Ways to improve and proofread your writing
Do you actively spend time improving your writing? Not just by repetition but by getting feedback and re-writing. It could be about grammar, creativity, persuasion, story-telling and most importantly readability.
When I was asking a collegiate advisor on why do we need to score well on exams such as the GRE, the response was "So you can communicate on the same level of the people in your work environment".
Years later, at the tech office, almost nobody spoke on something you would read in a GRE/GMAT exam. Conversations were casual and email messages were simple. You could even say the writing was at the sixth grade level. So what is the right way to write?
After reading many books including topics on influence, persuasion and copywriting, I realized that the idea behind reading is to influence. Then regarding influence, it is suggested that story-telling has better influence especially during presentations. Of course, not all writing will be influential nor presentations but a message understood is a message well written.
Now that I've been writing more, I practice active improvement in writing. I've hired some editors to help but that is a long feedback cycle. Now I'm seeking tools for that. I started using http://www.hemingwayapp.com and find it to be very useful as a free service.
What apps or services do you use to improve your writing?
In terms of how I can improve my writing, I'd always say that having someone else review my work (albeit scary) leaves it far superior than if I merely proofread it myself.
For your writing quality/style though, I'd say it's entirely dependent on your audience. If you're writing to impress someone who you know to be quite the intelligent cookie, full paragraphs and impressive diction are a must.
But know that if you're writing a public pitch for your company that isn't just read by Harvard grads, that many people can be turned off by you "trying to look smarter than them." It's a hard pill to swallow at first, but at the same time there is no need to use the words "obviscate" and "elucidate" in a public setting without appearing just a smidge pretentious to most.
I love the hemmingway app!
I work with a tutor with whom we together edit the pieces I write. That gives me quick feedback and also I can ask about specific edit I don't understand as a non-native speaker.
I also use grammarly and hemmingway but. They are good as supportive tools but they are not enough.
Have to throw out Grammarly here. It's a pretty cool tool to have and the stats it gives you are pretty helpful.
To hijack the thread slightly.... can anybody suggest books/resources for improving at copywriting and influential writing?
Yes I can, as long as you promise to use the power of copywriting wisely and not trick people!
I promise....
Crucial Conversation, Cashvertising, The One Sentence Persuasion Course, The Gary Halbert Letters
This comment was deleted 7 years ago
This comment was deleted 7 years ago
I’m always on the fence about getting feedback on my writing. I think the idea that all advice will eventually settle at zero rings especially true here.
I don’t write professionally so my thoughts on this would probably change if I had the chance to work with an editor who knows their stuff.
The most sound advice is really just to write and write consistently. It’s boring advice but it works. You don’t always realize how much your improving in the moment but when you look back on old drafts, it’s easy to see the difference.
Also, keep in mind that YOUR writing is YOUR voice. It’s easy to listen to everyone else’s advice and write exactly as expected. It’s not easy to find and explore your own style.