Looking to improve your blog writing? Today Shannon Paul ( @shannonpaul) from Very Official Blog gives her very official tips on the topic.
I love blogs. Before I started blogging seriously, I read a lot of other blogs and was very engaged as a reader. I commented a lot and began honing my ability to craft a statement quickly in response the ideas presented in the post. I’m still very engaged with other blogs in this way. However, if I’m being totally honest, most blogs I encounter are downright unreadable.
Now, I’m not going to run down the usual list of rules and grammar, but rather a list of things I think make me a decent writer.
1. Stop Trying to Sound Intelligent
You already are smart so stop trying to sound smart. So many people craft elaborate sentences with bigger words than they would ever use in conversation. If you have to use a lot of flower language, jargon or adjectives, you’re trying too hard. Choose your big words wisely. Blogs are not publications, they are conversations. Good writing is simple, but it’s hardly simple to write simply. Unlike speech and other forms of non-verbal communication, writing is a wholly unnatural activity unnecessary to human development or evolution. Give yourself a break and know that good writing is a process that must be practiced to be mastered.
2. Give yourself permission to write garbage
Do what you need to do to get your thoughts out — lead with some insipid quote from Albert Einstein, use a definition or some other tired cliche to get the words flowing and then take great pleasure in hitting delete or crossing it out when the time is right. Learn to let go…
3. Be a Ruthless Editor
Even the best ideas don’t always serve the overarching goal of the piece — get it out of there and save it for later if it’s really that good. Nine times out of ten, words like that and which can be crossed out without altering the meaning of the sentence one bit. By hacking away the extra, you’re making it much easier on the reader. Stop thinking of writing as putting words down on a page… writing is editing.
4. Use MIGHTY verbs
My journalism teacher would scream and writhe in agony in the classroom when we used what he called, “plankton verbs”, also known as “bottom-of-the-food-chain verbs”. Plankton verbs include: is, was, are and were. He would go so far as to restrict us from ever using these in an article and I don’t recommend you take such drastic measures when you’re writing, but it’s definitely something to keep in mind. Writing that lacks strong verbs gets boring fast.
5. Read aloud before posting
Another easy trick is to read what you write out loud. Things may seem self-explanatory in our head, but these are your words. If you find yourself stumbling over the words you just wrote, chances are you’re demanding too much work from your readers. Pare your sentences down.
6. Do what works for you
Everyone has his or her own process. I know a lot has been written about writing killer headlines and choosing keywords, but good content is at the soul of any great blog. Killer headlines may get the click, but good content will get people to stay awhile and maybe even choose to come back without the assistance of future keyword shenanigans.
Your Turn
By sharing these tips I thought I could clarify some of my own writing process and help others along the way. Since writing remains at the core of generating content, how do you hone your skills in a way that helps you clarify your voice for an online audience?
I definitely agree about avoiding “plankton verbs.” I have an undergraduate degree in English, am pursuing my masters in Technical Writing and even with all of that expensive experience, the best writing tip for me: write frequently.
Sometimes, I’ll peruse over past blog entries I’ve written and continue to be amazed by how much my writing has evolved and, in my opinion, improved.
I try to blog at least 5 times a week. It’s my best writing exercise.
Shannon….
I’m happy to see you on Pro Blogger! What an awesome surprise to log in and see a familiar face!
Keep up the great work.
Totally agree. Great post! The “Ruthless editor” is the single most important part of my process. First step is shaping the argument (every piece is an argument in some way). Step 2 is going back over to liven it up (MIGHTY verbs) and slash the unnecessary words. That can turn mediocre into magic.
I like to draft my posts in Word, but when I transfer the final post to my wordpress editing page, I will then take a final review on the preview functions. This way, the post appears as it will once it is published. I almost always have additional editing once I look at it in this view. I guess there’s a certain complancency with reviewing it in the Word document.
