8 Transformative Edits to Strengthen Your Content

It’s often difficult to spot weaknesses in your writing.

But what does a rough draft of a blog post have in common with all of the other blog posts by all of the other content creators in your niche?

Too much.

I’m sure you’re aware that there are countless other writers musing about the same ideas you are, and in similar ways.

The goal of a typical first draft is to transform your scattered thoughts into a cohesive article that explains a topic to your ideal reader.

But why should readers choose your content over another writer’s work?

That’s where editorial standards come in …

If you don’t take the time to revise your rough draft in a way that shows you have a solution that isn’t available anywhere else, they won’t.

To help you narrow down the sections of your blog posts that could use improvements, here are eight common weaknesses in writing, paired with tips to strengthen each one.

Weakness #1: You have an undefined strategy

When you don’t have a defined strategy:

• You haven’t clearly defined why you’re writing
• Your content has no purpose
• You only write when you’re inspired

Do you know any writers who have started blogs and then quit after a short period of time? (Have you done that yourself?)

Don’t make the mistake of writing without a plan. A content calendar holds you accountable for your work and helps you produce focused content at a steady pace.

How to fix it:

• Set writing goals before you begin
• Keep a schedule
• Accomplish your objectives

Identify the intention behind every word you type to help readers connect with your work.

Each piece of writing you publish should serve a larger goal you have for your content platform.

Weakness #2: You make a promise you don’t keep

Making a promise you don’t keep could look like:

• Your headline doesn’t match your text
• Your advice is not realistic
• You don’t deliver

Novice and seasoned content marketers alike occasionally get carried away with smoke-and-mirror content — the type of weaknesses in writing that make big claims without any helpful advice to support the objective of the post.

How to fix it:

You don’t need to claim to have answers to all of the world’s problems to attract readers to your blog.

In fact, readers enjoy vulnerability. You’re human just like they are, and it’s important to reinforce that notion.

Instead of pretending to be the world’s foremost expert, help the people you can help.

Follow through on your promises, and explain your specific expertise in a straightforward way that doesn’t make outlandish assertions.

Weakness #3: You write generic information

What does generic information look like?

• Your topic is vague
• You don’t educate
• Your article could be written by anyone

When you don’t provide useful, unique, ultra-specific, and urgent content for your readers, they lose interest quickly and won’t remember you.

And if you’re easily forgotten, you don’t get an opportunity to build your reputation as a great resource.

How to fix it:

• Have an opinion
• Do research
• Establish a brand

The writing process involves hard work. You don’t need me to tell you that.

Effective blog posts require loads of creative energy. They’ll wear you out but also help frame your presence as an impressive content creator.

Remember that anyone can type words into WordPress. It’s your job to show readers a fresh perspective.

Weakness #4: You don’t use subheads

When you don’t use subheads, you don’t:

• Guide your readers
• Give them easy blocks of text to read
• Harness engagement opportunities

Subheads are another chance to capture a reader’s attention.

How?

If a reader clicks on your article with only a minor interest in it based on what she sees in your headline, then a phrase she views in a subhead might convince her to thoroughly read the text.

Well-crafted subheads are like a safety net. Your readers could be slipping away due to weaknesses in your writing, but a strong subhead might catch them and bring them back to your message.

How to fix it:

Each section of your blog post should keep a reader engaged. Making your writing easy to read is a simple way to hold your reader’s interest.

As you edit your content, break up your text in appropriate ways.

You could use strong titles to introduce different sections or a variety of relevant images that complement your topic.

Weakness #5: You insert too many tangents

Tangents might make you:

• Lose focus
• Ramble
• Imitate another writer

In an attempt to sound charismatic, you might insert too many personal anecdotes that distract readers from your topic.

Similarly, you might love another writer’s style, so you copy their tone and writing voice. While you might think a certain tone and voice also matches your personality, it could actually sound inauthentic and contrived.

How to fix it:

• Find your own voice
• Learn selectivity
• Remember your goals

As you practice fixing weaknesses in your writing, you learn that you can’t express all of your ideas in one article. You won’t communicate effectively if you do.

You may need to narrow down your objective and save extra thoughts for other posts.

Weakness #6: You use too many words

Too many words might mean that your:

• Sentences are too long
• Paragraphs are too long
• Posts are too long

You’re probably a writer because you have a lot to say and you like expressing yourself. Unfortunately, both of those qualities often serve you, the writer, more than the reader.

Aim for communicating one clear message in a succinct way, like an experienced content editor.

How to fix it:

• Simplify your ideas
• Use word limits
• Think like a reader

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with long-form content as long as every piece of information in the article is captivating and relevant.

But if you make your readers strain to comprehend your points, reading your writing won’t be a fun experience.

You can practice writing with self-imposed word limits to help you overcome many of the weaknesses mentioned in this post. You’ll learn to trim down your text, as well as how to write good sentences.

Weakness #7: You use trite language

You might often:

• Repeat clichés
• Write boring expressions
• Present ordinary concepts

One of the negative consequences of using phrases and sayings that are commonplace and overused is that your readers will often misinterpret your message.

While you think a trite expression perfectly sums up your intentions, it could confuse a reader.

Your true point might not rise to the surface.

How to fix it:

• Get creative
• Be specific
• Innovate

Transcribe your message with descriptive language.

If a platitude comes to mind while you’re writing, jot it down in your first draft and refine it when you edit your text.

Your initial ideas can help you craft unique text that puts a new spin on stale word choices.

Weakness #8: You have no call to action

This weakness means you don’t:

• Offer a next step
• Facilitate dialogue
• Encourage people to join your community

One of the biggest weaknesses in writing is assuming that readers will remember who you are and return to your content platform.

Suggest their next move with a strong call to action. (If one of your articles becomes wildly popular, you’ll be especially glad you encouraged readers to become a part of your community.)

How to fix it:

• Direct readers to your best content
• Present options
• Continue the conversation

At the end of your posts, let readers know how to take the next step — whether it’s subscribing to your blog, following you on social media, or emailing you to set up a consultation.

Beat these weaknesses in your writing today

The end of your post is a chance to expand your relationship with your readers by letting them know how they can stay connected …

So let’s stay connected!

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