If writing isn’t your strong suit business probably feels totally frustrating sometimes. Not only should your writing be clear and grammatically correct, it also needs to tell a story in a way that captivates your ideal clients and leaves them yearning for more! More often than not, business owning mommas I chat with feel overwhelmed when it comes to writing because they just can’t seem to make it sound authentic and exciting. If you ever feel like your business is held back because your writing just isn’t working, check out these tips and become a better writer in less time than it takes to catch up with the latest happenings in Stars Hollow (if you don’t get the Gilmore Girls reference you have some Netflixing to do).
I’m a HUGE bookworm, so reading is something I adore. Only, sometimes I just can’t jive with the author’s writing style, and reading becomes a total chore (which means whatever I’m reading will be cast aside because I’m not a fan of chores!). When the writer confuses me, feels stuffy, or doesn’t connect with me on an emotional level, I wind up feeling bored.
Bored is just about the last thing you want anyone to feel when they’re reading your content. AmIright?!
Whether you’re writing a blog post, an email, ad copy, or an Instagram caption your writing style should reel your readers in and encourage them to keep going, and to go a step further and join your email list, follow you on IG, check out more posts, or contact you to give you all their money!
While writing isn’t something that comes naturally for many, there are a few easy-peasy things you can do to improve your skills AKA boost your brand!
Map Out Your Purpose
Before you even begin writing, here are a few things you should always think about:
- Who am I writing this for?
- How will this help them?
- What is my end goal (a follow, a sale, a networking opportunity, a conversation, etc.)
- How do my readers FEEL about this topic?
- How do I want my readers to feel while reading?
The more clear you are on your purpose, the better you’ll be able to convey it in a way that speaks to your audience.
This is particularly important on Instagram, where personal posts often mix with business ones! Say you want your IG to be a place where people get to know the awesome lady behind the business, so you post pictures of your kids, your puppy, your yummy baked goods, whatever.
When you’re posting something personal, make sure it’s somehow tying into your business! Through the caption, tell a story that is relatable, inspirational, or teaches something!
Always think about what you want your readers to do after they finish reading your content and keep your eye on the prize, baby.
Become an Expert Storyteller
You’ve probably heard this about a zillion times because storytelling has totally become a buzz word in the writing world! No matter how overused it may be, it is SO important!
Imagine you’re scrolling through your Facebook feed and come across a status like this:
“Today was a nice day. I went out to lunch. My daughter had a softball game. I got a new eye cream. I’m going to watch Netflix.”
This sums up a typical Saturday for me pretty well. But it’s a total snoozefest!
“You know those days that are totally fabulous but leave you longing for a nap? That about sums up my Saturday! After chowing down on the best darn sushi ever at RA (Viva Las Vegas Roll- will you marry me?!) I got some sun at my daughter’s softball game (fly the W, baby!), and I scored an awesome new eye cream at Sephora that promises to get rid of the dark undereye circles I’ve been trying to hide since 2003. If you need me, I’ll be watching Party of 5 the rest of the night!”
That’s a little more interesting, right?!
Give little details that bring people in, so they can visualize what you’re writing about.
So often, I see business owners posting sleepy captions like:
“I had so much fun shooting this engagement session! Can’t wait for the wedding in June!”
Perhaps you did have fun, and you are excited, but WHY? Share a bit of the couple’s story, talk about something specific that happened during the session, and engage viewers brains in addition to their eyeballs!
Whatever you’re writing about, think about what makes it special, and how your readers will emotionally connect with the main characters, the struggles, whatever. The more relatable, the better. Have them feeling all “yessssss” while they’re reading, and you’ve done good, kid.
Avoid getting totally off track, and pay attention to the way your readers respond to tweak your storytelling skills as you go.
Grammar Check: Cheat a Little
If you haven’t heard of Grammarly, I’m about to be the writing equivalent of your fairy Godmother.
For some people, grammatical mistakes riddle everything they write, which makes writing even the most basic email feel daunting!
Using their instead of they’re, forgetting punctuation…they’re common mistakes that are easily overlooked by the writer (because so many of us read it as it SHOULD be not as it is- especially with our own content!) that can turn off readers.
While spell check is handy, it doesn’t catch when you use words incorrectly or forget a comma. Cue Grammarly.
You will become a better writer just by using this handy app, promise!
Grammarly essentially scans everything you write for errors and will help you craft content that is grammatically perfect! Be warned; it catches things you might not even know exist, so keep in mind you don’t necessarily need to correct everything!
I often intentionally break grammar rules because my writing style is conversational and relaxed. So you can always choose to ignore the suggestions, but you’ll likely always find oodles of small catches that will help you look more polished!
Grab a Timer and Take a Break
Sometimes, no matter how wonderful a writer you are, you just can’t find the right words to crush your copy. In those instances, take a break!
Whether you’re trying to come up with something to write about or you’re trying to find that perfect sentence to pull everything together in your last paragraph, taking a break can be the best way to bust through that wall.
I also like to time myself when writing emails and blog posts so that I don’t completely zone out and spend three times longer than intended on writing.
Another writing rule that helps me stay on track? I turn my phone on airplane mode AND put it in another room so I’m not tempted to grab it, and while I’m writing I only open a new browser tab if I need to grab a link or stock photo. No checking FB or getting sidetracked by Perezhilton.com!
Shout it From the Rooftops
When you’re finally done, try reading your writing out loud. I know it will feel a little funny the first few times (or maybe every time?!), but it can be so helpful!
By reading your content aloud, you’ll better be able to catch mistakes and gauge how well your writing flows.
If you are iffy about your writing skills, consider asking someone you respect to proofread for you! Ask a friend, a family member, whoever! Sometimes having a second set of eyes can be helpful. You may not be able to have someone check every single thing you write, but consider keeping them on standby for the important things!
There you have it, 5 easy-peasy secrets that will help you become a better writer!
As with anything else, the more you do it, the better you will get. Instead of being intimidated and shying away from writing blog posts and captivating social media captions decide today that you will adapt a practice makes perfect mentality and just start pushing content out there!
With these tips, you’ll improve your writing game in no time.
What is your biggest struggle when it comes to writing for your business? Shout it out in the comments and let’s chat!
Latest posts by Kimberly Haydn (see all)
- Holiday Hacks + How to Have a Good Enough Christmas (and LOVE it) - December 5, 2018
- Increase Summer Sales with These Marketing Ideas! - July 4, 2018
- Seasons of Change: Navigating Building a Business while Raising Your Children - September 24, 2017