Also in response to those who have said that if they sit down to write and its not happening, they give up… since I write a new post everyday during the work week and haven’t mastered batch writing, I don’t feel like I have that luxury. At the same time, I’ve found that whenever I’m having one of those nights… I sit through it and get something out. I’ve found those to often be my more popular posts. Now, I don’t get discouraged when I am having an uninspired night… i’ll often stop to watch some TV, go else where on the net and eventually I’ll get a rhythm.
Another great post, Shannon. I too often skip out on 5, but it’s almost a must-have! Also, a great reminder on choosing strong verbs!
Thank you!
I always edit my posts. My posts are written at work in my breaks on a netbook, saved in a text editor, then I spend 10 minutes going through what I’ve written when I get home.
I also subscribe to the “allow yourself to write garbage” school of thinking. Not all my posts are about work, but it does give my readers something to…well…read!
These tips are useful for me and my new blog at the right time. I’ll keep them in mind while writing content of my blog. Thanks Darren! Nice 2 know you!
Aiko
AMEN! One of the biggest tip-offs of someone trying to sound more educated than they truly are is misuse of “whom.”
If you don’t know how to use it, don’t use it at all. Incorrect use of “who” is much more common and colloquial which makes it more acceptable than for example “All those whom wrote to me . . .” Yes, I really saw that.
Then, of course there is “better then” when it should be “better than.”
Hi Shannon,
thanks for the nice post! I actually am implementing the second suggestion more and more (permission to write garbage).
It first came to me when I read about the “sh*tty first draft” (from the author Anne Lamott). I then used that and even applied it to creating presentations (I call it “crappy first slides” :-) ) and wrote about it in my blog.
Thanks and cheers,
Oliver
“Good writing is simple, but it’s hardly simple to write simply.” — AWESOME QUOTE.
I love your blog!
Good stuff, it’s always good to get a reminder, especially for us techbloggers who spend more time one code and research than the writing.
My two cents:
1. Use Twitter, to fire off that flow of weirdness that might otherwise have become a half assed blog post. Dump it on Twitter, give it some time to brew, see if someone responds or expands, and THEN write a longer post with liberal quotes.
2. Install a random post plugin (if your platform allows it) and set that page to your start page. Press home once in a while and take a good hard look at your older posts, and kill that darling if it reeks. Those of us who have blogged a while have a huge amount of rather low quality weblog-style posts (1 link to something cool and blockquoted copypaste anyone?) that should eighter be deleted or enhanced. That process will also make it easier to “find your voice”. Do I want to be a copypaster, or a poster of original content? A rehasher of prevailing trends or a trendsetter? Or, like me, just a weirdo with strange interests :)
3. Links, audio, video! We’re bloggers, not newpaper journalists. Writing is important, but multimedia and crosslinking kicks writings ass!
That was a very “OK” article. It was really boring. You definitely need someone to proofread your text.
1st paragraph “my ability to craft a statement quickly in response the ideas presented….”
It’s ironic that your giving tips about writing, and in the first paragraph you don’t even make sense. It’s a good thing that we know what you mean.
Several paragraphs down “Another easy trick is to read what you write out loud.” I think she actually meant “Read out loud what you write.” Has anyone ever written out loud?
She really did give herself permission to write garbage.
I think that points number one and number six are the most important that you have mentioned here. Learning to work with what you have is very important for developing your writing skills.
Haha, @Dan Long, bet you’re the type that writes moaning letters to the editor of newspapers too, aren’t you? Settle down!
Great points! I especially love the one about reading aloud before posting. Blogs are just blogs but that doesn’t mean errors are OK.
@ Kate.
No, I do not write letters to the editor, and I am calm. I am simply pointing out that if someone is going to write an article about how to be a good writer, then they should… well… be a good writer.
Would you take advice about how to get rich from a bum living under a bridge? No, I don’t think you would.
Good Stuff! I think reading your post aloud to yourself is the most underrated editing tools their is. I can not tell you how many times I have written something that makes perfect sense until I read it aloud. Then I’m like “what the hell” was I thinking?
