#ContentWritingChat Recap: Writing Tips to Take Your Content to the Next Level with Michelle Garrett
Has your writing been feeling a little lackluster lately?
Wondering how you can take it to the next level to create online content your readers will truly love?
Well, you’re in the right place!
This #ContentWritingChat recap is packed with helpful writing tips that help you improve your skills and create the best content possible.
#ContentWritingChat Recap: Writing Tips to Take Your Content to the Next Level with Michelle Garrett
Welcome to #ContentWritingChat!
Today, we’re joined by @PRisUs! Michelle is a writer, blogger, and PR consultant. She’s here to share some writing tips that we can all use to take our online content to the next level! pic.twitter.com/aATvDPWGQW
— Express Writers | Your Content Writing Team (@ExpWriters) August 6, 2019
Our guest host for this month’s chat was Michelle Garrett. She’s a writer, blogger, and PR consultant. Michelle has guest hosted #ContentWritingChat previously, so we were thrilled to have her with us again!
Q1: When building a brand, why is great writing so important?
Let’s face it… Some people just don’t see the value in high-quality content! Luckily for this Twitter chat community, we know just how powerful our content truly is. Here’s why:
A1: The brand’s voice should carry through in writing across ALL channels – owned, paid & earned – so it’s important to be consistent and employ skilled wordsmiths who can bring that voice to life. #ContentWritingChat
— Michelle Garrett (@PRisUs) August 6, 2019
The content you publish online communicates your brand’s voice. And as Michelle pointed out, you want to make sure it’s consistent across all the channels you’re using. Having guidelines for you and your team to follow can ensure everything is up to your standards and resonates with your target audience.
A1) Writing is a major part of your brand; the voice, the tone, how people will find you, decide if they want to associate/do business with you, and so much more.#ContentWritingChat pic.twitter.com/U86R24seke
— Jason Schemmel – Speaker & Podcaster #GSDChat ️ (@JasonSchemmel) August 6, 2019
Jason also feels your writing sets the voice of your brand. It also plays a role in how people find you and whether or not they decide to do business with you.
A1: Great writing can:
– Influencer your audience
– Persuade them to take action
– Educate them
– Boost visibility on search engines and social media
– Prove your authority and knowledge within the space#ContentWritingChat— Tamara (@itstamaragt) August 6, 2019
Tamara knows great writing makes a difference. She said it can help influence your audience, persuade them to take action, educate them on a topic, boost visibility in search engines, and position you as an authority in your field.
A1
Why is great writing important in #branding?
It helps
✏️define your voice
✏️share your message
✏️convey your values
✏️share your purpose
✏️tell your story
✏️communicate your USP
✏️engage your audience
✏️build thought leadership
✏️establish trust+ more#ContentWritingChat
— Bentley University (@bentleyu) August 6, 2019
Quality writing not only define your voice, but it’s essential to sharing your message, conveying your values, telling your story, and so much more!
A1: Your writing can possibly be the first impression someone has of you and your brand. You don’t want to turn them off by sharing poorly written content, social media posts, etc. #ContentWritingChat pic.twitter.com/e5DQx27NAV
— Netvantage Marketing (@netvantage) August 6, 2019
As Lexie mentioned, your writing is likely going to be the first impression someone has of your brand. If your content is of poor quality, that’s going to be a major turn-off.
A1: Great writing is the first point of introduction of your brand’s ‘personality’ to the world. Poor writing, miscommunication, errors in spelling + grammar, and tone-deaf writing will alienate you from the readers or customers you want to reach. #ContentWritingChat
— Rebecca Reynoso (@G2Rebecca) August 6, 2019
You want to make sure your writing is always top-notch. Make sure you’re effectively communicating your message and correcting any errors before publication. Don’t risk pushing your readers away due to mistakes that could be easily fixed.
Q2: What makes a piece of online content so captivating that it grabs attention and keeps people reading?
We know the content we publish is important. But how do we make sure that things like our blog posts are truly captivating to our readers? Keep these writing tips in mind if you need some help crafting appealing content:
A2: I’d say you have to grab them early with a strong lede – you should spend as much time on that as anything.
