24 things I wish I knew before I started a career in content writing & marketing:
1. Writing is more about thinking than writing. You'll end up writing in your head all the time. While driving, cooking, walking, falling asleep, etc. Get ready to think a lot.
1. Writing is more about thinking than writing. You'll end up writing in your head all the time. While driving, cooking, walking, falling asleep, etc. Get ready to think a lot.
2. People will tell you it's easy to make money from online writing. It's actually quite hard. You'll work long hours, burn out, and want to quit at times. Hard truth.
3. First drafts are not final drafts. You're not supposed to nail it on round 1. Self-editing is key.
3. First drafts are not final drafts. You're not supposed to nail it on round 1. Self-editing is key.
4. Learn how to research well ASAP. This includes scouring the internet for insights, finding original sources, asking open ended questions, following up to clarify, etc. The best writers are epic researchers.
5. Schedules are nice but deadlines will ruin them. Deal with it.
5. Schedules are nice but deadlines will ruin them. Deal with it.
6. Content marketing is collaborative and communication is everything. Respond early and often about your progress.
7. If you need more time, ask for it. It's better to take an extra day and deliver quality than rush and deliver half-baked work.
7. If you need more time, ask for it. It's better to take an extra day and deliver quality than rush and deliver half-baked work.
8. You were taught to use passive voice in school. Use active voice 98% of the time. Passive voice works sparingly, or not at all.
9. Logical flow is critical thinking personified. How you present ideas matters as much as what you're saying.
10. Write --> Break --> Edit
9. Logical flow is critical thinking personified. How you present ideas matters as much as what you're saying.
10. Write --> Break --> Edit
11. There are three types of editing: developmental, copy editing, and proofreading.
E.g.
Macro --> Micro --> Polish
OR
Narrative --> Flow --> Details
When editing, make sure that the content aligns with the brief, sentences flow seamlessly, and it's error-free.
E.g.
Macro --> Micro --> Polish
OR
Narrative --> Flow --> Details
When editing, make sure that the content aligns with the brief, sentences flow seamlessly, and it's error-free.
12. Don't add backlinks to competing articles. Links are strategic gems, not free-for all goodies.
13. Do add original + recent sources when you make claims that need to be supported.
13. Do add original + recent sources when you make claims that need to be supported.
14. Get your work edited by others. Coworkers, a client, friends, family, strangers in a community, etc. Feedback accelerates growth.
15. Don't take feedback personally. It's not about youβit's about the work.
16. If you're confused, ask clarifying questions.
15. Don't take feedback personally. It's not about youβit's about the work.
16. If you're confused, ask clarifying questions.
17. Write your introduction first, last, in the middle, whenever. Who cares what your favorite influencer doesβfind what works for YOU.
18. Consistency is important but you don't need to write every day. In fact, breaks can make you even more creative. Find your balance.
18. Consistency is important but you don't need to write every day. In fact, breaks can make you even more creative. Find your balance.
19. Specificity > generalizations. "Everybody needs water" is obvious and boring. "These 3 water companies did..." is interesting. Specificity is compelling and resonates.
20. Strategic storytelling is powerful. Anecdotes add flare. Both help you stand out.
20. Strategic storytelling is powerful. Anecdotes add flare. Both help you stand out.
21. A show-don't-tell feedback methodology is the best way to teach and learn. Some clients won't follow it. Strive to find the best but know it won't happen overnight.
22. After 5 years, you may still be making a case that quality content matters. Another hard truth.
22. After 5 years, you may still be making a case that quality content matters. Another hard truth.
23. Every sentence must forward the narrative. If it doesn't, cut.
24. A threadgurl named @ericasmyname will spend 5 years learning, then decide to teach on Twitter. Follow her for content marketing expertise and corny jokes.
24. A threadgurl named @ericasmyname will spend 5 years learning, then decide to teach on Twitter. Follow her for content marketing expertise and corny jokes.
I hope you've found these lessons helpful.
Click the first tweet below to go back to the top, then retweet to share π
Click the first tweet below to go back to the top, then retweet to share π
Loading suggestions...