creative writing for blogging

70 Blog Writing Prompts to Inspire You Beat Writer's Block and Create Great Content (For All Bloggers & Blogging Niches)

Are you struggling to come up with an idea for your next blog post? My blog writing prompts will help you beat writer’s block and craft popular posts that are well-designed for SEO traffic from Google (and other search engines).

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Are you struggling to come up with an idea for your next blog post? Maybe you’re staring at a blank screen as you battle writers’ block—or you’re wondering about giving up blogging and digital marketing entirely. Enter: my favorite blog writing prompts to get you back on track today.

Coming up with blog ideas can be tough, even for seasoned bloggers—though I built a free blog idea generator to help with exactly that. From a more traditional standpoint, working with some creative blog writing prompts are a great way to kick things off—giving you the inspiration you need to make a start.

Whether you’re working on your 1st post or your 100th post, these writing prompts will get your creative juices flowing. I’ve split them into different categories: you can either pick prompts that suit the type of post you’re trying to write, or you can dig into specific writing prompts that relate to your blogging niche .

With these prompts & brainstorming tips in hand, you can get your creative juices flowing right now. My goal is that you’ll never struggle with writer’s block again. Add in my free AI writer tool, blog title generator , keyword research tool , paragraph rewriter , meta description generator and you’ll be blogging on fire.

70 Blog Writing Prompts to Get You Past Writer’s Block

What are blog writing prompts and how can you use them, blog writing prompts for “how to” posts, blogging prompts for listicles, writing prompts for affiliate marketing posts, blog writing prompts for inspirational posts, fun writing prompts for creative writers, finance blog writing prompts, travel blog writing prompts, parenting blog writing prompts, technology blog writing prompts, food blog writing prompts, personal development writing prompts, business blog writing prompts, health and fitness writing prompts, lifestyle blog writing prompts, beauty and fashion blog writing prompts.

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links below are affiliate links and at no additional cost to you, I’ll earn a commission. Know that I only recommend products and services I’ve personally used and stand behind. When you use one of my affiliate links, the company compensates me, which helps me run this blog and keep my in-depth content free of charge for readers (like you).

Try My Free AI-Powered Blog Idea Generator Tool

Writer’s block can be a real pain. Trust me, I know. That’s why I built this forever free blog post idea generator tool, powered by AI. In seconds, you can generate endless ideas for your next blog posts.

Blog writing prompts are a type of creative writing prompt, giving you ideas or starting points for your blog posts. Not to be confused with ChatGPT prompts for bloggers, you could view writing prompts as themes, topics, or even challenges for your blogging efforts.

There’s no “right” way to use writing prompts for bloggers. Some people like to look through lists of prompts until they find something that resonates with them. Others choose a prompt at random and start brainstorming a post to fit that prompt. You might even want to adjust or tweak prompts so that they’re a perfect fit for you and your blog. Anything goes—so long as it works to get you blogging!

Another way to make the most of writing prompts is to use ChatGPT: feed in the prompt and see what the OpenAI algorithm comes up with. ChatGPT can understand natural language so these prompts can work well there too.

25 General Blog Writing Prompts to Beat Writer’s Block for Good

Let’s start with some prompts that are tailor-made for specific types of posts. I’ve deliberately come up with prompts here that work across all sorts of different profitable blogging niches . You could also tweak these ideas a little to create shorter posts for social media platforms.

Taking a page out of my own book with guides like how to start a blog and make money , the “how to” post is a blogging classic—and it’s a great one to turn to if you’re having a hard time getting inspired. Try some of these prompts to get you going.

• Teach the reader how to do something small and self-contained. For instance, if you write a recipe blog, you might come up with a basic how-to on “How to chop onions” or even “How to preheat your oven correctly.”
• Write a how-to post that tackles a huge topic in a straightforward and helpful way, like “how to be happy” or “how to make money”.
• Do you use a piece of software or online tool that fits with your niche? Write a how-to guide on getting started with it.
• Choose a question that you frequently get asked and create a how-to post that walks readers through everything they need to know.
• Flip it around and write a “how to not ” post. That could be something practical like “how to not snore” or something more inspirational like “how to not care what people think.”

Another staple of the blogging world is the listicle or list post. This type of content is fun to write … all you need is a prompt to get you going.

• Write a list of your favorite books relating to your niche. If you have a lot  of favorites, choose a specific topic and come up with books just for that topic.
• List your best advice for beginners or newcomers in your niche. What do you wish you’d known when you got started? What lessons have you learned?
• Bring together your favorite quotes—those could be inspirational, funny, insightful, or anything that you think will resonate with your readers.
• Write a “top tips” post: come up with lots of tips that readers can put into practice, without needing to follow them all at once.
• Create a “top 10” post that lists the best 10 items of some kind: movies, people, cities, recipes, local restaurants… it’s up to you.

Affiliate marketing  is a fantastic, beginner-friendly way to make money blogging. Some types of posts are particularly good for bringing in affiliate income (if you’re a member of the right affiliate programs for bloggers ). Here are a few blogging prompts to help:

• Review a product or service that you use on a daily (or near-daily) basis. You could even include photos or a video showing how you use it.
• Round up a list of top products/services in a particular category. This is a great type of post to link to on social media.
• Create a product comparison that takes 2 or 3 popular products and compares them head to head. (This works well for SEO, as many people will search for X vs Y when looking to make a purchasing decision.)
• Keep a journal as you try out a new product or service, recording what you think of it and how your view develops. You can use this as the basis for a blog post.
• Write a case study about the results you got from a particular product or service (or interview someone else for a case study).

Some blogs just stick to informational content—but many also try to inspire their readers, offering encouragement to dream big. These blog post ideas will help you create this type of content.

• Write about your biggest challenge (related to your niche)—and how you overcame it or what you learned from it. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable: readers like to see that you’re human, too, and that you make mistakes just like they do.
• Think about your readers who may want to give up on their goal. Write a post aimed at them, encouraging them to continue. If it suits your blogging voice, you could even write this as though you’re writing them a letter.
• Share facts and figures about how far you’ve come from where you started out. If you write about small businesses, for instance, you could share your own income figures year-on-year, so readers can see how your business grew slowly at first, then much faster.
• Choose some inspirational quotes that you find especially powerful and explain what each one means to you.
• Start a conversation or even a challenge for your readers to take part in. Encourage them to set a goal or achieve something specific.

What if your blog doesn’t have a “niche” as such? Some bloggers write purely for personal enjoyment, or for a small audience of personal friends, seeing their blogging as a form of creative nonfiction. If that’s you, try these blog post prompts.

• Choose a photo that you’ve taken and that you love. Tell the story behind the photo—the sometimes-stressful family holiday, the moment of calm and tranquility, the longtime friendship, or whatever it might be.
• Write about an unusual hobby or interest that you have. Explain it to your readers and try to convey just why it is that you enjoy it so much.
• Write a letter to your past self, at a specific age. What advice do you wish you could give to your younger self? What would you tell them to do differently? Another option is to write a letter to or from a fictional character.
• Describe a family gathering: that could be a typical Christmas or Thanksgiving, where you write about special traditions, or it could be one standout memory of a specific time, told in the form of a short story.
• List some of the things you’re most grateful for in your life currently. They could be tiny or ordinary things—but through your writing, you can show readers why they’re filled with meaning for you.

45 Blogging Prompts for Popular Blog Niches

Now that we’ve taken a look at some more general blogging prompts, let’s dig into specific prompts niche by niche. If you write in a big, popular niche , you’ll hopefully find some great prompts here to inspire you.

• Give your advice to readers at a specific age (e.g. “financial tips for your 30s” or “how to get on top of your finances in your 50s”). Alternatively, you could offer tips for a specific stage of life—e.g. “How to manage your money when you’ve just bought your first house.”
• Offer practical and encouraging tips on how to get out of debt: a huge issue for many people. You could potentially tackle this in the form of an FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) guide.
• Share your advice on saving: how much should readers save? How can they save faster? What about saving for a range of different goals with different timespans?
• Write about the financial mistakes you’ve made—and how you recovered from them. Explain exactly what readers need to do to avoid those mistakes.
• Cover some common scams or dangerous practices with money, helping readers to spot red flags and keep their money safe.

If you’re feeling a little uninspired with your travel blog , these writing prompts will get you back on the go.

• Tell readers about the typical contents of your luggage—what are your “must haves” when you’re traveling? If possible, share photos, and don’t forget to use affiliate links wherever you can.
• Write about the worst trip you ever had, including plenty of humor. This is a great way to keep it real on your blog and let readers know that you, too, have had your share of vacation disasters.
• Offer tips on having a budget-friendly vacation. What are the countries or cities where readers can get the most for their money? How about clever ways to cut the costs of plane tickets or other travel?
• Pick a destination you love and share the top reasons to visit it. What are your favorite attractions, sights, restaurants, or experiences there? How can readers get the most from a trip to that place?
• Share a fun story from a recent trip. What stood out in your memory? Really paint a picture for your reader, giving them all the details so they can imagine just what it was like.

If you run a mom blog or dad blog , then these writing prompts will be right up your alley.

• Write about a “day in the life” of how things are at a particular stage of your parenting journey, sharing details about your kids’ routine, typical activities, school, and so on.
• List the things you worried about before having kids that turned out to be no big deal.
• Share advice for new parents, or parents at a new stage (e.g. child starting school) in the form of a letter.
• Talk about the best toys or other purchases you made. What stood the test of time? What still gets used or played with years later?
• Write about some of the funniest things your kids have said—or some of the strangest (but ultimately relatable) misconceptions they’ve had.
• Create a list of useful shortcuts for a popular software program, like Excel, Google Docs, or Notion.
• Make a free course or ultimate guide to a piece of software (such as WordPress) perhaps rounding up other pieces that you’ve written or linking to tutorials by other bloggers.
• Record a video or write a tutorial about a small but important use of technology. For instance, if you focus on blogging, you might explain how to create a meta description for search engines.
• Choose a technology topic that’s been in the news recently and give your take on it, like artificial intelligence or automation.
• Write about why you switched from one tool to another—this is another take on the “comparison” post but can also help readers understand your journey in your niche.

Food blogging is one of my favorite niches—here are some prompts to get you back to feeling inspired with your blogging menu.

• List a range of ways to use up a common ingredient. Pick something that readers might often have left over, or something that they may end up buying or acquiring in bulk (e.g. a glut of tomatoes from their garden).
• Write a guide to a particular vegetable: how to cook it, recipes that use it, when it’s in season, how long it lasts in the refrigerator, and so on.
• Tell readers about your favorite kitchen tool or gadget. You could even make a video that shows how you use it.
• Let readers know when it’s worth spending more for better quality ingredients … and when they’d just be wasting their money.
• Write about foods that are in season right now and share recipes or ideas for using them (this type of post is one you could do quarterly or even monthly).
• Give readers a “before” and “after” picture of your life. What’s changed in the last few years? Maybe you’ve paid off your debts, become much more productive, or significantly improved your health.
• Share your best “little” tips that make a really big difference. Think things like putting your alarm out of reach so you have  to get out of bed. What small, easy things could help your target audience to make big progress?
• Describe your typical morning routine—and explain why you include different elements. You could also add more of your personal story, detailing how your routine has changed at different stages of your life.
• Pick a popular influencer and discuss some of their social media posts. What can your readers learn from them?
• Create a tool, template, or resource to help readers with their goals, and share that in a blog post. For instance, you might make a habit tracker printable for readers to download, and use your post to discuss habits and how to use the tracker.

Whether you’re teaching about online marketing, business basics, or how to nail your follow-up game as a startup founder, these business blog writing prompts will steer you in the right direction.