If you don’t draw them in early, they’ll move on to the next piece of content. #ContentWritingChat
— Michelle Garrett (@PRisUs) August 6, 2019
Michelle knows that a strong lede is key to grabbing attention early on and drawing people into your content. You need to hook them from the start if you want them to keep reading.
A2: First and foremost, the headline. Has it resonated with me? Piqued my curiosity, struck a cord of, “Whoa. That’s relevant!”?
Once clicked in and reading, it has to deliver on the promise it stated in the headline that got me to click in the first place. #ContentWritingChat https://t.co/7AzNwYmHRi
— ThinkSEM (@ThinkSEM) August 6, 2019
A great headline is always crucial. Since it’s the first thing someone will see from your content, you want to make sure it strikes a cord with your target audience. Just make sure you always deliver on what your headline promises. No clickbait!
A2: Relevance. The topic has to be something that matters to the audience. Also, it has to be something different. Don’t just rehash information. Show me a new way of thinking or give me a piece of information I haven’t heard before. #ContentWritingChat https://t.co/Ot2DEKV4G8
— Jared Meade, MPS, APR, MPRCA (@Meadepr) August 6, 2019
And of course, one key to captivating content is to always create with your audience in mind. Make sure the topics you write about are relevant to your brand and appealing to those who will be reading your content. Otherwise, they won’t bother!
A2
Here’s an example of killer content: one of @jonmorrow’s blogs from @smartblogger that I show my students all the time in my workshops & talks.
headline is SPECIFIC
long-form, authoritative
killer stats
super practical
storytelling!#ContentWritingChat pic.twitter.com/0W079MfsI8— Julia McCoy | Speaker #CMWorld ‘19 (@JuliaEMcCoy) August 6, 2019
This is a great example that Julia shared, which is worth saving to refer to later! From a specific headline to stats and great storytelling… This has it all.
A2. Written online content needs:
– A unique voice (e.g. humorous tone, puns, pop culture references)
– The right knowledge (i.e. well-researched information)
– Visual elements (photos, GIFs, memes, videos)
– Something your competitors can’t replicate #ContentWritingChat— Rebecca Reynoso (@G2Rebecca) August 6, 2019
As Rebecca said, having a unique voice, knowledge to share, great visuals, and something that can’t be easily replicated will really help your content stand out from the crowd.
A2:
– Enticing title/headers
– Engaging content (asks questions, tone relates to the core audience)
– Visuals (infographics, images, videos, etc) injected within
– Addresses a pain point off of the bat#ContentWritingChat— Tamara (@itstamaragt) August 6, 2019
Tamara feels captivating content needs to have an enticing title and headers, engaging content, visuals, and you need to address a pain point from your audience right off the bat.
A2: Thinking about the content I find captivating, I think a great graphic can make all the difference. The easier you can lay out the information for the reader, and the more fun you can present it, the more enjoyable the content! #ContentWritingChat
— Alexa Drake (@G2Alexa) August 6, 2019
Alexa agrees that visuals make all the difference! Don’t just publish one gigantic block of text. Incorporate visuals to help your readers better understand the topic you’re discussing.
A2: Great writing in terms of proper grammar captivates an audience. What is considered intriguing changes based on the person, but not having error after error is universal. #ContentWritingChat
— Netvantage Marketing (@netvantage) August 6, 2019
Don’t forget to take the time to proofread. It’s one thing to make a mistake here and there, but error after error will likely send your readers running.
A2) As @unmarketing has said in previous presentations…”Marketing is emotion.”
If you create content that emotionally connects with your audience, you’ll see engagements and growth skyrocket#ContentWritingChat pic.twitter.com/ywFC8fPlhu
— Jason Schemmel – Speaker & Podcaster #GSDChat ️ (@JasonSchemmel) August 6, 2019
One of Jason’s best writing tips is to create content that emotionally connects with your audience. Get them invested in what you have to say. This really pulls them in and helps them form a stronger connection with your brand.
