If you are a blogger or even a fledgling writer, sometimes finding the right words or even hitting your stride can be a challenge.  Writing requires some reflection and the aggregation of words that paint a clear picture of what you are hoping to share with your reader.   I’ve literally been writing since I was four years-old (no joke).  So I think I know a little about the art.  Here are three tips on how to write directed content.

Ask Yourself Why?

A lot of times we think that we know why we are writing.  Whether we are engaged in creative writing, technical writing, grant writing or any other written endeavor it is important to know the “Why.”  A lot of times, we think that we know the why; but often we do not.  For example, if you are writing a story for a Gossip Rag about a celebrity that has done something pretty outrages–you pretty much think you know why you are writing it.  But maybe there is a deeper why?  The deeper why is what do you want readers to think, feel or do after reading the story.  Don’t just think in terms of the surface goal.  Think in terms of the driving goal.  What will drive the reader to act?  If you are hoping to get a buying decision, you want to insight a strong emotion or thought that creates a crave, desire or attachment to the product.

Tell A Story

Nearly everybody loves a story.  Even the stuffy academics and experts who must write voluminous works to document tedious research.  Since we were children we’ve loved to be taken on a journey of words–even the stuff experts and academics.  This is one reason why academic and technical writing can be so boring–often the writers forget to tell a story.  And without a story, it is hard to keep someone’s attention.  If academics and experts were a bit more clever, if they wanted their work to really take off–they’d hire a professional writer like me to help formulate that work into a story.  Creating stories engages readers and helps them to remember content.  Whatever you write, try to create a story.

Find an Emotion

So, you may have succeeding in identifying the real why behind your writing and you may even have created a pretty good story line for the work.  However, the final touch is the emotion.  Yes, try to think of the emotion you wish to inspire in your writing.  Remember that quote by Maya Angelou?

“People will forget what you said, but they will not forget how you made them feel.” ~Maya Angelou

And that is very true.  When we write, even about a product or service, we want to inspire a feeling–an emotion.  Everyone claims to make unaffected buying decisions that are not influenced by emotion, but market science tells us something quite different.  Lot’s of purchases are made based on how the buyer feels.  How do they feel after reading your brochure, your article, or your product description.  I can’t tell you how many “flat” articles, brochures or ads I’ve read on the virtues of a great product–that really didn’t make me feel the product was all that great.  Remember, you want to find a way to connect with the emotion of the reader.  If you can find the magic, even in a few lines you might spark that twinkle in the eye that results in a sale, a loyal customer or a great word-of-mouth recommendation.

Like I said, I’ve been writing since I was four, and I’ve always found that when you write, you need to feel it too.  While you may not strike gold every time, if you  follow these tips, you’ll definitely find a treasure your readers can appreciate.

Need help writing a grant?  Contact me!