• Write candidly about any business failures you’ve had. Many small businesses fail, and it’s reassuring to readers to know that failure definitely isn’t the end!
• Tackle “firsts”, like creating your first website, hiring your first employee, or running your first marketing campaign. All of these can be daunting challenges for readers: a guide explaining what to do and what to expect will really help.
• List your top business-related podcasts, audiobooks, or other resources that busy readers could enjoy listening to.
• If your company has a number of employees, consider interviewing them for the blog. Ask them about their work, what they enjoy most, and what advice they might have for your readers.
• Talk about top conferences or events that small to medium business owners could visit. Explain who each conference/event is best for and share details about what to expect and how to get the most from them.
• Write a “Beginner’s Guide” to an aspect of health and fitness—perhaps to a specific type of exercise, like running, or to a type of healthy eating program, like calorie counting, Keto, or intermittent fasting.
• Talk about your health journey, including any challenges you’ve faced. What helped you to get through difficult times?
• Write about common mistakes or misunderstandings about a particular aspect of health or fitness. What myths or half-truths do you find yourself hearing again and again from readers? How could you debunk these?
• Create a video demonstrating a particular exercise or technique, and share it with your readers. You could even include multiple short videos in one blog post.
• Share health and fitness advice for different ages or stages of life. What health advice would you give to someone in their 20s versus someone in their 60s? How about busy stay-at-home parents vs child-free adults working long hours?

Lifestyle blogging is all about building connection with your readers—and the right story ideas will help set you apart from the crowd in this packed niche.

• Tell readers about your typical day. What time do you get up? What do you eat? What do you do for work and for fun? Lifestyle blog readers are keen to get to know you and what makes you tick.
• Talk about your favorite recent purchase: what have you loved since the moment you bought it? (Don’t forget the affiliate links, and photos.)
• What self-care activities do you enjoy? Share these with your readers—again, don’t forget affiliate links, if appropriate.
• Share the books, movies, or TV shows you’ve been enjoying recently. What did you love most about them? Why would you recommend them to your readers?
• Tell readers about a fun recent day trip. Where did you go, who did you go with, and what did you do?
• Write about your favorite accessories and how you use them to style different outfits. Add photos or even a video.
• Create a simple, basic guide to a particular beauty technique, like “5 steps to flawless eyeliner”. Keep it easy and go step by step.
• Choose a particular beauty or fashion trend and tell readers your take on it. You might want to explore the history of that trend or you could just give your opinion.
• Show readers what’s in your makeup bag—or what products you never leave the house without. (This is a great post for making affiliate revenue.)
• Give readers skincare tips for different ages or different skin types (dry, oily, etc).

Get Blogging Again: Use These Writing Prompts to Inspire Your Next Post

Writers’ block is a struggle for lots of bloggers—and coming up with idea after idea, week after week, isn’t easy, even if blogging is an important part of your marketing strategy.

Hopefully, my blog writing prompts will give you the inspiration you need to get moving again, whatever your niche. You might even incorporate prompts as a regular part of your blogging workflow.

Once you’ve chosen a prompt, I’ve got plenty of help for you with writing and structuring your post. Check out my tips on writing a blog post  and my guide to creating a blog post structure that hooks readers  for everything you need to know.

Keep in mind too, that employing the right writing tools (like my AI tool suite, RightBlogger ) can help immensely in blowing past writer’s block forever.

Hi I'm Ryan Robinson

I'm a blogger, but I'm not my blog. I am not my business either. Occasional podcaster and very-much-recovering side project addict. Co-Founder at RightBlogger . Join me here, on ryrob.com to learn how to start a blog and build a purpose-connected business. Be sure to take my free blogging tools for a spin... especially my wildly popular free keyword research tool & AI article writer . They rule. Somehow, I also find time to write for publications like Fast Company , Forbes , Entrepreneur , The Next Web , Business Insider , and more. Let’s chat on Twitter (X?) and YouTube about our feelings (and business, of course).

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2 replies to “70 Blog Writing Prompts to Get You Past Writer’s Block”

very great blogging prompts for any newbie wishing to start up blogging.

I wish you will add more niches much later in the future as updates to this great article.

uzoma Ichetaonye

Great advice. I have been blogging for over a decade now. I like finding topics I know my readers will want to know more about. Sometimes I delve into a very specific topic and challenge myself to learn more about the details and nuances.

Finding the Best Creative Writing Blogs on the Internet

Regardless how many books I’ve written or sold, if I’m not still educating myself about writing, I’m stagnating.

My late mother taught me the value of life-long learning. Not only was she a piano teacher into her eighties, but she was also a piano student. 

One of the most powerful learning tools today is the internet. But you could surf through endless writing blogs before finally finding which are the best for you and worthy of your time. 

So I asked my team to research what’s out there, and we’ve compiled a short list to get you started. But you also know how to search by specifying genres and areas of interest, so don’t stop here. Our list is by no means exhaustive, and I haven’t even included all the ones I enjoy. 

Here, then, are just suggestions of a few blogs you might want to check out to start your own list of writing resources —and we list them in alphabetical order:

• Become a Writer Today

Through his blog Become a Writer Today , Bryan Collins focuses on the needs of new writers. 

A non-fiction writer, blogger, and podcaster, Bryan writes on those genres, as well as on self-publishing . He’s written two 3-book series, “Become a Better Writer Today” and “The Power of Creativity.” 

A team of writers cover the business side of writing and such topics as writer’s block , formatting, and best practices. 

• The Creative Penn

A New York Times and USA Today bestselling thriller author, Joanna Penn is behind The Creative Penn . 

She also writes books for writers—her 21 titles have sold more than a half million copies. She’s a speaker, an entrepreneur, runs Curl Up Press, and has been named one of the top 100 Creative Professionals in the UK. 

Joanna’s blog focuses on self-publishing, marketing, and writing. The Creative Penn podcast offers more than 350 episodes on writing.

• Creative Writing Now

Founded by writing teacher Nancy Strauss, Creative Writing Now offers courses, tips , prompts, and information on writing contests. Writing teachers will find lesson plans as well.  

DIY MFA serves as a do-it-yourself manual for the equivalent of a Master of Fine Arts in writing without the expense. It centers on writing with focus, reading with purpose, building your writing community, and how to discover the writing tools available online and off.

Founded by author and podcaster Gabriela Pereira, the site posts on everything from playwriting to surviving rejection, travel writing, and many other writing topics. She offers a “ writer igniter ” that generates writing prompts. 

• Jane Friedman

A must read for writers and publishers, blogger Jane Friedman is one of the leading voices in the digital age of publishing.

She has more than 20 years’ experience in the industry, publishes The Hot Sheet (a newsletter for authors), is a columnist for Publishers Weekly , a professor with The Great Courses ( How to Publish Your Book ), and wrote The Business of Being a Writer . 

Jane’s blog offers how-to’s on publishing, writing a book proposal , finding a literary agent , and many other such topics. 

• Helping Writers Become Authors

Through her website Helping Writers Become Authors , K.M. Weiland has published more than 1,200 blog posts educating writers on the ins and outs and dos and don’ts of writing and publishing. 

She offers a bi-monthly e-letter, a podcast, and a vlog. She writes historical and speculative fiction, as well as how-to books, including Outlining Your Novel and Structuring Your Novel .

• Live Write Thrive

Novelist, copyeditor, and writing coach C.S. Lakin  created Live Write Thrive to help write your novel with posts like “ The Challenges of Believability in Writing Science Fiction ” and “ The 3 Ways to Show Emotion in Your Characters .” 

Bridget and Brendan McNulty and Dagmar Timler co-founded Now Novel , a platform designed to help you craft your story . 

The blog offers information for writers at every stage, a character writing hub, productivity tips, and help creating fantasy worlds. 

• Pro Writing Aid

Pro Writing Aid is a desktop app you can use with programs like Scrivener , Word, and Google Docs. It catches grammar errors, suggests style changes, and even checks your work for plagiarism.

Their blog covers which writing apps are best, the writing process, blogging and content writing, grammar rules , and business writing. 

• Write It Sideways

Founded by Suzannah Windsor, Write It Sideways is for aspiring and emerging writers . 

A team of writers answers questions budding writers ask, and blogs on things like writer’s intuition,“Confessions of a Writing Group Virgin,” and “Here’s the Type of Hate Mail Bloggers Get.” 

• Writers Helping Writers

Authors Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi created Writers Helping Writers for new writers, seasoned writers, editors, and writing teachers. The blog offers advice on technique and strategy, as well as “Navigating the Changing Face of Book Promotion with Smart, Effective Strategies” and “ How To Stop Self-Doubt From Holding You Back From Writing .” 

• The Write Practice

Joe Bunting started The Write Practice to help writers become better through practice. 

He offers writing prompts and provides a platform for fellow writers to offer feedback on what you’ve written. 

And of course you’re always welcome to visit me at JerryJenkins.com .

Over the last half century I’ve been an editor, a publisher, a nonfiction author, and a novelist—yet I’m still learning and growing like you. I offer a 20-Step Guide on How to Write a Book , How to Develop a Great Story Idea , Find the Right Writers Group and How to Write Dialogue . 

• Time to Get to Work

The best mentoring comes from seasoned writers proven in their fields. So dive into these blog sites and commit to life-long learning. 

Are You Making This #1 Amateur Writing Mistake?

Faith-Based Words and Phrases

What You and I Can Learn From Patricia Raybon

Before you go, be sure to grab my FREE guide:

How to Write a Book: Everything You Need to Know in 20 Steps

Just tell me where to send it:

Enter your email to instantly access my ultimate guide: 

15 Blog Writing Tips for Before, During, and After Writing Your Post

• In Blogging
• Last revised on April 12, 2024
• Read Time 9 mins

Table Of Contents

No matter what kind of blog you write, there’s little question that the idea of writing a blog from one month to the next can seem tedious. After all, many personal blogs begin with a desire to share ideas and interact with other people. People can also blog to promote their products and services, become an influencer, and even carry out affiliate marketing. Businesses blog as part of their content marketing initiatives. No matter your reason for blogging, though, it’s important to stay disciplined. Regular content posting is one of the best ways to grow subscribers, but it requires a consistent flow of ideas.

Luckily, there are ways to plan and run your blog that will make your job much easier. Not only can you plan a content calendar months in advance, but the task of SEO can help choose topics. Knowing what your plan is in advance helps achieve your goals, from fun interaction with your favorite topic all the way to becoming a full-time blogger . Using the right tools, and these blog writing tips, you’ll have a great chance for success.

Before You Write Your Post Blog Writing Tips

Unsurprisingly, blogging excellence starts before you start writing. Careful planning paves the way for an excellent post, whether it’s a post that will stand alone or be part of a series. You’ll need to choose a topic that’s relevant, write it carefully to show up in search engines, and stay organized. These blog writing tips will help you do that.

1. Know Your Audience

First, you should always know your audience. In some niches, it’s obvious: teenage girls wear Juniors clothing, businessmen may travel a lot, and certain personal care items are gendered. However, nowadays it’s getting more complicated to know your audience for most topics, due to changes in society. Now, interests span generations, genders, and even socioeconomic groups.

Knowing your audience is more than just demographics and your niche, though. Some people like a quirky approach to a particular topic, while others are quite traditional. However you define your audience, it’s critical that the content you produce meets their expectations. Knowing what those expectations are is the first step.

2. Understand Search Engine Optimization 

Next, get a good grasp of SEO. Without sound SEO practices , there’s a high chance that your site traffic will be minimal. Distributing your blog posts through social media and industry forums isn’t enough: while these activities will drive some views, traffic from people finding your site in search is even more important. That’s because with search engine traffic you’re edging out your competition for views.

On the other hand, with good SEO techniques, you’ll have a chance at the first page of results. Being on the first page of Google is one of the best ways to drive traffic and revenue to your site. It also means that your blog is considered a significant voice for that niche.

3. Check Out the Competition

Next, see what your competition within your niche is writing about. In this case, I mean narrow topics, like “ways to become an influencer,” not “influencer marketing.” Chances are that your competition has a finger on the pulse of their audience, and you should too. Various tools can help you watch the competition, such as social media dashboards and search engine marketing tools. In addition, you should read competitive blogs to see the comments people are leaving. In the next blog writing tips, you’ll challenge the competition.

