Want to learn how to write an ebook like a pro? It’s not just what you do, but what you DON’T do that can make or break your work.
You’ve thought about writing an ebook. In fact, you’ve already imagined the front cover. You can see the main title and, underneath, your name. And when you picture it, you feel a ripple of pride. An ebook would be a big step up for you as a writer. Because while blog posts are a great way to express your ideas, you can’t help feeling they’re a little, well, fleeting. Lightweight even. But an ebook? That’s more substantial. It’s taken more seriously. It has more gravitas. And having an ebook with your name on the front transforms you from a mere blogger into that more impressive beast — an author. But how do you become an ebook author without falling victim to the same mistakes that sabotage the attempts of so many other bloggers? Why Most Ebooks Are Embarrassingly BadOn the surface, writing an ebook seems relatively easy. Lots of bloggers seem to be doing it, so how hard can it be? But in reality, most ebooks that see the light of day are horrible. Embarrassingly bad. That’s because your average ebook author doesn’t have a clue how to write an ebook. They can’t afford to hire a ghostwriter, and they don’t have the support system a traditional author would be given by their publisher when writing a book. They do their best, but they don’t know what they don’t know. The good news? We can learn from their mistakes. In this post, we’re going to show you the common mishaps first-time authors make when writing an ebook. In other words: Want to write an ebook like a pro? Avoid these 21 common mistakes: How to Write an Ebook Like a Pro (Hint: Don’t Do These Amatuerish Things)
1. Choosing a Topic You Know Little AboutIf you want to create a premium ebook, you can be tempted to pick a “hot topic” thinking that’s where the money is. Likewise, when creating a sign-up bribe, you might think you need to entice readers with the latest information about an emerging topic. And if you’re using Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), it’s easy to think you need to target one of the most popular categories. But picking a topic like this is a BIG mistake. If you know little or nothing about your chosen topic, creating an ebook will be a huge amount of work. You’ll have to do a ton of research, interview experts, and perhaps even pay a real guru to get you up to speed. What to do InsteadWrite about something you actually know about — which almost certainly means tying your ebook to your blog’s core topic. You’ll not only save a ton of time on research, but you’ll also have a ready-made audience for your writing. 2. Writing the Ebook Your Audience “Needs”I’ve fallen into this trap myself (twice) and I’ve seen a heck of a lot of other bloggers do the same. It happens when you realize there’s a topic you know your readers need, and you know you can write the perfect book that will genuinely help them. Sounds great, but people don’t always know what they need. And your sense of what it is might not be spot-on either. What to do InsteadDon’t give your readers what you think they need. Give them what they know they want. How? Run a survey, and ask your readers to choose between three or four ebook topics. (This is also a good opportunity to find out how much they’d pay, whether they’re beginners or more experienced, and what specific questions they need your help to answer.) 3. Thinking Like a Writer, Not a PublisherPlanning isn’t just about deciding what you’re going to write and what order you’re going to write it in. Because when you decide to create an ebook, you’re not just a writer; you’re also a publisher (and marketer). You have to write and publish. If you don’t start thinking now about how you’ll sell your book — whether that means selling it for money or just selling the concept to your readers — you’ll run into problems later on. What to do InsteadDraft your sales page while you’re planning your ebook. Make it sound as attractive and useful as possible (try Jon’s list of power words, and make the reader the hero of the story) … and use that pitch to drive the writing process. This will make your ebook much stronger and will make your life much easier when you launch it. 4. Picking Up Your Pen (or Laptop) and Starting to WriteOnce your survey results are in, you might be tempted to start writing straight away. Whoa there. Jumping into the writing at this point will cause you serious problems. You’ll find yourself repeating things, or wasting time exploring ultimately unhelpful tangents. What to do InsteadPlan your ebook before you start writing. This means having a clear outline that has, at the very least, a title for each chapter. Yes, that might seem a bit boring, but it will make the writing stage far easier (and more fun). This doesn’t have to mean opening a blank document and writing a linear outline. Try freeform brainstorming, mind maps, or index cards as creative alternatives to help get your ebook ideas flowing. 5. Trying to Make Your Ebook Too ValuableWith your first ebook, it’s easy to think you need to deliver the definitive ebook — the only one your audience will ever need. If that sounds like a good idea, ask yourself this: “What will I give them next?” Chances are, you won’t write just one ebook. You might write several in the same series, or you might create a short starter ebook for free, and then write a more advanced one to sell. Even if your ebook is destined to be your subscriber incentive, if you give your readers everything they’ll ever need, why would they come back to your blog? What to do InsteadGo back to your survey and determine what aspects your audience cares about the most. Focus on those. If you have lots of extra ideas, great! Keep them in a separate place and use them for your next ebook. Or explore them in a detailed blog post. If you inadvertently miss something crucial, you’ll find out when you get feedback, and you can add a new section or chapter to address that point. 6. Starting at the BeginningAlthough it might be the first chapter in your book, your introduction almost certainly isn’t the place to start writing. It’s hard to know what to include until you’ve drafted the majority of your book, and you don’t want to get bogged down at this early stage. If you start with the introduction, you’ll often end up writing far more than you need to. And let’s be honest. No reader relishes the sight of a long introduction — they want to dive into the real content. What to do InsteadDon’t begin with the introduction; start with your first “proper” chapter. Once you’ve drafted the rest of your book, you’ll know what needs to go in the introduction. Also, a lot of “introductory” material can go at the back of the book – I strongly recommend having an About the Author page at the back, because it’s a great opportunity to point readers to your website, mailing list, and so on. 7. Only Writing When You Feel Like ItAlthough your ebook is probably a high-priority project for you, it can be genuinely tough to carve out the time for working on it regularly. But if you don’t write consistently, you’ll never build up any momentum. You may write for a few hours to begin with, but then end up taking weeks off … and never getting back to your ebook. What to do InsteadYou don’t have to write thousands of words at a time. One of my clients wrote a short chapter every week, without fail, and finished her ebook within a few months. Find a consistent time each day, or several times a week, to work on your ebook. You might like to try the Pomodoro technique (25 minutes writing, 5-minute break) to use your time effectively during short writing sessions. Anyone can write for just 25 minutes. If you know you have a problem with time management, address that now; it’ll pay off for years to come. 8. Letting Your Inner Editor Take the LeadIf you’re writing regularly and staying focused but making slow progress, then you’re probably trying to edit while you write. Perhaps you find yourself typing a couple of paragraphs, then changing your mind and deleting them. You might even be stopping every sentence or two to make minor tweaks. This is a serious drain on your productivity as a writer. What to do InsteadIf you change your mind about a whole paragraph or section, leave it in as is, but jot a note to yourself about it. You may find, on re-reading, that it works perfectly well. You might find it’s helpful to use a full-screen “no distractions” text editor. I like Dark Room for this — as it doesn’t have those distracting red and green wiggles that your typical word processor adds when it doesn’t like a word or phrase. 9. Quitting Just Before it Gets EasyAfter you’ve been working on your ebook for weeks, perhaps months, you may find that you’ve not made the progress you’d hoped for. Whatever the exact cause (illness, workload, etc.), you’ve hit a wall. You aren’t even halfway through the draft, and there’s a long way to go. When you go through a patch like this, it’s quite tempting to just give up — to cut your losses and leave that ebook draft abandoned on your computer. But that would be a huge mistake. Because this is often a sign that things are about to get easier. What to do InsteadPush yourself to reach the halfway point. Once you’re halfway, natural momentum kicks in, and you’ll speed up as you approach the end. Be sure to remind yourself of your motivation for starting the ebook in the first place: what’s it going to do for you and your blog? How will it help your readers — the people who you’ve come to know and care about? 10. Trying to Keep Up The MomentumWhile it’s important to not let your ebook stall after the first draft, you don’t need to rush into editing. Some writers dive straight into the editing phase — but then they struggle to get perspective, and may quickly feel burned out. What to do InsteadLet your ebook “sit” for at least a couple of days (and preferably a full week) before you begin reviewing and editing. That way, you’ll come to it with fresh eyes and a new perspective — you’ll be able to see what’s already good, and what needs a bit more work. With a little distance, you’ll be able to see your work from the perspective of a reader, not a writer. 