Tag Archive for: blogging

5 More Self-Editing Tips

/by

In the previous article, I’ve provided you 4 helpful self-editing tips. Because I know editing is a difficult task, I’ve decided to share more self-editing tips. Are you ready? Below, I’ve listed additional 5 self-editing tips just for you.

  • Tip 1: Don’t be too hard on yourself.

    • You don’t need to achieve perfection. If you have applied the previous 4 self-editing tips, remind yourself that there is NO such thing as a perfect post. You don’t need to beat yourself up. I’m not saying that you should settle for so-so.
    • All I’m saying is writing is a journey. Sometimes, the road is bumpy.  There’s an impending deadline and you need to publish numerous posts in a span of a few days. Scrutinizing every post won’t bring you closer to your goal. Just do the best that you can, and if you made some mistakes along the way, learn from it. Move on and do better next time.

  • Tip 2: Take a break.

    • When you are totally out of ideas, sometimes, it is best to give it a rest. Maybe you are stuck in a rut. Go out and get some fresh air. Order your favorite, and then, go back to where you left off. This time around, did you notice something different? Check out for anything that stand outs as coarse and bothersome. Try to rephrase it, and if it doesn’t work, delete it altogether.

  • Tip 3: Stop repeating the pronouns.

    • Refrain from starting every sentence with a pronoun. I wrote this. He fixed that. She made this.  It is perfect! No, it’s not. Frankly, these sentences follow a boring routine. Spice things up!
    • Try your best not to start with a pronoun. Change your sentence structure from time to time to keep your readers glued to their screens. Compel them to read by adding diversity to your work.

  • Tip 4: Avoid cliches!

    • Cliches are overused. When you are drafting your blog, find something unique. Search for uncommon terms and acquaint yourself with more ways to describe objects or circumstances.
    • If you ask me, writers are only effective if they are readers too. Reading helps widen your vocabulary, and most importantly, it broadens your perspective. You see things in a different light.  So, in order to write more, you need to read more.

  • Tip 5: Organize and prioritize.

    • When things get messy, simply declutter. Remove the words that create clutter. Your blog post should be organized neatly, and there shouldn’t be confusion. Every word should have a purpose. If a word is not necessary, remove it.
    • If you think that the given topic is too long, divide it. Arrange and plan carefully what goes first. Then, make a follow up post if you think there are other things you need to discuss thoroughly. You don’t need to dump everything in one blog post.
erasures on paper.

Don’t be afraid to make the necessary erasures.

Blogging is not an easy job, but with enough practice, you will get better. Don’t be afraid to start all over again. There are no standard rules here. It doesn’t follow the traditional norm. Feel free to experiment and break from the usual structure. Above all, dare to be different. Make waves and show the real you!

 

4 Helpful Self-Editing Tips

/by

If you follow the blog religiously, you know that I’ve given various writing tips already. So, let’s now proceed to self-editing tips. Blog writing can be tough, but editing is tougher. Contrary to popular belief, editing isn’t just correcting errors and deleting unnecessary sentences. The truth is that editing is more of seeing the blog post as a whole. Is it cohesive? Is it purposeful? Is it understandable?

girl writing on her notebook

Below are 4 important tips you need to know when you are self-editing your blog post:

  • Tip 1: Avoid redundancy.

    • Once you have you completed your blog post draft, read it again and check for words that are clearly recurring. Try to replace these words with their synonyms to avoid obvious repetition.
    • Almost every writer has that word he frequently uses when he needs immediate support. We tend to repeat certain words or phrases when we are out of ideas.
    • No matter how hard you try avoid it, you just can’t not use your “go-to” word. The best solution would be to identify what are your “go-to” words are so that you will be aware every time it repeats. Try to lessen its recurrence and consult a thesaurus if you need to look for similar terms.

  • Tip 2: Read it aloud!

    • It is important to read your work out loud because if your blog post sounds awkward to you, there’s something wrong with the flow. The whole article should sound natural and straightforward. If there are any hiccups, it would clearly stand out. So, don’t feel weird about it because your blog post will be  a lot better if you get rid of the obstacles that seems off and overdone. Repeat the process until the post sounds apt and uniformly neat.

  • Tip  3: Ask your friends to read it aloud.

    • If you are still a newbie blogger, asking a friend or co-worker might help you a lot! If your work sounds good to you, but does it have the same effect on others? Do other people find the flow polished and smooth too?
    • Your friends need not to be expert linguists because the purpose of this is NOT to search for grammatical or typographical errors. In reality, you just need their honest opinion regarding the flow of your work, and ask them if it does make perfect sense. Do they get your point? Is it too lengthy? Is the message clear? Is the solution you’re giving actually helpful? You need a fresh pair of eyes to answer these questions and  your teammates can help you with that.

  • Tip 4: Keep it simple.

