How to Make Your Writing Red Hot

In this competitive world we write in, making your article or story stand out is an important piece on the road to success. You want readers to take notice and read your work.

How do you make sure this happens?

I stumbled on this little gem of wisdom this week, and even though the article focuses on business content, it got me thinking. I'm a journalist, so I employ the ideas in the article a lot. I'm also a playwright, poet, and occasionally, a writer of fiction, and these tips make sense when it comes to promotion and writing.

In a nutshell:

1. Ideas are everywhere. If you stop and think, you could undoubtedly create a story or article about almost any moment occurring through a day. Think about the unexpected places where stories may come from: an incident in the grocery checkout line, a school board meeting, a doctor's visit, a phone call. Tap into those moments and get creative!
2. Think in headlines or titles. This tidbit of advice is my step number two once I've contemplated the 5 W's and 1H. I envision the headline for the piece and write.
3. Answer the question. What's the takeaway or bigger lesson for readers? It's the essential element for developing connections with your readers.
4. Make it snack-sized. When I read these tips, my mind raced with social media and marketing efforts. We promote 140 characters at a time on Twitter. We engage readers on Facebook or through an author's website. We give enough for a nibble, a sweet taste that entices the reader to want more and more content.
5. Don't overthink it. Just get to the point. You don't need two paragraphs of flowery prose if you can create the same message in a single, impactful sentence.

Think precision. Think creativity. Most importantly, think about writing red hot content that leaves readers wanting more.

by LuAnn Schindler