This post may contain affiliate links. Disclosure here.
Of all the groups on the internet, newbies are the most targeted demographic. They tend to need the most guidance, especially when it’s coming from an expert or someone who knows their stuff. So I thought about all of the writing advice I have personally received, stumbled across, or read and figured I’d share my five favorite tips for new writers – as a new writer.
1. Don’t worry about a niche
When I first began my research about becoming a blogger/writer of content on the internet, one common phrase was constantly repeated, “pick a niche!”.
Over time, this phrase became grating to hear and I would find myself frustrated at how unhelpful that term had become. Very, very few creators seemed willing to refuse the notion of a niche being a necessary first step.
That was until I stumbled across this video from Annie Dube (whose channel is full of great content btw) and finally felt some relief from every other person on the internet reminding me to pick a niche.
Don’t get me wrong, if you want to dedicate all of your time talking only about your favorite hobby and absolutely nothing else, you do what you feel is right.
For me, picking content pillars for my writing was a game-changer. For example, I realized although I love to cook, I don’t want to write about it. I would rather write about writing, books, productivity, and storytelling. These make up the bulk of my future content.
2. Just Start
After you have decided whether or not you will ditch the niche, it’s time to ditch the self-doubt and get out of your own way. I had a paralyzing fear of sharing any of my thoughts on the internet. Especially ones that might be unpopular.
On top of hiding in fear of being judged or disagreed with, I also felt the need to spend my time doing nothing but researching. I wanted to be overly prepared for my debut as an online writer.
All this did was hold me back. I didn’t publish my first piece of writing online until two weeks ago, despite having spent nearly a year trying to become the best possible writer and content creator I could be.
Don’t be like me. Get out of your own way, get out of your head, and get your writing out there!
3. Be Consistent
Another thing I really struggled with was being consistent. I had a hard time of showing up for myself when it came to my writing. The truth is that in order to regularly improve any aspect of your life, you must show up and you must be consistent.
I was someone who talked a lot about who I wanted to be and what I wanted to be doing when I was finished with school, after a few years, or when I finally started writing. Yet I never actually did these things I was constantly and incessantly talking about. After a while it became embarrassing.
I’ve since learned more about myself and how to better schedule my time to be more consistent and show up for myself. I don’t want to just talk about my goals, I want to achieve them.
4. Write Every Day
This one surprisingly made the list. This is the one piece of advice I struggle with the most. However, this one goes hand in hand with being consistent.
At first, I struggled and burnt myself out forcing myself to get some words on the page every single day. Then I realized, I already do some sort of writing every day.
I journal most mornings, I constantly am making lists and jotting down ideas for articles/stories as they come to me. I write my partner little love notes. Every single day is filled with some sort of writing and while some might consider this off track, I don’t. Something is better than nothing.
There is a quote by Stephen King that I often think about,
“If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.”
It’s a little blunt, but the man has a point. Be consistent, study your craft, and make sure you have all the tools you need to be successful at your disposal. Keep your head down and your goals high, we all end up where we are meant to be sooner or later.
5. Write short sentences/paragraphs
Last on the light might seem like a no-brainer. Except I went to school for Creative Writing, I spent years dedicated to practicing writing prose, plots, and characters. Writing no less than twenty-page short stories. Breaking up paragraphs, writing shorter sentences, and practicing on my own how to get my point across in the least amount of words, was nothing short of a challenge.
It still is.
Despite that, I want to keep people’s attention. I don’t want them to get bored and click off my article because the big chunks of text were unappealing.
This also ties in a little bit about SEO, which I am still learning so did not want to include it on this list as it is more of a necessity than a favorite.
All in all, I’ve come to really enjoy writing online. My only regret is not starting sooner. These are my five favorite tips for new writers, as a new writer. I hope these were helpful to you. When you were a new writer or if you are a new writer like me, what are some of your favorite tips?