How to become a good writer and provide quality content?

Discussion in 'General Marketing' started by QuangVo, May 12, 2009.

  1. #1
    I wanted to know if there are any books out there that teach you how to write good quality content or any one can provide some tip on how to provide quality content.
     
    QuangVo, May 12, 2009 IP
  2. 0500559543

    0500559543 Well-Known Member

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    #2
    you can learn for free at hxxp://www.aboutkhai.com ( not mine ), he is a good Copywriter
     
    0500559543, May 12, 2009 IP
  3. ~kev~

    ~kev~ Well-Known Member

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    #3
    If you want to write better, read better material. Because, what goes in through the eyes, goes out through the fingers. An example - you are not going to write on a college grade level, if all you have read is childrens books.

    Most of the material published in todays world (at least in the USA) is written on a jr. high or early high school level. This is grades 6 - 10. If you read a lot of newspapers, or a lot of news sites, do not expect to write on a college level.

    I like to read the writings from people in the late 1700s, all the way through to the late 1800s. It seems that after the 20th century rolled around, writing skills went downhill. Read the journals of Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington. Read classic poems from people like Edgar Allen Poe and stories from authors like Jack London.

    A good author in current times is Stephen Ambrose. I thoroughly enjoyed his book about Lewis and Clark - Undaunted Courage.

    Currently, I am reading "Caesar: Life of a Colossus" by Adrian Goldsworthy. Its a well written book that quotes the writings of Julius Caesar, Pompey, Cicero and several other Roman political figures.

    If you want good content to flow from your fingers, you have to feed the eyes and the brain quality literature.
     
    ~kev~, May 12, 2009 IP
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  4. Suziclue

    Suziclue Well-Known Member

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    #4
    most important part of being a good writer in my opinion is enjoying your subject. if you enjoy it, writing about it just comes easy. so find something you really like and start writing.
     
    Suziclue, May 12, 2009 IP
  5. QuangVo

    QuangVo Peon

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    #5
    wow seem like I need to read a lot before I can even start writing, thanks for the info.
     
    QuangVo, May 12, 2009 IP
  6. Chancey

    Chancey Well-Known Member

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    #6
    all you have to do is t keep on writing. your writing will improve if you are keep on doin git.
     
    Chancey, May 12, 2009 IP
  7. tms12

    tms12 Peon

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    #7
    you can download some SAT/GAMT/GRE books and take a look at the writing section. If you spend 2/3 weeks learning the "styles" then you should better then average bloggers/writers. Also for time being you can follow the follow the following format:
    - What is the topic?
    - Why do you like/dislike it (with examples)?
    - How is it going to benefit my reader?
    - How can they do it themselves?

    Good luck
     
    tms12, May 12, 2009 IP
  8. teckinik

    teckinik Peon

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    #8
    It doesn't come overnight. Just keep on reading ebooks, go to seminars etc. It can take months or years or may whole lifetime depending on your learning speed.
     
    teckinik, May 12, 2009 IP
  9. .htaccess

    .htaccess Peon

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    #9
    Read novels, Dictionary and learn different languages.
     
    .htaccess, May 12, 2009 IP
  10. MassiveTraffic

    MassiveTraffic Banned

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    #10
    There's no shortcut to be a good writer. You'll have to write a lot of articles as it's an ongoing process.
    This way, you'll discover a new way to express your thought everyday.
     
    MassiveTraffic, May 12, 2009 IP
  11. avonlee1983

    avonlee1983 Well-Known Member

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    #11
    The only advice I can give you is to practice. Write about something you already know a lot about. Read other articles or e-books written on the same subject for some ideas. Write everyday, even if it's just a few sentences here and there.
     
    avonlee1983, May 12, 2009 IP
  12. QuangVo

    QuangVo Peon

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    #12
    I find writing is an art and it does not come easily, but yes I find that the more I write better I could improve, the only thing is its hard to get some body to check your writing :). I want to be able to write well so I can give good content to reader.
     
