Kick start your writing process

Whether you’re writing a feature article or a short piece for a newsletter, getting started can be tough.

So before the panic sets in, check out our tips below and get off to a flying start.

First, clarify a few things
Being clear from the start makes life much easier in the long run. What is your subject? Where will the story be published? What do you want it to accomplish? How long should it be? Who is your audience – professionals in the field or newcomers? Answer these and half the battle will be won.

Do your research
It’s always wise to read what others are saying about your topic. Back issues of journals and other relevant publications, SlideShare’s recent presentations and Google are all invaluable resources. Most importantly, chat with your colleagues and partners – they will often ask thought-provoking questions and offer useful insight.

Define the angle
OK, now you need to narrow things down and give your story an angle. Don’t be afraid to get personal – what is your opinion and why? Rather than simply talking about the benefits of your own product or service, put some thought into what’s unique about your perspective.

Make it interesting
To break up your text and engage the reader, find some interesting examples to illustrate your points. Imagine you are creating a ‘story within a story’ – but remember to keep your examples relevant and short.

Create a content outline
By now, you should have the key elements of your story sorted out, so it’s time to think about structure. Consider the logical flow of information. How will you introduce the material? How many points will you make and what order should they go in? Are you including a call to action? Where do your examples fit in? How will you wrap up the article? Put this all in an outline that can then guide your first draft.

Get writing
Set aside a chunk of time to write. If you’re often interrupted during the workday, switch on your voicemail and close down your email. Using your content outline, start writing and don’t stop. Let the ideas flow, and worry about editing and proofreading later.

Sleep on it
After you finish your first draft, sleep on it – or at least leave it be for a few hours. When you return, you’ll be in a better position to review the text critically. Does the content flow logically? Are your arguments clear? Is your word choice appropriate for the audience? Does your heading draw the reader in? When you’re finished editing the text, ask a colleague to read it and give you feedback.

Proofread and proofread again
All your hard work can easily be undone if your text is riddled with spelling and grammatical errors. It’s easy to miss things in your own writing, so ask someone else to proofread, if possible. And for some helpful hints to ensure your text is error-free, see our proofreading tips.

The next time you’re faced with a writing challenge, keep the above pointers in mind – and get in touch with us if you’d like some help.