4. Pick a Good Topic

Once you see what your competition is doing, it’s time to choose a topic for your next post. Ideally, you’ll select the topic based on recent trends within your niche or your audience’s interests. You can write a post that’s similar to your competitors’ content and compete directly. Or, you can pick something that’s timely but slightly different. And of course, you can always choose a topic that’s responsive to your audience. Whatever you pick, though, be sure that it’s brand-compatible.

Further Reading: Stumped for Blog Post Topics? Here’s What Your Brand Should be Blogging About

5. Do Your Research

With a topic chosen, it’s time to research your topic. You can do this by looking for articles that discuss it online manually, or using various blogging tools . With tools, you’ll often be shown several competing articles and an analysis of their SEO . As part of your research, find out what main points you should be making based on the questions people are asking within the topic. Then, prioritize them to ensure your finished blog post is the right length.

Further Reading: 41 Tools for Blogging That Will Improve Your Writing and Increase Your Traffic

6. Formulate an Outline

One of the most important blog writing tips is to make a good outline. With an outline, you keep the finished blog post organized, ensure that you cover all the bases recommended by your blogging tools, and maximize readability. Luckily, the process of making an outline is similar to high school papers, with main headings and subheadings.

Further Reading: Here’s How to Structure a Blog Post for Both Readers and Search Engines

As You Write Your Blog Tips

In many ways, planning your blog post is the hardest part because you need to gather and organize information. However, it’s easy to lose your audience with a poorly written post. These blog writing tips will help you deliver every time.

7. Write Compelling Headlines and Eye-Catching Titles

If you’re a busy professional, which blog post will you read first? The one with a boring title that only describes what’s in the post, or the catchy one that draws you in? Nearly everyone will read the catchy title that’s compelling and descriptive. Intimidated? There are some tips from experts that you can try. For instance, using numbers in the title is highly effective.

8. Hook Your Readers with a Great Opening

A catchy opening alone won’t keep your audience. No blog writing tips post would be complete without mentioning the importance of a great opening. These draw the reader in, tell them what will be discussed in your post, and compel them to stay. Then, you have an audience that can interact with your content and increase dwell time. This is important because the number of time people spends on your website influences how well you do in search engine results.

9. Get Specific and to the Point

People don’t read material that rambles on and doesn’t deliver the promised information. For that reason, one of my blog writing tips is to present your ideas simply and without too much fluff. Your blog isn’t a click harvester with those obnoxious ads, so don’t make your audience think they stumbled on one. Otherwise, your audience won’t grow, you’ll fail in SEO because of bounce rate, and your blog won’t thrive.

10. Make Content Skimmable

As a rule, blog posts are something that you want to read quickly, so these blog writing tips include the importance of skimmability. While many readers will settle down with your content and digest it thoroughly, just as many will skim to see whether or not your post is something they need to spend significant time on. For instance, a blog post like this one requires more interaction from a beginning blogger, while a more experienced one will skim it to see if I am saying anything new.

Make your posts accessible to both groups.

11.Visualize Your Data and Use Images Wherever Possible

One of the major aspects of internet publishing is the ease with which you can use images. From infographics to photographs, information that is visually presented is easily digestible. Depending on the type of blog you’re writing, you might have numbers and statistics to report. Consider using a graphic format for this, since numbers can otherwise seem “boring.”

After You Write Your Blog Post

My blog writing tips don’t end with the last word of each post. Rather, having a successful blog requires careful revision, link building, and other extras beyond the words. Here are the final tasks before publishing your blog posts.

12. Trim Unnecessary Words

While most of us realize that flowery language is inappropriate (and makes people question your writing skills), it’s also important to be concise. Read through your blog post and see if there are any extra words that should be trimmed off. Not only does it make your post easier to read, but it helps with skimmability. Finally, conciseness makes you appear more professional, which is especially critical for corporate blogs or ones that market you from a business standpoint.

13. Read and Re-read to Correct Any Grammar and Spelling Errors

Next, proofread your blog post. Spelling and grammar errors look bad for you as a blogger. While most bloggers have a few typos, too many can damage your SEO and turn off your readers. Excessive errors also make people think that you don’t write well, or that you outsourced the writing to someone who is less than fluent in English. At best, errors are distracting.

14. Link to Valuable External Resources

Most people know that backlinks help build SEO , both for you and the other website. But backlinks are among my blog writing tips for another reason, too: if you provide valuable resources to your readers, it’ll encourage them to come back. Be sure to include both internal links and external ones, since both help with SEO.

Further Reading: 10 Top Tips to Increase Your Blog Post SEO

15. Include a Relevant CTA

Finally, a great call to action helps encourage people to keep interacting with your content. In some cases, you’ll want to encourage commenting on or sharing your blog post. But for other blog posts, especially those that are branded or corporate, a more appropriate option is related to the product. For example, you can encourage people to subscribe to your coaching service or request a demonstration of the product.  Whatever you choose, make sure it fits your post well.

In today’s world, blogging is more important than ever as a form of content marketing and even as a business in and of itself. Unfortunately, it’s hard for some people to get started on a blog, or to keep it going over time. Much of the struggle comes from the need to stay on track, or not knowing how to maximize results. Fortunately, armed with these blog writing tips, almost anyone can be successful.

Further Reading: Blog Post Examples That Will Light Your Creative Spark

Hero Photo by Fikret tozak on Unsplash

• Neal Schaffer

Neal Schaffer is a leading authority on helping businesses through their digital transformation of sales and marketing through consulting, training, and helping enterprises large and small develop and execute on social media marketing strategy, influencer marketing, and social selling initiatives. President of the social media agency PDCA Social, Neal also teaches digital media to executives at Rutgers University, the Irish Management Institute (Ireland), and the University of Jyvaskyla (Finland). Fluent in Japanese and Mandarin Chinese, Neal is a popular keynote speaker and has been invited to speak about digital media on four continents in a dozen countries. He is also the author of 3 books on social media, including Maximize Your Social (Wiley), and in late 2019 will publish his 4th book, The Business of Influence (HarperCollins), on educating the market on the why and how every business should leverage the potential of influencer marketing. Neal resides in Irvine, California but also frequently travels to Japan.

This is such an elaborative article I have ever read. All of your tips and suggestions are really helpful. Comments provide valuable feedback to the author. Readers can express their opinions, offer suggestions, and provide constructive criticism, helping the author improve their content and writing style

Glad you liked it Megha! Thanks for the comment!

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How to Start Blogging: A Definitive Guide for Authors

Note from Jane: This post was first published in 2012. I continue to update and expand it so that it remains relevant for today’s author.

This will be a strange way to begin a guide to blogging, but I want to save you time, trouble, and heartache.

The average author does not benefit much from blogging.jo

Yet blogging continues to interest authors, and be discussed, as a way to market and promote. Why? Because blogging does work, if certain conditions are met. The problem is that few authors meet those conditions. This post will delve into what it means to blog successfully and in a meaningful way for an author’s long-term platform and book marketing efforts.

For clarity: I define “blogging” as publishing material to a site that you own and control—usually your author website. Blogging is sometimes conflated with writing for other websites or blogs, but that’s not what I’m discussing in this post.

Another complication : “Blogging” has become a somewhat dated term. Some people use it to describe a practice that isn’t all that common now: keeping a rather personal “log” or diary of one’s thoughts and experiences. Blogging as discussed here is best described as online writing you do for free, or—better yet—an online content strategy where you create interesting articles, columns, interviews, etc. that get shared on social and discovered through search.

What it takes to become an effective blogger

If you approach blogging as something “lesser than” your book writing or published writing, you’re more likely to fail at it. While blogging can be less formal, less researched, and more geared for online skim-reading or social sharing, to do it well requires the same kind of practice and skill as crafting a novel. You get better at it the more you do it, but I see many authors give up before they’ve put in enough hours to understand the medium.

Furthermore, to stick with blogging long enough for it to pay off, you have to actually enjoy what it means to blog, and how online writing can be different from print.

If you treat the practice seriously, all the content that you generate for your blog can have another life, in another format or within another publication. For example, the best of my blog content is condensed into a book, Publishing 101 . That required a lot of editing and reformulation (online writing can’t be dumped into print without a lot of work), but it reflects the value and depth of what appears on my blog.

Blogging is often straightforward for nonfiction writers, less so for novelists

Nonfiction writers and experts have it easy: their subject matter lends itself to blogging, especially if they’re teaching workshops or regularly interacting with their target readers. Such writers probably know off the top of their head the questions that get asked most frequently, the topics that are most popular, and the problems that surface again and again. This is invaluable starting fodder for a successful blog:  knowledge of one’s audience . 

Fiction writers can have successful blogs as well, especially if they’re able to focus on a specific topic, theme, or subgenre. But it can be most difficult for unpublished novelists to gain traction with a blog; only  after the novelist has built a name for herself does a blog readership tend to develop. With nonfiction authors, the opposite is the case: blogging can help build a platform that leads to a book deal.

This is why advice about blogging can be so contradictory and confusing: much depends on what genre you’re writing in and who you’re writing for.

Consistency is critical for effective blogging

There are two types of consistency: frequency and subject matter.

Frequency: To gain any kind of momentum, you should commit to 2-4 posts a week. Some people may be able to get by on one post a week, but it’s a struggle to gain traction without volume. Ideally, starting out, you should shoot for several times per week. The longer you blog, and the more of an audience you build up, the more you can ease back on frequency.

Subject matter:  Think about this in terms of your headlines for your blog posts. If you look at a month’s worth of your blog headlines, they should convey a strong message about what you cover on your blog and who it’s for. A potential reader should be able to easily tell if they’re going to benefit from or enjoy reading your posts on an ongoing basis.

Unfortunately, authors have trouble staying focused and disciplined on one topic or subject matter, often because they get bored or they think readers will get bored. But again, it’s hard to gain traction if you’re switching it up all the time and not consistent in what you offer.

If you’re interested in blogging, but worry about the time commitment, then consider creating a multi-contributor blog, where several authors in the same genre (or targeting similar audiences) band together. That helps reduce the burden as well as increase the size of your audience starting out—since more people will be marketing and promoting the blog.

It takes patience to build a readership unless you’re already well-known

It may take people months before they even become aware that your blog exists. This isn’t necessarily through any fault of your own; there’s an incredible amount of noise around us, and enormous demands on everybody’s attention.

But if you make a continual series of impressions over a long period of time on the same topic, then it starts to click: “Oh, this person is blogging, and they’re regularly covering this topic.” Some writers assume, “Oh, everybody knows I’m blogging because I posted about it,” but no. That’s not the case, and that’s why consistency is so important.

Only about 10% of your readers (or even fewer) will make themselves known to you or engage with you on your blog, so it takes a while before you reach a tipping point, where there’s a concrete indication of growing activity or interest.

What should you blog about?

The chain of events goes something like this:

• An author’s book nears its publication date (or perhaps the author is attempting to secure a traditional book deal). She knows she needs to market and promote the book and/or build a platform.
• She finds (or hears) advice that blogging is a good way to accomplish #1.
• She wonders: What do I blog about?

My unproven theory: We have many authors blogging poorly because of this series of events.

So how does this answer the question, “What do I blog about?”

Well, if you have to ask, maybe you shouldn’t be blogging. In that, my position is somewhat stubbornly Zen: if the action is too forced or contrived, the blog may be doomed from the start. The best bloggers have rarely been told to go do it. It isn’t an activity authors should be dragged into, kicking and screaming. Nor should you feel like it’s a burden to come up with ideas; ideally, your problem is  too many ideas.

However, I don’t want to be totally defeatist here! I want to encourage experimentation. If you can approach blogging because it kind of does sound like fun, then let’s spark your imagination as to what you might blog about.

Here are several models to consider, based on how challenging I think they are (assuming you want your blog to “pay off”).

Easy: The literary citizenship model

If you’re not familiar with literary citizenship, you can read more about my views on it here . It basically means celebrating and bringing attention to authors, writing, and books—the things you presumably love and want to support. This model is ideal for unpublished novelists, memoirists, and poets.

Blogging with the intent to promote literary citizenship opens up a lot of post possibilities, including:

• Informal book recommendations or reviews
• Q&As or interviews with people in the community (usually authors)
• “What I’m Reading Now” types of posts and other “media consumption” lists where you talk about what stuff you’re watching, saving, listening to, collecting, etc.

