Are you great at what you do but have a hard time catching all that brilliance in writing?

I mean, you can literally roll out of bed and do what you do with your eyes closed, yet, when it comes to pouring out your knowledge in a blog post, your mind goes blank.

You’re not alone. 

A pain point I often hear when it comes to blogging is “oh, I’m not great at writing” or “it takes me too long to write.”

Now, the latter is often true lol. It does take some time to craft a well-written blog post.

However, you totally have it in you to become an amazing blogger. The first thing we have to do is simply change our beliefs around that.

“You don’t have to be a great writer. You just have to be a great marketer and storyteller.”

Mia at SheDreamsAllDay

Quick story: English was never my subject in school. I found it boring and it could kick rocks…right next to Chemistry.

Thing is though, I did have a knack for writing😏.

What made it fun–and how I turned it into a career–was that I focused my writing on things that I enjoyed. That made it easy! I chose clients in niches that were my thing (i.e. marketing, personal development, leadership, women empowerment, health and wellness). 

And so, writing can be easy for you too. You’re already in the industry you enjoy. You just need a little coaching and persuading to get you there…and that’s exactly why this article exists!

By using the following tips, you can begin creating amazing content so we can consume more of your brilliance. Blogging is an excellent platform to share your business with the world.

So read on my friend and let us experience more of you❤️

#1 What’s Your Audience Asking?

We’re answering questions on the regular with our customers, audience, and prospects. Those very questions are great content ideas for our blog topics.

Since you’re already used to speaking on those things, starting with these questions will get you in a flow and be a major confidence booster.

You see, you’re not having to do a ton of research and your market is telling you exactly what they what to know and learn more about.

Start there.

Jot down a list of those questions and commit to addressing one question at a time as part of your content strategy. 

The beauty is, this list can serve as your editorial calendar for weeks and months to come. You’ll never run out of things to write about!

And, as you write, the words will flow naturally. Your writing is more focused, intentional, and valuable.

#2 Outline Your Thoughts

An outline is a framework for your blog. Our goal is to make this easy, and taking the time to create an outline before you start provides the structure that helps you plug and chug and get it done.

Looking at an outline is waaay better–and more productive–than staring at a blank canvas. 

A blank document can seem overwhelming but once you have words on the page, the copy is easier to create.

Here’s a simple outline you can tweak and build into your own:

Introduction

• Opening question or fact/statistic
• Why this topic is important
• What’s the benefit to the reader
• What they will learn

Body 

• 3-5 subheadings that serve as the main ideas
• The key learnings (3-5 bullet points for each subheading)
• The how (if applicable)

Conclusion

• Wrap up/recap
• Remind reader of the benefit
• Next steps/call to action (CTA)

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#3 Write As If You’re Speaking…

Keep in mind you’re not submitting a term paper or writing for the New York Times–one of my fave publications.

You’re writing for your customer…your audience…your reader.

Therefore, make it conversational and easy to read. In fact, the Content Marketing Institute suggests that the best blog posts are written at an eighth grade level. So keep this in mind, and write as if you’re speaking directly to your potential lead or prospect. 

Let your personality shine through! When people read your stuff, they should know it’s coming from you.

When you create content this way, your content becomes much easier to craft.

#4 Write Day One, Edit & Optimize Day Two

Rome wasn’t built in one day and neither does your blog or content have to be. Consider spreading your content writing over two days so you can focus on creation on one day and polishing the next.

This way, you’re not pressured into trying to make a perfect piece. Just write. You can revisit the post later with fresh eyes and make changes and edits.

If you’re having trouble getting started, set your timer for 5 minutes and just write. You’ll be amazed at what you come up with in that short amount of time.

I use the Pomodoro Technique when writing. I set my clock for 25 minutes to do as much writing as possible then take a 5-minute break when the alarm goes off. After about 3 or 4 pomodoros, I usually have my draft completed.

Works like a charm, but do what works for you!

#5 At Your Best

Another productivity hack is carving out writing time during your peak performance hours. 

Peak performance hours are the times of the day when people are most effective with their given tasks.

MasterClass

This is the time of the day when you’re at your best…so we want to take mad advantage of that! The key is planning the hardest tasks (ahem ahem, writing) accordingly so we have the energy and stamina to get it done.

If you’re wondering when your peak performance are, check out these resources:

• Daniel Pink’s 7 Tips for Maximizing Peak Performance Hours
• How to Find Your Most Productive Hours
• How to Determine Your Peak Work Times

#6 Look at Others You Admire

Some good writing inspiration can come from checking out other blogs and competitors. We’re not copying or imitating their content, but priming our minds so we can get into a writing flow. 

In fact, researching your competitors is a best practice to discover what’s working, get insight on what topics people are engaging with, and stay abreast to the trends. 

Staying in the know, so to speak.

From a marketing standpoint, it can also spark some ideas and innovation for new topics, especially if you find a gap that can be filled with your content or service.

So, once you’re clear on who your top 2-3 competitors are, here are a questions you can ask yourself to get you in the flow of writing: 

⇒ What do you like about their blog posts? Are they detailed, conversational, value-rich, engaging? What specifically so you can emulate that in your writing.

⇒ What don’t you like about their posts? Get super clear so you avoid it.

⇒ How can you do it better?

#7 Create a Video then Transcribe It

Perhaps you’re a better speaker than a writer. Perfect!

With all of the tools and technology available, you can easily capitalize on your strength and create an amazing piece for your audience.

With your one question in mind, use a video recording device such as Loom and simply talk about your topic. Then, get that bad boy transcribed! 

I recommend Rev for transcribing services. They’re a bit on the higher end pricing wise but they’re incredibly accurate in their delivery. 

Another service I’ve tried that you can still work with Temi. At the time of writing this post, they’re only $0.25 per minute but you may have to do some cleanup. 

Either way, this transcription gives you something to work with. All you have to do is edit, optimize with a few images and you have an amazing piece of content with your style written all over it.

#8 Outsource Some (or All) of It!

Now, if you have the funds, then, by all means hire out some of the content writing to professionals. There are people who love writing…that is their gift. 

By hiring a content writer, you’re doing three amazing things:

• You’re supporting an entrepreneur or small business
• You’re getting incredible content!
• You get to focus more on what you’re great at…operating more and more in your genius

You might have to do a little massaging in the beginning as your writer understands your brand, voice, and style. Yet, over time, using the same writer totally frees up your time.

There are great services such as Verblio, Upwork, or Fiverr.

-OR-

Holler at your girl!!

#9 Perfection is the Enemy

I eluded to this earlier: a published piece of work is better than nothing at all. 

Please don’t get caught up in submitting the perfect piece. Unfortunately, this very thing of operating in perfectionism is what caused me to delay starting this blog and other content projects for years. Not any longer!

My aim is to give B- work because it will be life changing for someone else. Consider adopting this as well. 

Your audience is eager to hear from you. Don’t keep them waiting.

Now, Go Slay Some Content!

Writing good content doesn’t have to be hard…even if you don’t consider yourself a writer. 

Let this post encourage you that it can be done and there’s an army of people waiting on you to unleash your expertise, knowledge, and value into the world.

Over time, it will get easier. Promise!

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