17 Lessons From My 3 Failed Attempts As an Absolute Beginner In Online Writing [A Backstory]
When I started my journey as an online writer, I had no idea of where my career would end up to be.
Armed with determination and a few writing tips I had picked up here and there, I dove headfirst into the world of online writing.
Little did I know, the road ahead was paved with more potholes than smooth pavement.
The sleepless nights, confusion of picking up my writing niche, lack of clarity, inability to craft a content strategy, self-doubts, and feelings of helplessness bounded me for a while.
Here are those 17 lessons from my 3 failed attempts as an absolute beginner in online writing.
Lesson 1: Starting Small Doesn't Mean Staying Small
In my naivety, I believed that starting small meant staying small.
I focused too much on the immediate results and failed to see the bigger picture.
In doing so, I published many articles that failed.
Stumbling through my first attempts at online writing, I realised that every small step forward was a victory in itself.
That I can move forward and make it big overtime.
Lesson 2: Embrace Failure as a Stepping Stone
Failure has a nasty reputation, but I've come to see it as a valuable teacher.
My initial failures as a writer were humbling, to say the least. But with each stumble, I learned invaluable lessons that I wouldn't have gained otherwise.
For me, growth only happened, when I embraced failure as a stepping stone rather than a roadblock.
Lesson 3: Consistency Trumps Perfection
As a perfectionist at heart, I struggled with the concept of consistency.
I was obsessed with crafting the perfect piece of writing, but I soon realised that perfection was an elusive goal.
Instead, it was consistency that ultimately propelled me forward.
By showing up day after day, even when the words didn't flow as smoothly as I'd hoped, I made steady progress.
Lesson 4: Find Your Voice, Then Amplify It
Finding my voice as a writer was a journey in itself.
I experimented with different writing styles and tones until I found what felt authentic to me.
Once I found my voice, the next challenge was amplifying it.
I learned to inject personality into my writing, making it uniquely mine. This certainly took time.
Lesson 5: Connect with Your Audience on a Deeper Level
One of the biggest mistakes I made early on was writing for myself rather than my audience.
I failed to consider their needs, interests, and pain points.
But as I honed my craft, I learned the importance of connecting with my audience on a deeper level.
Understanding their struggles and aspirations, I learned to create content that resonated deeply with them.
Lesson 6: Quality Over Quantity, Always
In the early days of my writing journey, I was obsessed with churning out as much content as possible.
I mistakenly believed that quantity equaled success.
But as I matured as a writer, I came to realise that quality always trumps quantity.
I shifted my focus to creating fewer pieces of content, but ones that were truly impactful.
Lesson 7: Embrace the Editing Process
Ah, the dreaded editing process.
In my eagerness to share my writing with the world, I often overlooked the importance of editing.
But as I gained more experience, I embraced the editing process as a crucial step in the writing journey.
I came to see editing not as a chore, but as an opportunity to polish my work effectively.
Lesson 8: Learn from the Masters
One of the most valuable resources available to aspiring writers is the wealth of knowledge left behind by those who came before us.
I immersed myself in the works of top online writers, studying their writing techniques and reverse engineering their growth.
By learning from the masters, I refined my own craft and worked further to take my writing to new heights.
Lesson 9: Adapt and Evolve with the Times
The world of online writing is constantly evolving, and as writers, we must adapt along with it.
I learned this lesson the hard way when my tried-and-true writing strategies suddenly fell flat.
But instead of clinging to outdated methods, I embraced change and sought out new approaches to keep pace with the ever-shifting landscape of online writing.
Lesson 10: Cultivate a Growth Mindset
In the face of adversity, a growth mindset is your greatest ally.
I learned this lesson during my darkest moments as a writer, when self-doubt threatened to consume me.
But by cultivating a growth mindset, I turned those setbacks into opportunities for learning and growth.
I came to see challenges not as roadblocks, but as stepping stones on the path to success.
Lesson 11: Build a Support System
Writing can be a lonely pursuit, but it doesn't have to be.
I learned the importance of building a support system later on in my journey.
Whether it’s joining writing groups, attending workshops, or simply connecting with fellow writers online.
Having a supportive community makes all the difference.
Lesson 12: Celebrate Small Victories
In the pursuit of these lofty goals, it's easy to overlook the small victories along the way.
But I've learned that celebrating these victories, no matter how insignificant they may seem, is essential for maintaining motivation and momentum.
Whether it's hitting a word count milestone or receiving positive feedback from a reader, each small victory is a cause for celebration.
So, celebrate.
Lesson 13: Stay True to Yourself
In a sea of voices seeking attention, it can be tempting to mimic the writing style of other writers.
But I've learned that staying true to yourself is the key to standing out as a writer.
By embracing my unique perspective and voice, I carved out a niche for myself in the crowded world of online writing.
Lesson 14: Don't Be Afraid to Experiment
Writing is a journey of exploration, and experimentation is the compass that guides us along the way.
I've learned that it's important to step outside of my comfort zone and try new things.
Whether it's experimenting with different genres, formats, or writing techniques.
Some experiments may fail, but each one brings valuable insights and lessons that ultimately contribute to growth.
Lesson 15: Practice Patience
In a world obsessed with instant gratification, patience is a rare and precious commodity.
But I've learned that patience is essential for success as a writer.
Building a successful writing career takes time, effort, and perseverance.
It's easy to become discouraged when results don't come as quickly as we'd like.
But I've learned to trust in the process and stay patient, knowing that success will come in due time.
Lesson 16: Never Stop Learning
The moment we think we know it all is the moment we stop growing as writers.
Listen, there’s always more to learn.
Whether it's mastering new writing techniques, staying abreast of industry trends, or expanding the knowledge of different subject areas.
By adopting a mindset of lifelong learning, I continually evolved and improved as a writer.
Lesson 17: Believe in Yourself
Above all else, I've learned the importance of believing in myself and my abilities as a writer.
Self-doubt is a formidable adversary, but I've learned that confidence is the antidote.
By believing in myself and my vision, I overcame obstacles, defy expectations, and achieve success beyond my wildest dreams.
In conclusion
My journey as an online writer has been filled with twists, turns, and more than a few bumps along the way.
But through it all, I’ve learned invaluable lessons that shaped me into the writer I am today.
Whether you're just starting out on your own writing journey or you're a seasoned pro, I hope that these lessons will serve as a guiding light on your path to success.