Key benefits: You’re building a great network of contacts as you build some excellent content at your site. Every author loves to get attention (or find a new fan) for their work.

Where the difficulty lies: Lots of literary citizenship activity exists online, in many forms. To get a large readership will require a unique angle or spin—although this is true of any blogging effort.

Easy-Medium: Write for other writers

This is what I do. Many authors have considerable advice and insight for others in the field—and the audience of aspiring writers and established authors is massive. The downside: Connecting with other writers doesn’t necessarily grow your readership; you end up in an echo chamber with other writers.

Key benefits: If you already teach writing or mentor other writers, you probably have some content you can re-purpose to fuel your early blog posts. Initially, you’ll have no shortage of ideas, and your first readers will share your insightful advice on social media and help you build a traffic base.

Where the difficulty lies: In my experience, burn out. After a few years, it’s tough to keep things fresh and interesting. Your readers, as they advance, may also outgrow your blog.

Easy-Medium: Write in your field of expertise

This is the best option for anyone writing and publishing nonfiction. It works beautifully with how-to or prescriptive nonfiction categories, and it can also work with memoir as well. For example, if you’re writing a memoir about addiction or caring for aging parents, your blog can offer information and advice (and stories) for people going through the same thing.

Key benefits: You’ll likely be intimately aware of your readership’s needs and can quickly come up with content that interests them. If you teach or speak, you’ll also have content that can be readily repurposed for a blog.

Where the difficulty lies: Some categories are fiercely competitive, such as travel and cooking. You may have to do some work in coming up with an angle or voice that stands out.

Medium: Behind the scenes

You can write about the research, news stories, or current events that play a role in the construction of your books or other work. You might also develop competitions and events that focus on reader engagement, such as having readers name your novel’s characters, choose the best cover, etc. Presumably, readers will enjoy knowing more about the context and ideas that affect your writing and being involved in your future work.

Key benefits: For most writers, it feels natural to discuss the things that influence their work, and you will likely uncover and engage your most important fans.

Where the difficulty lies: You may run out of material quickly, or not have a very high frequency of posts. Or you may despise the idea of involving readers in your work. For unpublished novelists, this approach is challenging since people aren’t familiar with your work and may not care about your process (yet).

Difficult: Personal essay or daily life

Some writers are successful with informal missives that comment on what’s happening day to day or that reflect on their personal life. This could also involve regular posting of specific media, such as photos or videos.

Key benefits: It can be a good creative outlet or practice, especially if you’re committed to blogging on a schedule. Fans of your work may enjoy the intimacy (though some authors prefer to have an air of mystery).

Where the difficulty lies: Not everyone can write entertainingly about themselves (and some don’t want to). For writers who aren’t yet known, it will be hard (if not impossible) to interest other people in the details of your personal life, unless you’re a superlative writer.

This is not an exhaustive list of what you could blog about, but it gives you an idea of the most common options.

Do think through how can you bring your own voice  or perspective to a topic, theme, or subject matter without repeating what’s already out there. This is easier said than done. It took me 18 months to find the right angle—to realize I do best when I focus on business advice and digital media topics for authors.

The most successful blogs have a very focused angle and appeal to a very specific audience. This makes it easier to attract attention and build a community around common interests or perspectives.

No one should blog in a vacuum

Before you start a blog, identify the other key people already blogging in your area—the influencers. Start reading and sharing their content, and comment at their blog. Eventually, if possible, you should guest blog for them. See the other bloggers not as competitors, but as community members who may eventually become supporters of your work. If your blog is high-quality, and generates conversation, they’ll be likely to recommend you or send you traffic. So identify the notable community players, or the people who you’ll want to build relationships with over time.

Choose the right blogging platform

The best platform to use is whatever you use for your author website—do not be tempted to build your blog somewhere else. You want everything under the same umbrella for search engine optimization and long-term marketing strategy. So, for example, if you have an author website on SquareSpace, then start your blog there; don’t start one over at WordPress or Blogspot.

If your website platform does not support blogging, then it may be time to switch platforms. I talk about the basics of author websites here.

If you don’t have an author website, or if you’re doing a multi-contributor blog, then I recommend using WordPress. It’s well-supported, continually developed, and runs about 20% of all websites today. Here’s my  step-by-step guide to hosting your own website or blog , which doesn’t take longer than 10-15 minutes.

Before you launch the blog

Before you start, consider the following.

• Blog title and tagline.  There are no hard-and-fast rules here, but it should be clear to new visitors what your blog is about and what they’re going to get from it. If your blog title is metaphorical, clever, or not clear about the blog’s subject matter (or if it’s just under your name), add a tagline that tells and sells the angle. Even Michael Hyatt, who is very well-known at this point, has a tagline: “Your Leadership Mentor.”
• Readability. If your blog is meant to primarily be read, then don’t hamper readability by making the text too small, too tight or (worst of the worst) white type on a black background. Be aware that ads or a hard-to-navigate layout can also hamper readability and drive readers elsewhere.
• About page or bio. If your blog content is interesting, people will want to know more about the person behind it. Don’t make them search for this. Create a separate page, and be sure to include a way to contact you.
• Comments.  You should develop a policy for how you’ll handle or moderate discussions. Will you approve every comment before it goes live? Will comments be automatically published if they’re not spam? An open commenting policy that doesn’t require sign-in helps you get more comments, but you’ll want to make sure you’re receiving email alerts when new comments are posted, just in case you need to delete anything spammy or inappropriate that gets through. Fortunately, major blog platforms (like WordPress) help you streamline your comment system to automatically eliminate spam activity. If you have any trouble, then install  Akismet , the industry-standard plugin to eliminate spammy comments.

How to craft quality posts that get read and shared

Quality can be a squishy term; much depends on what your audience or readership considers “quality” or what kind of content is engaging to them. The better you know your audience, the better your posts will be.

However, here’s how to ensure that your posts are more likely to be engaged with and shared.

• Don’t be afraid of length. For some strange reason, people started thinking that ideal blog posts are 500 words, even less. That’s simply not true. In fact, when it comes to search ranking, Google looks at the substantive nature of the content and will rank your content lower if it appears shallow. Social media is typically better for quick shares, brief commentary, or short statements—or anything that doesn’t merit more than a few hundred words. The most successful posts at this site are regularly longer than 2,000 words. However, the longer the content, the more readable it needs to be, which brings us to the next point.
• Improve scannability.  Most people skim online content and make a very quick judgment call as to whether it merits closer attention. If so, your content may be saved for later, or readers will slow down and read the content from beginning to end. To make your content easily scanned, add subheads, plenty of paragraph breaks (one-line paragraphs are acceptable), bulleted lists or numbered lists, bold lead-ins—whatever it takes to make your posts more easy to grasp and see if it’s valuable.
• Add at least one image. You’ll notice that I always begin posts with an image. Psychologically, this typically improves the perceived value of the post—plus these images get pulled and used when the post is shared on social media. It’s OK if the image isn’t directly related to the content; it can be metaphorical, as long as it’s attention-grabbing or colorful. Blending in is the opposite of what you want.
• Ask a question at the end. If you want to get people active in the comments, you’ll do better if you end the post on a question, where you ask people to share something specific about their knowledge or experience. Active comments are generally seen as a good thing because it increases the time people spend on your content, which is a signal of engagement for search engines and thus contributes to better search ranking for your blog.

Your post headlines are critical

If people saw only your post headline (e.g., on Twitter), would they feel compelled to click on it? Remember, the headline is often the only thing people see when they’re surfing online and looking at search results, so it’s one of the biggest factors in whether your post gets read. Here are a few considerations:

• Is the headline specific and clear? There’s very little room to be clever, cute, or abstract with blog post headlines. Plus, for search engine optimization, you need to be thinking of keywords that belong in that headline that will help people find your post.
• Is the headline intriguing or provocative? I’m not advocating clickbait headlines, but it doesn’t hurt to create mystery, intrigue, or play on people’s curiosity. You cross the line into clickbait when the headline doesn’t deliver on the promise made, or if the headline is overly sensationalized to get clicks.
• Does the headline offer a benefit? All of us have limited time and energy to consume content online, so we’re always thinking WIIFM? (What’s in it for me?)

Here are some actual blog post headlines that I helped an author improve, to be more specific and attuned to keyword search.

• Original headline: Total Randomness, Mostly Related To Books That Aren’t Mine
• Improved headline: My Summer Reading List: Books I’ve Loved (and Books Still Waiting)
• Original headline: Turn, Turn, Turn
• Improved headline: What If You’re Dreading the Change of Seasons?
• Original headline:  Wanna Have Coffee?
• Improved headline: Overcoming the Obstacles That Prevent You From Meditating

Create cornerstone content

Cornerstone content refers to any article, post, or page at your site that draws new readers to your blog consistently, usually through search or by referral from other sites. Cornerstone content often is a comprehensive, definitive piece that tackles a frequently asked question, issue, or problem—or features a very popular author or  thing in popular culture that is searched for often.

The cornerstone content on this blog can be seen right under “Most Popular Posts”—each one points to my 101 posts on how to get published.

Sometimes, cornerstone content might be a manifesto or download in PDF form. Chris Guillebeau is well-known for 279 Days to Overnight Success that drew thousands (if not millions) to learn about his blog and his message.

If you’re a nonfiction writer, then this probably comes naturally: Put together a 101 guide, FAQ, or tutorial related to your topic or expertise—something people often ask you about. (My most visited resource on this site is Start Here: How to Get Your Book Published .)

If you’re a novelist, this strategy may take some creative thinking. Consider the following:

• If your book is strongly regional, create an insider’s guide or travel guide to that particular region. Or think about other themes in your work that could inspire something fun: a collection of recipes; a character’s favorite books, movies, or music; or what research and resources were essential for completing your work.
• Create a list of favorite reads by genre/category, by mood, or by occasion. Tie into current events or “look-alike” media whenever you can; for example, if you write romance and you know your readers love  The Bachelor , create a list of books that fans of the show would enjoy reading.
• If you have a strong avocational pursuit (or past profession) that influences your novels, create FAQs or guides for the curious.

Having even one piece of cornerstone content greatly reduces your burden to attract readers to your site through brand-new content. If it does its job, the cornerstone piece will bring a steady stream of new readers over a period of weeks and months, some of whom will become loyal followers.

If you’re very serious and strategic about this, I recommend reading How to Increase Website Traffic .

Make it easy to browse and share your posts

Some blogs have such a minimal design that it’s difficult to see the bigger picture of what the blog offers. Even though there are benefits to a minimalist design, I get more engagement by having a sidebar that offers tools to navigate the history of my blog and the hundreds of posts that live here.

• Calendar/archive. People new to your blog may want to dig around in your older posts. Make it easy for them to do so by offering a post calendar or archive.
• Category search.  Blog content should be organized into 5-10 different categories that are of high interest to your audience. For example, if people read an interview or book review on your site that interests them, they may want to browse all previous interviews or book reviews. Make this easy by categorizing the posts correctly and making the categories visible with posts.
• Most popular posts. For new readers of your blog, it’s helpful to have a consistent box or sidebar that tells readers what your most popular posts are.
• Sharing functionality. Make it easy for people to share your posts on Facebook, Twitter (or just about anywhere else) by adding sharing buttons to the bottom of your posts. This functionality is usually built-in to most blogs.

Improve your content’s discoverability through search engines (SEO)

Search engine optimization really requires its own post. However, you’ll be doing a good job with your SEO if:

• You use WordPress or Squarespace, which are already optimized for search.
• You make sure each post is categorized and tagged appropriately.
• You think about how readers would search for your content, and incorporate those search keywords into your post headline, post subheads, and more. If your site is self-hosted, then install WordPress SEO by Yoast , which will give you both the tools and education you need to optimize your content for search.

If your site is self-hosted , then you should have Google Analytics installed. If not, get started today—it’s a free service and easy to set up. After Google Analytics has collected at least 1 month of data, take a look at the following:

• How do people find your blog? Through search? Through your social media presence? Through other websites that link to you?
• What search words bring people to your site?
• What pages or posts are most popular on your site?

