10 Lessons That Helped Me Be a Better Writer

I’ve been writing on a regular basis for around 30 years now. (Yeah, I know… I’m old.)

I would love to tell you I was an absolute genius at it and have been magnificent since the start.

But not only would that have been a lie then, it would be a lie now as well.

Being a writer means being in a state of constant curiosity, learning as much as you can about the craft daily as you actively put it into practice.

I’ve spent countless hours studying the habits of successful writers, searching for the thread that connects their approaches.

What I found was quite surprising and straightforward: they all stick to a few simple, yet powerful, principles.

These insights have not only sharpened my skills over the years, but they’ve also deepened my understanding of effective communication.

They’ve profoundly influenced my daily writing practice and could do the same for you.

Here’s what I’ve learned.

1. Creating Your Niche:
   Conventional advice says to find your niche before you start creating content. This is, in a word, stupid. You don’t find your niche; you create it through consistent content production because YOU are the niche. Each piece you write carves out your unique space, shaped by your interests, your experience, and your perspectives.
2. Making Noise and Listening for Signal:
   The key to finding what works and what doesn’t is to produce a lot of content. Write and share copious amounts of your writing, and then tune in to the feedback you receive. Notice what resonates with your readers and double down on that. It’s all about creating a strong signal amidst the noise of content overflow.
3. Building Trust Through Newsletters:
   Social media platforms come and go. Take it from someone that used both MySpace and LiveJournal. It’s a great environment to market your work, but newsletters build deeper relationships and no one can ban you from your newsletter. The inbox is a personal space — you’re invited into a personal dialogue with your reader, away from all the noise of social feeds. Using this medium can foster stronger connections that can evolve into a loyal readership or customer base.
4. The Power of Lists:
   Transforming your thoughts into lists can streamline your writing process. Whether it’s steps, tips, or lessons, lists organize complex information into digestible pieces. This approach not only simplifies the creation process but also enhances the readability of your content.
5. Separate Writing from Editing:
   Whether it’s fiction or non-fiction, if you want to improve the quality of your writing, don’t edit while you write. Trying to edit a piece of work while you write it tends to kill the flow of creativity. It kills the passion of the piece. Wait until you’re finished, let it sit a day, and return with fresh eyes to refine and tighten your prose.
6. Clarity over Cleverness:
   A common pitfall for many writers, new or established, is to sound clever at the expense of clarity. Clear writing wins because it respects the reader’s need for understanding. When you prioritize clarity, your message not only becomes accessible but impactful as well.
7. Write for You Two Years Ago:
   Not sure what to write about on any given day? Consider what would have helped you one or two years ago. Write that. This approach not only provides a relatable perspective for your readers but also grounds your content in practical, actionable wisdom.
8. Play the Long Game:
   The internet is saturated with shortcuts to success that rarely, if ever, work. True progress is about persistence, consistency, and resilience. Aim to outlast your competition by producing quality content that builds your reputation over time and showing up every day to do the work.
9. Share Your Personal Journey:
   People crave real stories of change and transformation. It’s relatable, because most people what to change something in their life, and if you can do it? They can, too. Share your journey, including the struggles and victories along the way. This just oozes of authenticity, attracting and inspiring your readers, creating a genuine connection that fuels engagement.
10. Be a Guide, Not a Guru:
    Instead of regurgitating generic advice, being a copy of a copy of a copy, share your personal stories and strategies that have specific relevance to your experiences. Describe (like I’m doing now) how particular writing practices have helped maintain your daily writing habit, fueling your rise to success. This personalized approach will resonate deeply with your audience.

These 10 strategies have significantly enriched my writing practice and have helped me expand my influence as a writer.

Adopting some, or all, of them can help you, too.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to add to your already established writing habits, these insights can provide direction and momentum.

Integrate these lessons into your daily writing routine and watch your craft, and your audience, grow.

Thanks for reading!

Hi, I'm Joe. I help creators share their unique voices simply and effectively. Here's how I can help you:

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