Don’t Make These 5 Mistakes All Aspiring Writers Make
Lessons from The Art And Business Of Online Writing
From Geeks
In the ever-evolving digital landscape, mastering the art of online writing can be a daunting challenge.
Nicholas Cole, a five-time author and one of the internet’s most-read writers, offers invaluable insights in his book “The Art and Business of Online Writing.” Drawing from his experiences as a top contributor to platforms like Quora and Inc Magazine, Cole unveils the hidden pitfalls that often ensnare budding writers.
Here are the 5 mistakes he shares in his book:
1. Not Knowing The Difference Between Blogging And Online Writing
Cole stresses that the first mistake online writers make is to start by blogging. Blogging, as Cole defines it, is akin to running a business. It involves creating content on your personal website with the primary goal of generating revenue through ads, affiliate marketing, or product sales. It’s a long game, requiring patience and persistence to build an audience from scratch.
Online writing, on the other hand, is about leveraging existing platforms with active user bases. Think Quora, Medium, or LinkedIn. By tapping into these established ecosystems, writers can focus on honing their craft while benefiting from built-in algorithms that boost visibility.
Cole’s advice? Embrace online writing. It offers a faster path to audience growth, provides data-driven insights, and accelerates your journey to becoming a credible voice in your field.
2. Ignoring The Power Of Data
In the digital realm, your words are more than just expressions of thought — they’re data points. Cole emphasizes the critical role of metrics in refining your writing strategy.
Instead of relying on assumptions about your audience, let the data guide you. Analyze views, likes, shares, and comments to uncover what truly resonates with your readers. This approach allows you to:
- Identify high-performing topics
- Refine your writing style
- Craft more engaging headlines
- Optimize your content structure
By embracing a data-driven mindset, you transform your writing from mere guesswork into a finely-tuned instrument of engagement.
3. Not Structuring Your Content For Easy Consumption
In an age of fleeting attention spans, how you present your ideas is just as crucial as the ideas themselves. Cole introduces the concept of “Rate of Revelation” — the speed at which you deliver new, valuable information to your reader.
To maximize this rate, Cole advocates for:
- Short, punchy paragraphs
- Concise sentences
- Front-loading your most compelling information
One of his key recommendations is the 1/3/1 structure:
- A strong opening sentence
- Three sentences expanding on the main point
- A powerful closing sentence reinforcing the key takeaway
This structure forces clarity and conciseness, delivering value in a digestible format. For more complex ideas, Cole suggests variations like 1/5/1 or 1/3/2/1, maintaining readability while accommodating deeper explanations.
4. Writing About Too Many Things and Niches
Focus is the name of the game in online writing. Cole introduces the concept of “Content Buckets” — clearly defined niches or topic areas that resonate with your target audience.
He proposes organizing your content into three main buckets:
- General Audience: Broad appeal topics viewed through your unique lens
- Niche Audience: Your specific area of expertise
- Company/Industry Audience: Insights related to your professional field
Before writing, always ask: Does this idea fit into one of my established buckets? If not, can I adapt it to align with my overall content strategy?
5. Failing To Be Consistent
Most of all, Cole asserts that “consistent output is the secret to every growth metric on the internet”. He firmly believes that regardless of your writing talent, niche, or chosen platform, consistent publishing is non-negotiable for building an audience, gaining visibility, and achieving your goals as a writer.
He argues that growth hacks, viral tactics, and other strategies are meaningless unless you have established a foundation of consistent content creation.
“It’s impossible to know whether or not you have something meaningful to say, or if a platform is worth writing on, unless you give yourself six months to find out”