    • It’s just a blog. You do not need to overanalyze it. Your readers will easily get your point if you keep the sentences shorter. Remember that you are blogging in order to offer some help and your purpose is NOT to confuse people.
    • You will be driving them away if you will present your thoughts and ideas in a very lengthy manner. The length does not define the usefulness of the article. It boils down to its ability to offer concrete solutions.
    • It is your job as a blogger to let people know about certain things. They won’t learn from your if you keep overwhelming them with enormous chunks of highfalutin words. Keep the sentences and paragraphs short. So, whether your audience is a 5th grader or a college student, they will still get your point.

How To Blog About Boring Topics

/by

In one of my previous blog entries, I gave tips on blog writing. The 1st tip was to choose a topic that you like. However, there are times that you need blog about covalent bonds, reverse osmosis, or anything that’s less appealing. I know how you feel because there were also times when I had to write about topics that I loathe. However, as the blogger, you need to prove your flexibility. Whatever the topic may be, you should be able to work around it and produce exceptional content. Below are tips on how handle difficult subjects:

  • The first thing you need to do is to make an outline.

    • The given topic is harder than the usual so it is expected that you can’t magically conjure words. It takes a bit of effort to do. In order to be on the right track, you need write an outline to
    • It doesn’t need to be long and wordy.  The purpose of this outline is guide you so your thought won’t be all over place.
    • For example, you will write about designing a website for the “millennial” crowd. Here’s what you’ve got to do:
      • First, you will need to indicate in your introduction that this is not any other web design. This will focus on the millennials. You will include the scope of your blog
      • Next step is to plan. Before you give your web design tips, you need to, of course, know the market. Research on the “millennial” crowd. Who are this so-called millennial? What are websites are targeting the same demographic?
      • So, once you are done with your research, you can now focus on writing the body of your blog post. In this part, you can list a series of tips on what the millennials like or dislike. Provide tips on how to capture their attention.
      • Lastly, you need to plan the conclusion. Reiterate your points. What are the things you want to emphasize? Do you want to promote your web design services? This is the ideal time to insert it. Neatly wrap your blog in a shiny bow. Always end with a positive note.
    • The purpose of an outline is to know where you are going. You will have an idea on the scope of your work. You will not be confuse whether you should turn right or left. Again, the outline does not need to be detailed. You just need to list down key points of your planned post.
Planning trips.

Plan, research, look for any interesting!

  • The next important tip is to research.

    • I don’t claim that I know everything. There are topics that are too heavy for me. Believe me, even professional bloggers face the same dilemma. If I don’t know what to write on my outline, I research. You can do the same if you don’t know a thing or two about the given topic.
    • For example, you are assigned to do a travelogue or any travel related post. You don’t need a passport to do it.
    • It doesn’t mean you’re being dishonest because you haven’t been to that country. You need to be naturally curious about the place. Research about their customs and beliefs. Learn about the country and its culture.
    • What separates you from the rest is your ability to search for credible sources. Collate the different things you gained from researching about a specific country. Moreover, a great researcher does not rely on one source only.
    • If you’re quoting another website, make sure that these websites are credible and topnotch. For example, the famous TripAdvisor. This travel website offers reviews and bookings for anything travel-related.
    • Another great source is the official website of the city or country. You can also rely on government websites, travel associations, and etc.

The truth is there are blog posts that will feel like a chore.  Blogging is an easier task when you are excited on the selected topic. However, that is not always the case. You just have to accept that not every post is going to be something you personally like. Just remember that when you are excited about your post, the readers will feel it. They will the rush of excitement when they’re reading something created from the heart.

10 Tips in Writing Captivating Emails

/by

On the previous post, you’ve read about the 5 ways to get your emails opened. You’ve also figured out how to construct emails that generally likable. So, this time around, I will give you tips on how to create engaging emails. Read on below to know how to make emails more appealing and less boring.

Follow these doable steps that’ll surely attract readers:

  • The power of YOU.
    • When you include the word you, you are compelling your readers to take action. You is a favorite of the non-techie people. It’s easier to be understood by the general public than rambling highfalutin words.
    • According to the book Sin and Syntax: How to Craft Wickedly Effective Prose by Constance Hale, the second-person point of view literary grabs the reader, and makes them feel as if they’re in an conversation. It makes them trust more.
  • Keep ’em short as much as possible.
    • The length is not important. It will just drive away potential customers. Email subscribers will lose interest that moment they see a long-winded paragraph.
  • Focus on editing.
    • Again, it’s not the length that matters. Instead, you should focus on proofreading. There is nothing worse than sending an email with grammatical errors.
    • Your emails represent you and your website so it’s crucial to make a good first impression. Don’t waste your reader’s time. Try to cut down the huge chunk of text next time you decide to edit.
  • Analyze and remove the errors.
    • When you are done proofreading, repeat the process. Why so? Because people like to read shorter emails. So, “Trim that fat” and go straight to the point! Every time you are re-read your post, look for the unnecessary fat and remove them.
  • Ask yourself if what you wrote is something you would actually say in real life.
    • Try to read the contents of the email aloud. Does it sound natural or too scripted? Can you imagine yourself saying it to another person?