By knowing the answers to these questions, you can better decide which social media networks are worth your investment of time and energy (at least as far as blog promotion is concerned), who else on the web might be a good partner for you (who is sending you traffic and why?), and what content on your site is worth your time to continue developing (what content will bring you visitors over the long run?).

Create lists or round-ups on a regular basis

A very popular way to make people aware of your blog is to link to others’ blogs. If you can do this in a helpful way, it’s a win for you, for your readers, and for the sites you send traffic to.

In the writing and publishing community, weekly link round-ups are very common. (See  Elizabeth Craig for one example.) You can create such lists or round-ups on any theme or category that interests you enough to remain dedicated, enthusiastic, and consistent for the long haul—at least six months to a year, if you want to see a tangible benefit.

Run regular interviews with people who fascinate you

Believe it or not, it’s rare to come across an informed, thoughtful, and careful interviewer and interview series.

Think about themes, hooks, or angles for an interview series on your site, and run them on a regular basis—but only as frequently as you have time to invest in a well-researched and quality interview. Such series also offer you an excellent way to build your network and community relationships, which has a way of paying off in the long run.

Be a guest on other sites

Whenever you guest or appear on other websites, that’s an opportunity to have multiple links back to your own site and social network accounts.

A meaningful guest post means pitching sites that have a bigger audience than you, but they should also have a readership that’s a good match for your work. If you need a strong introduction to guest posting how-to, visit this excellent Copyblogger post.  If you’re not the type to write guest posts, then consider proactively offering yourself up to be interviewed as part of other bloggers’ interview series.

Whenever you make an appearance on another site, always promote the interview on your own social networks and create a permanent link to it from your own website.

Above all: You need patience

Here’s what my blog traffic looked like in its early years.

• December 2009. This is when I started using WordPress on this domain. I posted 3-4 times per month.
• Mid-2010.  This is when my traffic reached about 100 visits a day.
• January 2011:  I began a weekly series at my site, unrelated to writing and publishing, that featured mother-daughter interviews.
• July 2011:  This is when I began regularly blogging about writing and publishing at JaneFriedman.com (rather than at Writer’s Digest).

After about two years of consistency, I reached about 60,000 visits per month.

Jane Friedman has spent nearly 25 years working in the book publishing industry, with a focus on author education and trend reporting. She is the editor of The Hot Sheet , the essential publishing industry newsletter for authors, and was named Publishing Commentator of the Year by Digital Book World in 2023. Her latest book is The Business of Being a Writer (University of Chicago Press), which received a starred review from Library Journal. In addition to serving on grant panels for the National Endowment for the Arts and the Creative Work Fund, she works with organizations such as The Authors Guild to bring transparency to the business of publishing.

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Great piece, Jane, and no surprise from such an experienced hand at this as you, thanks.

I’d like to add clarity of byline as something that’s far more important than many bloggers realize.

A blogger wants her or his work spread around the communities, per your smart comments above about sharing functionality and improving discoverability. But that blogger also deserves credit for that content. Some of us, in fact, work very hard to #CreditWriters (a Twitter hashtag), even in the tight confines of tweets, to be sure our authors get the recognition they deserve.

When you’re blogging, burying your identity in an “About” section is a mistake.

And making us search Twitter or click over to Twitter’s page on you simply to get your @Twitter handle (your @name in the code-language of Twitter) is also a mistake.

The smartest efforts I’ve seen so far, create a byline–always at the top of a post–that includes both the author’s name and @Twitter handle.  This gives “feeders” (people who use social media to move good content around) an immediate chance to credit a writer without wasting time digging around.

Some good examples of different name + @Twitter handle bylines: http://ow.ly/i/e184 http://ow.ly/i/e188 http://ow.ly/i/e18b  http://ow.ly/i/e18c http://ow.ly/i/eovq http://ow.ly/i/eouR

Professional journalists live by their bylines and they know how important it is to own their work, right up top, on every piece. Good bylines aren’t about bragging. They’re common courtesy and pragmatic communication. When you meet someone, you tell him or her your name, right? And in a world in which your Twitter presence is important, you offer your @Twitter handle, as well. Many of us add our @Twitter handles to our business cards. Bloggers, many of whom have no background in formal journalism, can miss out on recognition, distribution, and visibility on the assumption that “everybody knows who I am, it’s my blog.”

Awful lot of blogs. Awful lot of posts. The world really doesn’t know one from another, and we’re all busy. Bloggers who help us get their names and @Twitter handles at “electric speed” show us that they get what’s going on in the world of fast-twitch distribution, game on.

Thanks again-

Thanks for that great insight I’ll definitely apply that to my blog

[…] Get Started Guide: Blogging for Writers | Jane Friedman This post is for writers totally new to blogging, about to start a blog, and/or feeling dissatisfied with their current blog. Source: janefriedman.com […]

This is great. What I wish I’d had when I was starting out. I’ll spread the word. Thanks, Porter for the great idea of putting your twitter handle front and center on the blog!

Well, Anne, I bow to YOU in so many things related to blogging, so it’s really nice of you to pick up on the @Twitter handle issue. And thanks to Jane for getting us all sorted so well. I’ve been totally lucky to have met her early so I’ve had the benefit of her wisdom before getting too far in, myself. Cheers – 

Totally loved this post, Jane. I agree with Porter that one of the worst things a blogger can do is hide his/her identity and handles on other social networks. That’s why I always suggest using your name as a handle on other social networks (if not taken). In fact, I use you as THE example for why folks need to act now on claiming their name online.

🙂 Thanks, Robert! Means a lot coming from you.

Robert: Would you mind helping a fellow blogger? When I clicked on my name in my comment, instead of going to my blog, which for me is the point of having a profile, it took me to something called Yahoo Plus, which is less than useless for me. It gave my full name, my age and what state I live in, which I don’t want people to know, but didn’t go to the blog, which I did. When I clicked on your name, it went directly to your blog the way it’s suppose to. (By the way, it’s  a cool blog.) How do I get mine to do the same thing?

You can change these settings when you make the comment. There are all kinds of options for this “profile” info—e.g., you can offer just your name & URL, or use an established profile. In this case, it appears you chose the Yahoo-based profile (whether consciously or not).

Thanks, Robert — couldn’t agree more about the importance of using your name as your social-media handle (rather than blog title, etc.), if for no other reason so that you get continuity of community from one project to the next. I love how when we arrive at Jane’s page here, what’s right up top is JANE FRIEDMAN. Her wonderful McLuhan-powered “electric speed” line is the tag, not the center of her universe, which is excellent. I use her as my best example for folks, too. 🙂

I’ve had my blog for a couple of years but this has really helped focus my thoughts about it! 

[…] Get Started Guide: Blogging for Writers | Jane Friedman […]

Thank you for these great tips! My regret is that when I started my blog, I didn’t use my name. I’d change that if I could do it over again.

Shoot! Well, if you’re using Blogger, you could always (rather easily) import everything onto a new WordPress platform if/when you’re ready for a fresh start.

Thank you Jane (and Porter for your extremely helpful addendum) this is truly blogger gold! I’ve had my blog on my website for about a year and still feel as if I’m crawling through the trenches. To say I needed this post doesn’t even begin to cover how much I NEEDED this post 🙂

Awesome! Thanks for commenting.

My pleasure, Barbara, Jane did all the heavy lifting. 🙂 

This was a very informative post. Because I’m relatively new to blogging, I need all the help I can get and this article provided a lot of important information. Thanks, Jane! I’ve written two women’s mystery suspense novels and I’m in the early planning stages of a third. I’ve recently created my own writers forum, a blog for writers and avid readers. I’d like to invite everyone to visit my site. http://pat-writersforum.blogspot.com

This is just the kind of comprehensive information I was looking for a long time, forwarded to me by another fellow writer. I needed to learn more about WordPress, as I currently have a blog with Bloggers, and thanks to you, I can understand WordPress better now!

Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for taking time to comment!

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Last updated on Feb 07, 2023

The 50+ Best Writing Websites of 2024

The Internet is full of writing websites and blogs to help people reach their creative goals . If you’ve always dreamt of writing your own book, but don’t know how to get there — or if you’re in the process of writing, but feel unsure about what to do next — then it’s your lucky day! Here we have all the best writing websites of 2024 in one single place for your convenience. They’re also organized by category, and alphabetically within each of those categories, to make each one easier to find. Enjoy!

Best writing websites for writing craft and inspiration

1. Almost an Author

Offering up new content every day, Almost an Author covers a grand scope of writing topics. From genre-specific advice to emotional support on your writing journey, there's tons of useful info here for beginner and veteran writers alike.

2. Association of Writer & Writing Programs

Having just marked their 50th anniversary, AWP is one of the premier authorities on writing. The AWP website provides resources and ample opportunities for authors, teachers, and students at every point in their career. Here you’ll be able to find information about writing programs, career options, and conferences all over the world. Keep in mind, though, that access to some of these features is restricted to members only.

3. Creativity Portal

This is a wonderful hub for creative resources that has been around for a whopping nineteen years! Here you can find writing prompts , creative coaching, printable writing templates, and interviews with authors that will help nourish the right side of your brain.

4. Daily Writing Tips

As the name suggests, this site offers daily writing tips ranging from open-ended prompts and exercises to grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary. It also covers all writing levels and professions, so it doesn't matter how far along you are in your writing career — DWT is sure to help you out.

Instead of spending thousands of dollars on a master’s degree, you can get your own "DIY MFA" right here! This site (founded by Gabriela Pereira ) aims to cover everything you would learn in a graduate program, while giving you the freedom to choose your own areas of concentration and allocate your time as you please. 

6. Electric Literature

While not exactly a craft-focused website — so no straight-up writing advice or prompts — this nonprofit digital publisher showcases literature-related essays, criticism, and recommended readings. If you're looking to brush up on both literary theory and recent literary trends, Electric Lit is the place for you.

7. Fiction University

This virtual university, run by award-winning author Janice Hardy, contains tons of advice and concrete examples to help authors build a strong writing foundation. It's full of blog posts by professionals who share their own processes and techniques, providing tips not just on what you should do as a writer, but on how  to make it happen.

8. Helping Writers Become Authors

Longtime author K.M. Weiland offers writing advice that ranges from outlining and structuring to characterization and dialogue — plus all the little details in between. She updates her blog faithfully with topical posts that would pique any writer's (or non-writer's) interest.

9. Insecure Writer's Support Group

Writing is intimidating for everyone , whether you're a multi-published author or you're just starting out. That's why getting support, guidance, and motivation throughout the process is vital! On IWSG, you'll discover a wealth of information on writing, publishing, marketing, and anything else you might need to ultimately overcome your insecurities.

10. Literary Hub

LitHub boasts a superb selection of content for all things literary. Here you can get all the latest book-related news, posts on design and the craft, your daily dose of fiction, and sparkling reviews of new works. One of this site's best features is its section on literature in translation — a great resource for those who want to read books and authors from around the world.

11. LitReactor

The LitReactor blog consists of writing classes, workshops, and a myriad of posts on writing and books ( some of which are even written by us! ). There’s also an online magazine that includes interviews, criticism and analysis, and seasonally appropriate reads and recommendations.

12. LitRejections

An unfortunate occupational hazard of with writing is rejection. This is where a site like LitRejections comes into play! It offers personal stories to help discouraged writers persevere through rejection, and maintain hope and motivation as they move forward in their careers.

13. Live Write Thrive

In this website by professional writer and editor C.S. Lakin, you’ll find plenty of nuanced writing anecdotes and tips. Lakin also supplies annotated critiques that can help you prep your book for publication.

14. NaNoWriMo

Besides serving as the official information hub for NaNoWriMo , this site also lends constant support for those struggling to "win" National Novel Writing Month. Make sure to check out the NaNoWriMo forums, which are chock-full of other people's personal writing tips and strategies to get you through November — and every other month of the year — as a writer.

