Improving Your Writing

One common problem I see with business leaders who look to start a blog is that often the skills used when writing are very different from the skills they use to be successful. Many people have gone years without having to write extensively, and it shows when they attempt to pick back up the metaphorical pen. However, there are things that you can do to help yourself remember or learn the skills necessary to write effectively.

First, your writing should sound natural and flow clearly. This is often a difficult task for one out of practiced. The way that a conversation flows is quite different from the way a reader will parse your written content. Therefore, practice may be necessary when looking to craft a written piece which flows naturally. One of the best ways to improve the natural feel of your writing is to spend your time reading. Picking up books and working your way through them will help you to unconsciously remember the patterns of words used in popular works. Being able to copy the styles and phrases which are normal for writing in your language will help your writing to be more easily digestible.

Secondly, your writing should be easy to parse and grammatically solid. If your writing is convoluted and you struggle to get your point across, your readers will struggle to stay interested, and you will not be able to get your points across. The only rule when evaluating the quality of writing is whether or not it accomplishes the writer’s goals. Therefore, you must craft your pieces of writing to interest and communicate to your target audience. Often in speech, the rules of grammar are slightly bent, as we can use tone and body language to supplement our communication. However, transferring this method of speaking to writing can result in appearing uneducated and producing low quality work.

Finally, if you are looking to improve your writing, look at other examples of writing about topics which you are not knowledgeable. This will help you to understand how to communicate effectively about your topics to any audience. Pay attention to which posts help you understand unfamiliar elements, and borrow their methods and style. Find posts which leave you confused and frustrated, and examine which elements lead to this failure. Then, scour your own writing for similar failing. Understanding how to read something from a perspective other than your own will certainly improve your writing ability.