The ability to write is one of the most valuable skills regardless of your respective profession. If you are interested in online writing, it is crucial for you to have brilliant and amazing writing skills. Most people can write, but not everyone can write effectively.
Due to the increased rate of unemployment, many people, mostly the youth, have ventured into online writing as an alternative way to generate income and are willing to elevate their online writing skills. To help you as an online writer to improve your online writing skills, here are some of the most important tips you can adopt and use in your writing for positive progress in online writing.
1) Consistent practice
Practice makes perfect. For you to become a better writer, you have to keep on practising so as to acquire the skills and techniques. Here are some ways to help you on this.
i) Keep writing
- Setting some hours in a day for you to improve your writing skills may be of great significance and will positively impact your online writing skills. Make writing a habit; find time to write even if it’s for a short period of time. Remember, consistency is the key for improvement.
ii) Set goals.
- You can set a specific goal, for example, on time spent on writing daily or weekly, or even set a range of specific word counts. You should also ensure that the goals you set are realistic.
iii) Journaling your thoughts.
- Writing your thoughts, observations, and ideas regularly can improve your descriptive skills.
2) Read actively and widely
For an online writer to improve his or her writing skills, he or she must read more content regularly to gain knowledge. Here is a breakdown of this.
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Read a variety of materials.
Research and read diverse types of online content (e.g., website copy, blogs, articles, etc.) and learn what makes them effective. Also note the sentence structure and the choice of words used in the online writing materials.
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Read the materials like a writer.
When you come across these materials, you have to read like a writer so that you can master the techniques that different authors use to convey their message to their readers. You should also know how they convey their writing, the styles and formats used by each and every one of them.
3) Build your vocabulary
Being able to present your work with the right choice of words is crucial. Learning new words day by day and using them appropriately will have a major impact on your online writing. The new word should appear and be used naturally in your content. Read more books, articles, newspapers or even do your word research using the dictionary.
To be able to write effectively, you have to put your focus on the key metrics of writing; this includes
i) Spelling and grammar.
- Although there are tools to help you on this, you should not completely rely on them. Regularly review your work for any grammar and possible spelling errors. You may also generate some more valuable parts to add to your message and find phrases that might be wrongly placed.
ii) Aim for clarity and conciseness.
- To upgrade your online writing skills, aim for words that are clear and direct and avoid unnecessary words and phrases. Eliminate complex words that may seem to be difficult for your readers. Avoid wordiness in your message.
III) Sentence structure.
- Use different sentence structures to convey your message to your audience to keep your writing engaging and easy to navigate. This will give your readers an easy time to read and understand the message in your work.
4) Get feedback and revise
Feedback may help you know if you are progressing positively or negatively. You can be able to identify your weaknesses and improve the areas you feel are not better.
For you to recognize this, you have to
i) Seek constructive suggestions.
Sharing your work with trusted friends, colleagues, or even writing groups for feedback may be of great help, as this action will bring more ideas and help you know your weaknesses and work on them. As an online writer, you also have to be open to suggestions and be ready to be corrected.
ii) Revise your work.
After completely finishing your work, set your work aside and go through it. Proofreading helps you to identify some possible errors like improper sentence structure and even some phrases that are not clear, which could not be spotted by tools used for checking spelling and grammar
5) Explore different styles and formats of writing.
For your online writing skills to be properly polished, you have to research and try different ways, styles, and formats of online writing.
For this to be effective you have to
a) Experiment.
- Try writing in a different online writing format to broaden your skills. This will help you write content with different styles that suit different readers.
b) Find your niche.
- To broaden your online writing skills, you will have to develop and consider specialising yourself in a specific online writing area that you are most interested in and that is in high demand.
6) Learn about your audience and stay updated with the trends in online writing
Understanding your readers and their search intent and using the correct writing style and format will improve their interaction with your content. Your target audience may be local or international. Craft writings that are similar to your audience’s challenges and day-to-day lives. Follow industry blogs and keep up with the latest trends in your online writing world .
7) Merge short sentences and be patient and persistent
Practice the art of combining two or more short sentences into one complex and valid sentence. Improvement takes time. You have to be patient with the process of improving your online writing skills and don’t get discouraged when you don’t see the result instantly. Keep in mind that great things take time. Have a positive mindset about your progress to avoid unnecessary discouragement.
8) Mobile-first writing and writing with a purpose
When writing, ensure that your writing is mobile-friendly and can be easily accessible and readable on mobile devices, as many people access online content in this way. Know the goal behind your writing. It can be to inform , entertain, or even persuade your target audience.
9) Seek mentorship and try freewriting
You should connect with more experienced writers for them to show and teach you how to upgrade your online writing skills. They will be of high value because they will offer mentorship and guidance to you. Try writing continuously without editing to brainstorm ideas and improve the flow of your work.
10) Creating original content and including a call to action
Write content that is original and observe copyright rules and regulations. Also craft writing that is rich in content, engaging, and genuinely helpful to your target audience. After writing your work, you should guide your readers on what to do next after they have read your content. You will be required to include a call to action.
11) Seven steps of writing skills
There are seven main steps that are associated with writing. They include
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Prewriting/planning.
This is the first stage where you, as a writer, are supposed to understand the assignment given, come up with ideas, and outline the structure of your writing to make your work easy when writing.
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Researching.
This is the stage where you are required to find places and sites where you can find information on the assignment given. You can also make an outline to make your research organised and neat. Ensure that your research is from trusted sources and that it is up-to-date, and this will play a role in building your online writing skills.
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Drafting.
This step mainly involves putting up the text with the aim of content rather than perfection.
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Sharing.
Sharing your draft with trusted friends , workmates or even mentors helps you get feedback. This feedback is crucial in identifying areas for improvement.
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Evaluate.
You are required to review your work to identify strengths and weaknesses.
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Revise.
This involves reviewing your work and making changes based on the feedback you got after sharing your draft.
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Editing and proofreading.
This stage involves thoroughly reading and going through what you have written, adding and deleting some parts, and rearranging words and sentences that you feel are not clear.
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Publishing.
This is the final step where you present your final work from all the previous edits to your audience.
FAQ
How do I improve my vocabulary for effective writing skills ?
Reading widely, listening to podcasts, and using a dictionary and thesaurus.
How can I practise my online writing skills daily?
Make reading a habit and search for a different variety of materials to learn different vocabularies and improve your online writing skills.
Conclusion
Building your online writing skills is key and will require consistent effort, a thirst to learn, practice, and understanding the digital era. Improvement is a continuous process. Focusing on valuable and engaging content and seeking feedback can build you a rewarding online writing career.