How I Would Approach Writing If I Could Start Anew
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Chapter 1: Reflections on My Writing Journey
Over the past three years, I have penned 250 articles, many of which were far from great. However, a select few gained traction and taught me more about writing than my formal journalism education ever could. If I could rewind time, here’s how I would reshape my journey.
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Section 1.1: Choosing a Path
Ali Abdaal presents two key approaches for aspiring content creators. The first is the archeologist, who begins creating content without a clear niche, discovering it over time, akin to unearthing fossils. The second is the architect, who carefully maps out a niche before producing any content, a process that can take considerable time.
While both methods have their merits, many successful creators have found their niches through exploration rather than pre-planning. Knowing what I know now, I would opt for one or two niches that genuinely resonate with me, ensuring I engage the right audience.
Section 1.2: Managing Expectations
When I embarked on my writing journey, I envisioned a swift exit from my day job, dreaming of leisurely days and Aperol Spritzes in Italy. Reality hit hard, and I earned as much as my pet dog: absolutely nothing.
I quickly realized that income from writing is a byproduct of mastering essential components: Titles, Hooks, and Engagement. My recommendation? Keep your day job, delve into these fundamentals, and find joy in writing that isn’t tied to financial gain. Use that joy to motivate you every time you sit down to write.
Subsection 1.2.1: Establishing a Sustainable Writing Routine
Initially, I relied solely on motivation to write. After a full day of work, exercise, and dinner, I often found myself too drained to write. Blaming a busy schedule is a poor excuse.
I discovered the concept of activation energy—essentially the energy required to initiate a reaction—and adapted it to my writing process. By reducing the energy needed to begin writing, I increased my output.
I implemented two strategies for my writing routine:
- Commit to just 10 minutes of writing daily: Knowing I only needed to write for a short time made it easier to start.
- Separate writing and editing days: I focused on writing during the week and reserved weekends for editing when I felt more energized.
Lowering the barriers to entry boosts the likelihood of accomplishing your writing goals.
Chapter 2: Finding and Sticking to Your Niche
Essentialism teaches that trying to juggle multiple tasks can hinder progress, while concentrating on a single crucial element fosters mastery. Initially, I would aim to write 100 articles, but by the 101st, I would evaluate my work and focus on what truly resonated.
While it may sound tedious, creators who cover a variety of topics often struggle to capture a dedicated audience. Unless you’re an exception like Tim Denning, honing in on a specific niche generally leads to greater audience growth and financial success.
Section 2.1: Prioritizing Quality Reading
To enhance my writing, I realized I should read more about subjects I am passionate about. Although reading about writing can be beneficial, excessive information can lead to overwhelm.
Now, I prefer engaging with books like Essentialism and Embrace the Suck to shift my mindset. While I still read writing articles occasionally, I focus on material that inspires me and can be practically applied.
As you embark on your writing journey, remember that the landscape of content creation is evolving rapidly, especially with the advent of AI writing tools. Learn from your experiences and consider the following:
- Embrace the archeologist's mindset.
- Adjust your expectations.
- Develop a writing system that complements your lifestyle.
- Specialize in a niche (if desired).
- Read what genuinely interests you.
These principles apply to both novice and seasoned writers. If I could offer one last piece of wisdom, it would be to conduct a time audit. You likely have more time available than you realize. The excuse of being "too busy" is often a barrier to posting your work.
This video discusses strategies for learning coding from scratch, offering insights that can be applied to writing as well.
Another insightful video on how to effectively approach learning coding, paralleling the journey of mastering writing.