15. Now Novel

This comprehensive website, founded by author Bridget McNulty , is a go-to for just about every writing-related question you might have. Here you'll also find advice, courses, and even an author dashboard where you can keep track of your own writing progress.

16. Positive Writer

If you often feel uncertain about your creative abilities, this is the site for you. Bryan Hutchinson created Positive Writer to encourage and inspire all those who want to write, no matter how much experience or confidence they have.

17. ProWritingAid

ProWritingAid offers a fantastic manuscript editing software that analyzes your writing and creates reports for you to learn from! This tool also includes a thesaurus, grammar checks, style suggestions, and more — you can learn all about it on the ProWritingAid blog, or in our review of the app !

18. She Writes

A well-established writing website with a feminist bent, She Writes is "the largest online community and content site for women writers... all around the world." The site features thoughtful posts and resources to help writers on their journeys, as well as a personal She Writes blog page for every user who signs up.

19. Well-Storied

Here you can find recent articles, workbooks, tutorials, and fascinating discussions on writing. Kristine Kieffer has an extensive archive of posts as well, where you can procure information on just about any topic related to books and writing.

20. The Write Practice

Fulfilling the promise of their name, every single post on this site emphasizes putting theory into practice! There's simply no better way to become a writer than by creating a routine, and that’s exactly what The Write Practice helps facilitate.

21. Writer’s Digest

Writer's Digest is one of the most encyclopedic writing websites out there — after all, the print magazine has been around for almost a century now! Here you’ll find genre and vocation-organized articles, events and competitions, webinars, templates, tutorials, and so much more.

22. Writer Unboxed

Writer Unboxed features articles by authors and industry professionals, focused specifically on the craft and business of fiction writing.

23. The Writing Cooperative

Plain and simple, this is a group of people who want to help each other become better writers. On Writing Cooperative, you will find articles that cover just about every aspect of the writing life. They also have monthly writing challenges to keep you incentivized, and there’s even a space where you can submit your own article to the blog!

24. Writing.com

This is an absolutely all-inclusive community for writers . It’s open to all levels and provides a creative, supportive environment for all members, as well as portfolios to store and display their writing. Like most writing websites, it also includes a plethora of writing tools , contests, and rewards.

25. Catapult: Don’t Write Alone

Don’t Write Alone is a blog written by the Catapult team dedicated to helping writers grow their skills. As a publisher and magazine founded in 2005, Catapult has seen a lot of works and now they’re spilling all the details. From interviews, to craft essays, to writer lifestyle essays, Catapult covers it all.

26. Kirkus Review’s Writers’ Center

Kirkus Review is known for its prestigious $50,000 dollar annual prize and its bi-monthly issues where they critique hundreds of recently published books. But, did you know they also have a section of their website devoted to helping emerging writers grow their skills and navigate the publishing industry? They’re always up to date on the latest trends — if they aren’t creating new trends themselves.

27. Writers Write

An invaluable resource for creative writers, business writers, or bloggers, Writers Write offers over 1400 articles, courses, and workbooks to help you take your writing practice to the next level. Alongside their educational content, they offer book reviews, trivia on famous authors, and prompts. Sign up for their inspirational newsletters for regular hits of motivation that will keep you writing.

28. The Narrative Arc

Beginning as a home to Andie R. Cranford’s writing journey, The Narrative Arc is now a treasure trove of practical tips and prompts to inspire your creativity. Breakdowns of popular books are particularly handy for the budding author — but whether exploring writing for the first time or tightening the bolts on your Franken-novel, the site's ideas on craft are elegant and inspiring.

Best writing websites in the publishing industry

29. Agent Query

This database allows authors to perform in-depth searches for literary agents . You can narrow your search by genre and keywords, view agents’ full profiles, and see if they are currently accepting queries — all for free!

30. The Creative Penn

Besides being a bestselling author on various topics, Joanna Penn is also a leading voice in self-publishing . On her punnily named site, you’ll find abundant information related to writing, self-publishing, marketing, and everything else you mind need to make a living as a writer.

31. Digital Pubbing

Digital Pubbing provides industry news, interviews with indie authors, and resources for learning all about ebooks and the publishing industry. In accordance with the name, this is the perfect site for any author hoping to absorb some serious digital knowledge.

32. The Independent Publishing Magazine

We know it might seem like we're repeating ourselves, but this website really is all about publishing (both independent and traditional, despite what the name indicates). Whatever info you need about self-publishing, trad pub, or hybrid publishing , you’ll definitely be able to find it here.

33. Publishers Weekly

And if you have a specific question about the publishing world, you’ll most likely find the answer here. This weekly magazine is packed full of news, reviews, announcements, and many other resources on the industry. It has been dubbed as "the Bible of the book business" and with its extensive archive, it’s easy to see why.

34. Publishing Perspectives

Publishing Perspectives is another leading source of publishing info, specializing in industry news and topical articles. Aimed at publishers, agents , and authors alike, it features a variety of posts that cover book fairs, distribution, education, and much more.

35. Query Shark

Not sure where your query letter is up to snuff? Query Shark offers the opportunity to have your query critiqued, and to read detailed query critiques of other authors' letters, so you can get the best possible results for your book. Be warned, though, that this sharp-toothed feedback isn't for the weak of heart.

36. Writer Beware

This amazingly thorough site compiles information on schemes and scams that affect authors , especially those run through email and the Internet. It’s sponsored by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, but obviously applies to authors everywhere. If you're a fresh-faced author trying to get published, definitely check it out — it could save you from losing thousands of dollars in an elaborate scam.

37. The Darling Axe

When the industry professionals at The Darling Axe aren’t working on manuscripts, they flock to the internet to share their hot takes on the publishing industry. They also host writing contests throughout the year to build a writing community and give unpublished authors the chance to get feedback from professionals.

Best writing websites for marketing and design

38. David Gaughran

An experienced author of historical adventures, short stories, and popular books for writers , David Gaughran is one of the definitive writing experts out there. His eponymous blog contains plenty of info on marketing and self-publishing, plus workshops to help aspiring authors. And similar to Writer Beware, he's the noble opposition of online publishing scams and scammers — so if you're frustrated by these issues, you'll discover a blissfully sympathetic voice on his blog.

39. Kikolani

Focused specifically on marketing, Kikolani offers tips and strategies for bloggers who want to grow their presence and attract more readers. Here you’ll find information on brand development , social media, customer retention, and other useful tips that you can put to good use as a blogger. (If you're just getting started, though, we'd recommend this course .)

40. Kindlepreneur

Dave Chesson is — in his own words — a “digital marketing nut.” His blog has all the information you could ever need about Kindle book publishing , how to write to market, increasing your rankings on Amazon, and lots more practical tips and advice.

41. Storiad

Storiad is a marketing platform that helps authors and publishers sell books. Go here for essential information on writing apps , databases, tools, and budgeting to help you run your own publishing campaign from start to finish.

42. Writers & Artists

Part of the distinguished Bloomsbury, Writers & Artists has quite a few articles on writing and the self-publishing process. They also offer editorial services and events on many different topics, like genre-specific writing courses and how to get connected with agents .

43. Your Writer Platform

Naturally, this site is dedicated to building your very own writer platform. There are tons of tips, resources, tools, how-tos, and even individual consulting services to help you build the platform that works best for you and your marketing needs.

Best writing blogs by industry professionals

44. Goins, Writer

Bestselling author Jeff Goins created this blog to share his thoughts on writing and to inspire others to chase their creative dreams. He's especially good at breaking complex topics down into digestible bits — new writers, go here for your primers.

45. Jane Friedman

With copious experience in the publishing industry, Jane Friedman offers online classes and articles on the entire process of book publishing. She's a real goldmine of business knowledge, so keep her in mind for when you're ready to publish your book.

46. Nail Your Novel

As a bestselling former ghostwriter who now publishes under her own name, Roz Morris provides advice about writing, self-publishing, and of course, ghostwriting . If you're interested in becoming a ghostwriter, be sure to check out her courses!

47. Nathan Bransford

Nathan Bransford is a former literary agent who posts all about the inner workings of publishing, as well and information on agents and self-publishing. He also does consultations, edits, and critiques . 

48. Rachelle Gardner

Skillful agent Rachelle Gardner has negotiated over 200 contracts with over twenty publishers and helped more than 100 authors fulfill their dreams of publishing. On her blog, she offers writing, publishing, and social media coaching, along with general writing and publishing tips.

49. Kris Writes

For regular insights from a New York Times bestselling author, look no further than Kristine Kathryn Rusch's blog. On Mondays, she posts free short stories for authors to find inspiration in, and Wednesdays she posts in her “Business Musings” collection where she breaks down news from the publishing industry and offers her inside opinions. 

50. The Marginalian  

Maria Popova describes her site as “a record of my own becoming as a person — intellectually, creatively, spiritually, poetically — drawn from my extended marginalia on the search for meaning across literature, science, art, philosophy, and the various other tendrils of human thought and feeling.” She sends out a Sunday newsletter with thoughtful deconstruction of the week’s best liberal arts goings-on to help broaden her readers’ appreciation of the creative world.

51. John August

For all the screenwriters out there, John August co-hosts a weekly podcast with fellow screenwriter Craig Mazin discussing both the craft and business of screenwriting while breaking down popular movies. To help screenwriters really get a feel for the process of working with a studio, John has posted multiple versions of scripts from different stages in the production process on films and series he’s written, including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory , Big Fish , and Chernobyl .

What are some of your favorite writing websites? Let us know in the comments below!

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Writers' Treasure

Effective writing advice for aspiring writers

Creative Writing 101

Creative writing is any form of writing which is written with the creativity of mind: fiction writing, poetry writing, creative nonfiction writing and more. The purpose is to express something, whether it be feelings, thoughts, or emotions.

Rather than only giving information or inciting the reader to make an action beneficial to the writer, creative writing is written to entertain or educate someone, to spread awareness about something or someone, or to express one’s thoughts.

There are two kinds of creative writing: good and bad, effective and ineffective. Bad, ineffective creative writing cannot make any impression on the reader. It won’t achieve its purpose.

So whether you’re a novelist, a poet, a short-story writer, an essayist, a biographer or an aspiring beginner, you want to improve your craft. The question is: how?

When you write great fiction, poetry, or nonfiction, amazing things can happen. Readers can’t put it down. The work you wrote becomes a bestseller. It becomes famous. But you have to reach to that level… first .

The best way to increase your proficiency in creative writing is to write, write compulsively, but it doesn’t mean write whatever you want. There are certain things you should know first… it helps to start with the right foot.

To do exactly that, here we have a beginners’ guide from Writers’ Treasure on the subject:

• An Introduction to Creative Writing
• How to Get Started in Creative Writing in Just Three Steps
• Creative Writing vs. Technical Writing
• Fiction Writing 101: The Elements of Stories
• Poetry Writing: Forms and Terms Galore
• Creative Non-Fiction: What is it?
• Tips and Tricks to Improve Your Creative Writing
• Common Mistakes Made by Creative Writers

For novelists: do you want to write compelling opening chapters?

Are you an aspiring novelist? Will your novel see the light of day? For that, you will need to make the first chapter of your story as compelling as possible. Otherwise, readers won’t even pick up your novel. That chapter can be the make-or-break point that decides whether your novel is published or not. It’s because good editors know how you write from the first three pages… or sometimes even from the opening lines.

To solve this problem, I created a five-part tutorial on Writing Compelling Opening Chapters . It outlines why you need to write a compelling opening chapter, my personal favourite way of beginning it, what should be told and shown in it, general dos and don’ts, and what you need to do after having written it. Check it out for more.

Need more writing tips?

Sometimes you reach that stage when you outgrow the beginner stage of writing but feel that you’re not yet an expert. If I just described you, no worries– Writers’ Treasure’s writing tips are here. Whether you want to make your writing more readable, more irresistible, more professional, we’ve got you covered. So check out our writing tips , and be on your way to fast track your success.

I offer writing, editing and proofreading , as well as website creation services. I’ve been in this field for seven years, and I know the tools of the trade. I’ve seen the directions where the writing industry is going, the changes, the new platforms. Get your work done through me, and get fast and efficient service. Get a quote .

