I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it before but part of my IRL job is to write quite complex analysis and assessment reports. Often, the subject matter is quite specific or involved, and I need to be able to present the facts to decision makers who may or may not have knowledge of the subject. So for that, I’ve perfected my communication technique to write relatively succinct reports that allow my stakeholders to make an informed decision.
Blog writing however, which I do as my creative outlet, occurs at a different level. I try to write how I speak and often, even in emails, my friends tell me they can almost hear my voice as they read my emails. Whether or not that’s a good thing, I don’t know, but I know I find it easy to write this way. Many struggle with writing in alternate styles because they fear just being themselves. Too often, people are judgmental of their method of communication, wanting to write eloquent prose that isn’t in their voice. When you blog, especially when you’re giving your opinion or wanting to come from a place of authority about something near and dear to you, your writing style needs to reflect the voice you’re trying to convey. Think of it this way, if you were saying what you were writing, how would you say it?
Mastering your writing style is therefore, paramount to successful communication. Writing helps you convey your message, regardless of what the subject matter is. Whether you are writing a university paper, a journal entry, a blog post or an opinion piece – your writing is your voice, so it needs to be you.
There are a few useful hacks (or tips) that I have used to really delve into my style of writing and develop it to where it is today, and I offer them to you today so that your writing can improve and so that you can develop confidence in the way you communicate, especially online.
- Write frequently. Whether you have a word file or journal with your ideas, write naturally. Don’t worry about constructive sentences or being overly creative – just write. Spend some time writing creatively, or writing instinctively. A way I managed this was to write down dreams I remembered or a scenario that played out during the day. For example, if you see something interesting, like a street performance or an interesting looking person, describe it/them in as much detail as possible. Practising this will allow your creative juices to bubble as you start thinking of more interesting ways to describe things. As an after effect, it could also be a blog post you launch in the future!
- Write in different formats to determine which style you prefer. Editorial style or advice column or investigative journalism – all of these styles have a different purpose, to provide more or less information, or to provide a specific message in a specific space/for specific impact. Write sample articles in each style to find which you prefer, and which you are naturally better at.
- Find a writer/blogger you enjoy reading. What is it about their writing style you enjoy? Write down a list of positives and compare your skills against them. It gives you the opportunity to see if there is a way you can emulate this for yourself, or whether there is a recurring theme within their writing style that resonates with you.
- Consequently, read often. The more you read, and the wider you read fiction and non-fiction, the more your own writing style will naturally develop.
- Seek feedback on existing work. Find a trusted person and write something. Ask them to critique your post/writing style with specific questions on whether it was easy to read, enjoyable, gave enough information, was digestible, suited your personality etc.
The reason I know these work is because I do these myself, and have done this in order to better my own writing. The way I sought feedback was by posting on my blog and actually sharing my blog with close friends and family. Whilst scary, it was awesome to hear them say that they could hear me through my writing, which meant that I’d achieved my goal of finding an appropriate way to communicate. I trust that if you utilised even one of these tips, your confidence in writing and your personal betterment in your writing style will improve.
What other tips and tricks have you got that you’ve been able to use to develop your writing skill?
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