    QuangVo, May 13, 2009 IP
  13. harvester

    harvester Well-Known Member

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    #13
    Kev from east Texas, I have to disagree with your advice to read good books - what could be described as 'old-style writing,' if you want to improve your writing style.
    These books were written in a very ponderous, meandering style, almost certainly because they were written in an age when it was acceptable or even desirable to write in this style.
    In our modern age there is no place for this kind of writing style. Modern readers, including website visitors, expect a concise writing style, a style that speedily supplies the information they are looking for and is written in a non-ponderous, non-meandering way.
    I'm not prejudiced against 'old books,' or classical literature, in fact I'm currently re-reading 'Robinson Crusoe,' which was written in the 1700s. It's a fascinating story but I wouldn't want to be influenced by the writing style.
     
    harvester, May 14, 2009 IP
  14. EnhanceSEO

    EnhanceSEO Active Member

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    #14
    One of the main things I've learnt recently is to sell the benefits not the features you need to play with the readers emotions and benefits does this.
     
    EnhanceSEO, May 14, 2009 IP
  15. david17589

    david17589 Peon

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    #15
    i thought about writing a book the way my life has been so many downs it just makes you think if people only knew what i've been through....it would be nice to write
     
    david17589, May 14, 2009 IP
  16. Abhik

    Abhik ..:: The ONE ::..

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    #16
    1. Good Knowledge on the subject you are writing.
    2. Good Writing Skill
    3. Good Knowledge of Grammar.
    4. Good Knowledge on the Language you are writing.
     
    Abhik, May 14, 2009 IP
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  17. JamesW2983

    JamesW2983 Active Member

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    #17
    I have to agree to some extent with kev. However, the more you read and know about the subject you wish to write about, the more confident your writing will appear to your readers. That is what you wish to convey on the page - confident, knowledgeable, informative.

    Anytime i go into a new niche or want to improve my knowledge, i just google a few of my main keywords or go to google blog search and do the same thing. Spend a few hours reading. Ezine articles is also a great research tool. They have so many niches and topics covered. Just search your keyword and then read the 15 "most viewed" and the 15 "most published" articles in that niche and that will really get those creative juices flowing!

    So you could go and buy an e-book or an expensive course, but just by doing some simple research at Ezne Articles, actually will tell what kind of articles in your niche are already popular, what people are currently reading. Try and learn from these other writers, click the links in their author's bio and study their websites and blogs.

    If people are already successful in your niche, then you can study and quite easily replicate your findings!
     
    JamesW2983, May 14, 2009 IP
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  18. outspan

    outspan Active Member

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    #18
    William Strunk, Jr., "Elements of Style". It's a tiny book full of useful advice, and you can find a free version online. That, and start writing on websites like helium.com, hubpages or others where you'll get a lot of feedback on your writing, which'll make it very easy for you to correct your own mistakes.
     
    outspan, May 14, 2009 IP
  19. ~kev~

    ~kev~ Well-Known Member

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    #19
    Thank you. That is one of the most pleasant and respectful "disagreement" post I have seen in a long time.


    What you read has an influence on your writing style. Regardless if its on purpose or by accident.

    Your writing style is like food. What you put in your mouth has some kind of influence on your health, well being and how you feel. If you eat a lot of junk food, except to get fat and over weight. If you eat a balanced meal with lots of healthy food, you are going to feel good.

    Think of your writing skills as a balanced meal. You can not live on just one type of food. You need protein, fruits and veggies to stay fit and in good health. Feed your brain some old style writing, mixed with current styles.
     
    ~kev~, May 14, 2009 IP
  20. alyoung

    alyoung Peon

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    #20
    Practice of course. personal blogging is a good way to get practice. Find a style that fits you. Decide what you want to do with your writing, marketing or entertaing.
     
    alyoung, May 14, 2009 IP