How to Become a Better Writer: 7 Tips to Transform your Writing Skills

In the past decade, businesses have experienced a major transformation. One of the most significant changes ever seen is the use of different social media platforms in the business world.

It has now become an integral part of companies’ marketing strategies. Thus, the growing demand for skilled writers. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, writing careers will see a 9% increase in the next seven years.

As the demand for skilled writers continues to rise, the competition is also getting more intense. Writers must now work continuously to improve their skills to stand out in the field.

And in this article, I have laid out seven tips that will help you become a better writer to boost your career.

1. Read More (Make Reading a Daily Routine)

So, how does reading help your writing skills?

First, it expands your vocabulary. By reading books, articles, blog posts, newsletters, and other reading materials, you’ll come across a variety of new words that can up your game. The key is to pay attention to the words you don’t understand and jot them down. Then, take some time to look up what they mean and how to use them correctly.
Next, reading exposes you to different writing styles. Reading different kinds of books or materials will help you learn how authors use words, sentence structure, and figurative language. In other words, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of what makes good writing. You can then use this knowledge to experiment and develop your writing style.
Lastly, it develops your critical thinking skills. Reading not only helps you improve your writing, but it also sharpens your critical thinking skills. By reading a novel, you are challenged to analyze the characters, plot, themes, symbols, and hidden meanings that the author may have woven into the story.

With non-fiction pieces, you practice assessing the credibility and quality of the information presented.

These critical thinking exercises will help you better understand what makes a piece of writing great. And as you read and think critically, you become better equipped to do the same with your writing, helping you to elevate your craft.

2. Write Every Day (Develop a Writing Habit)

American writer Will Durant once said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.”

Achieving mastery in any field requires discipline, effort, and commitment, and writing is no exception.

To hone your writing skills, you must make writing a part of your daily routine. This doesn’t mean churning out lengthy articles every day, but rather, making a deliberate effort to write regularly, even if it’s just a few sentences. By writing consistently, you will be able to develop your writing muscles, allowing you to achieve greater proficiency.

3. Always Consider Your Target Audience

If you want to be successful in your writing career, it’s crucial to understand your target audience well. This will allow you to tailor your content and writing style to suit their preferences.

For example, if your target audience comprises busy professionals, write shorter articles that are easy to read quickly, with clear and concise language.

On the other hand, if your target audience is passionate hobbyists or experts in a specific field, you might write longer pieces with more technical language and in-depth discussions on those topics.

By considering your audience and being mindful of the tone of your writing, you can create compelling and effective content that will resonate with your readers.

4. Research Your Topic

Research is an integral part of writing – be it blog posts, newsletter articles, e-books, social media posts, or any kind of writing style.

And there are three main reasons for this:

First, to gain a deeper understanding of the topic. This will make your content more valuable, informative, and of higher quality.
Next, it adds authenticity and credibility to your content. You can avoid plagiarism by going through reliable sources of information and writing based on your understanding, which will, in turn, attract and retain loyal readers.
Lastly, it makes your content informative, updated, and creative while being able to confirm previously known concepts. This will help you grow professionally as you are constantly exposed to vast knowledge and ideas.

5. Make it Easy to Understand, Concise, and To the Point.

Making your content easy to understand, concise, and direct to the point is crucial in writing. This will help you keep your reader engaged and invested in the message you want to convey.

You can achieve this by:

Using simple language
Avoiding overly technical terms
Breaking down complex information into easily digestible chunks and
Not having more than three sentences per paragraph

Another tip is to eliminate filler phrases and overused buzzwords.

Filler phrases are usually used to fill in the silence and to make your speaking sound smoother.

Examples of filler words or phrases:

1. You know
2. Basically
3. I mean
4. Anyways
5. During the course of

6. Sort of
7. In the process of
8. Needless to say
9. Right?
10. In my humble opinion

On the other hand, Buzzwords are terms used often in a particular field or industry but have become overused, and their meaning is lost.

People use buzzwords to sound knowledgeable or up-to-date, but instead, it just makes the content seem shallow or fake.

Examples of buzzwords:

1. Synergy
2. Game-changer
3. Disrupt
4. Innovative
5. Scalable

6. Next-level
7. Cutting-edge
8. Thought leader
9. Paradigm shift
10. High-impact

6. Reread your Work (Take a Break and Edit with Fresh Eyes and Clear Mind)

One of the best ways to ensure that your writing is of high quality is to take a break and return to it with fresh eyes and a clear mind. This will give you a different perspective on your work and help you catch any errors, awkward phrasing, or unclear sentences that you might have missed earlier.

Ideally, it is great to have a half-day or overnight break. But even 10-15 minutes of break is enough to have that renewed energy and focus to tackle the editing process.

Reading your writing out loud during the editing process is also important for several reasons.

Firstly, it helps you detect mistakes and assess clarity and flow.
Secondly, you slow down to focus on each word, sentence, and paragraph, making it easier to identify unclear or awkward areas.
Thirdly, it allows you to check if the tone is consistent and appropriate for the intended audience.
And finally, reading out loud can improve the overall flow and rhythm of your writing.

By rereading your work and making any necessary revisions, you increase the chances of your work being well-received by your clients, readers, or publishers.

7. Be Open to Criticism (Ask for Feedback)

Whether you are a novice writer or an award-winning author, receiving feedback is important to continuously improve your writing skills.

When asking for feedback, especially from your readers or clients, you might come across someone brutally honest or overly critical. Don’t be disheartened, and don’t take those negative feedback personally.

It doesn’t mean that you are a bad writer; it just means that you still have more room for growth and improvement.

Your readers or clients are not the only ones you can ask for feedback on. You can also ask your colleagues from other departments or fellow professional writers.

In fact, on some social media platforms, you can even find several groups willing to help other writers through editing or providing fresh eyes to read your output, free of charge.

Becoming a better writer is a journey that requires patience, dedication, and a willingness to learn. Remember to be kind to yourself, and celebrate your progress, no matter how small it may seem.

Now is the time to take that first step and start writing. Embrace the journey and enjoy the process of improving your craft.

Article sources:

Margarita Loktionova. (2022, Aug 02). How to Become a Better Writer: 14 Expert Tips. SEMRUSH Blog.

Connor Lahey. (2021, Aug 31). 5 Blog Post Templates to Help You Write Great Content. SEMRUSH Blog.

Allison VanNest. (2018, Oct 03). 13 Guaranteed Methods for Becoming a Better Writer — Fast. Hubspot Blog.

MasterClass. (2021, Dec 2). Become a Better Writer by Reading: 5 Ways Reading Improves Writing. MasterClass.

Jennifer Wilber. (2022, Jun 14). How Reading Improves Your Writing. Owlcation.