Let’s face it, creating content can be tough. In the world of blogging, this means that you'll be writing…A LOT! Much like learning how to play a new instrument, writing takes commitment and practice. When I first started my blog, I underestimated the whole “writing” aspect of having a blog. I thought to myself, “How hard could it be? I’ll knock out a few blog posts and I'll be good to go.”

I was two blog posts in and…BAM! I hit a wall. No matter how hard I tried, it seemed like I couldn’t even form a complete sentence. (Cue the sound of crickets chirping in the background).

On top of having writer’s block, I also found that creating engaging content was a lot harder than I had anticipated. Sure, I could write an email at work, but writing for a large audience and keeping their attention was brand new territory for me.

So, I consulted with one of the best writers I know….my Mom! She's been teaching high school English for the past 42 years, but also proofreads and consults for some major publishing companies. With her wealth of knowledge and experience, I was able to pick her brain and develop a list of 10 things that anyone can do to become a better writer. 

Regardless of what level of writer you are, I believe that there are always areas to improve upon and strengthen. Hopefully this list will give you some ideas on how you can become a better writer and consistently create engaging content for your blog.

1. Be Yourself 

When you try to sound like someone else, it comes through in your writing. How boring would it be if every newspaper article or book sounded the exact same as your read it? Being authentic will help you find your voice, and it will set you apart from the crowd. Your readers will appreciate your uniqueness, trust me.

2. Write About What You Know 

Whenever you have a better-than-average understanding of a topic, chances are you’ll have an easier time writing about it. This also allows your writing to develop beyond the obvious because you can provide details and personal experiences. Plus, knowing a lot about a topic will help you become an authority within your niche.

3. Write A LOT 

I don’t care if you start a journal, write short-stories, or begin a novel! The more you write, the easier it becomes to create content. Becoming a good writer takes practice, and in order to improve, you’ll need to continually find ways to write.

4. Have a Schedule 

One thing that really helped me improve as a writer was writing on a schedule. I would set aside a certain amount of time every Monday and Thursday to just write. This not only forced me to write, but it got me in the habit of writing more often.

5. Avoid Distractions 

You don't have to lock yourself in a cabin somewhere far away in the woods, but try to limit your distractions when you write. Some people even work on computers that aren't connected to the Internet. I've never gone that far, but I always try to write in a place that is quiet and peaceful.

6. Know Your Audience 

When it comes to writing, your audience should be a top priority. Knowing and understanding your audience will help you generate relative content. It also keeps your readers engaged.

7. Position the Reader as the Hero

Apple does a great job at this with their marketing and content creation. They position the customer as the hero and the product as the enabler of greatness. Whenever you write, try to adapt this mentality. Position your readers as being the hero and your content as the vehicle to achieve whatever goal your audience is trying to achieve.

8. Highlight What the Reader Can Accomplish

This kind of goes hand-in-hand with tip number seven, but whenever your write, be sure to show your audience what can be accomplished with the content. This helps to keep the reader engaged and, if you can actually help them solve a problem, it will boost their loyalty towards your blog as well.

9. Practice Good Grammar

We live in a era where people are starting to embrace “text-speak” as an acceptable way to write. For example, “Got 2 go 2 the movies w/ my BF 2NITE! LOL!” I see things like this all the time on social media outlets, but this type of shorthand writing should never be used when blogging. If you want people to take you seriously, practice good grammar.

10. Use a Thesaurus

A thesaurus will help you find other words to use so that your writing doesn't sound repetitive or boring. I can't tell you how many times I've used a thesaurus and had an “ah-ha” moment during a sentence. It's a great composition tool that can spice up any boring blog post.

11. Experiment

Don't be afraid to try new things. Writing is a great way to experiment with your style, ideas, and voice. See what works and what doesn't work, but keep putting yourself out there. Experimentation is a great way to discover new possibilities for yourself and your writing.

12. Proofread Proofread Proofread

If you can get just one other person to read your writing before you make it public, you will avoid mistakes that you, as the writer, simply won't see. If you don't have another person to proof your copy, then set your writing aside for awhile and come back to re-read it. This will allow you to take a fresher look at what you have written.

So, there you have it. Hopefully this list will help you pump out some great content. Just remember that your writing will improve the more you write. Stay motivated and keep at it!