Good tips Shannon! I agree with this “Stop Trying to Sound Intelligent”, I hate people who do this. It makes me feel that the blogger unfriendly..
Regards,
Lee
@Dan – and if you want to be the one who criticizes others for not writing articles well at least make sure you are following all of the rules of grammar yourself… I think you meant “you’re giving tips” not “your giving tips.”
Thank you for good tips. I can proofread what I’ve written on my computer screen repeatedly and still miss something. The best way for me to proofread my writing is to print it out and read the hard copy. I mark up my changes on paper then go back and make the corrections on the computer. I do this for all my writing, including my blog.
Write with passion, and don’t forget to proofread.
Great article. All your tips are good, but the one that intrigues me is No. 4. I am definitely going to challenge myself to use strong and mighty verbs, as well as notice if those bloggers that I like most use mighty verbs. :D
thanks for writing tips…..I also get some useful tips to write good in dailyblogtips
My goodness, Shannon, what a long, wonderful read this was! If ever there is a good sign that a writing was indeed GOOD or GREAT… it has to be a scroll of feedback such as this. In fact, there was intense and funny info in your posting, with some things I’ve never even thought of, for writing experience of over two decades!
But this long line of backup tips? I just love it and found this 20 minute trek at Problogger a true keeper. I am going to save this for quick reference!! Much better than bookmarking and then it goes into the Labyrinth of other ‘portant stuff that you never lay enes on again!
Thank you! I now am heading over to your Very Official Blog, and continue this journey :-)
Shannon,
Thanks for the tips. I definitely like the point of stop trying to act smart. Be yourself. People will be attracted to your writing and content if you are authentic in what you are saying.
Pare your sentences down.
…and don’t end a sentence with a preposition :-)
Reading posts out loud helps me a great deal. If I don’t read out loud before hitting “publish”, I am sure to miss an error that I would pick up if I had just read silently. Its even more powerful if I read it out loud in preview, not just in the editor. Its more real when you view your post in the preview setting.
I, at times, take a short gap of 3-7 days to post on my blog as I assume that I do not want my readers and subscribers to be bombarded with so much info that, in the end, they get bored when they get my feed or mail.
I post in such a manner where my posts are a bit lengthy(yeah, I agree that) because I provide so many contexts and related information links in the post that would, in the end, appeal to my readers that they have come to a right place where they can get to know the topic in depth, but, what is required.
Thanks for this tips. Such nice idea.
Very interesting points have been brought to the fore. However, I think the term ‘MIGHTY verbs’ needs some elaboration. Could we have some specific examples?
Wow! Amazing article, I’m definitely checking out your blog, Shannon!
These tips are so simple but oh so very true. I’m going to follow them as best as I can.
I’ll also make a link to this page in my blog when I get the chance, my readers just gotta check this out.
Once again, thank you Shannon.
YES! I’m especially a fan of those first two bits of advice. It seems like the posts that I just hammer out without really thinking too hard are the ones that get the most love. Maybe it’s because those are the ones that come from the heart?
I like the idea of giving yourself to write gabage and then edit.
Great tips in the post and the feedback. Let me add two:
1. If you are more comfortable talking than writing, talk your blog first, using a professional to take down your words and edit them or recording, transcribing and editing yourself. That can help eliminate the barrier between brain and screen and ensure your blog has a conversational tone.
2. When you’re editing, check for errors that make your writing look unprofessional and more difficult to understand. The most common mistake is to confuse it’s (contraction of it is) with its (possessive of its). Rule of thumb: if a word sounds like another word (i.e. there and their) or involves an apostrophe, make sure you are using it correctly
You have just described what I like to read in a blog!
Great article Shannon. Some of us bloggers, while we may know what we’re talking about, are still working to become for effective writers.
Conveying the thoughts in my head isn’t always easy, but this makes it seem simple.
Thanks
Interesting article Shannon with a mixed reception. Can you please clear something up for me. Item number four, the subject matter being ‘Use Mighty Verbs.’ You didn’t give us any examples of what you would consider to be a mighty or even great verb, which is a pity because I could understand your point concerning ‘plankton verbs.’ If you could point me to some examples I would greatly appreciate it, thanks . . Doug.
