Why I Write

Why I Write

Writing for me is a process of going to a place that is uniquely personal to create something of value.

Meditation accomplishes the same thing, but how it works to manifest physical reality from thoughts is not as obvious. That said, I find it interesting that many of the writers I know also meditate.

Writing is Marketing

More people would probably give writing a try if they better understood what it can do for them personally, as well as their audience – which, if you are a typical small business, is your clients and customers

When you consider the challenges of writing and publishing in the days before digital, there are few valid reasons for not practicing this method of communication that also serves to engage your business with new buyers.

In our digital business environment writing is marketing, and what business does not want to be a better marketer?

When I started blogging I had no idea what I was doing – not really. In fact, I cannot even bear to read many of those earlier posts.  However, they served the purpose of getting me here.

That alone is one reason to write. You cannot learn it if you aren’t doing it regularly.

In fact, I’ve recently learned that any activity that pushes the limits of what you thought possible literally serves to strengthen the capabilities of your brain. You can learn more from the book Super Brain.

Teaching Yourself to Write

It’s a known fact that you learn anything better when you teach it. Start by teaching yourself to write for your target audience. Then have the guts to put it out there, while of course striving to get better.

There is too much repurposing of information on the web these days. It’s nothing more than noise. Whereas, your unique perspective will contribute unique value.

If you simply take the time to rewrite common information to better target and personalize it for your audience, you will be on your way to content marketing mastery. Try some of these better practices.

  1. Make it a habit.
  2. Shut off the Internet
  3. Use apps such as OmmWriter to better focus.
  4. Subscribe to blogs such as Copyblogger and Brain Pickings.
  5. Buy the just released book Why We Write – it’s very inspiring.

The One Reason I Write

If you asked for the one reason why I write, there would be a two-part answer.

On a personal level, I write because I can. 

Despite the challenges and investment in time, when it’s really working its a ride like no other. Try it.

On a practical business level, it makes me better at everything I do.

The more you write and rewrite, the easier it gets to produce quality work. On top of that, in this digital age we are all now publishers.

You have the capability to have your original content shared by tens and hundreds of thousands of people across the globe — or just in your local community.

Here’s a true story.

Yesterday my social share counters on my primary site (this blog) all went to zero. Nearly seven years of social sharing vanished in a moment. Fortunately, the problem was fixed today.

However, that got me to thinking. What if it was permanent?

What if all of the social media sharing counters across the web went to zero – and for that matter, all of Facebook likes and other digital social signals did the same?

The bloggers would then own the world, at least those of us that have our years of written work secured on a domain we own and are regularly backing it up.

Why?  Because sharing starts with content.  It’s what drives the web.

Think about that.

Looking for a competitive advantage?

Start writing.

About the Author:  Jeff Korhan, MBA, helps mainstream small businesses create exceptional customer experiences that accelerate business growth. Get more from Jeff on LinkedInTwitter and Google+.

Jeff is also the author of Built-In Social: Essential Social Marketing Practices for Every Small Business – Released April 15, 2013 (Wiley)

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