers themselves feel are worthy of reading.

But crafting articles worth reading and sharing does not happen overnight, it takes years of grueling experience, dedication, and hard work. Although, that may be true, it does not necessarily mean that you cannot incorporate small changes today that would aid you in your endeavor in becoming a better writer. After all, that is why you are here—this article has somehow piqued your interest, and you want to craft and write better articles. Well, for any writer out there, there is no hard and fast rule and the logistics towards bettering your craft are not ineludibly the same for everyone but undoubtedly, you can start today with these small steps.

KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WRITING AND BLOGGING 

A lot of people are under the misguided notion that there is no real difference between writing and blogging and that in essence, they are one and the same. This is a novice misconception for non-writers, and those who do write should know better. The stark difference between writing and blogging lies in what an individual does with his or her craft—a blogger casually writes, would add links various photos and videos that they would incorporate into their content. The words they utilize are mildly important and are just a small aspect of their show.

Writers, however, have a more in-depth understanding of what they are writing about. They endlessly do research, have their notes handy, open up a blank document and zero their focus on the words and just the words. Writers would only edit after they have made sure they have reached the end of their piece; they do not edit it as they go. And they definitely do not break their mental flow just to embed a video into their content. This is because writers need to operate on an uninterrupted wave of initial thought and inspiration and when it is gone; it can be hard to begin that sort of rhythm again.

Now that you have an idea what the difference is remember that it is much better to write than to blog if your endeavor is to become a better writer.

USE YOUR ADVERBS JUDICIOUSLY

Adverbs are hardly your friend when it comes to writing better and effective articles. However, this is better said than done considering that most writers have a minimum word count to meet. If such is the case, then do make sure that when you utilize adverbs, use them sparingly and sensibly and do not just lump them anywhere and everywhere you think appropriate. A well-known writer so vehemently dislikes the usage of adverbs that he has concluded that they were “created with the timid writer in mind” and would tell us that the writer “is afraid he or she is not expressing himself or herself clearly.”

In any case, the overuse of adverbs makes for a lazy writer and would produce lethargic writing. Express yourselves better, vocalize your thoughts, paint a clearer picture with your words and do not simply resort to adverbs when you are falling short of your needed word count.

CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE 

Sometimes the most difficult part in writing is trying to begin. Every writer is familiar with the feeling of having a daunting blank white page stare at you—the sheer white expanse is enough to make some writers quail, and the thought of filling that up with words is, even more, formidable. True enough, writing needs the necessary inspiration for one to begin and more often than not, that may be rather hard to come by. After all, there are certain times of the week wherein you do not feel like writing at all. When this occurs, simply take some time off the computer or from your desk then breathe and relax. Then have a change of perspective.

As an example, you can envision someone, think of a friend or a family member. As your words begin to glide on paper, imagine them reading as you go or better yet think of them as being the solitary audience of your article—that you are writing for them. In this way, you are writing to one person instead of writing to no one or everyone all at once. Additionally, it would be easier to put your ideas into words as your goal would be to explain your idea only to one person.

OBSERVE OTHER SUCCESSFUL WRITERS 

This one bears no further elaboration.

Observer how your favorite writer's do their craft online and take a leaf or two out of their books and incorporate their practices into your style of writing as well. Learn from them and utilize their best techniques and maybe one day, you will end up being just like them.



Becoming a better writer does not require you to make any bold and sweeping changes for you to become one. Just try to incorporate the three small changes above and never underestimate the power of practicing your craft. After all, the adage “practice makes perfect” never failed anyone. And it certainly would not fail you or hurt to start becoming a better writer today.