As any aspiring writer will know, finding paid work and writing for a living is no easy feat. With so many writing paths to go down, an infinite amount of industries to write for and a large pool of competition, it’s important to do your research.
But what makes a great writer? What’s their secret to success? We’re going to share our five steps by Shona Worsman, Lead Writer At Embryo to becoming a successful writer – to help you put pen to paper and get ahead in your journey.
Never underestimate the power of reading
Reading is an important part of your growth as a writer. The more you read, the more you will learn about how other people write, picking up what they like and don’t like, and what resonates with them. Reading also gives you the opportunity to expand your vocabulary and develop your own unique writing style.
Reading other writers’ work will help you keep up with current trends in the industry, so that when it comes time to publish your own work, it will be fresh enough to stand out from all the rest.
Apply psychology and storytelling tactics to your writing for better results
Psychology is a powerful tool for writing. Being a successful writer comes with many other traits and skills – understanding people being one of them. Understanding how people think will help you write more effectively, because it gives you insight into how they might react to your writing.
Tap into human behaviour, discover their pain points and create content that solves or appeals to your reader’s needs and desires. Well-written copy will make readers feel heard and understood, triggering them to take action.
Write something every day and publish it
Getting started with writing can be intimidating. But the more you practice, the more comfortable you will feel doing it. It also means you have a portfolio to show for yourself when it comes to applying for jobs or getting freelance work.
Whether you’re trying to get noticed by potential employers or just want people to know more about who you are and what you do, writing a blog or on social media platforms can be a great way to do it. This will help you get exposure, build your personal brand, and connect with others interested in your work.
Create well-researched, valuable content
Every great writer knows that long-form articles are the way to go. They’re the ones that rank well, convert wonderfully and generate those all important results.
The best writers don’t just write – they heavily research. It’s this kind of thinking that sets them apart from their competitors. When you’re dealing with a long-form article, it’s not just about writing it well – it’s about making sure that you understand your subject matter inside and out so that you can provide truly insightful content.
Write for an agency to widen your skill set
As a writer, you can turn your hand to all kinds of industries. You could be writing technical manuals for the energy industry, or creating email newsletters for a tech company, or even writing social media content for a travel company. The possibilities are endless!
If you’re looking to diversify your skills and gain new experience in a different area of writing, working for a digital marketing agency or content marketing agency will put you on the path to success.
These agencies specialise in creating content that’s designed to attract customers – and they need people who can craft content that will draw in those customers. This means that you’ll get the opportunity to develop your copywriting ability and begin to understand the ins and outs of writing content that sells.
Remember: It takes time to achieve success. Regularly sharpen your writing skills, dedicate yourself to learning and don’t hesitate to publish your work!
