Be ruthless with the red pen and you’ll write more clearly — Want strong writing? Start by eliminating weak words. It’s a simple fix. Naturally, you want to know which words are weak and which are strong. And yes, I will name names. But first, why do some words lack power while others have an impact? Weak words vs strong words Weak words are abstract; strong words…

Clear writing boils down to two main fixes — Self-editing is an important skill to learn in order to be a good writer. But lots of us quake in our boots (or shake at our keyboards) at the idea of editing our own work. The fact is that editing your writing isn’t all that mysterious. Here’s a simple way…

Answer these 4 questions and you’re on your way — If you’re a writer or freelancer or solopreneur or small biz owner, you need a content writing strategy. No, it needn’t be complicated. But you must have one if you want to make the best use of your time and build a following. Don’t get put off by the marketing…

Adopt the strategy that drives the best email newsletters to the top of the heap — Over decades of publishing a newsletter, I’ve made a lot of mistakes. Fortunately, I’ve learned a few things, too. And one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned — one that has given me the biggest success — is quite simple. It’s this: publish consistently. That is, on a regular schedule…

Learn the ins and outs of the biz from veteran freelancers — Freelance writers — and those who want to be one — know one of the cardinal rules of the writing business: “To be a writer, read a lot.” Fortunately, a passel of freelance writing veterans are willing to share their know-how with the rest of us. …

Write better email subject lines by using this checklist — Good email subject lines are easy to spot for one simple reason: they get the reader to open the email. You can measure your email open rate with objective data, recorded by your email list manager. …

6 ways to write an outline and save yourself from overwhelm — You’re ready to proceed with your writing project: you have gathered ideas, you’ve processed them, and you’ve determined the main point for your piece. Now what? …

Write a conclusion that sticks with your reader and builds fan loyalty — When you know how to write a conclusion for your article, letter, or blog post — or any content, for that matter — you finish strong and make your point. You also make it worthwhile for your reader to stick with you until the end. It’s no secret that you…

Give your brain a bigger, better offer — You’re at your desk early. But an hour later, your writing outline remains undone. Meanwhile, you’ve emptied your email box … sorted your pencils and pens … separated paper clips from the rubber bands in the desk drawer. You’ve just succumbed to a wave of writer’s procrastination. The condition is…