Hello, fellow creators!
Today, we are reviewing the power of writing – a skill foundational to success in any realm of expertise.
If you own a cellphone you can understand that the written word in pixels is the fastest way to connect and share your ideas.
Deals are done, in WRITING.
Stories are easiest to share with the masses in WRITING.
Writing allows readers an opportunity to detach from their biases, forcing the use of cognition in a way that watching does not command.
There are numerous benefits to writing and to reading, I won't cover anymore here (maybe in a future post).
What I want to cover is an approach that I am developing.
The problem of not only what I write, but how I write has been a stressor that I have struggled with.
I also wanted to ease my reliance on scripts, formats, and templates because it made my message sound scripted.
I have found that by defining my intentions first, I can approach writing any blog, social media post, or email much faster and much clearer.
I have captured this approach in a diagram (I love diagrams):
The Good Writing Triangle v1.0
Making your intention clear before you write content is the first step to bringing clarity to yourself and your audience.
So far, I have reduced the intentions of writing into three main categories.
You can write to document, you can write to tell a story, or you can write to sell.
These three intentions are paired with a response that the author wants from their audience.
Documenting has the intention to foster replication.
Sales Copy has the intention to initiate a value exchange.
Storytelling has the intention to bring about awareness.
Documenting: Reproducing Mastery Through Facts
Imagine this: you're an astrophysicist and you've just unraveled the secrets of a celestial phenomenon.
Do you let that knowledge evaporate like data in the cloud?
Of course you don't, someday you are going to want your flowers.
So do you write a story?
Do you create a course and try to sell people on your experience?
Dear god, I hope not.
The world would hope that you would document your experience, what and how you unraveled what others could not!
That is the essence of digital journaling – one form of documenting that captures knowledge, and transforms it into neatly organized packages for others to follow and replicate your experiences.
Is astrophysics an unrelatable topic?
Well, how about food?
For those conjuring delectable recipes, writing them down digitally is like creating a culinary library.
Your digital journal becomes an ever-expanding culinary resource where you experiment with ingredients and chronicle the actions that create edible meals.
Technical experts fear not – you're equally part of the equation. <pun>
Documenting can mean cataloging blocks of code that others can use to evolve their software.
Your digital notes could serve as the foundation for the generations that follow you.
Documenting is an essential format to accurately describe the actions you took to grow; your successes and your failures.
The goal of doing this is to help those behind you travel knowledge and experience with less friction.
An additional benefit to documenting is that it builds value for you over time.
I look up recipes because I would rather not experiment with how to make a chocolate cake, I want to make sure I do not waste resources and make something that is delicious.
I explore travel journals so when I travel somewhere new, I have some experiences that I can replicate to ensure I have a great time.
Great experiences can grow from following where others have explored.
Add your own through writing and others are sure to follow.
Storytelling: Crafting Awareness Through Narrative
You potentially are unknown.
Your topic of choice may be unknown as well.
However, even if you are sharing information on a well-known topic, storytelling will allow others to connect to both you and your topic.
Are you a history buff sharing your passion for reconstructing ancient civilizations?
Rather than a mere presentation of facts, weave the facts into a tapestry of narrative fiction that teleports readers to a different time.
Your story could allow them to see parallels between the reader's modern existence and an ancient human's lifestyle.
Your story could bring awareness to how all people have tried to solve similar problems throughout history.
Poets, your verses are algorithms to create emotional pictures in the minds of your readers.
Poems about love and loss can transcend time, turning into an everlasting reference to human expression.
First-person narratives also shine bright in the digital world.
As creators, sharing your personal account of life's events through humor, candor, and openness can bring your audience close to you and they may be miles away.
Ultimately storytelling is about helping your audience become aware of the universe around them, and the universe within them.
The great hope is that stories can foster the growth of aspirations within communities.
Stories can also signal common pitfalls that should be avoided.
It doesn't matter if you write fiction or non-fiction.
An aware audience will find value in your content because it helps them see themselves and others.
Sales Copy: Persuasion and Exchange
Now, let's infuse some marketing magic into the mix.
Whether you're selling a product, service, or idea, writing is your launchpad to success.
Through simple vehicles like social media or email, you can create significant value exchanges with your audience.
Imagine being an artisan maker, showcasing your handcrafted artisanal soap.
The right words can transform a mere bar of soap into a spa experience that tantalizes all senses that their audience has to try.
If you are an advertiser, you can create a campaign that does more than sell a car.
Your ad can awaken your audience's love affair with travel adventures.
Copywriting helps you create repeatable content systems to stitch together connections in the digital world at scale.
Words that directly communicate the features and benefits of your idea, product, or service will convert those who are aware of their need and how you have solved them.
For those in your audience who are currently unaware or resistant, you will have to grow your creative approach and systematize your written content to reach people who need what you have.
Good sales copy is able to get their audience to exchange money, access, or time, for value that benefits their goals.
So, that pretty much covers the concept of formatting your intention to write.
Here are 3 ways that I am applying this theory to my practice of writing:
Identify three examples of these approaches in social media content and break down their formats.
For a sub-topic of my main interest, write one short-form content piece in each style.
Every week write one lone form content piece on a sub-topic of my main interest.
I will be implementing this approach weekly as I explore my various skill stacks.
Give it a try as you share your expertise and your experiences.
For most creators, your written content will become a key part of the algorithm you use to reach your audience.
Until our digital paths cross again, keep writing and keep sharing!
Good Luck,
-GABE-