7 Tips to Help You Write Like a Pro

7 Tips to Help You Write Like a Pro

Don't Be Scared of Writing

At some point in your life, you will be asked to write something. If you’re thinking about starting a blog, that time is NOW.

Whether you’re planning to start on a thousand-page novel or are simply putting together some text for your company’s website or blog, it’s important that you write in a clear and compelling style.

This article will give you 7 tips to help you start writing like a professional.

1. Determine who your audience is

When you start to write something, the not-always-so-obvious first rule is to know exactly who you are writing to. A juvenile fiction story wouldn’t be written in the same style as a sports column.

Decide exactly who your target audience is, and then write in a way they can relate to. If it’s a blog you’re writing, speak to them like you would face-to-face.

In order to ‘see’ the face of your audience, write up a description — a persona — of your typical reader, and keep that face in mind when you write.

2. Watch your language — starting with grammar

Grammar and spelling both play significant roles in the impression you create. If you’re going to write and want to be read, brush up on your grammar skills.

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If you’re in doubt, you can find helpful grammar tips online or off-the-shelf in the classic volume The Elements of Style by William Strunk.

3. Stop procrastinating

Staring at a blank computer screen can be frightening — even paralyzing — so you may be tempted to put it off…then put it off some more.

Once you get started, you’ll find plenty of tempting distractions.

Don’t give in to these temptations or you’ll never finish; you may never even get started. Set goals and stay away from Farmville, at least until your article is finished.

4. Get Inspired

There is one procrastination you should allow yourself – finding the inspiration that allows you to improve your mindset or land on a new idea.

Find whatever inspires you, and give in to it, then free your mind till it settles on the right idea.

Some of the best ways to become inspired include listening to music, going on a walk in the park, or even staring out the window at a beautiful spring day.

5. Do the Research

If you want someone to take the time to read what you’ve written, you’d better make sure your facts are correct. If you don’t have time to put the work into researching your topic before you start writing, then wait until you do.

If readers find your work sloppy or faulty, they are not likely to give you a second chance.

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If you’re short on time, spread your research out; 15-30 minutes a day for a week or two may allow you to squeeze in the time you thought you couldn’t find in your schedule.

6. Always Proofread

You wrote it, you slaved over every sentence and made sure your grammar was perfect. But guess what? A few typos slipped through.

Even though typos understandably happen to even the best writers, misspelled words can change the nature of your work and make it seem unprofessional and sloppy.

Always proofread everything you write at least once, preferably more.

7. Never Give Up

Writing can be a long, frustrating, spirit-crushing process.

Whether your novel has taken five years and is still unfinished, or no one has yet accepted your article or blog post, don’t give up.

It may be a long journey, but if you stick with it, your writing will improve and you’ll find a way to get it published.

About the Author:
James Adams is a writer and an editor for CartridgeSave, store suppliers of Lexmark ink cartridges in the UK.

Additional Writing Resources

You may be interested in these other articles and videos on writing like a pro.

- Writing - Sales-Letter Magic: 10 Tips for Writing Letters That Sell

- How To Write A Press Release Video Tutorial Series

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