6 Proven Ways To Write Better Content (That Nobody Wants To Hear)

$5,000 a month writing is simpler than you think

Writing online can change your life.

It certainly changed mine.

But it took me years to get there.

One thing that can significantly speed up the process is knowing how to improve every time you hit publish.

Let’s see how to shortcut the process.

Burn great writing into your neurons

I got this tip from a genius copywriter.

His name? Gary Halbert.

Gary wrote 25 letters to his son Bond while in prison. One of the pieces of advice he gave was this: Write good copy out by hand.*

The reason? It helps your mind imprint good writing.

Many people try to theorize everything. But sometimes you just need to get a gut feeling for how to do things.

So if you want to become a better writer, copy good writing out by hand. Every day.

Me writing Gary Halbert’s Boron Letters by hand

Spy on the best writers

Burning your neurons with the traits of good copy is great.

But sometimes, we need more context. We need someone who can explain the mechanics behind the machine.

And when starting out, you don’t have all the mental tools to uncover certain subtleties.

You need the wrench. You need the screwdriver.

That’s why you want to buy the right toolbox.

The right tools for a writer are mental models. You want not only to write, but to think like successful writers. Every donkey can type on a keyboard. But it takes mental skills to know what to do and how to do it.

Make a list of people whom you admire reading from. Get your hands on everything they put out there: courses, interviews, etc.

Listen to them while driving, walking, or doing the dishes.

The goal is to understand their thinking process.

Once you understand how they operate, you simply click and clone the algorithm into your brain.

Spit on the numbers

The worst part about starting to write online? Plain ignorance.

We all crave social approval. But when getting started, be prepared to get kicked in the balls. Nobody will care about the articles you spent hours writing.

That’s part of the process.

So stop putting salt on the wound. Don’t check your stats every minute like a dopamine junkie.

Watching your read count oscillate within one-digit numbers does more harm than anything else.

Ignore the data and focus on the process.

Measure like the pros

This is a big one.

For years, I’ve been creating content in a vacuum. I created based on what I wanted to write about. Sometimes I hit home runs. But I was stupid to ignore creating more of what resonated with the market.

The reason? I didn’t know better.

In the previous section, I told you to ignore the numbers.

But as soon as you start seeing some traction, analyzing the numbers every month starts to make sense.

Look at the data. But only after you have been spinning the wheel for quite a bit.

Numbers start to make sense when they hit the magic 1,000 mark. Don’t ask me why. I suck at math. I still count on my fingers. But I heard math geniuses say this.

Bribe your mentors

The best way to improve is to get someone who’s already in the game to assess your writing and give you honest feedback.

But here’s what most people do wrong: They think successful writers owe them something.

They shamelessly spam and ask to “pick their brain.”

I hate when people don’t value my time. And I’m sure, you do too.

And as the good ol' saying goes: “Don’t do unto others what you don’t want done unto you.”

Don’t ask for free feedback. Value their time. Acknowledge they’re working hard and have been spending years to reach their levels.

So don’t ask for free advice. Ask how much they’d charge for coaching.

Nothing trumps custom-tailored feedback.

Don’t write like a selfish jerk

Writing is a great way to express what you feel and think.

But this does not give you the right to journal in public. Journaling is one thing. Writing online is another.

Instead, it’s all about understanding what the market wants to read. Does that mean that all your content has to be a dry and boring how-to tutorial?

Absolutely not.

Mix in personal stories. But always solve a problem.

Nobody cares about your life unless you’re Lady Gaga. And you’re not.