Remember my last article and how we talked about the steps to Becoming Someone People Trust and Respect?
Well, I should have written this article first. But better late than never, right?
When you find your voice your message will be so much simpler.
When you talk with someone face to face it is easier to be yourself. It’s easier to let the words flow out.
You donʼt have to do much thinking because talking is a part of everyday life.
And unless you’re an author, writing ISNʼT an everyday practice. But, what if writing was as easy as having a conversation with your best friend?
What if you didn’t have paralysis every single time you were trying to put an article out to spread your message?
You may be asking yourself: “Do I sound dumb?”
“Will people even understand what Iʼm trying to say to them? Is my writing even good?”
Here are the three steps to coming off like a real life human being in your writing so people can better relate to you.
1. Write how you speak even if its not “proper ”
When you first have an idea for an article let the words flow out of you. Donʼt write only one sentence, stop, edit, spellcheck, and blah blah blah.
Donʼt worry about grammar. You will drive yourself insane. The less formal you can be the better the message will come out. At the end of the day you want to come off exactly like who you are when talking to a friend.
If you have a friend that is willing to transcribe for you, you can start off that way. Talking the idea out while they type for you. Notice how much different the message looks and feels when you stop thinking about every single letter that you type.
I promise you will be less anxious and the message will be more genuine.
2. Worry about grammar and editing after the fact
Once you “brain dump” ALL your ideas for your article out. Either on paper, or in a word doc. Then go back and edit, spell check and do all the other things you do to polish the article. Bold certain sections that you are really trying to emphasize. If someone is skimming the article you can still get your main points of your message across.
The key is to edit AFTER you have written everything. Your message will be much more pure and less contrived. It will also be much more relate-able and you wonʼt sound like a prick.
3. Donʼt be afraid to take risks
What Iʼm trying to say is donʼt be afraid to be yourself. Donʼt over edit your article. Keep it somewhat edgy. The more informal the more receptive your audience will be. Real people donʼt want to feel like they are reading something published by an English professor. Remember as you are writing that you are not separate from your audience.
Everyone has the ability to be a compelling writer. In fact, it can sometimes be very cathartic to put your thoughts down and share them with other people.
It is the most rewarding when other people relate to your message and get value out of it.
This will happen much more often when you find your voice in your writing. This allows you to reach who you need to reach and from there the possibilities are endless.
If you want to learn more about finding your voice and spreading your message visit the link below.