Q2) This is different for everyone, and part of the reason that writing is an art, not a science.
For me, it’s skipping the fluff and only leaving the most important information. I’m not looking for flowery writing unless I’m reading a novel. #ContentWritingChat
— Eric (@erics_content) August 6, 2019
And finally, ditch the fluff! Captivating content is easy to read. But if you’re just stuffing blog posts with unnecessary information, you’ll wind up with exactly the opposite effect. Cut what isn’t necessary to your overall point.
Q3: When it comes to writing tips, what are the basics everyone should know?
If you’re looking to improve your writing skills, it helps to have the basics covered, right? Well, here’s what you should know:
A3: I see A LOT of errors in writing everywhere. Spend time actually proofreading your copy – don’t rely on spellcheck or Grammarly entirely, but READ it – then walk away & read it again. Read it aloud. Having a human editor helps, too. #contentwritingchat
— Michelle Garrett (@PRisUs) August 6, 2019
It’s no secret that proofreading your work is an essential step before hitting publish. However, it’s still something that many people neglect. Like Michelle said, you shouldn’t rely solely on your spellcheck or tools like Grammarly. You want to read through it yourself. And if you can, walk away for a bit and come back later to review it with a fresh perspective.
A3: Always have an editor or an extra set of eyes to read over your work! No matter how many times you re-read your own writing, you’re bound to miss something. #ContentWritingChat
— Mara C. (@G2Mara_C) August 6, 2019
Mara knows that having an editor can really help shape your content. If you don’t have someone on your team to help you with this, you can always ask a friend or family member to read through your work.
A3: Your content isn’t for you.
It’s for your audience.Address the questions, pain points, struggles of your target audience and it’ll resonate better with them. Write about your products and services and you’ll be shouting into a void. #ContentWritingChat
— Bill Skowronski (@BillSkowronski) August 6, 2019
As Bill pointed out, it’s crucial that your content is addressing the questions, pain points, and struggles of your target audience. You want to create content with them in mind so it’ll resonate with them and provide value to their lives.
A3: What are my readers interested in? What are the current trends? What outcome(s) do I want to come from this writing (new email sign-ups, course registrations, new clients, etc.)? #ContentWritingChat https://t.co/06FPmSsGpW
— Carlarjenkins (@carlarjenkins) August 6, 2019
Carla encourages you to ask yourself: What are my readers interested in? What are the current trends that would appeal to my target audience? And what outcomes do I want to achieve from this content? Setting goals for your content is important!
A3: Be clear and concise. And, for God’s sake, don’t use industry verbiage and mumbo jumbo. We always get the best response with relatable “write as you speak” (but with good grammar) posts. #ContentWritingChat
PS I’m Jen. SCC’s social manager. Stumbled on this! https://t.co/eBBrmMmq3r
— Service Caster (@SERVICECASTER) August 6, 2019
One thing you should definitely ditch? Industry terms that your reader won’t understand. It’s going to put them off because they won’t comprehend what you’re saying. And they certainly don’t want to bust out the dictionary every time they read your posts!
A3: Make sure that your writing is reaching your audience where they are. Use language they will understand and provide examples that make sense within the context that they are comfortable with. #ContentWritingChat
— Caitlin Kinser (@caitlinmarie89) August 6, 2019
Caitlin agrees that you need to use language your audience will understand. Put yourself in their shoes and consider the level they’re at.
A3: Practice. Nobody is a perfect writer, it takes time to become better. Be open to edits and critiques, it will make your writing stronger. Also, know it’s okay to walk away from a piece when writing and come back to it later. #ContentWritingChat
— Netvantage Marketing (@netvantage) August 6, 2019
Lexie shared one of the most important writing tips we should all remember: practice! It’s the best way to continually improve your skills over time.
A3 I cover all the basics of online writing in a 180-page book. Spent a year writing it and published in 2016, after five years of full-time content writing for myself and clients. $14.99 on Amazon! https://t.co/0tDiGBDCfg #ContentWritingChat
— Julia McCoy | Speaker #CMWorld ‘19 (@JuliaEMcCoy) August 6, 2019
Psst! Julia covers all the basic writing tips in her book that she published in 2016. It has tons of relevant information for all online content creators and is worth checking out.