A Person Checking His Email and Smiling

  • Just write your heart out!
    • When you plan things, it gets too formal, too artificial, and less lively.  Don’t be afraid to show your own personality. Who cares about what others will say?
  • Don’t restrict yourself.
    • The cookie-cutter emails will never work , and it will definitely bore your readers. Add your personal signature. Your email subscribers trust you because you showed them the unique you. If you add idioms, expressions, and humor, you sound more human.
  • Personalize the emails.
    • Stop being too formal and too broad. No one wants to read a generic salutation, such as “Hello,” “Good morning,” “Thank you for shopping,” and so on. When you add their name instead of just writing a bland hello, of course, they’ll be motivated to read.
  • Mix things up.
    • Experiment with what you have. You don’t have to speak formally at all times. Sometimes, you just have to drop everything and show the bubbly side of you. Stop thinking about the number of subscribers, promoting your products, and thinking of ways to advertise your website. It makes your content less robotic, and more special.
  • Don’t focus too much on the business side of things.
    • Nurture relationships by sharing a bit about yourself and by sincerely caring for your email subscribers. In return, they will trust you. They will consider you a friend because you’re not foreign to them anymore.

More Blog Writing Tips

/by

In order help your business grow, you need to start blogging. Through blogging, you will be able build trust with your audience, educate existing customers, and create brand awareness. In this post, I’ll give you 5 useful tips on how to write a blog post. Are you ready? Let’s begin.

  • Tip #1: Choose a topic that you like.

    • Before anything else, make sure you will sure a topic that interests you. No matter where you are or what field you are working in, it is important to put your heart in what you do. The lack of enthusiasm will definitely manifest. Readers can tell if the writer is bored by the chosen topic, and it’s embarrassing to produce a mediocre content.

  • Tip #2: Quality over quantity.

    • It’s okay to take your sweet time on things. Rather than writing a dull and uninspiring article, plan your posts carefully. Your readers won’t check if you have a hundred published blog posts. They will scan through your posts and check if you have been consistently posting high quality content.
    • It is best if you wait for at least 24 hours before deciding to publish your blog post. When you give yourself a day to decide, you will be able to see your content with a fresh pair of  eyes and make the necessary revisions.
Person Writing

Planning what to write.

  • Tip #3: Use images to break huge chunks of texts.

    • Your readers won’t be able to focus on a wordy blog post without visual stimulation.
    • Take time to organize and divide your post into different sections. You can insert an image to give your readers a breather and break the monotone of just having a huge block of text.
    • People may not even brother reading if they see a long-winded paragraph. However, if you add images, your article will appear less intimidating and more engaging.
    • Let’s face it: some topics are easily understandable with the help of pictures. From charts to diagrams, they are all useful visual tools that will help your readers grasp a complex topic.

  • Tip #4: Don’t just tell them what to do. Show them!

    • There’s no need to brag about your credentials and all the stuffs you know. Let your website visitors know your value by the content you publish.
    • You are not here to tell the world that you are better than the rest. Let your audience decide on that. All you have to do is to continue producing high quality blog posts that are useful. This way, you will be able to build a strong connection with your audience and they will trust your expert opinion.

  • Tip #5: Always offer a helping hand.

    • This tip is related to number 4. Of course, the main purpose of a post should be able to help and inform your readers. If your blog posts are consistently useful and understandable, readers will keep coming back. Repeat traffic will continue to pour in.
    • As you think of topics to write,  continually ask yourself, “Is this useful? Will the readers learn something from this?”  These questions will guide you back to the right track.

Providing excellent content can be quite a  challenge even to the finest bloggers. As you write your next post, remember the five tips I mentioned above. If you need more writing tips, just follow this link. By applying all the tips, you will surely find writing an easier task to do. Keep in mind that blogging is a very important marketing tool.

Blogging 101: 3 Important Writing Tips

/by
writing an outline

writing tips for newbie bloggers.

Most people think blogging is a very easy task to do. Personally, I disagree because there times that words don’t come smoothly and my thoughts are all over the place. It does get easier though. You just need a lot of time to practice and to develop your writing skills. If you want to be successful in blogging, you have to know how to write an enticing blog post.

Including visually appealing infographics may help, but your readers will only stay if they will learn something from you.  In order to get your readers’ attention, follow the blogging tips I’ve listed below.