11. Throwing Your Best Work in the FireMany ebook authors start their edit using the same file they used for the draft — for example, MyEbook.doc. While that’s not always a problem, it’s seriously frustrating if you cut something you later want to put back in. Worse, if you manage to delete, lose, or somehow corrupt that master file, all your hard work could be gone for good. What to do InsteadFor each new draft, create a new version of your file — MyEbookV2.doc, MyEbookV3.doc and so on. And create regular backups. A simple way is to email yourself a copy of the latest version from time to time. 12. Reviewing With a Microscope, Not a TelescopeIf you start your editing by looking for minor typos, you’ll miss much more significant issues. By focusing on the micro detail, you may fail to address major problems with your book — like “Chapter 15 is way too short” or “Chapter 7 should come after Chapter 10.” These often require a bit of perspective (see Mistake #10). What to do InsteadRead through your whole ebook, preferably in .pdf form, on paper, or on your tablet, before you begin editing. In other words, read it in a format where you can’t easily make small changes as you go along to force yourself to concentrate on the bigger picture. Make a note of any issues you need to fix, like chapters in the wrong order, repetitive information, tangents that need deleting, and new sections you want to add. 13. Telling Yourself You Don’t Need an EditorWhen you’ve been working away on your own for (probably) several months, seeing mistakes can be tough — from the big picture issues to the small details like missing words or misplaced apostrophes. But many first-time ebook authors are either too inexperienced to know the value of an editor or figure it’s a luxury they can’t afford. Even if you’re not in a position to pay for a full edit, that doesn’t mean you have to go it alone. What to do InsteadConsider paying for an editor to review just the first few chapters of your ebook. Many problems the editor identifies will probably occur throughout the ebook and you can fix them yourself once you know what to look for. Recruit volunteers to help edit: ask your readers, or members of any blogging community you belong to. Be prepared to repay the favor! 14. Hiring the World’s Worst ProofreaderOnce you’ve made any major changes and addressed the suggestions of your editors, your book is almost complete. But before it’s ready to publish, you’ll need to do at least one complete read-through to catch any remaining typos or errors. However, you’re probably the worst person to catch those errors. You’ve likely become so familiar with the content and its layout that you’ll miss typos that will be obvious to someone else. What to do InsteadIf you can afford a professional proofreader, or if you have a talented friend who can help out, brilliant. If you have to do most or all of your proofreading alone, here’s the secret: don’t proofread your ebook in the same environment you wrote it. Try changing the font style and size and printing it out, or reading it on a tablet. You’ll be surprised at how errors stand out. 15. Indulging Your Inner Perfectionist and ProcrastinatorQuality matters, but if you’re onto your fifth proofread and you’re spending ten minutes debating whether or not a particular sentence needs a comma, you’re wasting time. Even books from major publishing houses have mistakes from time to time. You may never have noticed this, because (like every reader) you don’t pause and scrutinize every word. What to do InsteadGive yourself a deadline for finishing the editing phase, and accept that catching 99 percent of your mistakes is good enough. Don’t agonize over the possibility that a typo may still be present. Readers aren’t likely to notice, and if someone does point out a particularly glaring mistake after publication, it’s simple to update your ebook. 16. Assuming You Know the Best Format for Your Ebook AlreadyEven if you started out with a specific end goal in mind, be sure to review your options once you’ve finished your ebook. An ebook that started life as a subscriber incentive might in fact make a great premium product, or serve as an authority-building book in the Kindle Store. But if you don’t at least consider other options, you might miss out on a huge opportunity. What to do InsteadDepending on the final destination of your ebook, a range of different ebook formats are available to consider:
And don’t assume that a particular option is right for your ebook just because it’s what you’ve seen other bloggers doing. 17. Using the First (Yawn-Inducing) Title that Comes to MindJust like a blog post title, an ebook title must grab attention. It’s going to be the first (and quite possibly the only) thing your potential ebook reader sees. When I wrote my first full-length ebook, I planned to title it Writing Blog Content. That’s what it was about, after all! But it’s not exactly sexy. A wise friend (Charlie Gilkey) jumped onto Skype with me and spent a while hashing out better titles. We eventually went with The Blogger’s Guide to Effective Writing … a much stronger, more compelling title. What to do InsteadIf you’ve had a working title in mind since the planning stage, now’s the time to figure out whether it’s truly good enough. You might want to ask your blog readers to vote on different titles. The same goes for the headline on your sales page — you’ll probably want to put something a bit more intriguing than just the title of your ebook. Jon’s Headline Hacks report is packed with lots of inspiration and advice. 18. Designing Your Own Front CoverLike it or not, everyone judges books by their covers. Unless you’re a professional designer, creating your own cover is a hugely damaging mistake. Your ebook will look amateurish, and readers may well be put off from buying it. This is especially true if you’ll be selling your ebook on Amazon (or other e-retail sites) where most potential readers won’t have any prior knowledge of you. For plenty of examples of both good and bad covers, take a look at Joel Friedlander’s Monthly e-Book Cover Design Awards. What to do InsteadIf you can afford it, hire a designer. This is a crucial investment, and you’ll likely sell enough extra copies to more than pay for the designer’s work. But if you really have to create your cover yourself, keep it simple and straightforward, and look at lots of examples of good and bad designs. 19. Forgetting to Link Back to Your BlogYour ebook might be a reader’s first contact with you. And even those who downloaded your ebook from your blog might forget where they got it. So failing to link your ebook back to your blog is a big mistake. You’re missing an opportunity to drive new subscribers to your main email list or to a separate list that tells your current ebook readers about your next book. What to do InsteadInclude a page at the back of your ebook — after “About the Author” — that lets readers know where to find you online. Be sure to link to your subscriber landing page, to your next book’s sales page, or anywhere else online you want to send them — e.g., your social media profiles. Also important is giving your readers an easy way to send you feedback for your ebook, such as a dedicated email address or a link to a contact page. And don’t be afraid to link to relevant blog content within the body of the ebook itself. 20. Completely Ignoring the Power of Social ProofEven if a reader already knows you, they won’t necessarily trust that your ebook is any good until it has at least one review or testimonial. Whether your ebook is available for purchase or simply a reward for new subscribers, people probably won’t trust its value unless they can see that other people have read it and found it useful. And if you’re in a niche that’s known for having a few sleazy operators, or one where ebooks are rare, then failing to provide social proof is an even bigger mistake. What to do InsteadBe proactive — send out review copies to bloggers in your niche, and to any of your blog’s readers who’ve commented regularly or emailed you recently. Add positive reviews to your sales page and, if possible, use photos of the reviewers to boost credibility. And if you can, send out your review copies before you launch your ebook – preferably at least a couple weeks before. This gives people a chance to read your book and get a review ready on or soon after your launch day. 21. Acting Like Your Ebook Isn’t a Big DealMany bloggers are uncomfortable marketing their ebooks so their “launch” simply involves a new link on their blog and a couple of low-key posts on social media. But even the best ebook will wither and die without some determined promotion. And the truth is that if you’re not willing to market your ebook when the hard work of writing it is complete, you’ve basically wasted all that time and effort. What to do InsteadYou’re proud of your new ebook, right? So start acting like it. (If you don’t feel a swell of pride about your work then go back to the writing and editing phases until you do!) Despite any preconceptions, you can effectively market your blog without coming across like a used car salesman. Here’s how… Mix up your promotional messages with lots of useful and interesting content. If you’re giving people useful information at the same time as promoting your ebook, you’ll feel less like a pushy salesperson. If your ebook is on Amazon, you can create some buzz by giving it away free for short periods. If this is your first premium product, make sure you tell your existing list about it and consider offering a discount for existing subscribers. Write guest posts for popular blogs in your niche and direct readers to a dedicated landing page for sign-ups or for the sales page for your ebook. You might even look into ways to do something more interesting and innovative, maybe creating videos, offering special extras, or getting readers involved. Writing an Ebook Doesn’t Have to Be a DreamLots of mistakes are lurking out there to trip you up on the path to publishing your first ebook, but the potential rewards are great. You can get more subscribers for your blog, more authority in your niche, and even earn more money from your writing. And now that you know the most common mistakes, you can avoid them with ease. But of all the mistakes you can make, one trumps them all: Not even trying. Or telling yourself that you’ll write your ebook someday. But you’re not going to make that mistake, right? You now know how to write an ebook. Grab your calendar, take a look at the next week, and choose a day to begin. Because in just a month or two, you could easily have a finished ebook … one that could supercharge your email list, position you as an expert, or start bringing in a steady income. When will your ebook journey begin?
About the Author: Ali Luke is the author of Publishing E-Books For Dummies, and writes for Learn SEO Fast. If you’d like more help with the “plan-write-edit” process (not just for ebooks!) then check out her free video training, The Writing Process for Bloggers — no opt-in required.
The post How to Write an Ebook: 21 Dumb Mistakes to Avoid in 2019 appeared first on Smart Blogger. from https://smartblogger.com/ebook-mistakes/
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This episode is a deviation from the norm. Let's see how it goes. The post The Joshua Principle appeared first on Become A Blogger by Leslie Samuel. from https://www.becomeablogger.com/27991/the-joshua-principle/
Want to learn how to write an ebook like a pro? It’s not just what you do, but what you DON’T do that can make or break your work.
