The Recipe for Writing Well Pt. I

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Is there a recipe to help people become better writers? In most cases, people will agree to disagree. Everyone has their own unique writing style. For some it might come naturally, while it may be more difficult for others. Personally, I can tell you that writing is no simple task. Although, there are a few tips you can follow to help you become a better writer.

First, you need to consider how people are reading nowadays. Our attention spans have drastically decreased over the years. Have you tried reading a physical book lately? (Yes, they still make those.) It’s difficult, for me, to get fully immersed in a book like I used to. My attention starts to wander after a few pages.

This is due to the vast amount of content we consume everyday. Now, we have access to almost everything in the palm of our hands. Our cell phones have opened up Pandora’s box. We’re exposed to so much content that it has ultimately affected our minds. For writers, this means that people are quick to skip over unappealing content and move on to the next thing that catches their eye.

Before you start writing, consider some of your reading habits. What gets your attention? I recommend including an interesting title and an image at the top of the page. A good first impression goes along way.

Also, you should be aware that people skim over pages when they read things online. Keep your paragraphs short and stick to one idea. This will guide your readers to listen to what you have to say. When I glance at long paragraphs it gives me anxiety and drives my attention away.

As a marketing student, I always try to put myself into the consumers’ perspective. We’re the content creator, but understanding your audience will help you craft a message that will resonate with them. It doesn’t matter how good your product or service is if it doesn’t reach the intended audience.