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What is Creative Writing? A Key Piece of the Writer’s Toolbox

Not all writing is the same and there’s a type of writing that has the ability to transport, teach, and inspire others like no other.

Creative writing stands out due to its unique approach and focus on imagination. Here’s how to get started and grow as you explore the broad and beautiful world of creative writing!

What is Creative Writing?

Creative writing is a form of writing that extends beyond the bounds of regular professional, journalistic, academic, or technical forms of literature. It is characterized by its emphasis on narrative craft, character development, and the use of literary tropes or poetic techniques to express ideas in an original and imaginative way.

Creative writing can take on various forms such as:

• short stories
• screenplays

It’s a way for writers to express their thoughts, feelings, and ideas in a creative, often symbolic, way . It’s about using the power of words to transport readers into a world created by the writer.

5 Key Characteristics of Creative Writing

Creative writing is marked by several defining characteristics, each working to create a distinct form of expression:

1. Imagination and Creativity: Creative writing is all about harnessing your creativity and imagination to create an engaging and compelling piece of work. It allows writers to explore different scenarios, characters, and worlds that may not exist in reality.

2. Emotional Engagement: Creative writing often evokes strong emotions in the reader. It aims to make the reader feel something — whether it’s happiness, sorrow, excitement, or fear.

3. Originality: Creative writing values originality. It’s about presenting familiar things in new ways or exploring ideas that are less conventional.

4. Use of Literary Devices: Creative writing frequently employs literary devices such as metaphors, similes, personification, and others to enrich the text and convey meanings in a more subtle, layered manner.

5. Focus on Aesthetics: The beauty of language and the way words flow together is important in creative writing. The aim is to create a piece that’s not just interesting to read, but also beautiful to hear when read aloud.

Remember, creative writing is not just about producing a work of art. It’s also a means of self-expression and a way to share your perspective with the world. Whether you’re considering it as a hobby or contemplating a career in it, understanding the nature and characteristics of creative writing can help you hone your skills and create more engaging pieces .

For more insights into creative writing, check out our articles on creative writing jobs and what you can do with a creative writing degree and is a degree in creative writing worth it .

Styles of Creative Writing

To fully understand creative writing , you must be aware of the various styles involved. Creative writing explores a multitude of genres, each with its own unique characteristics and techniques.

Poetry is a form of creative writing that uses expressive language to evoke emotions and ideas. Poets often employ rhythm, rhyme, and other poetic devices to create pieces that are deeply personal and impactful. Poems can vary greatly in length, style, and subject matter, making this a versatile and dynamic form of creative writing.

Short Stories

Short stories are another common style of creative writing. These are brief narratives that typically revolve around a single event or idea. Despite their length, short stories can provide a powerful punch, using precise language and tight narrative structures to convey a complete story in a limited space.

Novels represent a longer form of narrative creative writing. They usually involve complex plots, multiple characters, and various themes. Writing a novel requires a significant investment of time and effort; however, the result can be a rich and immersive reading experience.

Screenplays

Screenplays are written works intended for the screen, be it television, film, or online platforms. They require a specific format, incorporating dialogue and visual descriptions to guide the production process. Screenwriters must also consider the practical aspects of filmmaking, making this an intricate and specialized form of creative writing.

If you’re interested in this style, understanding creative writing jobs and what you can do with a creative writing degree can provide useful insights.

Writing for the theater is another specialized form of creative writing. Plays, like screenplays, combine dialogue and action, but they also require an understanding of the unique dynamics of the theatrical stage. Playwrights must think about the live audience and the physical space of the theater when crafting their works.

Each of these styles offers unique opportunities for creativity and expression. Whether you’re drawn to the concise power of poetry, the detailed storytelling of novels, or the visual language of screenplays and plays, there’s a form of creative writing that will suit your artistic voice. The key is to explore, experiment, and find the style that resonates with you.

For those looking to spark their creativity, our article on creative writing prompts offers a wealth of ideas to get you started.

Importance of Creative Writing

Understanding what is creative writing involves recognizing its value and significance. Engaging in creative writing can provide numerous benefits – let’s take a closer look.

Developing Creativity and Imagination

Creative writing serves as a fertile ground for nurturing creativity and imagination. It encourages you to think outside the box, explore different perspectives, and create unique and original content. This leads to improved problem-solving skills and a broader worldview , both of which can be beneficial in various aspects of life.

Through creative writing, one can build entire worlds, create characters, and weave complex narratives, all of which are products of a creative mind and vivid imagination. This can be especially beneficial for those seeking creative writing jobs and what you can do with a creative writing degree .

Enhancing Communication Skills

Creative writing can also play a crucial role in honing communication skills. It demands clarity, precision, and a strong command of language. This helps to improve your vocabulary, grammar, and syntax, making it easier to express thoughts and ideas effectively .

Moreover, creative writing encourages empathy as you often need to portray a variety of characters from different backgrounds and perspectives. This leads to a better understanding of people and improved interpersonal communication skills.

Exploring Emotions and Ideas

One of the most profound aspects of creative writing is its ability to provide a safe space for exploring emotions and ideas. It serves as an outlet for thoughts and feelings , allowing you to express yourself in ways that might not be possible in everyday conversation.

Writing can be therapeutic, helping you process complex emotions, navigate difficult life events, and gain insight into your own experiences and perceptions. It can also be a means of self-discovery , helping you to understand yourself and the world around you better.

So, whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out, the benefits of creative writing are vast and varied. For those interested in developing their creative writing skills, check out our articles on creative writing prompts and how to teach creative writing . If you’re considering a career in this field, you might find our article on is a degree in creative writing worth it helpful.

4 Steps to Start Creative Writing

Creative writing can seem daunting to beginners, but with the right approach, anyone can start their journey into this creative field. Here are some steps to help you start creative writing .

1. Finding Inspiration

The first step in creative writing is finding inspiration . Inspiration can come from anywhere and anything. Observe the world around you, listen to conversations, explore different cultures, and delve into various topics of interest.

Reading widely can also be a significant source of inspiration. Read different types of books, articles, and blogs. Discover what resonates with you and sparks your imagination.

For structured creative prompts, visit our list of creative writing prompts to get your creative juices flowing.

Editor’s Note : When something excites or interests you, stop and take note – it could be the inspiration for your next creative writing piece.

2. Planning Your Piece

Once you have an idea, the next step is to plan your piece . Start by outlining:

• the main points

Remember, this can serve as a roadmap to guide your writing process. A plan doesn’t have to be rigid. It’s a flexible guideline that can be adjusted as you delve deeper into your writing. The primary purpose is to provide direction and prevent writer’s block.

3. Writing Your First Draft

After planning your piece, you can start writing your first draft . This is where you give life to your ideas and breathe life into your characters.

Don’t worry about making it perfect in the first go. The first draft is about getting your ideas down on paper . You can always refine and polish your work later. And if you don’t have a great place to write that first draft, consider a journal for writing .

4. Editing and Revising Your Work

The final step in the creative writing process is editing and revising your work . This is where you fine-tune your piece, correct grammatical errors, and improve sentence structure and flow.

Editing is also an opportunity to enhance your storytelling . You can add more descriptive details, develop your characters further, and make sure your plot is engaging and coherent.

Remember, writing is a craft that improves with practice . Don’t be discouraged if your first few pieces don’t meet your expectations. Keep writing, keep learning, and most importantly, enjoy the creative process.

For more insights on creative writing, check out our articles on how to teach creative writing or creative writing activities for kids.

Tips to Improve Creative Writing Skills

Understanding what is creative writing is the first step. But how can one improve their creative writing skills? Here are some tips that can help.

Read Widely

Reading is a vital part of becoming a better writer. By immersing oneself in a variety of genres, styles, and authors, one can gain a richer understanding of language and storytelling techniques . Different authors have unique voices and methods of telling stories, which can serve as inspiration for your own work. So, read widely and frequently!

Practice Regularly

Like any skill, creative writing improves with practice. Consistently writing — whether it be daily, weekly, or monthly — helps develop your writing style and voice . Using creative writing prompts can be a fun way to stimulate your imagination and get the words flowing.

Attend Writing Workshops and Courses

Formal education such as workshops and courses can offer structured learning and expert guidance. These can provide invaluable insights into the world of creative writing, from understanding plot development to character creation. If you’re wondering is a degree in creative writing worth it, these classes can also give you a taste of what studying creative writing at a higher level might look like .

Joining Writing Groups and Communities

Being part of a writing community can provide motivation, constructive feedback, and a sense of camaraderie. These groups often hold regular meetings where members share their work and give each other feedback. Plus, it’s a great way to connect with others who share your passion for writing.

Seeking Feedback on Your Work

Feedback is a crucial part of improving as a writer. It offers a fresh perspective on your work, highlighting areas of strength and opportunities for improvement. Whether it’s from a writing group, a mentor, or even friends and family, constructive criticism can help refine your writing .

Start Creative Writing Today!

Remember, becoming a proficient writer takes time and patience. So, don’t be discouraged by initial challenges. Keep writing, keep learning, and most importantly, keep enjoying the process. Who knows, your passion for creative writing might even lead to creative writing jobs and what you can do with a creative writing degree .

Happy writing!

Brooks Manley

Creative Primer  is a resource on all things journaling, creativity, and productivity. We’ll help you produce better ideas, get more done, and live a more effective life.

My name is Brooks. I do a ton of journaling, like to think I’m a creative (jury’s out), and spend a lot of time thinking about productivity. I hope these resources and product recommendations serve you well. Reach out if you ever want to chat or let me know about a journal I need to check out!

Here’s my favorite journal for 2024: 

Gratitude Journal Prompts Mindfulness Journal Prompts Journal Prompts for Anxiety Reflective Journal Prompts Healing Journal Prompts Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Journal Prompts Mental Health Journal Prompts ASMR Journal Prompts Manifestation Journal Prompts Self-Care Journal Prompts Morning Journal Prompts Evening Journal Prompts Self-Improvement Journal Prompts Creative Writing Journal Prompts Dream Journal Prompts Relationship Journal Prompts "What If" Journal Prompts New Year Journal Prompts Shadow Work Journal Prompts Journal Prompts for Overcoming Fear Journal Prompts for Dealing with Loss Journal Prompts for Discerning and Decision Making Travel Journal Prompts Fun Journal Prompts

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45 Best Creative Writing Blogs and Websites

• Writing Forward
• Writer's Fun Zone
• The Craft of Writing
• Novelty Revisions
• Thanet Creative
• Storius Magazine
• The Creative Penn Blog
• Creative Writing at Leicester
• Homo Vitruvius by A. Jay Adler
• Creative Writing News
• Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve
• sophieduffy
• WriteByNight
• Firefly Creative Writing Blog
• Derbyshire Writing School Blog
• Creative Writing Blog
• Terribleminds
• Peter Rey's Blog
• Curtis Brown Creative Blog
• Master's in Creative Writing
• Quinn Creative
• E.A. Deverell Creative Writing Blog
• The Novelry Blog
• Margaret James Blog
• WriteGirl Blog
• This Itch Of Writing
• Boston University Creative Writing Blog

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Here are 45 Best Creative Writing Blogs you should follow in 2024

1. GrubStreet

2. Writing Forward

3. Writer's Fun Zone

4. The Craft of Writing

5. Novelty Revisions

6. Thanet Creative

7. Storius Magazine

8. The Creative Penn Blog

9. Creative Writing at Leicester

10. Homo Vitruvius by A. Jay Adler

11. Creative Writing News

12. Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve

13. sophieduffy

14. WriteByNight

15. Firefly Creative Writing Blog

16. Write-now

17. Derbyshire Writing School Blog

18. Creative Writing Blog

19. Terribleminds

20. Peter Rey's Blog

21. Curtis Brown Creative Blog

22. Master's in Creative Writing

23. Quinn Creative

24. E.A. Deverell Creative Writing Blog

25. The Novelry Blog

26. Margaret James Blog

27. WriteGirl Blog

28. This Itch Of Writing

29. Bloggable

30. Boston University Creative Writing Blog

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26+ Creative Writing Tips for Young Writers

So you want to be a writer? And not just any writer, you want to be a creative writer. The road to being a legendary storyteller won’t be easy, but with our creative writing tips for kids, you’ll be on the right track! Creative writing isn’t just about writing stories. You could write poems, graphic novels, song lyrics and even movie scripts. But there is one thing you’ll need and that is good creative writing skills. 