IT SHOULD FOLLOW A CERTAIN STRUCTURE

  • Your blog post should have 3 main parts: introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction should give an overview on what your readers can expect from your blog post. Moreover, you elaborate on the scope of the problem you will address.
  • The next part is the body. This is where you will explain further the points you gave in your introduction. You will provide concrete examples, give helpful tips, and/or present an effective solution to a problem.
  • If there a lot of options or solutions, divide your body into different parts. Utilize bullets and numbers to highlight the important information you want to emphasize. To ensure that it is easy to follow,  it is better to use plain language. Highfalutin words may overwhelm your readers.
  • The last part is the conclusion. In this part, you will provide a short summary of your key points. Remind them of the solutions you have given and make sure that you have answered the questions you asked in the introduction.

KEEP IT SHORT AND CONCISE

  •  Your readers do not have the time to read through your lengthy paragraphs. The top bloggers write in short paragraphs. Limit your paragraphs to have around 3 to 5 sentences only.
  • Even a SENTENCE LONG explanation is fine because the truth is: no one wants to read a lengthy and boring paragraph.
  • Long paragraphs will surely intimidate your readers. It’s common for amateur bloggers to include huge chunks of texts, but this strategy will not help in inviting people to read your articles.
  • It is your job to let them understand your article. Trust me, things are easier to read if you keep the sentences short. The shorter the paragraph is, the more helpful it is for your readers. The online world does not need to follow the “rules” of an academe. Online content has a casual tone and the so-called rules are bent slightly.

IT SHOULD BE SKIM-FRIENDLY

  • Usually, people are too trying their best to keep up with the fast paced lifestyle we have now. There’s no time to read an entire post. Instead, people just skim. With so many things to do for the day, it’s important to get straight to the point.
  • It’s easier to skim through an article if the key points are highlighted. (Use bullets like what I did in this article!)
  • Divide your content and add subheadings. These subheadings should help your readers understand your key points.
  • Avoid dullness and dryness by applying bold, italic, or underline setting to your blog post.

The “perfect” blog post does not just happen in a snap. The best bloggers still encounter slumps so don’t be too hard on yourself if you are having a tough time writing your thoughts. It is best to make an outline of your  suggested article and list the things on what to expect in the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. Ultimately, your blog post should have a clear purpose and goal.

6 B2B Guidelines To Help Boost Your Website

/by

Two Person in Formal Attire Doing Shakehands

What is B2B?

It’s a type of transaction, which means business to business. If your website caters to other businesses, the tips below will come in handy. Whether you are a web design agency or marketing agency, knowing these valuable tips will help you stand out from your competitors.

  • DO NOT IGNORE YOUR STATS

    Always keep track of your performance. Every good host should be able to provide you with important statistics. You should have a variety of identifiers to gauge how your website is doing, to measure what are the bestselling products, to know when people visiting your website. Don’t neglect these data provide to know the overall performance of your website. You will know to plan what’s best for your online business. At the end of the day, these stats should be able to boost online transactions and give you answers on what are the most-viewed products. “What are the products that generate profit?” “What are the products that aren’t doing well?” Your stats should be able to help you answer some of these questions.

  • DO NOT FORGET TO FREQUENTLY BLOG

    Blogging greatly in boosting your website. Because you are publishing new content from time to time, your website will have more chances appearing in different search engine results.  Thus, you have a greater reach and you will be more  to the world. Don’t ignore the power of constant updates because timely and relevant posts could help boost your online presence. Not only that, blogging will also improve customer relations. Through your posts, they get to know you more, making them trust in you more.

  • ALWAYS MAXIMIZE YOUR VISUAL CONTENTS

    This is related to blogging. Don’t just fill your lengthy post with words. People will process information better if we see visuals. Pictures help us comprehend better. It’s already been proven that marketing and other promotional posts that contain images tend to attract more customers than those with plain text. Always make sure to add pictures to your blog posts. Better yet provide infographics and instructional videos to your marketing campaigns.

  • DO NOT JUST AIMLESSLY PROMOTE

    Promoting your business is good, but try to be personal. Don’t just flood your social media pages with generic updates. Your followers will find it annoying. Build your business’ credibility by interacting with your followers. Ask them questions, talk to them, or give them product recommendations. Your audiences don’t want to your know more about business’ history,  they are interested more on your products will help them. Instead of driving away them by your detached and emotionless marketing campaigns, use a customer-focused approach. Interact and answer queries.

  • DO NOT IGNORE EMAIL MARKETING

    Of course, new customers will NOT avail your products and services right away. It is important to pay attention in building trust and confidence. Email marketing will help in bridging this gap. Formulate on ways to connect with your prospective and existing clients through email. This method can help you earn the highest return of investment.

  • DO NOT IGNORE SOCIAL MEDIA

    Social media has the power to make magic. The best part is that it’s absolutely FREE. Having multiple social media accounts will open countless of doors for your online business. It will help you to become more visible to the world and even to people aren’t even in your circle. Almost everyone has at least one social media account. It’s counterproductive to not take advantage of this!