This is my first blog post on here; I’ve been on Crowd Content for a couple of months now, and I’ve taken a lot of the various nuggets of wisdom that are in the blogs on board.
I’m currently in the process of writing my first novel, and so writing and the idea of how to create interesting and engaging literature – both fiction and non-fiction (such as marketing material) has been bouncing about in my head a lot!
After much brainstorming and consideration of the experience I have – as a fiction writer, an academic and an experienced trainer in customer service and educational roles – I decided to share a few points here; these would be the key points that I find useful when approaching writing.
I know that there is so much more to writing than these, but when I first approach content, these are usually my key points to consider.
Choose Your Style and Tone!
If you have a specific target audience, tailor your linguistic style to them – in the case of marketing a product, you wouldn’t normally use formal language to promote one that is aimed at a younger audience.
Similarly, you might want to be more formal with older, more professional markets, but always make sure that your content is striking and engages with them.
Social Media Examiner is a blog that focuses on social media, and the choice of language and tone clearly suits a more tech-savvy, younger audience. The focus on apps such as Instagram clearly appeals to a younger generation than the older (retired) audiences who surf the Internet.
Be Imaginative
Being generic is boring, regardless of the market and product. Be creative and bold, to make your work stand out.
Heidi Cohen’s blog is focused on general marketing, however it shows a flair and dynamic approach. She uses a colourful approach with social media links throughout, such as Pinterest, Twitter and Facebook.
Utilising social media can make the blog much more than just a page with writing on it; with so many different platforms available online now, you have a much wider audience; why neglect the opportunity to integrate this into your content?
Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar
There are few things in life that put me off a piece of writing – whether it be a novel, a pamphlet or an advert for a product – than poor spelling, punctuation and grammar.
As someone who has worked in education, I do understand that learning difficulties affect writers, yet (without hopefully insulting anyone) I feel not taking the time to spell check with an online checker at the very least is a sign of not taking care.
I personally would gladly proof-read for free!
Be Disciplined
If you are hired to do a job, or you set yourself a goal to write a certain amount, then stick to the deadline.
It’s admittedly difficult at times, but getting into the habit quickly can ensure that you don’t miss deadlines.
In addition to this, you won’t get a negative reputation for not delivering on promises.
Looking to the Future
With social media gaining an ever-stronger foothold in the lives of so many, the opportunity to engage and inspire a larger audience grows daily.
With that in mind, what other ideas have writers here developed to reach out to readers? Does social media improve their writing experience, or impair it? I would be interested to read what others think.