You’ve thought about writing an ebook. In fact, you’ve already imagined the front cover. You can see the main title and, underneath, your name. And when you picture it, you feel a ripple of pride. An ebook would be a big step up for you as a writer. Because while blog posts are a great way to express your ideas, you can’t help feeling they’re a little, well, fleeting. Lightweight even. But an ebook? That’s more substantial. It’s taken more seriously. It has more gravitas. And having an ebook with your name on the front transforms you from a mere blogger into that more impressive beast — an author. But how do you become an ebook author without falling victim to the same mistakes that sabotage the attempts of so many other bloggers? Why Most Ebooks Are Embarrassingly BadOn the surface, writing an ebook seems relatively easy. Lots of bloggers seem to be doing it, so how hard can it be? But in reality, most ebooks that see the light of day are horrible. Embarrassingly bad. That’s because your average ebook author doesn’t have a clue how to write an ebook. They can’t afford to hire a ghostwriter, and they don’t have the support system a traditional author would be given by their publisher when writing a book. They do their best, but they don’t know what they don’t know. The good news? We can learn from their mistakes. In this post, we’re going to show you the common mishaps first-time authors make when writing an ebook. In other words: Want to write an ebook like a pro? Avoid these 21 common mistakes: How to Write an Ebook Like a Pro (Hint: Don’t Do These Amatuerish Things)
1. Choosing a Topic You Know Little AboutIf you want to create a premium ebook, you can be tempted to pick a “hot topic” thinking that’s where the money is. Likewise, when creating a sign-up bribe, you might think you need to entice readers with the latest information about an emerging topic. And if you’re using Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), it’s easy to think you need to target one of the most popular categories. But picking a topic like this is a BIG mistake. If you know little or nothing about your chosen topic, creating an ebook will be a huge amount of work. You’ll have to do a ton of research, interview experts, and perhaps even pay a real guru to get you up to speed. What to do InsteadWrite about something you actually know about — which almost certainly means tying your ebook to your blog’s core topic. You’ll not only save a ton of time on research, but you’ll also have a ready-made audience for your writing. 2. Writing the Ebook Your Audience “Needs”I’ve fallen into this trap myself (twice) and I’ve seen a heck of a lot of other bloggers do the same. It happens when you realize there’s a topic you know your readers need, and you know you can write the perfect book that will genuinely help them. Sounds great, but people don’t always know what they need. And your sense of what it is might not be spot-on either. What to do InsteadDon’t give your readers what you think they need. Give them what they know they want. How? Run a survey, and ask your readers to choose between three or four ebook topics. (This is also a good opportunity to find out how much they’d pay, whether they’re beginners or more experienced, and what specific questions they need your help to answer.) 3. Thinking Like a Writer, Not a PublisherPlanning isn’t just about deciding what you’re going to write and what order you’re going to write it in. Because when you decide to create an ebook, you’re not just a writer; you’re also a publisher (and marketer). You have to write and publish. If you don’t start thinking now about how you’ll sell your book — whether that means selling it for money or just selling the concept to your readers — you’ll run into problems later on. What to do InsteadDraft your sales page while you’re planning your ebook. Make it sound as attractive and useful as possible (try Jon’s list of power words, and make the reader the hero of the story) … and use that pitch to drive the writing process. This will make your ebook much stronger and will make your life much easier when you launch it. 4. Picking Up Your Pen (or Laptop) and Starting to WriteOnce your survey results are in, you might be tempted to start writing straight away. Whoa there. Jumping into the writing at this point will cause you serious problems. You’ll find yourself repeating things, or wasting time exploring ultimately unhelpful tangents. What to do InsteadPlan your ebook before you start writing. This means having a clear outline that has, at the very least, a title for each chapter. Yes, that might seem a bit boring, but it will make the writing stage far easier (and more fun). This doesn’t have to mean opening a blank document and writing a linear outline. Try freeform brainstorming, mind maps, or index cards as creative alternatives to help get your ebook ideas flowing. 5. Trying to Make Your Ebook Too ValuableWith your first ebook, it’s easy to think you need to deliver the definitive ebook — the only one your audience will ever need. If that sounds like a good idea, ask yourself this: “What will I give them next?” Chances are, you won’t write just one ebook. You might write several in the same series, or you might create a short starter ebook for free, and then write a more advanced one to sell. Even if your ebook is destined to be your subscriber incentive, if you give your readers everything they’ll ever need, why would they come back to your blog? What to do InsteadGo back to your survey and determine what aspects your audience cares about the most. Focus on those. If you have lots of extra ideas, great! Keep them in a separate place and use them for your next ebook. Or explore them in a detailed blog post. If you inadvertently miss something crucial, you’ll find out when you get feedback, and you can add a new section or chapter to address that point. 6. Starting at the BeginningAlthough it might be the first chapter in your book, your introduction almost certainly isn’t the place to start writing. It’s hard to know what to include until you’ve drafted the majority of your book, and you don’t want to get bogged down at this early stage. If you start with the introduction, you’ll often end up writing far more than you need to. And let’s be honest. No reader relishes the sight of a long introduction — they want to dive into the real content. What to do InsteadDon’t begin with the introduction; start with your first “proper” chapter. Once you’ve drafted the rest of your book, you’ll know what needs to go in the introduction. Also, a lot of “introductory” material can go at the back of the book – I strongly recommend having an About the Author page at the back, because it’s a great opportunity to point readers to your website, mailing list, and so on. 7. Only Writing When You Feel Like ItAlthough your ebook is probably a high-priority project for you, it can be genuinely tough to carve out the time for working on it regularly. But if you don’t write consistently, you’ll never build up any momentum. You may write for a few hours to begin with, but then end up taking weeks off … and never getting back to your ebook. What to do InsteadYou don’t have to write thousands of words at a time. One of my clients wrote a short chapter every week, without fail, and finished her ebook within a few months. Find a consistent time each day, or several times a week, to work on your ebook. You might like to try the Pomodoro technique (25 minutes writing, 5-minute break) to use your time effectively during short writing sessions. Anyone can write for just 25 minutes. If you know you have a problem with time management, address that now; it’ll pay off for years to come. 8. Letting Your Inner Editor Take the LeadIf you’re writing regularly and staying focused but making slow progress, then you’re probably trying to edit while you write. Perhaps you find yourself typing a couple of paragraphs, then changing your mind and deleting them. You might even be stopping every sentence or two to make minor tweaks. This is a serious drain on your productivity as a writer. What to do InsteadIf you change your mind about a whole paragraph or section, leave it in as is, but jot a note to yourself about it. You may find, on re-reading, that it works perfectly well. You might find it’s helpful to use a full-screen “no distractions” text editor. I like Dark Room for this — as it doesn’t have those distracting red and green wiggles that your typical word processor adds when it doesn’t like a word or phrase. 9. Quitting Just Before it Gets EasyAfter you’ve been working on your ebook for weeks, perhaps months, you may find that you’ve not made the progress you’d hoped for. Whatever the exact cause (illness, workload, etc.), you’ve hit a wall. You aren’t even halfway through the draft, and there’s a long way to go. When you go through a patch like this, it’s quite tempting to just give up — to cut your losses and leave that ebook draft abandoned on your computer. But that would be a huge mistake. Because this is often a sign that things are about to get easier. What to do InsteadPush yourself to reach the halfway point. Once you’re halfway, natural momentum kicks in, and you’ll speed up as you approach the end. Be sure to remind yourself of your motivation for starting the ebook in the first place: what’s it going to do for you and your blog? How will it help your readers — the people who you’ve come to know and care about? 10. Trying to Keep Up The MomentumWhile it’s important to not let your ebook stall after the first draft, you don’t need to rush into editing. Some writers dive straight into the editing phase — but then they struggle to get perspective, and may quickly feel burned out. What to do InsteadLet your ebook “sit” for at least a couple of days (and preferably a full week) before you begin reviewing and editing. That way, you’ll come to it with fresh eyes and a new perspective — you’ll be able to see what’s already good, and what needs a bit more work. With a little distance, you’ll be able to see your work from the perspective of a reader, not a writer. 11. Throwing Your Best Work in the FireMany ebook authors start their edit using the same file they used for the draft — for example, MyEbook.doc. While that’s not always a problem, it’s seriously frustrating if you cut something you later want to put back in. Worse, if you manage to delete, lose, or somehow corrupt that master file, all your hard work could be gone for good. What to do InsteadFor each new draft, create a new version of your file — MyEbookV2.doc, MyEbookV3.doc and so on. And create regular backups. A simple way is to email yourself a copy of the latest version from time to time. 12. Reviewing With a Microscope, Not a TelescopeIf you start your editing by looking for minor typos, you’ll miss much more significant issues. By focusing on the micro detail, you may fail to address major problems with your book — like “Chapter 15 is way too short” or “Chapter 7 should come after Chapter 10.” These often require a bit of perspective (see Mistake #10). What to do InsteadRead through your whole ebook, preferably in .pdf form, on paper, or on your tablet, before you begin editing. In other words, read it in a format where you can’t easily make small changes as you go along to force yourself to concentrate on the bigger picture. Make a note of any issues you need to fix, like chapters in the wrong order, repetitive information, tangents that need deleting, and new sections you want to add. 13. Telling Yourself You Don’t Need an EditorWhen you’ve been working away on your own for (probably) several months, seeing mistakes can be tough — from the big picture issues to the small details like missing words or misplaced apostrophes. But many first-time ebook authors are either too inexperienced to know the value of an editor or figure it’s a luxury they can’t afford. Even if you’re not in a position to pay for a full edit, that doesn’t mean you have to go it alone. What to do InsteadConsider paying for an editor to review just the first few chapters of your ebook. Many problems the editor identifies will probably occur throughout the ebook and you can fix them yourself once you know what to look for. Recruit volunteers to help edit: ask your readers, or members of any blogging community you belong to. Be prepared to repay the favor! 14. Hiring the World’s Worst ProofreaderOnce you’ve made any major changes and addressed the suggestions of your editors, your book is almost complete. But before it’s ready to publish, you’ll need to do at least one complete read-through to catch any remaining typos or errors. However, you’re probably the worst person to catch those errors. You’ve likely become so familiar with the content and its layout that you’ll miss typos that will be obvious to someone else. What to do InsteadIf you can afford a professional proofreader, or if you have a talented friend who can help out, brilliant. If you have to do most or all of your proofreading alone, here’s the secret: don’t proofread your ebook in the same environment you wrote it. Try changing the font style and size and printing it out, or reading it on a tablet. You’ll be surprised at how errors stand out. 15. Indulging Your Inner Perfectionist and ProcrastinatorQuality matters, but if you’re onto your fifth proofread and you’re spending ten minutes debating whether or not a particular sentence needs a comma, you’re wasting time. Even books from major publishing houses have mistakes from time to time. You may never have noticed this, because (like every reader) you don’t pause and scrutinize every word. What to do InsteadGive yourself a deadline for finishing the editing phase, and accept that catching 99 percent of your mistakes is good enough. Don’t agonize over the possibility that a typo may still be present. Readers aren’t likely to notice, and if someone does point out a particularly glaring mistake after publication, it’s simple to update your ebook. 16. Assuming You Know the Best Format for Your Ebook AlreadyEven if you started out with a specific end goal in mind, be sure to review your options once you’ve finished your ebook. An ebook that started life as a subscriber incentive might in fact make a great premium product, or serve as an authority-building book in the Kindle Store. But if you don’t at least consider other options, you might miss out on a huge opportunity. What to do InsteadDepending on the final destination of your ebook, a range of different ebook formats are available to consider:
