Many people are trying to escape the 9-5 by writing online.
But 99% of people don't have a clue where to start.
These are the only 15 bits of advice you need to start earning a living with your words:
But 99% of people don't have a clue where to start.
These are the only 15 bits of advice you need to start earning a living with your words:
1. Start With Your Best
The hook for your thread.
The headline for your copy.
The first line of your novel.
Give it your all. Get people so curious that they can't say no to more.
The hook for your thread.
The headline for your copy.
The first line of your novel.
Give it your all. Get people so curious that they can't say no to more.
2. Valuable Entertainment
The first thing your reader wants to be?
Entertained.
However, if they don't learn something while being entertained, they will feel cheated.
Balance wisdom with wit.
The first thing your reader wants to be?
Entertained.
However, if they don't learn something while being entertained, they will feel cheated.
Balance wisdom with wit.
3. Show, Don't Tell
Don't just describe emotions. Show them through actions.
β Frank was frustrated.
β Frank kicked the door with the fury of a viper and the force of a buffalo.
Don't just describe emotions. Show them through actions.
β Frank was frustrated.
β Frank kicked the door with the fury of a viper and the force of a buffalo.
4. Create A Writing Sanctuary
Our brains associate locations to actions.
Go to the kitchen - make a snack.
Sit on the sofa - time to relax.
Find a place where writing is the dominant activity.
Our brains associate locations to actions.
Go to the kitchen - make a snack.
Sit on the sofa - time to relax.
Find a place where writing is the dominant activity.
5. Inspiration Strike
Have you ever had an idea you believed could change the game?
Only... you forgot it.
Carry a pocket notebook and jot down inspiration whenever it strikes.
Have you ever had an idea you believed could change the game?
Only... you forgot it.
Carry a pocket notebook and jot down inspiration whenever it strikes.
6. Descriptive Language
Some words describe, some words make you feel.
This is due to activating different brain regions.
Using textured words like leathery and spongey activates the Parietal lobe.
Using scented words like lavender and perfume activates the Olfactory Complex.
Some words describe, some words make you feel.
This is due to activating different brain regions.
Using textured words like leathery and spongey activates the Parietal lobe.
Using scented words like lavender and perfume activates the Olfactory Complex.
7. Shift Focus
Don't be a car that stays in first gear.
Use:
- Short and long words
- Short and long sentences
- Dialogue and description
Your readers want a full picture. Give them one.
Don't be a car that stays in first gear.
Use:
- Short and long words
- Short and long sentences
- Dialogue and description
Your readers want a full picture. Give them one.
8. Read Your Work Out Loud
Writing on the page can create a certain atmosphere.
But if you want relatability?
It has to sound authentic.
If it sounds like writing, back to the drawing (or writing) board.
Writing on the page can create a certain atmosphere.
But if you want relatability?
It has to sound authentic.
If it sounds like writing, back to the drawing (or writing) board.
9. Simplicity
Da Vinci said simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication.
What's the worst thing your reader can be?
Confused.
They're gone before you can count to 3.
Keep it as simple as possible for them.
Da Vinci said simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication.
What's the worst thing your reader can be?
Confused.
They're gone before you can count to 3.
Keep it as simple as possible for them.
10. Close Your Loops
Open loop = unknown answer
Closed loop = providing the answer
These are great as they instill curiosity in the reader.
However, make sure you close all your loops before the end of your piece
Otherwise, your reader leaves frustrated.
Open loop = unknown answer
Closed loop = providing the answer
These are great as they instill curiosity in the reader.
However, make sure you close all your loops before the end of your piece
Otherwise, your reader leaves frustrated.
11. Unforgiving Audience
If you can be misunderstood, you will be.
Don't leave any room for doubt in your story or copy.
Edit, edit and edit some more.
Get several friends to read your work to see if you miss something.
If you can be misunderstood, you will be.
Don't leave any room for doubt in your story or copy.
Edit, edit and edit some more.
Get several friends to read your work to see if you miss something.
12. Avoid Adverbs
Adverbs dilute your writing.
Which do you prefer:
A) Jane was very happy.
B) Jane was ecstatic.
Only use them when the meaning of the sentence becomes unclear without them:
A) Bill used to swim
B) Bill used to swim competitively
Adverbs dilute your writing.
Which do you prefer:
A) Jane was very happy.
B) Jane was ecstatic.
Only use them when the meaning of the sentence becomes unclear without them:
A) Bill used to swim
B) Bill used to swim competitively
13. Your Reader Isn't Stupid
Hemingway is renowned for allowing the reader to fill in the gaps.
If you think your audience needs 2 pages worth of your description to get it, you don't get it.
Your readers are smart, interested people. Treat them as such.
Hemingway is renowned for allowing the reader to fill in the gaps.
If you think your audience needs 2 pages worth of your description to get it, you don't get it.
Your readers are smart, interested people. Treat them as such.
14. Steal Artistically
RenΓ© Girard put forward the idea of mimetic theory - we are a mixture of our greatest influences.
If you take the best parts from your favourite writers, you will form your own style.
To do this:
Read, read and read some more.
RenΓ© Girard put forward the idea of mimetic theory - we are a mixture of our greatest influences.
If you take the best parts from your favourite writers, you will form your own style.
To do this:
Read, read and read some more.
15. Fuck The Rules
What is a king if he sits within his castle's walls?
Be bold. Try new ideas. Don't be afraid.
However, a thought to leave you on:
You cannot transcend what you don't understand.
What is a king if he sits within his castle's walls?
Be bold. Try new ideas. Don't be afraid.
However, a thought to leave you on:
You cannot transcend what you don't understand.
That's another one wrapped, gang!
If you enjoyed this one, follow me @ItsWillMyles
If you want to help the thread along, follow the link to the first tweet below and RT
Until we ride again.
If you enjoyed this one, follow me @ItsWillMyles
If you want to help the thread along, follow the link to the first tweet below and RT
Until we ride again.
Struggling to write content that gets engagement? Not converting your readers into followers?
I've written a FREE 10-step guide to help you solve this exact problem.
Grab it here: willmyles.gumroad.com
I've written a FREE 10-step guide to help you solve this exact problem.
Grab it here: willmyles.gumroad.com
Loading suggestions...