Q4: Are there any writing tips you learned in school that you completely ignore now? If so, what are they?
The reality is, the world of online content is certainly different from the writing we were doing back in our school days. So, which tips have we ditched completely?
A4: I still rely on a lot of what I learned in Journalism school-but sometimes using inverted pyramid style won’t cut it, esp if it’s a more creative piece. Shorter paragraphs = another thing I’m not sure they always encouraged-but makes copy easier to read. #ContentWritingChat
— Michelle Garrett (@PRisUs) August 6, 2019
While Michelle still relies on a lot of teachings she learned when studying journalism, she knows that sometimes inverted pyramid style just doesn’t work. It really depends on the particular piece of content you’re creating.
A4 ⁰⁰
➡️ UNLEARN ESSAY-STYLE LANGUAGE. ⬅
It’s a fact: no one wants to read an essay online.
To learn the RIGHT skills to produce compelling, savvy online copy, read from top content creators (@annhandley, @smartblogger, @copyhackers)#ContentWritingChat pic.twitter.com/nHE4D22frm
— Julia McCoy | Speaker #CMWorld ‘19 (@JuliaEMcCoy) August 6, 2019
Julia’s advice is to ditch the essay-style language you were taught. It just doesn’t work for online writing. Luckily, she shared a few resources that can help us create better content for the web.
A4: I was always taught the more advanced the language, the better. When I started writing in my career, I realized that people aren’t looking for an extremely advanced piece and a lot of my early pieces were way too complex. #ContentWritingChat
— Tamara (@itstamaragt) August 6, 2019
Tamara was taught that it was better to write using more advanced language. Now, she knows that it doesn’t always work that way. You have to write in a way that’s understandable for your target audience, otherwise they won’t be able to read your content.
A4: This one: prepositions are a bad word to end a sentence with.
I’ve found that “proper” writing has been replaced by colloquial writing…
…people like to read how someone would talk to them. Makes it feel more personal.#ContentWritingChat https://t.co/SIM86kCrtn
— ThinkSEM (@ThinkSEM) August 6, 2019
While we were once taught not to end a sentence with a preposition, we don’t have to worry that someone is going to mark up our online content with red pen. This means you’re free to write in the way you’d naturally speak to someone!
A4: I’m a huge fan of the oxford comma and I was always told it was incorrect grammar. Honestly, I just don’t care. I love it too much. #ContentWritingChat
— Alexa Drake (@G2Alexa) August 6, 2019
Alexa doesn’t care what anyone else thinks… She’s sticking with her beloved Oxford comma!
A4: There are a lot, but two spaces after a period like someone previously mentioned here and I have no issue starting a sentence with “And” or “But” – it makes the content flow better and easier to read IMO #ContentWritingChat
— Terry Schilling (@tschill86) August 6, 2019
Gone are the days where we have to put two spaces after a period. And let’s be real… Online, no one really cares if you start a sentence with words like “And” or “But.” So, go for it!
A4: Required length!!! If you can say something in 1,000 words then don’t feel the need to add fluff just to hit a word requirement. Sometimes being concise is key. #ContentWritingChat
— Lauren @ G2.com (@G2Lauren) August 6, 2019
And Lauren has learned that hitting a specific length for your content just isn’t necessary these days. It’s better to keep your writing clear and concise and only use as many words as needed to get your point across.
A4
In school we are often:
Given rules
Told to be objective
Given deadlinesBut,
it’s okay to:✏️reflect
✏️get creative
✏️walk away + revisit content
✏️inject your personality into content
✏️break rules
✏️Etc.There’s space/time for both! #ContentWritingChat
— Bentley University (@bentleyu) August 6, 2019
These days, you’re free to get creative and inject your personality into the work you create. It doesn’t need to be bland. You don’t have to follow rules you disagree with. Just do your thing!