And don’t assume that a particular option is right for your ebook just because it’s what you’ve seen other bloggers doing. 17. Using the First (Yawn-Inducing) Title that Comes to MindJust like a blog post title, an ebook title must grab attention. It’s going to be the first (and quite possibly the only) thing your potential ebook reader sees. When I wrote my first full-length ebook, I planned to title it Writing Blog Content. That’s what it was about, after all! But it’s not exactly sexy. A wise friend (Charlie Gilkey) jumped onto Skype with me and spent a while hashing out better titles. We eventually went with The Blogger’s Guide to Effective Writing … a much stronger, more compelling title. What to do InsteadIf you’ve had a working title in mind since the planning stage, now’s the time to figure out whether it’s truly good enough. You might want to ask your blog readers to vote on different titles. The same goes for the headline on your sales page — you’ll probably want to put something a bit more intriguing than just the title of your ebook. Jon’s Headline Hacks report is packed with lots of inspiration and advice. 18. Designing Your Own Front CoverLike it or not, everyone judges books by their covers. Unless you’re a professional designer, creating your own cover is a hugely damaging mistake. Your ebook will look amateurish, and readers may well be put off from buying it. This is especially true if you’ll be selling your ebook on Amazon (or other e-retail sites) where most potential readers won’t have any prior knowledge of you. For plenty of examples of both good and bad covers, take a look at Joel Friedlander’s Monthly e-Book Cover Design Awards. What to do InsteadIf you can afford it, hire a designer. This is a crucial investment, and you’ll likely sell enough extra copies to more than pay for the designer’s work. But if you really have to create your cover yourself, keep it simple and straightforward, and look at lots of examples of good and bad designs. 19. Forgetting to Link Back to Your BlogYour ebook might be a reader’s first contact with you. And even those who downloaded your ebook from your blog might forget where they got it. So failing to link your ebook back to your blog is a big mistake. You’re missing an opportunity to drive new subscribers to your main email list or to a separate list that tells your current ebook readers about your next book. What to do InsteadInclude a page at the back of your ebook — after “About the Author” — that lets readers know where to find you online. Be sure to link to your subscriber landing page, to your next book’s sales page, or anywhere else online you want to send them — e.g., your social media profiles. Also important is giving your readers an easy way to send you feedback for your ebook, such as a dedicated email address or a link to a contact page. And don’t be afraid to link to relevant blog content within the body of the ebook itself. 20. Completely Ignoring the Power of Social ProofEven if a reader already knows you, they won’t necessarily trust that your ebook is any good until it has at least one review or testimonial. Whether your ebook is available for purchase or simply a reward for new subscribers, people probably won’t trust its value unless they can see that other people have read it and found it useful. And if you’re in a niche that’s known for having a few sleazy operators, or one where ebooks are rare, then failing to provide social proof is an even bigger mistake. What to do InsteadBe proactive — send out review copies to bloggers in your niche, and to any of your blog’s readers who’ve commented regularly or emailed you recently. Add positive reviews to your sales page and, if possible, use photos of the reviewers to boost credibility. And if you can, send out your review copies before you launch your ebook – preferably at least a couple weeks before. This gives people a chance to read your book and get a review ready on or soon after your launch day. 21. Acting Like Your Ebook Isn’t a Big DealMany bloggers are uncomfortable marketing their ebooks so their “launch” simply involves a new link on their blog and a couple of low-key posts on social media. But even the best ebook will wither and die without some determined promotion. And the truth is that if you’re not willing to market your ebook when the hard work of writing it is complete, you’ve basically wasted all that time and effort. What to do InsteadYou’re proud of your new ebook, right? So start acting like it. (If you don’t feel a swell of pride about your work then go back to the writing and editing phases until you do!) Despite any preconceptions, you can effectively market your blog without coming across like a used car salesman. Here’s how… Mix up your promotional messages with lots of useful and interesting content. If you’re giving people useful information at the same time as promoting your ebook, you’ll feel less like a pushy salesperson. If your ebook is on Amazon, you can create some buzz by giving it away free for short periods. If this is your first premium product, make sure you tell your existing list about it and consider offering a discount for existing subscribers. Write guest posts for popular blogs in your niche and direct readers to a dedicated landing page for sign-ups or for the sales page for your ebook. You might even look into ways to do something more interesting and innovative, maybe creating videos, offering special extras, or getting readers involved. Writing an Ebook Doesn’t Have to Be a DreamLots of mistakes are lurking out there to trip you up on the path to publishing your first ebook, but the potential rewards are great. You can get more subscribers for your blog, more authority in your niche, and even earn more money from your writing. And now that you know the most common mistakes, you can avoid them with ease. But of all the mistakes you can make, one trumps them all: Not even trying. Or telling yourself that you’ll write your ebook someday. But you’re not going to make that mistake, right? You now know how to write an ebook. Grab your calendar, take a look at the next week, and choose a day to begin. Because in just a month or two, you could easily have a finished ebook … one that could supercharge your email list, position you as an expert, or start bringing in a steady income. When will your ebook journey begin?
About the Author: Ali Luke is the author of Publishing E-Books For Dummies, and writes for Learn SEO Fast. If you’d like more help with the “plan-write-edit” process (not just for ebooks!) then check out her free video training, The Writing Process for Bloggers — no opt-in required.
The post How to Write an Ebook: 21 Dumb Mistakes to Avoid in 2019 appeared first on Smart Blogger. from https://smartblogger.com/ebook-mistakes/ So you want to create a blog for free. Then you’re in the right place. By the end of this post, you’ll know the best way to get started. You’ll also know some actionable steps to start making money with your free blog. So let’s do this. Listen to episodeAlong with each post, there's a detailed podcast episode. You should listen to it. Why? Because I think it's cool, and I think you should think so too. Oh wow. Look at that play button. The benefits of bloggingIt should be no surprise that I love blogging. I mean – the name of my blog is “Become a Blogger”. Blogging has literally changed my life. It landed me my dream job as a University professor in a doctoral program. I was able to leave that job to become a full-time blogger. And today, I travel the world and get to teach what I’m passionate about. I’m also able to spend more time with my family than ever before. And this is all directly or indirectly the result of my blogging. Blogging has lots of benefits, so it’s no wonder you want to start your own blog. Why I don’t normally recommend blogging for freeIn just a minute, I’m going to lay out a clear path for you to follow to be able to create a blog for free. But before I do that, I have to give a disclaimer. While it’s possible to create and grow a successful blog for free, it’s not what I usually recommend. Here’s why. If you’re trying to build a business, you want to use the tools that will set you up for success. While it’s possible to start a free blog, you won’t be able to take advantage of many of the tools I recommend. These tools can be things like plugins that expand the functionality of your blog. Or even tools for enhancing your visibility in the search engines. Also, you want to present yourself in a professional way, which includes having your own domain name. If you’re blogging to build a business, it takes an investment to maximize your potential success. Three reasons to start a free BlogThere are times when starting a free blog can be very beneficial. Here are some of the cases where I recommend doing so:
If one of those three reasons apply to you, then keep reading. WordPress vs Wix vs Weebly, etcThere are a number of free blogging platforms out there. WordPress, Wix, and Weebly are some of the more popular ones. I’m often asked which I recommend. My answer is unequivocally WordPress. While Wix and Weebly make it very easy to get started, I can’t recommend them for a few reasons:
Why you should start with WordPressWordPress is where you should start your free blog. It’s relatively easy to use and sets you up for success. Over 30% of all websites run on WordPress for many reasons. Here are a few:
Also, even if you start with the free version of WordPress, it’s relatively easy to upgrade to your own self-hosted WordPress site. This means that you can easily transfer all your work if (and when) you decide to step up your game. If you’re gonna start for free, you might as well start with the best. And you might as well leave the possibility open to easily upgrade to the best of the best. Build your email list with MailChimpYour email list is one of your most valuable assets as a blogger. There are many email marketing services out there. I recommend GetResponse for people who are getting started. While it’s VERY cost-effective, it’s not free. Fortunately, MailChimp does offer a free version of their service for up to 2K subscribers. Start an account, create your list, create a lead magnet and add a form to your blog. That way, you can start growing your email list. How to make money with your free blogWhen it comes to making money with your free blog, you have similar options as with a paid blog. Here are some of the things I recommend:
Essentially, making money with your free blog works relatively similar to making money with a self-hosted blog. Provide a solution that people are willing to pay for and you’re headed in the right direction. Be ready to move when it’s timeIf your goal is to build a business with your blog, you will eventually need to upgrade. Once you’re comfortable with the free stuff and you want to step up your game, check out my free Idea 2 blog course. It’ll help you get started and on your way to building a successful blogging business. And if you have questions in the meantime, feel free to ask them in the comments area below. Resources/Tools