Although I have a blog, I enjoy writing fiction as well. I’m glad you mentioned the plankton verbs. I would like to add that as writers we should try and avoid adjectives and adverbs as much as possible. The nouns and verbs we use should be strong enough to stand on their own without extra support.
Thanks, I enjoyed your article.
One thing I’ve done is hired an editor. In fact I think it has brought my blog to a new level. Sometimes just having proper grammer gives the impression that you are an expert.
proper grammer
Starts on Monday, eh?
Love the post, though , writing from the soul.. often results in garbage..
#1 is good advice (the rest are good, too). I ALMOST have to make an outline, record myself using the outline giving the speech, and write what I said word for word.
Reading aloud can be very helpful in improving your writing. Sometimes I am shocked (and horrified) to hear how something I wrote sounds aloud. Thanks for a very unique and valuable post.
Thanks Shannon for the great article! I am relatively new to blogging in terms of the age of the world, and I have had ‘voices inside my head’ wanting to get out and on paper. I have found blogging to be a fun way to express myself. But it bothered me that even though I aced written communications classes in college, I still have a hard time with what’s in my head and how I should put it in a blog. To me this is a “freedom” article. I guess it’s time to just be myself.
@Doug while there could be a definite scale of mightiness with respect to verbs, it’s really any action word that rises above a state of being. Examples include: give, state, see, smile, scowl, grab, show, clutch, provide, hunt, look… I could go on. Sometimes getting rid of a “plankton” verb requires juggling the elements of the sentence around a bit, but I wouldn’t worry too much about this. Stronger verbs simply help punch up an article and make it more concise.
@William A lot of people write about grammar. I’m of the heretical belief that hard-line rules of grammar are a bit, um, provincial — bourgeois even. If the point is communication, the rules are guidelines… except for the rule about one space after a period. I’m a stickler for that, but it’s a bit of a personal quirk.
i loved your final tips on do what works for you, it’s good being our self when writing a post within soul and minds.
not pretending to be and become like other blogger.
These are good practice. I catch a lot of mistakes reading aloud and need to remember to do it every time. Thanks!
Good stuff! 1, 4, and 6 hit home for me.
A friend of mine advised me years ago to remove the word “but” from my vocabulary. My business prose has been improving ever since.
Internal documents written in business prose are unfortunately very dry unless the reader is actively involved in the subject matter. It can be a bit like reading the US tax code.
Having recently developed an interest in writing for a broader audience, I am trying to develop a style that focuses on the metre while utilizing sound literary economics to get my point made while sparing the fluff.
Work in progress….
great guest post, i have a lot of problems with writing , because english isn¨t my mother language. When I write posts often use google translate and various dictionary My writing is improving every day, but very slowly.
@Doug McMillan
I hope you don’t mind me adding my 2-cents worth regarding power verbs.
For fiction writers:
“She was an extremely happy person.”
vs.
“She oozed happiness from every pore.”
(I eliminated the plankton verb “was” and stuffed “oozed” in there, rendering the adjective “extremely” unnecessary)
And from a blogger’s perspective:
In my blog http://www.sosyourlife.com, I edited my first (and sticky front page) post so it now jumps off the page as opposed to sitting idly by, hoping for the reader’s attention.
Here is the original introduction:
“Have you ever wondered why you’ve failed time and time again to reach your personal development goals? Or when you have reached one of your goals have you ever kicked yourself for letting the positive results you achieved fall to the wayside?”
Here is the edited version, using the verb techniques Shannon Paul mentions in this post:
“Stop wasting your time wondering why your attempts to reach your personal goals fail time and time again. Stop kicking yourself for letting the positive results you achieved in the past fall to the wayside.”
Not flowery, just more direct. It’s amazing how your mind opens doors you never knew existed when you avoid the easy way out in writing.
Hope this helps!