1. Unlearn
Unlearn everything you were taught in school and the way you write at work. What doesn't work is
- long sentences
- lack of white spaces
- complicated words
The online world doesn't work that way because you're competing for attention.
For that...
2. Edit
Cut 25% of your draft when you edit. Because you're in an attention economy, you need to present what you've got in the best possible manner. Otherwise, your viewer will quickly scroll if they're bored.
This is one of the reasons why great content never gets eyes.
It's presented in a boring manner and is redundant.
Pro tip: I prefer editing the next morning with fresh eyes.
3. Systems
It's VERY hard to rely solely on inspiration for writing online. I have a system for ideation, writing, and editing.
Work around your routine and create your system.
If you wait for inspiration, what about the days you wake up with none?
4. Value
You are not the hero of your story; your reader is. Nobody cares about you, especially when you're just starting out.
One of the biggest mistakes I see on LinkedIn is people writing only about themselves - their opinions, experiences, likes and dislikes.
My Q is - who cares?
People will follow you if they get entertained, inspired, or educated.
Do that.
Apply for my LinkedIn coaching program, Authentic Influence, which has helped people get amazing results 🚀
5. The only way to stand out
It is by using excerpts of your experience and emotions, even when your reader is the hero of your story. Else it's just preachy.
For example, if you're going to talk about positive thinking, don't just preach about it. The entire world knows its benefits. Instead, explain how using positive thinking changed something in your life and how you did it, even though it felt challenging at that moment.
That way, your story stands out. It has elements of you, but is aimed at providing value for your reader.
Finally
I break some of these rules, but it's only because I feel after gaining a substantial audience, I can. People do care 0.0001% about my personal life, so I write about it when I want.
But if you're just starting or aren't getting traction, try the above 5 tips.
Do it consistently for long enough, and I don't see why your work won't take off.
Even better if you join Authentic Influence 😉
All the best!
Love,
N