Q5: What are some signs of both good and bad writing that we should be aware of?
These writing tips will help you improve your skills so you don’t drift over to the dark side:
A5: Errors immediately take the reader away from the meaning of the piece. If I see an error in the first sentence or 2, I’ll usually stop reading & move on.
On the other hand, sometimes the writing is so smart, so creative, I can’t wait to keep going. #contentwritingchat
— Michelle Garrett (@PRisUs) August 6, 2019
Errors can really send your readers running, so always take the time to proofread! While sometimes smart, creative writing can save you… It’s still better to take those extra few minutes to make final edits before hitting publish.
A5: Good writing clearly answers the questions it asks, which quickly delivers value to the reader.
Bad writing is disorganized and belabors the point.
If you can’t answer the question in 30 seconds, you may lose your audience.#ContentWritingChat— Bill Skowronski (@BillSkowronski) August 6, 2019
Bill feels that good writing answers the questions your audience has and quickly delivers value. Don’t beat around the bush here. Get to the point!
A5: GOOD -> Easy to read/understand, makes a point, shows credibility, feels natural.
BAD -> Typos/grammatical errors, hard to read, wanders around a topic, no organization, can’t keep my attention.#ContentWritingChat https://t.co/Id1skFp9uA
— ThinkSEM (@ThinkSEM) August 6, 2019
Sarah says good writing is easy to read and understand and showcases your credibility. Bad writing, however, is hard to read and disorganized. And of course, typos and grammatical errors are major no-nos.
A5: bad writing: when it’s obvious the person didn’t proofread their own work. I know it’s not always fun, but it needs to be done.
good writing: when you can tell they put in the time and effort to come up with clear analogies and examples. #ContentWritingChat— Mara C. (@G2Mara_C) August 6, 2019
Mara isn’t a fan of writing errors either. She says it’s obvious when someone didn’t take the time to proofread their work. Even though it’s not a fun task, it makes a huge difference in the long run.
A5. In my opinion, “good” writing always has a flow to it. Each sentence and paragraph flows seamlessly into the next. “Bad” writing has a tendency to read choppy and disconnected. It’s usually full of fluff and doesn’t illustrate the point well. #ContentWritingChat https://t.co/ErLY83UxVq
— Olivia J (@im_oliviaj) August 6, 2019
Your writing also needs to flow from one sentence to the next and one paragraph to the next. If it’s choppy, readers might not make it all the way through your content.
A5
Bad writing:
is boring
doesn’t have clear points
lacks practical advice
fluffy/stuffyGood writing:
is clear, concise
offers practical takeaways
features expert insights
is fun, readable, engaging#ContentWritingChat— Julia McCoy | Speaker #CMWorld ‘19 (@JuliaEMcCoy) August 6, 2019
Julia said bad writing is: boring, doesn’t have clear points, lacks practical advice, and is filled with fluff. Good writing is clear and concise, offers practical takeaways, features expert insights, and is fun, readable, and engaging for the reader.
A5
I constantly show my writing team at @ExpWriters good & bad (LIVE) content examples.
We recently looked at the difference in these two screenshots of content on different sites.
Which one do YOU want to read? Which one would you publish & share?#ContentWritingChat pic.twitter.com/G7HnaI4B0e
— Julia McCoy | Speaker #CMWorld ‘19 (@JuliaEMcCoy) August 6, 2019
And just take a look at these examples that Julia shared! Which one is easier to read? The second one, of course. Formatting makes a huge difference when it comes to online content and big blocks of texts can push readers away.
Q6: What are some fun ways we can work to improve our writing daily?
We all strive to be better writers, don’t we? Well, the thing is… We can’t just scour the web reading writing tips. We actually have to put what we’ve learned into practice. And here’s some advice to help you make that happen:
A6: I don’t know if it’s “fun,” but write EVERY day. That’s really the best way to get better at writing is to WRITE. 1/3#contentwritingchat
— Michelle Garrett (@PRisUs) August 6, 2019
2/3 Also, write about topics that matter to you. For example, if you don’t have that opportunity at work, start your own blog.
