4 Easy Ways New Writers Get More Reads
You Get 0 Reads When You Write About a Topic (do this instead)
Unless you’re Elon Musk or Trump, people aren’t looking for your opinion.
They read what you write because they have a problem, and they want the solution you offer.
This leads to a harsh truth:
If you’re not solving the audience’s problem in your writing, you’re wasting their time and taking advantage of their attention.
Ouch…
You can fix this in the 4 easy ways:
One: Start With The Problem (Not The Solution).
If you start your article with, “Here’s the solution to your problem,” No one will listen. Why? Because no one likes a know it all.
There’s thousands of people claiming to “solve problems.” But there’s no proof that their solution is better than anyone else’s. Hell, there’s not proof that they have any experience with the problem. How do you know they didn’t google a solution?
This is why it’s crucial to start with the problem.
Explain the problem, and why you’re qualified to solve it. This shows that you understand the problem on a practical and emotional level.
If you’re a non-fiction writer who’s struggling to make money, you’re in the right place.
Building a business and being great at writing are two different skills.
I send out an (almost) daily 700 character email with business and productivity tips for writers.
Two: Write About Results (Not Outcomes).
Be clear. Be specific.
If your write, “how to improve your relationship in three steps” people will ignore you. Why? Because an “improved relationship” is not a result. What exactly is an “improved relationship?” Ask 5 people, and you’ll get 10 answers. It’s vague.
But an “improved relationship” is an outcome, and everyone wants an outcome, right? Wrong. Everyone wants results.
This is nuanced, so let’s define the two.
An Outcome is the broader impact or long-term implication of something. It’s general, and vague.
A Result is the specific, immediate, and quantifiable consequence of an action. It’s tangible, and relatable.
“How to look so sexy, your partner won’t be able to take their hands off of you,” is a specific, immediate, and tangible (pun intended) consequence. That’s a result.
The more your writing is centered around results, the more people will pay attention
Three: Tell Them What To Do (Don’t Give Them Options).
Your audience wants to be led.
They know there are 40 things they COULD do. They’re reading your article to learn the 1 thing they SHOULD do.
The problem you are solving is one small problem in the grand scheme of their life.
They don’t want to spend 6 hours testing 40 things to figure out how to solve this problem.
They want to be told what to do and that if they do it, their problem will be solved.
If you’re giving options, people will turn away and go to someone less qualified who tells them what to do.
Four: Give Them Insights (Not Information).
People don’t want more information. They want insights.
Coming from corporate America where I was paid for my time, this was a difficult lesson to learn. I can write an article that’s full of information, and no will read it because it has no insight.
Martin Messier wrote an article explaining this point — you can read it here.
If you’re a writer who is struggling to make money, you’re in the right place.
Building a business and being great at writing are two different skills.
I was a session and touring drummer for a decade, and I made $0 because I had no business sense.
Over the last 7 years, I’ve dedicated myself to learning business.
And now, I’m here to help other writers make a living doing what they love.
I send out an (almost) daily 700 character email with business and productivity tips for writers.