The post How to Create a Blog for Free appeared first on Become A Blogger by Leslie Samuel. from https://www.becomeablogger.com/26884/how-to-create-a-blog-for-free/ So you want to create a blog for free. Then you’re in the right place. By the end of this post, you’ll know the best way to get started. You’ll also know some actionable steps to start making money with your free blog. So let’s do this. Listen to episodeAlong with each post, there's a detailed podcast episode. You should listen to it. Why? Because I think it's cool, and I think you should think so too. Oh wow. Look at that play button. The benefits of bloggingIt should be no surprise that I love blogging. I mean – the name of my blog is “Become a Blogger”. Blogging has literally changed my life. It landed me my dream job as a University professor in a doctoral program. I was able to leave that job to become a full-time blogger. And today, I travel the world and get to teach what I’m passionate about. I’m also able to spend more time with my family than ever before. And this is all directly or indirectly the result of my blogging. Blogging has lots of benefits, so it’s no wonder you want to start your own blog. Why I don’t normally recommend blogging for freeIn just a minute, I’m going to lay out a clear path for you to follow to be able to create a blog for free. But before I do that, I have to give a disclaimer. While it’s possible to create and grow a successful blog for free, it’s not what I usually recommend. Here’s why. If you’re trying to build a business, you want to use the tools that will set you up for success. While it’s possible to start a free blog, you won’t be able to take advantage of many of the tools I recommend. These tools can be things like plugins that expand the functionality of your blog. Or even tools for enhancing your visibility in the search engines. Also, you want to present yourself in a professional way, which includes having your own domain name. If you’re blogging to build a business, it takes an investment to maximize your potential success. Three reasons to start a free BlogThere are times when starting a free blog can be very beneficial. Here are some of the cases where I recommend doing so:
If one of those three reasons apply to you, then keep reading. WordPress vs Wix vs Weebly, etcThere are a number of free blogging platforms out there. WordPress, Wix, and Weebly are some of the more popular ones. I’m often asked which I recommend. My answer is unequivocally WordPress. While Wix and Weebly make it very easy to get started, I can’t recommend them for a few reasons:
Why you should start with WordPressWordPress is where you should start your free blog. It’s relatively easy to use and sets you up for success. Over 30% of all websites run on WordPress for many reasons. Here are a few:
Also, even if you start with the free version of WordPress, it’s relatively easy to upgrade to your own self-hosted WordPress site. This means that you can easily transfer all your work if (and when) you decide to step up your game. If you’re gonna start for free, you might as well start with the best. And you might as well leave the possibility open to easily upgrade to the best of the best. Build your email list with MailChimpYour email list is one of your most valuable assets as a blogger. There are many email marketing services out there. I recommend GetResponse for people who are getting started. While it’s VERY cost-effective, it’s not free. Fortunately, MailChimp does offer a free version of their service for up to 2K subscribers. Start an account, create your list, create a lead magnet and add a form to your blog. That way, you can start growing your email list. How to make money with your free blogWhen it comes to making money with your free blog, you have similar options as with a paid blog. Here are some of the things I recommend:
Essentially, making money with your free blog works relatively similar to making money with a self-hosted blog. Provide a solution that people are willing to pay for and you’re headed in the right direction. Be ready to move when it’s timeIf your goal is to build a business with your blog, you will eventually need to upgrade. Once you’re comfortable with the free stuff and you want to step up your game, check out my free Idea 2 blog course. It’ll help you get started and on your way to building a successful blogging business. And if you have questions in the meantime, feel free to ask them in the comments area below. Resources/Tools
The post How to Create a Blog for Free appeared first on Become A Blogger by Leslie Samuel. from https://www.becomeablogger.com/26884/how-to-create-a-blog-for-free/ Do you want to know how to write a blog post that rocks? Wish you could create the kind of content that Google loves? Want your audience to just go on about how awesome your content is? By the end of this post, you will have a framework for creating awesome blog posts. Listen to episodeAlong with each post, there's a detailed podcast episode. You should listen to it. Why? Because I think it's cool, and I think you should think so too. Oh wow. Look at that play button. If you prefer to read, or want the show notes, here ya go . . . Why good writing is importantYou’re a blogger and you create content. Maybe you’re the kind of blogger that focuses on video content. Or maybe you focus on your podcast with the show notes being the only written content. Written content is still at the core of what blogging entails, especially for educational blogs. Here’s why:
But here’s the thing, if your written content is not good, it won’t satisfy the searcher. And Google will use that data to determine how to rank you. Step 1: Understand the searcher’s intentWhen someone goes to Google and searches for something, there’s a specific intent. If I go to Google and search for “How to start a blog”, it should be obvious that I want to start a blog. If I search for “Chia seed pudding recipe”, you know I’m about to hit that kitchen up to make something awesome. Always think about the person doing the searching. What exactly are they trying to accomplish? And how can you create the perfect content to help them do that? Once again, Google pays attention to what people do after landing on your blog post. If they engage with it because it gives them what they want, Google rewards that. But if they come to your site and leave to continue searching, that’s a signal that you’re not delivering. Also, if you answer their question or solve their problem, they will be more likely to check out your other stuff. Step 2: Analyze what’s already out thereIf you want to deliver value to the person that’s visiting your post, it’s a good idea to see what’s already out there. Do a Google search for the phrase someone would type into Google to find your post. What comes up? Check out the top posts related to that search phrase. What are they covering in their posts, and more importantly – what’s missing? Think about it from the perspective of the searcher. If there’s anything you can add to the conversation that adds unique value, make sure to include it. Step 3: Gather your researchWhile it can be good to write something off the top of your head, it’s good to have actual data to support your content. When you quote research or other experts in your field, it increases your credibility. You aren’t just a random person with random thoughts. You’ve done your research and are adding value by shedding light on that research. Also, doing research will give you new ideas for what can be included in your post. Step 4: Start with an outlineI used to love just writing and seeing what comes out on paper. Unfortunately, sometimes the result of doing that isn’t as coherent as I’d like it to be. That’s why I like to start with an outline. By doing, I’m able to think through the direction I want my post to go beforehand. And if I need to make changes to the flow of the post, I can do that before writing the content. It saves a lot of time and helps your content to flow better. Step 5: Flesh out the articleNow that your outline is done, it’s time to flesh it out – add the meat to the bones. Get to writing, and create that work of art. The goal here is simple – deliver on the value you promised in the title. When your visitor finishes reading that post, they should feel like you answered the questions they had. And in a perfect world, they don’t need to go anywhere else to get more insight into that particular problem. Step 6: Revisit/Write the IntroductionYour introduction is such an important part of your blog post that I find it better to work on it last. Now that the article is written and you know the full context, focus on the introduction. Create a compelling introduction that gets the visitor to think – man, I have to keep reading. Here are some things you can try:
Step 7: Use Grammarly and Hemingway App for EditingThe last thing you want is for your awesome content to have grammatical errors or to be not well structured. Yes, I know – Microsoft Word has spelling and grammar checking abilities. But they suck in comparison to these two tools. Grammarly is great for checking your grammar, but it also does other things. It has features like vocabulary enhancement, writing mistakes correction, contextual speech checker and more. And the Hemingway App does a great job at helping you simplify your writing. One thing I’ve found is the better we get at something, the easier it is to overcomplicate it. So get to writingThere you have it. Those are my seven recommended steps to help you write a great blog post. If you follow these steps and create something awesome, let me know by linking to it below. Tools/Resources:The post How to Write a Blog Post that ROCKS! appeared first on Become A Blogger by Leslie Samuel. from https://www.becomeablogger.com/26846/how-to-write-a-blog-post/ Writing a bio is hard. You have to knock ’em dead with two or three dazzling sentences that show you’re a likable, credible, and accomplished expert. When readers read your bio, they must believe you’re the answer to their prayers — a superhero who will swoop in and solve the big problem keeping them awake at night. No pressure, right? Here’s the good news: Learning how to write a bio that dazzles readers doesn’t require feats of strength or the ability to leap tall buildings in a single bound. No, all you have to do is keep reading. Because in this post, I’m going to show you a simple three-step process for writing a bio readers will adore. But first, we’ll look at a few short bio examples that make readers run for the exits. Let’s dive in. The 6 Common Bio Blunders That Make You Look Like an Amateur (And What to Do Instead)#1: Making It All About You
I’m Jill — a free-spirit with a passion for quilting, bird watching, Tai Chi, and calligraphy.”
Thanks for sharing, Jill. But do I really care? Nah. It’s confusing, I know. “Bio” is short for biography, which suggests it should be all about you. But the main purpose of your author bio is to show your audience how you can help them solve their problem with the skills you bring to the table. So, it’s not about you, Jill. It’s about them. What to Do Instead:In this post on sensory words, using almost the same number of words as Jill, Kevin gives us just enough information about himself to tell us what he does and how he helps his audience.
As the Editor in Chief at Smart Blogger, Kevin J. Duncan helps readers learn the ropes of blogging, hone their writing skills, and find their unique voice so they can stand out from the crowd.
It’s clear, precise, and focused on the outcome, not on Kevin. He uses phrases like “hone their writing skills,” and “stand out from the crowd,” which directly target the deep-rooted desires of aspiring writers. He speaks their language. Here’s another tip: It’s usually best to write in the third person, as Kevin does in the above bio example. It’s more professional. #2: Writing a Condensed Resume, or a Laundry List of Accomplishments
John Brown is a qualified personal trainer with a sports medicine degree from Fremont College, as well as professional certifications from the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
Your bio is not a dumping ground for your career path and qualifications. It’s a tiny elevator pitch that’s selling you as a credible solver of your reader’s problems. So don’t list every degree you have or talk about your first job out of school. Readers don’t really care. They only care whether or not you have the solutions they are looking for. What to Do Instead:Your bio should only include details about yourself that directly relate to your audience’s problem. Think about your career, education, and skills, and then carefully select the most pertinent facts that are going to impress the audience you are writing for. Like this:
Jessi Rita Hoffman is a book editor who helps authors get their books out of their heads and into print. A former publishing house editor-in-chief, she has edited books for Donald Trump and bestselling/award-winning authors. Visit her blog for writers here.
Jessi tells us the most important thing about herself (that she is a book editor), and what she can do for her audience (get their books into print), while establishing her credibility (“best-selling,” “editor-in-chief”). Everything she mentions is designed to appeal to the audience she’s trying to reach. #3: Sharing Irrelevant Details or Stuff You Think Your Audience Should Care About
Joe Brown is a content and affiliate marketer with a passion for snowboarding. When he’s not at his computer, you can find him at his nearest half-pipe, or maybe on Twitter @joeb, where he likes to tweet about his pet python. Alternatively, try his email at [email protected], and he’ll probably shoot you back a list of his favorite origami folds.