I usually find that when I’m writing a blog post for my own site is when I feel the most free – & that’s fun for me. #contentwritingchat
— Michelle Garrett (@PRisUs) August 6, 2019
3/3 Other tips:
•Just start – the first draft doesn’t have to be perfect
•Do your research
•Write first – edit later
•Write when the mood strikes you
•Writer’s block? Take a break. @dougkessler says 1 hr writing with a clear head is better than 5 in a fog#ContentWritingChat— Michelle Garrett (@PRisUs) August 6, 2019
Michelle shared tons of great tips with us! First and foremost, she encourages all of us to write every single day. After all, the best way to improve your skills is to practice. She also said you can write about topics that matter to you. It doesn’t need to be related to your work. Allow yourself to have fun and get creative here!
Q6) I love writing prompts. It really exercises your creativity and forces you to be flexible.
Also, make an effort to expand your vocabulary.
Plus READ READ READ#ContentWritingChat
— Eric (@erics_content) August 6, 2019
If you aren’t sure what to write about, take Eric’s advice. Use writing prompts to get those creative juices flowing. You can find plenty for free online to get you started.
A6: Rewrite the headline stories from yahoo, only from an imaginary perspective (like it was talking animals).#ContentWritingChat
Or tell a story backwards and still make it interesting 😀 https://t.co/oG70mLQlyH
— Kathryn Lang (@Kathrynclang) August 6, 2019
Kathryn shared some fun ideas, such as rewriting the headlines you see on major news sites. It’s great practice for crafting headlines that grab attention, which is something that even experienced writers can struggle with. She said you can even try writing a story backwards, which is sure to be an interesting challenge!
# – Sometimes we’ll give each other fun tasks on Teams (its like Slack).
Coffee haikus
Taglines that never were
Anything to get the creative juices flowing… with a laugh. #ContentWritingChat— Worldmedia Interactive (@worldmediamiami) August 6, 2019
Coffee haikus and taglines that never were sure sounds fun to us! Plus, it’s even better when you get your whole team involved.
A6: Writing every day may sound like a tall task but fun/helpful ways you can do it are by writing 3 things you’re grateful for in the morning and before bed. It may inspire you to write more ideas for the future too! #ContentWritingChat
— Terry Schilling (@tschill86) August 6, 2019
Even something as simple as what you’re writing you’re grateful for counts!
A6: Keep a journal! The best advice I could ever give to fellow writers. #ContentWritingChat https://t.co/CDV42tjviE
— Lauren Osselton Marketing (@LaurenOsselton) August 6, 2019
And why not keep a journal on hand to inspire your daily writing habit?
A6.
Fun ways to improve
our writing daily?Read
Practice
Read your pieces aloud
Trade content w/ someone else
-Read through their writing
-Give them feedback
-Have them do the same
Mix up what you write about#ContentWritingChat— Bentley University (@bentleyu) August 6, 2019
Gaby suggests reading content from others, practicing writing often, reading through your pieces aloud, and reading a friend’s content and providing feedback while they do the same for you.
A6: Readers make great writers! Consume everything you can written by people you admire (and don’t) to learn how to be a better writer. Find out what annoys you, find things that inspire you, and teach yourself how to be great. #ContentWritingChat
— Lauren @ G2.com (@G2Lauren) August 6, 2019
Consume content from other writers you admire and even ones you don’t. You can learn a lot about what you like and dislike this way.
Q6: Reviewing my writing and continuous learning. I make my mission to constantly learn more about my niches: #socialmedia #personalbranding and #projectmanagement to be a better writer. #ContentWritingChat https://t.co/EaxFMx6UGf
— Carlarjenkins (@carlarjenkins) August 6, 2019
Carla finds it helpful to review her own writing. You can read content you created in the past and see where improvements can be made.
A6: Identify areas where you can take risks to move outside your comfort zone.
Challenge yourself to be more concise.
