Most people suck at writing.
But avoid these 12 amateur mistakes, and I promise you won’t:
But avoid these 12 amateur mistakes, and I promise you won’t:
❌ Writing Sterile Sentences
Common copywriting advice tells you:
• Cut unnecessary words
• Make your writing as simple as possible
But don't fear longer sentences.
If you remove what makes it YOU, it could be written by anyone.
Common copywriting advice tells you:
• Cut unnecessary words
• Make your writing as simple as possible
But don't fear longer sentences.
If you remove what makes it YOU, it could be written by anyone.
❌ Writing and Editing Together
Writing uses the creative right side of your brain, and editing the analytical left side.
Blending these together doesn’t work.
Take a break (I take a whole day)
Then edit later when your brain has rested.
Write fast, edit slow.
Writing uses the creative right side of your brain, and editing the analytical left side.
Blending these together doesn’t work.
Take a break (I take a whole day)
Then edit later when your brain has rested.
Write fast, edit slow.
❌ Not Using Structures
The best writers use proven writing structures.
Why?
Because they work, so why reinvent the wheel.
Structures that work survive the test of time.
For example, PAS:
Pain
Agitate
Solution
The best writers use proven writing structures.
Why?
Because they work, so why reinvent the wheel.
Structures that work survive the test of time.
For example, PAS:
Pain
Agitate
Solution
❌ Not Using Numbers
Numbers are disruptors.
They stop the reader from scrolling.
Plus they make your writing more believable.
Facts & figures > vagueness
Numbers are disruptors.
They stop the reader from scrolling.
Plus they make your writing more believable.
Facts & figures > vagueness
❌ Sounding Corporate
This is the problem for 99% of ‘professional’ writing.
Avoid words like:
• Fundamentally
• Particularly
Write the way you’d say it, and then edit from there.
It’ll sound like a human wrote it.
Not ChatGPT.
This is the problem for 99% of ‘professional’ writing.
Avoid words like:
• Fundamentally
• Particularly
Write the way you’d say it, and then edit from there.
It’ll sound like a human wrote it.
Not ChatGPT.
❌ Not Being Specific
If you’re writing to everyone, you’ll appeal to no one.
Write to ONE person.
With ONE idea.
And your writing will instantly be more effective.
If you’re writing to everyone, you’ll appeal to no one.
Write to ONE person.
With ONE idea.
And your writing will instantly be more effective.
❌ The Word “Very”
‘Very’ is very boring.
Or…
‘Very’ is mundane.
Same sentence, but one is far more interesting.
‘Very’ is very boring.
Or…
‘Very’ is mundane.
Same sentence, but one is far more interesting.
❌ Using Passive Voice
Passive voice is being the passenger.
Active voice is driving the car.
It makes your reader feel like they’re part of the action.
Passive voice is being the passenger.
Active voice is driving the car.
It makes your reader feel like they’re part of the action.
❌ Not Formatting
Writing without formatting can turn exciting writing into tedious garbage.
Paragraphs are your friend.
And so are:
• Bullet
• Point
• Lists
Don’t make your reader have to work to understand what you’re saying.
Writing without formatting can turn exciting writing into tedious garbage.
Paragraphs are your friend.
And so are:
• Bullet
• Point
• Lists
Don’t make your reader have to work to understand what you’re saying.
❌ Writing Fluff
This isn’t your 5th grade English class.
Stop worrying about word count, and focus on content quality.
90% of the time, adding extra words makes your writing worse.
This isn’t your 5th grade English class.
Stop worrying about word count, and focus on content quality.
90% of the time, adding extra words makes your writing worse.
❌ Not Using Whitespace
Breaking up your sentences with white space makes it easier to read.
Instead of the reader finding it hard to follow along.
The eyes are drawn to the next line.
Breaking up your sentences with white space makes it easier to read.
Instead of the reader finding it hard to follow along.
The eyes are drawn to the next line.
❌ Not Varying Sentence Length
Write like you hear the words in your head.
Copy the pacing.
Not every sentence is long.
Some are short.
This tweet is a perfect example.
Write like you hear the words in your head.
Copy the pacing.
Not every sentence is long.
Some are short.
This tweet is a perfect example.
That's a wrap!
Follow me @Char1ieBennett for more threads on digital writing & productivity.
RT the tweet below to share with your audience.
Follow me @Char1ieBennett for more threads on digital writing & productivity.
RT the tweet below to share with your audience.
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