Be A Writing Superstar With These Tips
Is your writing career stuck in neutral?
Stop Reading This Now!
If you simply write for the enjoyment of writing then you might as well move on to other business today. Don’t read another word of this article. Thanks for stopping by and have fun with your writing.
If, however, you have visions of making money with your writing, then I would strongly suggest you absorb every pearl of wisdom you are about to read. I say that with all humility for these are not my pearls of wisdom. They are lessons I have learned over the years. They are the culmination of knowledge I have learned during my years in business and marketing. They are collected snippets of information I learned and taught as a teacher and yes, they are tips I have picked up during my years as a writer.
I have mentioned before in earlier articles that if you pay close attention you will notice that there is very little in the way of new knowledge. Read any of the self-help books out there and you will see a regurgitation of philosophy but simply stated in a new way. Variations upon variations, mixed and matched but essentially the same information…..and that is what I am doing here. Maybe, by stating things in a different manner, some of what I say will stick to your gray matter and you will learn something useful. That is my hope in writing this article.
If you are interested in succeeding in the writing profession, and you at least partially measure success by dollars earned, then this one if for you.
GIVE READERS A REASON TO READ YOUR WRITING
Writers deliver and readers receive. That is a universal truth, and by extension, if you want readers to peruse your writings then you need to give them what they are looking for.
But you say “every reader wants something different,” and to a certain extent that is true….but….one thing that is true for all readers is that they want to be entertained and or informed. Your job is to do one or the other, and I will take it a step further and tell you that you need to tell the reader what you are giving them.
If you are a niche writer, and if you intend to make money, then be specific in telling readers what you are presenting to them. It goes something like this:
“In this article I will tell you how to be a better writer.”
“In this article I will tell you how to be a better parent.”
“In this article I will help you to be a better lover.”
“In this article I will give you ten suggestions for being more productive at work.”
In other words, take the guesswork out of the equation and make sure you are clear about what you are delivering. And that brings us to point number two.
WHAT AM I GOING TO GIVE MY READERS?
This is all about the focus of your writing. What is your purpose for writing the article in the first place? What do you hope to accomplish? If, when you are through with your article, you have met that goal, then you will have written a good article or book.
When I started writing my novel “The 12/59 Shuttle From Yesterday To Today,” I started it as a simple writing exercise. Once I decided I was going to make a novel out of it, I had to sit down and ask myself what the major themes were going to be. I eventually settled on four:
- Love is the most important thing in life
- As long as there is hope then there is….hope
- The environment is in trouble and it is up to us to help it
- Great change can happen through the efforts of a small group of determined people
When I finished the novel I held it up to the sunlight and asked myself if the book was true to those four themes. It was and I was satisfied.
HOW DO I IMPROVE THE LIVES OF MY READERS?
There are millions of writers out there trying to earn a buck. That is the truth of this business. Yes, competition is fierce, but remember also that there are billions of people in this world, most of whom read, so it’s not like we don’t have numbers to work with.
So, how do you attract those readers to your book or article?
Readers want something when they read. Ask yourself this question: how am I improving the lives of people with my article or book? Once you have answered that question then tell the readers of the world.
Put a value statement on your article, or put a value statement on your signature. It goes something like this:
- I am going to make you a better golfer
- I am going to improve your life by teaching you how to meditate
- I am going to help you to gain extra passive income
Again, we are at the focus stage of your writing. As a writer, you must convince readers that there is value in your writing, and by that I mean value for them….what are you going to give them that will make it worthwhile to read your written ramblings?
Complete this sentence: I will help you……..
Once you can answer that question then incorporate it into your writing and into your platform.
Learning from the pros
OH NO, NOT THE PLATFORM AGAIN
Yes, the platform again!
I know, you hate to market yourself. Most writers will say that and believe me, I feel your pain….but!
If you don’t do it, who will?
When I am introduced to a new person, and they ask what it is that I do, I tell them that my name is Bill Holland. I am a writer and founder of Humanity One World.
Again, if you don’t do it then who will?
I’m serious about my writing career and as such I have to be serious about marketing my career. I am proud to be a writer. I am proud to be a member of this select group of wonderful people who add to the literacy of this world. If I’m proud of it then I need to shout it from the rooftops….I AM A WRITER!
CREATE A TAGLINE
Huh? What’s a tagline?
A tagline is a branding slogan and it is high time you brand yourselves. Let’s take a look at some of the better known taglines in business:
- Braniff Airlines….When you’ve got it, flaunt it.
- British Airways….The world’s favorite airline
- Budweiser….King of beers
- Burger King….Have it your way
- California Milk Processor Board….Got milk?
- Calvin Klein…..Nothing comes between me and my Calvins
- Capital One…..What’s in your wallet?
- Cascade…..For virtually spotless dishes
- Chevy Trucks….Like a rock
- Cialis….Will you be ready?
- Citgo….There at every turn
And on and on we go. We see taglines every single day of our lives, and since you are in the business of selling your writing, you should have a tagline too. What is yours? Think of one and then incorporate it into your writing. Put it in the subheading of every article. Put it on your business cards.
What’s mine? I just came up with it last week and I’m introducing it in this article:
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
How do you like it?
USE SPECIFIC AND EMOTIONAL LANGUAGE IN YOUR WRITING
Writing should be about emotions, just as all art should be, just as all music should be. What emotions are you trying to arouse with your writing? Do you want the reader happy? Do you want them to feel sad? Do you want giddiness or nostalgia? Use whatever verbs, nouns and adjectives you can to make sure that the desired emotions become actual emotions when the reader checks out your work.
Form an emotional attachment with your readers and you will have readers for life.
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And Now That You Know the Secrets
I have given you enough to think about for today. I promise….I promise….if you have a modicum of talent, and if you incorporate these tips into your writing business, you will find success.
Yes there is a great deal of competition in the writing game, but there is only a handful of very good writers. Yes, you are one of millions, but you can be in the upper echelon of writers if you take the steps necessary to move upwards.
These suggestions will help. Take them….tweak them so that they nestle comfortably within your writing style….and then spread your wings and fly!
2013 William D. Holland (aka billybuc)
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”