Know your whys and hows?

If your blog posts take any amount of thinking to complete, you must do the thinking before you write. This brief ensures that you don’t miss any important points, and that you actually know your subject matter before you can explain it to your readers.

By putting some time aside to answer some basic questions about your articles (very briefly), you’ll create a winner every time you write.

Try answering these questions for your next post idea:

• What is the main point of this article?
• What style should it be written in?
• What does it aim to achieve?
• What problem does it solve, if any?
• What do I already know about this subject?

• Who will read this?
• Who will benefit from this?
• Who will it influence?

• Why will anyone care to read this?
• Why am I writing this?
• Why is it better than other similar articles?
• Why is it different?

• How can I improve this?
• How will this benefit my readers?
• How will readers respond to this article?

Or simply memorize the following gem from Rudyard Kipling:

“I keep six honest serving-men (They taught me all I knew); Their names are What and Why and When And How and Where and Who.”

If you think your time would be better spent on writing the actual thing than fussing over some silly questions, put yourself in your readers pajamas and think again.

You mind will be overflowing with ideas, and your fingers springing into action after you know what you really want to say. The writing will come much more easily because you’ll be clear about the direction you’ll take. And you’ll save more time than if you write unprepared.

Above all, you’ll be in more control and, hence, more motivated to explore the subject.

Take the test yourself. Reflect on the subject next time you write something, and see if it makes the writing a more rewarding experience!