Category: Writing

This one simple trick will empower you to write about anything with confidence and ease.

I could easily turn this into a product and charge you for it, but to be honest, I just can’t be bothered.

So I am going to give it to you in 4 words.

If you want to write about anything – turn it into a question.

That simple.

And it works every time.

Why?

Because our brain is geared towards answering questions.

When someone asks us a question, we often intuitively begin forming an answer and blurt it out even before we realize it.

Did you notice that I just asked a question (“Why does asking questions work every time?”) and provided the answer?

I have been using this technique for a long time and can vouch for its effectiveness.

When you turn a topic into a question, your brain starts working on answering it.

If you do not know the answer, you can start researching to come up with interesting ideas and a different perspective. This will provide you with material for writing.

Here is a set of questions, see how your brain is already forming answers:

• How to beat perfectionism?
• What mistakes do new writers make and how to avoid them?
• What challenges do creators face every day and how can they solve them?

My approach is to first rely on my existing knowledge and then conduct research. This way, I don’t lose my unique perspective on the topic.

So I direct the questions to myself.

• How can I beat perfectionism?
• What mistakes I made when I was new to writing and how to avoid them?
• What challenges do I face every day, and how to solve them?

Then I research to see what others are saying about it.

Once I have a better understanding of the topic, I rewrite my response, incorporating the new information I have acquired.

Try it.

You will love the technique.

Dear Writer,

Is your writing sloppy?

Here are 7 ways to make it impactful.

• Address your audience directly

Think of your audience as one person. You are not writing to the masses. You are writing to one person. Address them directly and you will have a much better impact.

• Start with a hook

Begin your writing with a strong opening that captures the reader’s attention. This could be a surprising fact, a thought-provoking question, or a bold statement.

• Vary sentence length

Mix up short and long sentences to create rhythm and maintain the reader’s interest. Short sentences emphasize key points. Longer sentences provide context.

• Get rid of filler words

Words like “very,” “really,” “quite” etc. don’t add little to your writing other than making it weak. Removing them will make your writing more direct and impactful.

• Create Contrast

Using contrasting ideas or concepts to create a sense of tension makes your writing more engaging. Opposing words, ideas, or even sentence structures make a good contrast.

• Ask questions

Asking questions is a powerful way to make your reader think. You don’t have to provide answers all the time. Sometimes a question is sufficient.

• Edit ruthlessly

Punchy writing often comes after multiple rounds of editing. Review your work. Eliminate unnecessary words and phrases. Avoid overly explaining concepts or blabbering.

Trust your readers will pick up your message without unnecessary repetition.

Remember, the goal of punchy writing is to grab your readers’ attention, convey your message clearly, and leave a lasting impact.

1. Take Notes

Most of my ideas come from reading. So whenever I read something that invokes an idea, I take time to jot it down. I do that whatever is handy – my phone, a notebook, or even a piece of paper.

2. Keep An Ideas Journal

There is no point in taking notes when you can’t find them when you need them. Twice a week, I transfer them to the Idea Journal in my Personal Knowledge Management System (I will share more about my PKMS later).

3. Elaborate By Hand

When the time comes to write a LinkedIn post, I pick one idea and elaborate it by hand. Writing by hand allows me to access the parts of the brain that typing can’t. I always come up with better ideas when writing on a paper rather than a screen.

4. Create An Image

I pick the main idea of the post and create an image using it as a quote. I only started doing it recently and found it really useful in highlighting the main point and branding my posts.

5. Schedule The Post

Rather than hitting published when I am done, I schedule my posts when I am going to be available to answer comments. LinkedIn now has the ability to schedule posts which I find very handy.

One of mine is using metaphors.

Because metaphors are fun.
They help clarify ideas.
And they make your writing stand out.

They add emotion to your idea, which makes them memorable.

In Paul Loomans’ excellent book ???? ???????, the author proposes a Zen-inspired method of time management.

He calls this method – time surfing.

Just like a surfer can’t control the waves of the ocean, we can’t control time.
Time passes by whether we like it or not. Comparing time to surfing creates a sense of movement, fluidity, and freedom.

It makes you think of excitement and lack of control at the same time.

Here is another metaphor from the same book.

Think of your To-Do list as a string of beads. Some beads may be shiny, colorful, and appealing; others may be dull and rather ugly. So are your tasks.

Some beads are big; some are tiny.
Just like your tasks.

Now your turn.
What metaphors speak to you?
How can you use them in your writing?

Conversational writing is like having a one-on-one conversation between your audience and you.

It’s real, meaningful, and builds trust.

It helps you connect with your audience by using language and phrasing familiar to the audience.

It avoids heavy words and long, winding sentences.

Back in the day, authors used to use formal English to write books.

Today, more and more authors choose conversational English to convey their message.

Here are five ways you can achieve a conversational tone:

Take Notes – Most of my ideas come from reading. I make sure I write them down, using whatever is handy – an iPhone, a notebook or a piece of paper.

Write in ‘first’ and ‘second’ person – Use ‘Your’ and ‘I’ rahter than ‘them’ and ‘they.’

Use Contractions – Use I’m, you’ll, I’d, How’s.

Tell stories – A good story can appeal to emotions and create empathy. We are tuned to like stories from childhood.

Use simple words – Don’t say ‘utilize’, say ‘use.’ Don’t write ‘accorded,’ write ‘given.’ Don’t say ‘expedite,’ say ‘speed up.’ Don’t write ‘convene,’ write ‘meet.’

Avoid passive voice – Passive voice is “The outcome is guaranteed by the company. Active voice is “Our company guarantees the outcome.”

Write as if you are talking to a friend.

Another tool to make your writing more conversational (something I forgot in the excitement of making Canva slides) it is parentheses. Parentheses are used to provide additional, yet essential information but can also add liveliness to the writing. Here, see them in action:

She left work early and bought the ingredients on the way home: a chicken, streaky bacon, butter, olive oil (she’d never heard of it), garlic (ditto), button onions (ditto), button mushrooms (ditto), herbs (mostly ditto), a quarter bottle of brandy (you only needed two tablespoons but you couldn’t buy two tablespoons) and a bottle of burgundy (you only needed half a bottle but they’d drink the rest).