6 Practical Ways Writing Will Improve Your Online Business
As business owners and operators, we're always looking to improve our online businesses and few things are more powerful than writing.
Writing is a fantastic equalizer because everyone at every level of every company has to write some (even if it's just to file a report). The more someone writes, the better they get at it too. Plus, it bridges old school pen and paper, new school digital tools, and hybrid enthusiasts (like me).
If we're all writing anyway, why not intentionally use it to gain leverage?
Practical Way 1: Notecard Motivation Assist
Motivation is fleeting, so it can be helpful to keep reminders close by when you need an assist.
I like to keep a stack of cards with tips and quotes handy for when I need a little extra push to get through the necessary, but boring work. If you want to go all out, you can even tape them to your monitor, a mirror, or on the wall to be out at all times.
Practical Way 2: Journaling
Getting thoughts out of your head and on paper is an amazing way to help clarify your thinking.
Even if the journal is just for you, writing ideas down makes them feel more permanent and you'll come up with new ideas once a few are down. My rebrand from Southern Style DIY to The Maker Edge started as a journal entry where I wasn't sure if my content matched the direction of my business.
Practical Way 3: AI Prompt Engineering
As AI models get better, those who don't leverage AI as a tool will be left behind.
Large language models, like ChatGPT, are specifically designed to have conversations with you. So the better you get at fleshing out your ideas within the prompt, the better responses you will start to get.
Practical Way 4: Publicly Seed Small Ideas
Short-form text on X, Threads, YouTube Community, or BlueSky is a low-cost way to see what ideas resonate with your audience.
In addition to the engagement from your audience, you also interact with other like-minded people and their ideas. Bouncing ideas around helps identify what will and won't likely work without investing significant time and effort.
Practical Way 5: Publicly Expand Resonating Ideas
Once an idea resonates via short-form writing, double down on the idea and expand upon it.
Start with a longer thread just to outline it, then keep expanding into long-form articles. Plus, for folks who like video content too, the expansion can include short-form video and expanding the idea into longer YouTube videos.
Practical Way 6: Give Value Directly To Your Audience
Finally, we get to direct audience interaction via a free newsletter.
Newsletters have a bad stigma for constantly asking your audience to watch something or buy something from you, but this overlooks the power of giving away free value. Take the ideas from long-from writing—articles or videos—and further expand them for your direct audience, giving additional value not available on social platforms.