This sample bio is from someone whose expertise is content and affiliate marketing, although he hides it well. Much like your degrees and career path, your audience doesn’t care about your hobbies, passions, and personal philosophies either, unless they directly impact the problem they’re trying to solve. What to Do Instead:As mentioned earlier, only share the details that your audience will find relevant. If you’re mad keen on knitting and you’re writing for an arts and crafts blog, then go ahead and mention your passion. It’s relevant. But don’t tell them about your cat, unless Fluffy can knit too. #4: Trying to Cram Too Much InOkay, so you’ve managed to include only relevant details about yourself, so you’re safe. Right? Not if you included too many of them. Like this one from Jo. She’s had an impressive career, but her bio feels endless:
Jo Smith is a personal finance blogger with 20 years of experience in accounting, international banking, and financial planning. She started as a trainee bank teller in Little Rock, Arkansas, before completing her accounting degree and climbing the corporate ladder at Citibank. More recently, Jo decided to follow her dreams and leave the safety net of her six-figure salary to start her own coaching business.
This is way too much information. Writing your own bio can be hard. Sometimes you’re too close to the subject matter to realize what’s important and what can be left out. But your bio isn’t the place to share your entire life story. You need to be picky. What to Do Instead:With some careful pruning, the real gems hidden away in Jo’s bio can be given center stage:
Jo Smith is a personal finance blogger and coach with 20 years of experience in the high-powered world of international banking and accountancy. Jo is on a mission to help everyday families build sustainable wealth, stop stressing about their financial security, and start living the life they’ve always wanted.
Go through your bio word by word and ask yourself, “Does this bit of information make any difference to my audience?” If the answer is no, take it out, and limit your bio to two or three sentences. #5: Being Overly Formal (a.k.a. Boring)
Joe Jones is an accomplished marketing consultant who specializes in the field of physician practices. He works with medical centers and practitioners to maximize their online real estate, garner new market segments, and engender business growth.
If you’re anything like me, you had to read this bio more than once to get a sense of what Joe does. It’s way too formal. Most people will just glaze over this. What to Do Instead:Instead of using stilted words and phrases like “maximize their online real estate” and “engender business growth” Joe missed a great opportunity to make himself stand out from the crowd by creating a point of interest. Perhaps he could have started with something like:
“Joe Jones is an expert marketer who can take your medical practice from queasy to fighting fit…”
Do you see how that might grab a few more eyeballs, cut through the noise, and make an impact with his target audience of doctors? #6. Being Vague (or Overly Woo-Woo)
Cecile is a life coach and devoted mom. She loves day breaks and giving things a go. She is passionate about her fellow humans and wants to be their inspiration for growth, as they find their way through the dark to their true self.
Hands up, whoever doesn’t have a clue what this person is talking about. What does she do? How does she help solve my problem? Why should I be interested in her? You need to avoid ambiguous phrases like “inspiration for growth” and “find their way through the dark.” These phrases might have a nice ring to them, but they mean very little to your reader. They’re too open to interpretation. What to Do Instead:You don’t have time to beat around the bush in your bio. Get straight to the point. Like this:
Cecile is a qualified self-development coach who is passionate about helping professional women develop the skills and self-assurance they need to take control of their working lives. Download her free guide, How to Quit Your Dead-End Job Without Risking Your Income, and open the door to your dream career today.
In two sentences, Cecile tells me everything I need to know about what she does and how she can help me. No fluff, no messing about, and a juicy opt-in bribe to seal the deal. The 3-Step Process to Writing a Click-Worthy Author BioSo now you can see where you might’ve gone wrong with your bio after you started your blog, and you’re dying to write a new version of it. But how do you ensure your next bio won’t commit the same blunders? Easy. Just follow this simple three-step process to write a bio that your ideal readers can’t resist clicking. Step #1: Introduce Yourself with a BangThis is where you tell the audience who you are and what makes you different (while avoiding the common blunders we’ve just discussed). You need to spark their interest and curiosity and get them to say, “Tell me more.” Let’s start with this example from a blogger in the personal development niche.
Sue Smith is a self-help writer and coach with a degree in psychology…
This tells me what Sue does, but it’s rather dull and same-y in a sea full of personal development blogs. There’s nothing here to set her apart or pique our interest. Let’s give it a twist:
Self-help writer, Sue Smith, is part social scientist, part agony aunt, who…
That sounds a bit more interesting. Sue manages to appeal to her audience on different levels by sounding educated, professional, and personable at the same time. Describing herself as an “agony aunt” downplays the more clinical “social scientist.” I’m curious to know more, and it certainly makes her distinctive. But there’s another angle Sue could take:
Sue Smith is a certified psychologist who specializes in beating social anxiety.
Now, this one is more similar to the first example, but the difference is that it adds more credibility — “certified psychologist” sounds much more credible than “has a degree in,” which suggests she’s fresh out of college — but it also sets her apart more. She has a specialty, which gives her ideas on the topic more weight than others. If you suffer from social anxiety, you’d want to listen to the expert on it, right? Compare also:
Sue Smith’s books on beating social anxiety have won her international acclaim. She has been featured as an expert on Psychology Today, The Oprah Winfrey Show, and Good Morning America.
This version goes even further in establishing Sue’s credibility. Not only has she published multiple books on the topic of social anxiety, but she’s even been featured on some well-known media channels, adding social proof to her expertise. We’ve talked before about not delivering a laundry list of accomplishments, but if you have specific accomplishments that make you stand out, those are worth including. Here’s an excellent bio example that both offers a point of interest and adds credibility:
Jessica’s outside-the-box approach to business plan writing has helped her clients collectively raise almost $50 million in financing to start and grow new businesses. Sign up for her 5-part business plan training series for FREE here so you can get your business plan done and get your money sooner.
Jessica doesn’t just say she’ll help you write a business plan, she mentions she has an “outside-the-box approach,” which immediately makes you curious what that approach is. Then she steps it up even more by mentioning her approach has collectively raised $50 million in financing. That’s nothing to sneeze at and creates instant credibility. It’s an excellent bio that will absolutely pique her audience’s interest. Step #2: Call Out Your Audience and Say How You Help ThemRemember, this isn’t about you, it’s about what you can do for your audience. So you need to define who they are and what problem of theirs (their key fear or desire) you can solve. You should aim for both a logical and emotional connection. It’s tough, but do-able. Let’s take Kim, a blogger in the parenting niche:
Kim’s passion in writing is to inspire other parents to not just “hang in there” or “make it through” but to thrive. She does this through blogging at kimbiasottotoday.wordpress.com and speaking.
By using language most parents will relate to and zeroing in on their fears, Kim makes a strong emotional connection. At the same time, there’s no mistaking the practical (logical) solution Kim offers. Note: Of course, Kim’s bio would be even further improved if she linked to an incentive rather than her homepage. More on that in the next step! Here’s another example:
Jessica Blanchard, registered dietitian and Ayurvedic practitioner, helps busy people re-energize with super simple food, yoga, and wellness strategies that work. Grab your free 7-Day Plan and learn to eat, move, and live better in ten minutes a day.
Jessica clarifies immediately who she helps (busy people) and how she helps them (by re-energizing them through food, yoga, and wellness strategies). You must be absolutely clear about this. If readers can’t identify themselves in your bio and see you have the solution they’re looking for, they will move on. Step 3: Offer an Irresistible Reason to ClickYou’ve told your audience who you are, what you do, and how you can help them. You’ve impressed them with your credentials and sparked their curiosity. They’re ready to move to second base, but they need that last push. An irresistible reason to click through to your site and sign up. You need to offer an incentive. Take a look at this bio:
Henneke Duistermaat is an irreverent copywriter and business writing coach. She’s on a mission to stamp out gobbledygook and to make boring business blogs sparkle. Get her free 16-Part Snackable Writing Course For Busy People and learn how to enchant your readers and win more business.
Boom! In 46 carefully curated words, Henneke tells us who she is, what she does, how she can help, and then gives us a gold-plated reason for parting with our email address. Her free report is 16 parts, but it’s “snackable,” which makes it sound very easy to digest. And it’s for “busy people,” which shows Henneke understands her audience. She promises results and cleverly relates this back to her own blog, Enchanting Marketing. Unfortunately, we can’t all steal Henneke’s bio, but we can use it as a fine example of how to write our own. Ready to Write Your Best Bio Ever?Writing a bio like a superhero is simple, but it’s not easy, so give your bio the time it requires. You should brainstorm several options for each of the steps. Bios are hard to craft, but they are also one of the most effective pieces of marketing you can create when you get it right. You now know how to write a bio your audience will love. They’ll want to know more and they won’t be able to resist your free offer. They’ll see you as a credible, personable problem-solver. Their problem-solver. And they’ll click through to your site, ready and willing to hand over their email address to their new blogging superhero. You.
About the Author: Mel Wicks is a seasoned copywriter and marketing strategist who helps bloggers and entrepreneurs put the “OMG! Where do I sign up?” into everything they write. Download her exclusive Fill-in-the-Gaps Cheat Sheet for an Instant Click-Worthy Author Bio.
