For some, writing effectively is as simple of a task as breathing. For others, writing is like a car that keeps stalling and really doesn’t ever seem to get going smoothly. Have you ever wished that you could improve your writing skills? If your writing is more like the stalled automobile, don’t let that stop you. You can improve your writing skills just by using the following tips.

Do a quick reminder course about nouns, verbs, adverbs, conjunctions and prepositions. If you want to write well, it’s important to know what they are and how to use them properly. When you write using proper spelling and grammar it can make a difference in your perceived credibility as a writer. It is true of all of us, we get turned off to what we are reading if the author has made an obvious writing mistake. Make it a habit to confidently write. If needed, use a spell checker when you can and when in doubt: look it up.

This may sound backwards, but to be a good writer, you need to be a good reader. Try to read something everyday. Expand your knowledge by reading different types of writing. If you are primarily a fiction reader, start reading the newspaper or non-fiction books. Read articles online versus magazine articles and see if you notice the differences in writing styles. If you happen to read something that you really enjoy, study the article or story. Use the tips you find to improve your own writing. On the other hand, when you read something you don’t care for, make mental notes of the mistakes the writer made and try to avoid them when you sit down to write. By all means give yourself permission to break the rules provided it provides impact to your writing.

Just like any skill, practice is what makes the difference between novice and pro. Writing something everyday, even something as short as a few sentences can improve your writing over time. There are many websites targeted to writers that offer daily writing exercises. For example, they may ask you to write the opening paragraph of a action story one day and the next day they could ask you to write a “how-to paragraph” about butter churning. Experimenting with different writing genres will greatly improve your writing style.

Keep what you write and review it every once in awhile. You will see how your abilities have changed with practice. As your skill and confidence grow, you will find that writing becomes easier and more enjoyable.


- Robert Paul Williams

If you publish an ezine regularly, inevitably there are times when you get stuck and can’t quite come up with the perfect article for your issue. Sometimes just taking a break and coming back later will give you a fresh start. But other times you need more of a “writing prompt” to get you going.

The following 7 ways should help you get unstuck and get writing:

1. Write a Tip Sheet

Sometimes it’s easier to get started by creating a list of tips: How to _______; The 5 Ways to ____________; Top Ten Tips to _______________; Write a couple of sentences for each tip, and before you know it, you have a completed article full of practical information for your readers.

2. Answer Your Most Frequently Asked Questions

As your clients interact with you, you’ll likely get the same kinds of questions over and over. Take one or two of your most frequently asked questions and answer it in an article.

3. Use a Client’s Scenario

Protecting your client’s privacy (or not, if they give you permission), use their scenario as a case study. Explain the client’s situation and what recommendations you gave, as well as what the results were. This will help build your credibility in your prospect’s eyes as well, as this gives them the chance to see you “at work.”

4. Comb Through Your Reading Box

Do you have a Reading Box (or tray, file, pile)? If you’re like me, I get a ton of info via email everyday that I really do want to read, so I have a box where I toss all the stuff I print into (actually, it’s now two boxes!). Go through your own pile, and see what ideas pop up for you from there. (I do this often when I’m trying to switch from mommy-mode to businesswoman-mode.)

5. Learn Something New and Pass It Along

Did you learn something new recently that you can share with others? Or is there something you want to learn more about? Go and do some preliminary research and share your findings with your readers.

6. Interview an Expert

I love this one, but don’t overdo it. Your readers want to hear from you, which is why they are reading YOUR ezine. But once in awhile, having an interview as an article, as long as it provides valuable content for your readers, can be a nice change and even fun.

Send your expert 3-5 questions to answer, and turn the interview into an article by adding an introductory and concluding paragragh. (I enjoy giving these kinds of interviews myself, so if you’d like to interview me for your ezine, shoot me an email at alicia@clientabundance.com and let me know.)

7. Get Back to Basics

Think back to when you were just starting out in your business. What were the things you found most challenging? Choose one or two and offer your advice on how to get beyond those stumbling blocks.

Any of these ideas should get you started, and then the words will start to flow. I know when I’m writing sometimes, I’m thinking “ugh – not in the writing groove today at all” but once I get going, I’m usually pretty happy with the end result (but I do LOVE to revise, and revise, and revise… ).


- Alicia Forest