We use the 10-second idea and the 30-second idea at @ideamktg to force ourselves to communicate clearly. #ContentWritingChat
— Bill Skowronski (@BillSkowronski) August 6, 2019
And of course, don’t be afraid to take risks! Sometimes stepping outside of your comfort zone is the best thing you can do for your writing.
Q7: Are there any resources we can turn to for writing tips? Any writers we can learn from?
If you’re looking for some great sources to help strengthen your writing, make sure you check out these recommendations:
A7: I revisited @AnnHandley‘s Everybody Writes over the weekend – so many gems in there. To me, that’s kinda the modern writing bible. 1/2#ContentWritingChat
— Michelle Garrett (@PRisUs) August 6, 2019
A7: 2/2 I also like @annwylie, @dougkessler, @jbernoff, @mdeziel, @anngynn over at #CMWorld – & of course your own @juliaemccoy – are all great writers to follow for tips. Who am I forgetting? #ContentWritingChat
— Michelle Garrett (@PRisUs) August 6, 2019
These are all fantastic resources that Michelle shared with the chat!
A7: There are SO many resources available. Local writing groups and writing centers can be a great support.
I believe there’s something we can learn from every writer, even if it’s learning what NOT to do in our own writing. #ContentWritingChat https://t.co/ISDPFWBKQB
— Steph Allen Coaching & Strategies (@StephACoaching) August 6, 2019
One great option is to involve yourself in local writing groups. It’s a great way to learn, but also to make friendships with local writers. If there aren’t any nearby, there are online communities you can join too.
A7
Resources for writing:
–@Grammarly
–@HemingwayApp
–@merriamwebster
–@copyblogger
–@coursera
-Etc. #ContentWritingChat— Bentley University (@bentleyu) August 6, 2019
Gaby’s favorites include Grammarly, the Hemingway App, Merriam Webster for looking up new words, Copyblogger, and Coursera.
A7: Grammarly is my best friend for content writing! And of course just re-reading what I’m going to post. #ContentWritingChat
— Jennifer Stark (@jstark804) August 6, 2019
For Jennifer, Grammarly is a go-to tool to improve her writing.
A7:
I love @Grammarly they’re blog does loads on writing tips.
You’ve also got @copyblogger and @smartbloggerhq (who also do a lot of downloadables). #ContentWritingChat
— Jake Symons (@jakeswrites) August 6, 2019
Jake loves Grammarly as well, but he also likes to read content from Copyblogger and SmartBlogger.
A7: I suggest reading books on human psychology and neuromarketing. An effective way to become a great writer is to better understand why consumers react to words the way they do (recommendations following this tweet) #ContentWritingChat
— Terry Schilling (@tschill86) August 6, 2019
And a great tip from Terry! If you really want to take it to the next level, learn more about psychology because it can help you better understand why readers react to content the way they do.
Q8: Open Q&A for Michelle!
At the end of the chat, we wanted to give everyone one last chance to learn some great writing tips from Michelle. So, we opened it up for questions! Here are a few:
I think it’s good to try to write more like a person would sound if they’re talking. That’s a tip one of my early mentors gave me when writing press release quotes – I think it carries over to other types of writing, too. #ContentWritingChat
— Michelle Garrett (@PRisUs) August 6, 2019
Try to write more like a person would sound if they were talking.
For #B2B, I find that it’s moving away from being as formal. Some of the same rules for B2C are now being applied to B2B. It’s still people you’re writing for, at the end of the day. #ContentWritingChat
— Michelle Garrett (@PRisUs) August 6, 2019
Whether you’re B2C or B2B, remember that you’re still writing for humans at the end of the day.
Do you follow @ByJenGregory? She’s a good resource – has a Facebook group with tips, etc.
And then I’d recommend pitching pubs you want to write for. That’s how I got started. #ContentWritingChat
— Michelle Garrett (@PRisUs) August 6, 2019
And if you’re looking to find more freelance writing jobs, Jen Gregory is someone Michelle recommends checking out!
Want to join our next #ContentWritingChat? It happens on the first Tuesday of every month at 10 AM Central! Just follow @ExpWriters and @writingchat for all the latest!