Note: For a handy visual reminder of the six bio blunders you can download or share on your own website, check out the image below: Embed This Infographic On Your Site: The post How to Write a Bio Like a Superhero (Easy 3-Part Process) appeared first on Smart Blogger. from https://smartblogger.com/how-to-write-a-bio/ Google is the king of search. And fortunately, they give us some pretty advanced SEO tools to help us drive traffic to our blogs. But most people struggle to understand how it all works together. By the end of this post, you will understand how Google Analytics and Google Search Console can help you grow your traffic. I’ll also dig deep into some simple strategies for using this data to grow your business. Listen to the episodeAs usual, each of my posts has a podcast episode that goes along with it. It covers everything in this post and goes into a few extra details. Go ahead and click play below to listen. Also, consider subscribing in iTunes. Why this is ImportantWith all the changes happening in Social Media, more and more bloggers are focusing on SEO. Traffic from Google is coveted because if you do a good job, it can result in lots of traffic. Unfortunately, most bloggers add Google Analytics to their site and MAYBE submit their sites to Google search console, and that’s it. They never look at the data, and if they DO look at the data, they don’t do it in a way that makes it actionable. But Google wants to serve up the best results to the people who are searching for things. It makes them more money when they do this well. And they’ve given us FREE tools to help us know exactly what we should be doing. If you use these tools well, the result can be a lot of organic, targeted traffic for your blog. With more traffic, it’s easier to grow your business. Let’s go into the differences between these tools. What is Google AnalyticsGoogle analytics is a free service offered by Google that allows you to analyze your traffic. It tells you all of the following (and much more):
The way it works is fairly simple (while being quite complex under the hood). When you add your site to Google Analytics, they give you some code. Once you add the code to your site, they are then able to track EVERYTHING. At the most basic level, it will track the general activity on your site, including a lot of the things already mentioned. As you get more advanced, you’re able to specify what exactly you want Google to report on. For example, you can set up goals in Google Analytics. This is your way to tell Google to register certain actions (i.e. bought your ebook) as a goal to track. Once you do that, you are starting to unleash the power of Google Analytics. What is Google Search ConsoleGoogle search console is also a very powerful and free service offered by Google. It allows you to “monitor, maintain, and troubleshoot your site’s presence in Google search results”. While fewer bloggers use Search Console than Analytics, it is such an important tool if you want to increase search traffic. The power in Google Search Console is that it tells you exactly what you’re ranking for. It also tells you exactly where you’re ranking in the search engine results. The ConceptThere are many tools out there for doing keyword research. In many cases, you’re trying to find new keywords to target. The idea is to see what people are searching for and create content to answer their questions. In the ideal scenario, you find something with lots of searches and little competition. But there’s another way that’s often overlooked. Instead of looking for what are potentially great keywords to target, focus on what’s already working. Both Google Analytics and Google Search Console have ways of giving you this data. Let’s look at how you can use them for growing your business. How to Use Google Analytics for Business GrowthI love me some Google Analytics because of the wealth of data that’s in there. Every so often, something shows up in there that surprises me. For example, the most popular post on my blog is a post on how to vlog with your smartphone. For some reason, that post really took off on social media and then started getting lots of organic traffic. When I first noticed this, I checked out the blog post. While the post was well-written, it didn’t lead anywhere that had an impact on my business. So I decided to make some tweaks. I didn’t have a lead magnet that would make sense for the post, so I decided to add in some Amazon affiliate links. Since then, I’ve been earning money from that post on a monthly basis. By making a few tweaks, that added to my bottom line. Here’s what I recommend for you. In Google Analytics, go to Behavior > Site Content > All Pages. Look at what your top-visited pages are and optimize those pages to align with your business goals. Here are some possible things you can do: Doing one or more of these things will help you grow your business. How to Use Google Search Console for Business GrowthAs a blogger, you probably have a specific niche you’re blogging about (hopefully). As you create your content, you will be covering different topics within that niche. That’s great, and what you should be doing. Eventually, you’ll start ranking for different keyword phrases. And as your site authority increases over time, you will start unintentionally ranking for things you didn’t necessarily target. In many cases, you will rank for topics you don’t care to rank for. However, in some cases, you will rank for things you want to rank for but without even trying. Here’s an example. According to Google Search Console, I rank for a bunch of keywords related to Terms and Conditions for bloggers. The only reason I rank for those phrases is that I have Terms and Conditions on my site and the word Blogger is in my site name. I never tried ranking for those phrases. However, people that are searching for those phrases are great prospects for my business. Google is telling me that it’s easy for my blog to rank for those phrases because I’m already ranking without trying. It would make sense for me to create a detailed blog post that shares resources for creating Terms and Conditions for your blog. I remember seeing the same thing when I had my biology blog. With all the content I had on my site, I saw that I was getting a lot of traffic for searches about the kidney and urinary system. This was the result of just mentioning it in one post. But the blog had a lot of authority in that space and started ranking for that (and many other phrases). If I were still working on that blog, I would create an entire series on the urinary system and I know it would get a lot of traffic. So here’s what you should do: Let’s wrap this upWhat I covered in this post isn’t anything revolutionary. But it can be powerful for the growth of your blog if you do it consistently. I’m going through this process right now and am looking forward to sharing the results with you in a future post. Take home lesson: Focus on what’s already working. Focus on your strengths. The more you do that, the stronger your blog will become. And the more you align those activities with your business objectives, the stronger your business will become. Let’s do this! Resources/References:
The post How to use Google Search Console and Analytics for Business Growth appeared first on Become A Blogger by Leslie Samuel. from https://www.becomeablogger.com/26830/google-seo-tools/ It’s harder than ever to be a successful blogger. That’s a fact. So the question then becomes – are we seeing the beginning of the end for blogging as a profession? In this post, I take a hard look at the industry and share my thoughts. Keep reading. Listen to the episodePerhaps you’d rather listen on the go. If so, you’re in the right place. Just hit play below or subscribe on iTunes. Change is InevitableA few weeks ago, I did a post about Social Media and Blogging in 2019. The premise of that post was that Social Media is changing and bloggers need to adapt accordingly. Facebook has made huge changes resulting in less organic exposure for publishers. And other social networks have followed suit. The word algorithm has been the thing that so many bloggers fear. It’s easy to point the finger at social media and blame them for the decline in traffic many bloggers have seen. But it’s unfair to do so. As someone whose livelihood has been teaching people to blog, it would be dishonest of me not to point out the other changes that continue to happen. Change is inevitable. And the first part of adapting to change is fully acknowledging what those changes are. My Responsibility to YouAs someone who has been teaching people how to blog, my sense of responsibility has been awakened. My online business is 100% responsible for the financial state of my family, and that’s something I take seriously. If blogging dies, that part of my business dies with it. But more than that, I have a responsibility to you. You follow me for information about blogging. And while I have been focused primarily on educating you, it’s also my responsibility to keep you informed. By keeping you informed, I’m also equipping you to be better at what you do. And I want to rise to the occasion to help you make better decisions. So what has changed with blogging?One word – Google! Google is such a great resource when it comes to finding info online. Whenever I want to know how to do something I go to one of two places – both owned by Google. The Google search engine and YouTube. With those two powers combined, I can take on the world. But have you noticed anything different with Google over the years? Especially on mobile devices? In the past, when you do a search in Google, you used to see a bunch of links to sites and a few ads. That was all. Now, when you go to Google and search for something, a lot has changed. Let’s look at an example. I generally rank second on the Search Engine Results Page for “how to vlog with a smartphone”. But now number two means something different. Here’s what you see before you see the regular old sites. A Video Featured SnippetThis is often the case when someone searches for “how to” content. If there’s a relevant video, Google often displays this front and center in the first position. People also askJust in case you didn’t find what you’re looking for, Google often shows other questions that people are asking. The idea is that if many people are asking these other questions, you may be interested in the answers. Other VideosIn addition to showing one big video featured snippet at the top of the results, it also shows other recommended YouTube videos. Recommended ProductsThis shows a list of some of the top recommended products related to your search. Good ‘ol fashioned search resultsFINALLY, after showing all that, you see the regular links to websites, including a blog post from my blog. But to get to my #2-ranked site, there’s a whole lot of scrolling that needs to be done. Other Featured SnippetsThe featured snippets referred to above are only some of the ones that show up. It varies depending on your search. You can also see lists, definitions, tables and others. The Other Side of GoogleTo add to everything covered so far, there’s another side of Google search that’s growing. I see it every day because it happens in our home. Even my 6-year-old son is using it, and it’s called – Google home. A popular question my son loves to ask is – “Can we ask Google?” And no – he doesn’t mean going to the browser and typing in a query. He literally means “ask Google”. Ok Google, how far is Michigan from Florida? And our Google Home device responds with an answer from a website. Now we have the answer and we never had to visit the site. Yay for us, boo for the site. What is Google’s Goal?The answer to this question should be obvious – to make money. How do they make money? The more useful they are, the more money they make from advertising. And in the last few months and years, Google has been scraping content more to display directly in the Search Engine Results Page. What this means is that in some cases, even though the content of your site shows up in search, people won’t click through. They get the result and move on. Or they ask Google assistant and never even have to see the results. So is Blogging Dead?This is something I’ve been wrestling with recently, and my answer is no, but . . . It is changing for sure. With every move a major corporation that determines our traffic makes, there are signals. In the case with Google, there’s a lot that we can learn from looking at what they are doing. Google used to be just an index of mostly written content. That’s no longer the case. Now the Google Search Results is way more dynamic. It includes video, images and other snippets. And with the Google assistant growing in popularity, bloggers will live more and more in a world where people get their content without getting to their blogs. Leslie, What Should We do?With all that said, where do we go from here? What should we, as bloggers, do? My answer – Let’s do what Google is doing! They have redefined what it is to be a search engine. It’s time for us to redefine what it means to be a blogger. In the past, a blogger was seen as a writer. Someone who creates written content for a blog. But blogging is way more than that. A blogger is someone who creates content to help others. A blogger writes. A blogger creates videos. A blogger is a podcaster. A blogger is an educator. A blogger builds a community. A blogger builds a business. A blogger builds a brand. A blogger builds a media company. A blogger is a thought-leader. Will the real bloggers please stand up? Because if we don’t, we’re gonna fall by the wayside as Google continues its mood swings. Will there be a day when bloggers no longer write? I don’t think so. But will writing be enough? I definitely don’t think so. Should we be concerned about the changes Google continues to make? Absolutely! We need to pay attention and adapt accordingly. I’m more excited today about what it means to Become a Blogger. Because for those of us who stick around, we get to be a part of what I believe will make for a better internet. Resources/References:
The post Is Blogging Dead? A Real Look at the State of the Industry appeared first on Become A Blogger by Leslie Samuel. from https://www.becomeablogger.com/26815/is-blogging-dead-2/ If you search Google for tips on how to become a better writer, you’ll find a lot of big promises. Here’s the truth: There’s no tip, trick, strategy, or hack capable of turning a bad writer into a good one. But if you’re looking to improve your writing skills by 5%, if you want to go from average to good or even good to great, a valuable tip can help make it happen. Here are fourteen such tips: 1. Find Your Unique VoiceSerious question: If we all listen to the same experts and we all follow the same advice, how is it possible for anyone to stand out from the crowd? The trap many of us fall into is we believe if we mimic a popular blogger or writer, we’ll be popular too. Imitation is indeed the sincerest form of flattery, but it’s a no-win proposition. Even if you succeed, you’ll be indistinguishable from all the other parrots out there. There’s only one you. You have unique DNA. Your hopes, thoughts, and dreams are unique. Even the face you make when you accidentally walk into a spider web is unique. Want to stand out? When you sit down to write, tap into what makes you… well, you.
