Content marketing is one of the most important marketing skills to have on your resume, so getting a handle on your writing skills could truly benefit you and increase traffic to your company’s site.
Writing can be intimidating to a lot of people, particularly those who don’t write for a living or on a regular basis. The good news is that writing doesn’t have to be an agonizing process, and anybody can improve their writing skills. Do you want to become a better writer?
Let’s explore some of the ways that you can improve your skills.
Brush up on the basics
Before you can start writing captivating content, you need to at least develop an intermediate understanding of language. This doesn’t require you to enroll in some prestigious creative writing program; with that said, you need to have a basic understanding of grammar and spelling. Consider getting yourself a copy of Canadian A to Z of Grammar, Spelling, and Punctuation and brush up on your skills.
Write as if it’s your job
If you want to get better at something, you have to practice. Unfortunately, there aren’t many shortcuts that can transform you into an excellent writer, even some of the most talented writers had to learn their craft over time. It’s admittedly even harder to write with SEO and how to drive traffic to your website in mind.
If you want to improve your writing skills, writing on a regular basis will help you develop your own unique style. Even if no one reads, keep writing. Practice makes perfect.
Get outside feedback
Although writing is usually a solitary activity, the best writers know when to get some much-needed feedback.
Talk to coworkers, friends, family – anyone you trust to read your work and provide you with honest, constructive feedback. They may just find small mistakes that you overlooked. Finding someone to give you feedback is a great way to hold yourself accountable.
Outlines are your friend
Looking at a blinking cursor on a blank page can be quite the enemy, even for the most experienced writers. Before you tuck in and start tapping away on the keyboard, don’t be afraid to write a basic outline of what you plan to write. This can be your battle plan and help you get through the initial hump. Very few writers write anything without a solid plan.
An outline doesn’t have to be complicated. A simple framework with sections should appear in a particular order, along with a few sentences about what each section contains may be enough. If you’re tackling a topic that’s a little more complex, your outline might have to be as well – but having an outline is like a roadmap in the glove box of your car.
Edit your work ruthlessly
If you’re writing every day or on a regular basis, and you’re feeling more confident about your work. That’s great, but you also have to be your own harshest critic.
Editing is a difficult skill to learn for beginner writers because they place so much value on the time and effort they put into their writing. However, a lot of writing contains rewriting, and this is where the hard eye of an editor will serve you well.
Develop the discipline it takes to eliminate unnecessary words to keep your sentences concise. Resist the temptation to use flowery language and get to the point. Not sure if a paragraph works? It likely doesn’t – don’t be afraid to get rid of it or rework it. Your work will be stronger as a result.