To put it simply, you\u2019ll never regret investing time in improving your writing.<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n I\u2019m going to level with you: writing is half interest and half a learned skill. If you don\u2019t love reading or storytelling you will never be an amazing writer. Sure, you can become technically skilled but you aren\u2019t going to captivate a reader with your masterful grammar.<\/p>\n That being said, if you have no interest in becoming a great writer there is no reason that you can\u2019t still become a proficient writer with just a few simple tips. The title of this article is \u201cHow to Improve Your Writing,\u201d not \u201cHow to Become Hemmingway in 30 Days,\u201d so if you want to take your blogs from good to great, or if you just want to stop embarrassing yourself in emails, here are some easy ways to get better:<\/p>\n It would be particularly useful to read the types of content you intend to write but just reading, in general, will make you better at writing. Why? It improves your vocabulary by exposing you to new words, familiarizes you with sentence structuring, and gives you a sense of what good writing looks like.<\/p>\n When reading, read with a critical eye. Pay attention to what you like, what you don\u2019t like, and be specific. If you don\u2019t like a particular article, think specifically what you didn\u2019t like about it and try to see beyond the content matter. Was it too long, or not explanatory enough? Was the author too informal, or stiff? Was the writing clear, or were you confused as to what the writer was trying to say? Pay attention to writing conventions and decide what you want to replicate, or avoid, in your own writing.<\/p>\n Do you struggle to find things you actually enjoy reading? Use Twitter to follow and search for interesting content. I specifically follow publications and blogs I find interesting so that Sunday morning when I have a giant coffee and it\u2019s time for a long read, I can just scroll through Twitter and open up a few tabs.<\/p>\n TL;DR (too long; didn\u2019t read)\u2013 Read often and pay attention to what you like, and don\u2019t like, in writing.<\/strong><\/p>\n A lot of blogs about improving copywriting push conversational writing oft citing popular, straightforward writers like Bukowski and Hemmingway. But you are not a novelist, and\u00a0neither of those authors ever had to write an email explaining to an unhappy client why a project went over budget.<\/p>\n Furthermore, it wouldn\u2019t be appropriate to write conversationally for all copywriting endeavours\u2014trust me, I know first hand. Everbrave has quite a few technical, B2B service provider clients and if you think writing an article explaining directional drilling should be conversational, then you\u2019ve never worked in directional drilling.<\/p>\n Instead of trying to write conversationally, imagine who will be reading what you\u2019re writing and format accordingly. Explain the information in a way that makes the most sense, and in a tone that the reader would most like to hear it. If you\u2019re writing a blog post to a wide audience, use accessible language (avoid big, unnecessary words). If you\u2019re writing an email to a client, use polite conventions, and address them respectfully.<\/p>\n Perhaps I\u2019m misinterpreting the use of the word conversational in some of these other writing blogs, but it makes me think of the word informal and you can\u2019t write informally all the time. Yes, it\u2019s important to be clear and straightforward but I can\u2019t advocate for people to write everything like they\u2019re\u00a0speaking with a friend.<\/p>\n TL;DR- Your readers are not your friends, don\u2019t address them as such. Write in a tone your audience will best respond to. Know your audience.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Despite judgement from friends who work in publishing and communications, I advocate for everyone to download Grammarly<\/a> (I even included it in my last blog<\/a>). The writing purist in me feels deep shame that I need grammar help but I feel more shame sending out emails, or publishing blogs, only to later notice easily preventable blunders.<\/p>\n I am by no means a grammar snob, as it doesn\u2019t really improve a story, but that also doesn\u2019t mean it isn\u2019t important. Proper grammar makes writing clear, understandable, and adds credibility. A piece riddled with spelling errors and run-on sentences detracts from the information provided, is uncomfortable to read, and makes the reader question the legitimacy of the content.<\/p>\n It\u2019s important to have a decent grasp of the English language but I\u2019m not here to harp on that point, there are already plenty of helpful articles on improving grammar (see here<\/a>, here<\/a>, and here<\/a>). The advice I will give, however, is this: cheat. Download Grammarly, use spellcheck, or find other helpful editing apps. If you aren\u2019t a total word nerd, you are going to make some grammar errors and that is ok but prevent as many as possible by using apps or tools.<\/p>\n TL;DR- Grammar is important. Use apps and tools to help you out.<\/strong><\/p>\n When in doubt, have someone read your writing. Heck, even if you\u2019re certain it\u2019s a masterpiece, still have someone proofread your writing. There is no writer in the world that doesn\u2019t need an editor, and there are no exceptions.<\/p>\n TL;DR- Get someone to proofread your work.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n It is inevitable that writing will be occasionally difficult. Creativity and inspiration are not always endless wellsprings, and sometimes trying to start a project feels like staring at a brick wall. Luckily, there are a few different ways in which to bust that wall down and start the project you\u2019ve been dreading.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re particularly blocked for inspiration or struggling to start, stream of consciousness writing can be an effective method.<\/p>\n Open a blank document, think about the topic you need to write about, look away from the screen, and start typing whatever comes to mind. The trick to this is to not look at the screen until you are finished as you will want to start editing and it\u2019s best to get all your thoughts down first.<\/p>\n You can\u2019t just send or publish this type of writing without formatting and editing, but it\u2019s a great way to get started.<\/p>\n 2. Write an Outline<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n When I particularly dread a project or have no clue how to begin I create a very detailed outline that goes over everything I want to say.<\/p>\n First, start with the introduction, and then make bullet points for everything the introduction needs to go over. Then, write a basic summary of the second paragraph and bullet points for what that paragraph need to discuss. Do the same for as many paragraphs as needed and then use that outline as a blueprint for writing.<\/p>\n This method is incredibly effective when you generally know what needs to be said in a piece, but don\u2019t know how to structure it.<\/p>\n 3. Create an Environment for Creativity<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Think about the times in which you are most productive. Is it at home in your kitchen or is it at your office desk, first thing in the morning? Every individual responds better to certain environments for particular tasks and learning where yours are can be pivotal to writing.<\/p>\n If your phone easily distracts you, keep it out of sight. If you work best at a desk, only write at a desk. If your afternoon latte seems to be the gateway to creative expression, get to writing after your latte. Identify where you work best and use it to your advantage.<\/p>\n TL;DR-Create a process for writing so that if you need to get something done, you aren\u2019t at the mercy of inspiration.<\/strong><\/p>\n It is almost immediately clear when a writer doesn\u2019t understand the subject matter of their article. Researching whatever you intend to write about is critical. You need to convey your point clearly and accurately to readers and you can\u2019t do that if you don\u2019t truly understand the topic matter.<\/p>\n A poorly researched piece can be confusing, or worse, misleading, to a reader but it\u2019s also needlessly difficult for the writer. With enough research, it becomes a lot easier to make a point and fill a page. Do yourself, and the reader, a favour and do thorough research before you put pen to paper (or your fingers to keyboard).<\/p>\n TL;DR- You need to research the topic you\u2019re writing about or you\u2019re doing a disservice to yourself and your readers.<\/strong><\/p>\nBut how?<\/h3>\n
Start Reading. Then, Read Critically<\/h2>\n
Bonus Tip:<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n
![\"Writing\"](\"https:\/\/everbrave.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/pexels-photo-287335-1.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nWrite for the Reader<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nGrammar is Hard, Cheat Your Way to Success<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nAlways use the Buddy System<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nCreate a Process<\/h2>\n
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<\/a><\/h2>\nResearch is Everything<\/h2>\n