Learn More: In my guest appearance on the Biz Mavens’ podcast, I discuss the importance of finding your unique voice and offer three exercises to help you find it.
2. Edit Like CrazyMany first drafts are clumsy, sloppy, and difficult to read. This is true for most writers — even experienced, well-known ones. So what separates our writing heroes from the masses? Editing. The hard part isn’t over once your first draft is complete; on the contrary, it’s only beginning. To take your work to the next level, you need to spend just as much time editing your words as you do creating them. It’s ruthless work. It’s kind of boring. But it’s vital.
Learn More: 7 Editing Tips That’ll Make You a Better Writer (with Examples!) will show you the editing secrets popular bloggers and writers don’t want you to know.
3. Supercharge Your SubheadsMost readers stick around for fewer than 15 seconds. Heck, most will stick around for fewer than 5 seconds. Why? Because readers are experts at scanning. They’ll click your headline, quickly scan your content, and — in only a few seconds — decide whether to stay or go. Writing a great introduction is one way to convince readers to stick. Another? Write masterful subheads that create curiosity, hook your readers, and keep them on the page long enough to realize your content is worth reading.
Learn More: In The Ultimate Guide to Writing Irresistible Subheads, Gary Korisko shares the four ingredients of a killer subhead.
4. Write Like Superman (Or That Guy You Know Who Types Really Fast)Most of us are limited in the amount of time we have available to write. So, if you want more time to write every day, you only have three options:
Your spouse and children won’t like the first option, and the second option requires plutonium. But the third option? That’s doable.
Learn More: Want some actionable tactics to boost your writing speed? Check out Linda Formichelli’s How to Write Faster: 10 Crafty Ways to Hit 1,000 Words Per Hour.
5. Craft Irresistible HeadlinesSmart Blogger’s CEO, Jon Morrow, recommends spending at least 20% of your time on the headline for your content. That isn’t a typo. If you spend 10 to 20 hours writing an article, 2 to 4 of those hours should be spent on the headline. Why so many? Because if your headline sucks, no one is going to give your content a chance. In short: Headlines are important. Get good at writing them.
Learn More: In How to Write a Blog Post in 2019: The Ultimate Guide, Liz Longacre goes over the 8 rules for crafting amazing headlines. And in 10 Ways to Exploit Human Nature and Write Amazingly Appealing Headlines Robert van Tongeren shares tips for writing irresistibly-clickable headlines.
6. Avoid Weak WordsToo many writers dilute their writing with weak, empty words that bring nothing to the table. Worse? They silently erode your reader’s attention — one flabby word at a time. Spot these words and eliminate them from your writing.
Learn More: In 297 Flabby Words and Phrases That Rob Your Writing of All Its Power, Shane Authur shows you how to tone and trim your prose.
7. Write with RhythmYou know short paragraphs and white space are your friends. But that doesn’t mean every paragraph you write should be short. Too many short paragraphs in a row and your writing will bore your readers. Too many long paragraphs in a row and you’ll overwhelm them. So, mix things up. Let the rhythm of your words dictate when each paragraph begins, and you’ll strike up the perfect balance between short paragraphs and long.
Learn More: In How to Write a Paragraph in 2019 (Yes, the Rules Have Changed), Mike Blankenship looks at why variation is important and offers a few rules of thumb to follow.
8. Kick Writer’s Block in the ButtocksWhen you’ve been staring at a blank page for what feels like hours, writer’s block can seem insurmountable. It’s not. Savvy writers have a collection of tried-and-true techniques to bust out whenever writer’s block starts to rear its ugly head — techniques ranging from brisk walks to asking Alexa to play “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by The Proclaimers. If you want to be a better writer, find a writer’s block technique or two that works for you.
Learn More: Henneke Duistermaat has 27 refreshingly-original writer’s block techniques you can try. Pick a few favorites, and don’t be afraid to break glass in case of emergency.
9. Make Your Words Burst to Life in Readers’ MindsIf you aren’t using power words or sensory language in your writing, you’re missing out. Smart writers and copywriters use power words to give their content extra punch, personality, and pizzazz. And great writers from Shakespeare to Stephen King use sensory words evoking sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell to paint strong scenes in the minds of their readers. Both types of words are effective and super simple to use. If you’re tired of lifeless words sitting on a page, try sprinkling power and sensory words throughout your content.
Learn More: Check out 600+ Power Words That’ll Pack Your Writing with Emotion and 581 Sensory Words to Take Your Writing from Bland to Brilliant. Besides being the definitive guides on their topics, they each offer huge, bookmarkable lists you can reference again and again.
10. Be FunnySome writers won’t like this, but… Your content can’t simply teach — it needs to entertain too. Or, to put it bluntly: If you don’t entertain while you inform, your audience will find a writer who can. Thankfully, there are numerous ways you can make your content more interesting and entertaining. The easiest way (and my favorite)? Sprinkle in a little humor.
Learn More: Marc Ensign’s How to Captivate Your Audience with Humor (Even If You Don’t Think You’re Funny) will show you how to be funny (without looking like you’re trying to be funny).
11. Write with ClarityIt doesn’t matter how amazing, profound, or revolutionary your ideas are, if you can’t express them in a clear, coherent way, you might as well have written them in an ancient language no one understands. Ask yourself this question: Could I explain my content to someone in one sentence? If the answer is no, your work is probably too complex. It’s time to simplify.
Learn More: In 20 Rules for Writing So Crystal Clear Even Your Dumbest Relative Will Understand, Smart Blogger’s COO, Glen Long, shares his best tips for writing with clarity.
12. Master Transitional Words and PhrasesDo you want to keep your readers glued to your content? Want your posts to be so effortless to read people can’t help but absorb every word? Experienced writers are meticulous about making each sentence flow seamlessly into the next, and they use transitional phrases to help make it happen. If you want people to read your writing, from beginning to end, you need to do the same.
Learn More: Smart Blogger’s How to Use Transitional Words and Phrases to Make Your Writing Flow (with Examples) breaks down transitional phrases and how to use them to give audiences a smooth reading experience.
13. Learn SEO (Like a Boss)Whether you write for yourself or as a hired hand, being able to create content that ranks on Google is a valuable skill. (In fact, if you’re a freelance writer, companies and agencies will happily pay you extra for this skill.) Consistently ranking on Google doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when you understand the basics of SEO — keyword research, user intent, UX signals, etc. — and purposefully create content with SEO in mind. If you already know the basics of SEO, you have a leg up on the competition. And if you don’t know the basics, you need to learn them. The sooner, the better.
Learn More: Brian Dean of Backlinko has a thorough SEO guide and resource list you should read. And if you want to learn what not to do, check out Jon’s 6 SEO Mistakes That’ll Make Google Hate You Forever.
14. Sleep With Your ReadersRemember when I said subheads should create curiosity? This is a good example. What keeps your audience awake at night? What has them tossing and turning at 2 o’clock in the morning? Answer this question and then write about it. Follow this one tip and you could (almost) ignore the rest.
Learn More: “Sleeping with readers” is a metaphor Jon used in his epic article, Copyblogger Editor Admits to Sleeping with Readers and Recommends You Do the Same. For more insight into why knowing what’s keeping your readers up at night is so important, give it a read.
You Now Know How to Become a Better Writer (but Knowing’s Just Half the Battle)Most who read this post will smile, nod their head in agreement, and implement precisely zero of these tips. But not you. You know knowledge that’s not put into practice is wasted. That’s why you’ve already picked out a few favorites, and it’s why you can’t wait to start writing. On their own, none of these writing tips will catapult you to superstardom. But each of them, little by little, will help you hone your craft. So, are you ready to be a better writer? Are you ready to get 5%, 10%, or 15% better? Ready to go from a good writer to a great one? Then it’s time to get to work. Let’s do this thing.
About the Author: When he’s not busy telling waitresses, baristas, and anyone else who crosses his path that Jon Morrow once said he was in the top 1% of bloggers, Kevin J. Duncan is the Blog Editor for Smart Blogger.
The post How to Become a Better Writer: 14 Tips to Up Your Writing Game in 2019 appeared first on Smart Blogger. from https://smartblogger.com/how-to-become-a-better-writer/ |
ABOUT MEHello I am Claude 32 years old. I have been doing internet marketing for 7 years and successfully running 3 e-commerce stores. I like to share tips with people aobut online business. Archives
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