Here are over 26 tips to improve your creative writing skills :

Read a wide range of books

When it comes to creative writing, reading is essential. Reading allows you to explore the styles of other writers and gain inspiration to improve your own writing. But don’t just limit yourself to reading only popular books or your favourites. Read all sorts of books, everything from fairytales to scary stories. Take a look at comics, short stories, novels and poetry. Just fill your heads with the knowledge and wisdom of other writers and soon you’ll be just like them!

Write about real-life events

The hardest thing about creative writing is connecting emotionally with your audience. By focusing your writing on real-life events, you know that in some way or another your readers will be able to relate. And with creative writing you don’t need to use real names or details – There are certain things you can keep private while writing about the rare details. Using real-life events is also a good way to find inspiration for your stories. 

Be imaginative

Be as crazy and wild as you like with your imagination. Create your world, your own monsters , or even your own language! The more imaginative your story, the more exciting it will be to read. Remember that there are no rules on what makes a good idea in creative writing. So don’t be afraid to make stuff up!

Find your writing style

Thes best writers have a particular style about them. When you think of Roald Dahl , you know his books are going to have a sense of humour. While with Dr Seuss , you’re prepared to read some funny new words . Alternatively, when you look at R.L.Stine, you know that he is all about the horror. Think about your own writing style. Do you want to be a horror writer? Maybe someone who always writes in the first person? Will always focus your books on your culture or a particular character?

Stick to a routine

Routine is extremely important to writers. If you just write some stuff here and there, it’s likely that you’ll soon give up on writing altogether! A strict routine means that every day at a certain time you will make time to write about something, anything. Even if you’re bored or can’t think of anything, you’ll still pick up that pencil and write. Soon enough you’ll get into the habit of writing good stuff daily and this is definitely important for anyone who wants to be a professional creative writer!

Know your audience

Writing isn’t just about thinking about your own interests, it’s also about thinking about the interests of your audience. If you want to excite fellow classmates, know what they like. Do they like football , monsters or a particular video game? With that knowledge, you can create the most popular book for your target audience. A book that they can’t stop reading and will recommend to others! 

Daily Exercises

To keep your creative writing skills up to scratch it is important to keep practising every day. Even if you have no inspiration. At times when your mind is blank, you should try to use tools like writing prompts , video prompts or other ways of coming up with ideas . You could even take a look at these daily writing exercises as an example. We even created a whole list of over 100 creative writing exercises to try out when you need some inspiration or ideas. 

Work together with others

Everyone needs a little help now and then. We recommend joining a writing club or finding other classmates who are also interested in writing to improve your own creative writing skills. Together you can share ideas, tips and even write a story together! A good storytelling game to play in a group is the “ finish the story” game . 

Get feedback

Without feedback, you’ll never be able to improve your writing. Feedback, whether good or bad is important to all writers. Good feedback gives you the motivation to carry on. While bad feedback just gives you areas to improve and adapt your writing, so you can be the best! After every piece of writing always try to get feedback from it, whether it is from friends, family, teachers or an online writing community .

Enter writing competitions

The best way to improve your creative writing is by entering all sorts of writing competitions . Whether it’s a poetry competition or short story competition, competitions let you compete against other writers and even help you get useful feedback on your writing. Most competitions even have rules to structure your writing, these rules can help you prepare for the real world of writing and getting your work published. And not only that you might even win some cool prizes!

Keep a notebook

Every writer’s best friend is their notebook. Wherever you go make sure you have a notebook handy to jot down any ideas you get on the go. Inspiration can come from anywhere , so the next time you get an idea instead of forgetting about it, write it down. You never know, this idea could become a best-selling novel in the future. 

Research your ideas

So, you got a couple of ideas for short stories. The next step is to research these ideas deeper. 

Researching your ideas could involve reading books similar to your ideas or going online to learn more about a particular topic. For example, if you wanted to write a book on dragons, you would want to know everything about them in history to come up with a good, relatable storyline for your book.

Create Writing Goals

How do you know if your writing is improving over time? Simple – Just create writing goals for yourself. Examples of writing goals might include, to write 100 words every day or to write 600 words by the end of next week. Whatever your goals make sure you can measure them easily. That way you’ll know if you met them or not. You might want to take a look at these bullet journal layouts for writers to help you track the progress of your writing.

Follow your passions

Writing can be tedious and many people even give up after writing a few words. The only way you can keep that fire burning is by writing about your true passions. Whatever it is you enjoy doing or love, you could just write about those things. These are the types of things you’ll enjoy researching and already know so much about, making writing a whole lot more fun!

Don’t Settle for the first draft

You finally wrote your first story. But the writing process isn’t complete yet! Now it’s time to read your story and make the all-important edits. Editing your story is more than just fixing spelling or grammar mistakes. It’s also about criticising your own work and looking for areas of improvement. For example, is the conflict strong enough? Is your opening line exciting? How can you improve your ending?

Plan before writing

Never just jump into writing your story. Always plan first! Whether this means listing down the key scenes in your story or using a storyboard template to map out these scenes. You should have an outline of your story somewhere, which you can refer to when actually writing your story. This way you won’t make basic mistakes like not having a climax in your story which builds up to your main conflict or missing crucial characters out.

It’s strange the difference it makes to read your writing out aloud compared to reading it in your head. When reading aloud you tend to notice more mistakes in your sentences or discover paragraphs which make no sense at all. You might even want to read your story aloud to your family or a group of friends to get feedback on how your story sounds. 

Pace your story

Pacing is important. You don’t want to just start and then quickly jump into the main conflict because this will take all the excitement away from your conflict. And at the same time, you don’t want to give the solution away too early and this will make your conflict too easy for your characters to solve. The key is to gradually build up to your conflict by describing your characters and the many events that lead up to the main conflict. Then you might want to make the conflict more difficult for your characters by including more than one issue in your story to solve. 

Think about themes

Every story has a theme or moral. Some stories are about friendship, others are about the dangers of trusting strangers. And a story can even have more than one theme. The point of a theme is to give something valuable to your readers once they have finished reading your book. In other words, to give them a life lesson, they’ll never forget!

Use dialogue carefully

Dialogue is a tricky thing to get right. Your whole story should not be made up of dialogue unless you’re writing a script. Alternatively, it can be strange to include no dialogue at all in your story. The purpose of dialogue should be to move your story forward. It should also help your readers learn more about a particular character’s personality and their relationship with other characters in your book. 

One thing to avoid with dialogue is… small talk! There’s no point in writing dialogue, such as “How’s the weather?”, if your story has nothing to do with the weather. This is because it doesn’t move your story along.  For more information check out this guide on how to write dialogue in a story .

Write now, edit later

Writing is a magical process. Don’t lose that magic by focusing on editing your sentences while you’re still writing your story up. Not only could this make your story sound fragmented, but you might also forget some key ideas to include in your story or take away the imagination from your writing. When it comes to creative writing, just write and come back to editing your story later.

Ask yourself questions

Always question your writing. Once done, think about any holes in your story. Is there something the reader won’t understand or needs further describing? What if your character finds another solution to solving the conflict? How about adding a new character or removing a character from your story? There are so many questions to ask and keep asking them until you feel confident about your final piece.

Create a dedicated writing space

Some kids like writing on their beds, others at the kitchen table. While this is good for beginners, going pro with your writing might require having a dedicated writing space. Some of the basics you’ll need is a desk and comfy chair, along with writing materials like pens, pencils and notebooks. But to really create an inspiring place, you could also stick some beautiful pictures, some inspiring quotes from writers and anything else that will keep you motivated and prepared. 

Beware of flowery words

Vocabulary is good. It’s always exciting when you learn a new word that you have never heard before. But don’t go around plotting in complicated words into your story, unless it’s necessary to show a character’s personality. Most long words are not natural sounding, meaning your audience will have a hard time relating to your story if it’s full of complicated words from the dictionary like Xenophobia or Xylograph .

Create believable characters

Nobody’s perfect. And why should your story characters be any different? To create believable characters, you’ll need to give them some common flaws as well as some really cool strengths. Your character’s flaws can be used as a setback to why they can’t achieve their goals, while their strengths are the things that will help win over adversity. Just think about your own strengths and weaknesses and use them as inspirations for your storybook characters. You can use the Imagine Forest character creator to plan out your story characters. 

Show, don’t tell

You can say that someone is nice or you can show them how that person is nice. Take the following as an example, “Katie was a nice girl.” Now compare that sentence to this, “Katie spent her weekends at the retirement home, singing to the seniors and making them laugh.”. The difference between the two sentences is huge. The first one sounds boring and you don’t really know why Katie is nice. While in the second sentence, you get the sense that Katie is nice from her actions without even using the word nice in the sentence!

Make the conflict impossible

Imagine the following scenario, you are a championship boxer who has won many medals over the year and the conflict is…Well, you got a boxing match coming up. Now that doesn’t sound so exciting! In fact, most readers won’t even care about the boxer winning the match or not! 

Now imagine this scenario: You’re a poor kid from New Jersey, you barely have enough money to pay the bills. You never did any professional boxing, but you want to enter a boxing competition, so you can win and use the money to pay your bills. 

The second scenario has a bigger mountain to climb. In other words, a much harder challenge to face compared to the character in the first scenario. Giving your characters an almost impossible task or conflict is essential in good story-telling.

Write powerful scenes

Scenes help build a picture in your reader’s mind without even including any actual pictures in your story. Creating powerful scenes involves more than describing the appearance of a setting, it’s also about thinking about the smell, the sounds and what your characters are feeling while they are in a particular setting. By being descriptive with your scenes, your audience can imagine themselves being right there with characters through the hard times and good times!

There’s nothing worse than an ending which leaves the reader feeling underwhelmed. You read all the way through and then it just ends in the most typical, obvious way ever! Strong endings don’t always end on a happy ending. They can end with a sad ending or a cliff-hanger.  In fact, most stories actually leave the reader with more questions in their head, as they wonder what happens next. This then gives you the opportunity to create even more books to continue the story and keep your readers hooked for life (or at least for a very long time)! 

Over 25 creative writing tips later and you should now be ready to master the art of creative writing! The most important tip for all you creative writers out there is to be imaginative! Without a good imagination, you’ll struggle to wow your audience with your writing skills. Do you have any more creative writing tips to share? Let us know in the comments!

Marty the wizard is the master of Imagine Forest. When he's not reading a ton of books or writing some of his own tales, he loves to be surrounded by the magical creatures that live in Imagine Forest. While living in his tree house he has devoted his time to helping children around the world with their writing skills and creativity.

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On Writing a Tagline (and Pitching It, Too)

Published: June 11, 2024

Welcome to Creator Columns , where we bring expert HubSpot Creator voices to the Blogs that inspire and help you grow better.

Peggy, Lou, and Dawn are characters on Mad Men , the 60s period drama about one of Madison Avenue’s most prestigious, albeit fictional, advertising agencies. Peggy is one of the firm’s copywriters, responsible for writing (and pitching) ad copy. Lou is her boss, the creative director. Dawn, a secretary, keeps everyone organized.

The trio are meeting about a new account, a watch company called Accutron.

"Oh," says Peggy. She’s looking at Lou. "You didn’t pick a tagline."

"Sure, I did." Lou looks at his secretary. "Dawn, what did I say?"

Dawn flips through her notes. "You said, ' Just In Time To Be On Time .'"

"That wasn’t one of the choices—" Peggy interjects. "I think that was a digression."

"How about ‘ Accutron Is Accurate ,’" Lou says. "That was one of the choices, I’m positive."

Peggy lowers her chin. "I like ' It’s Time For A Conversation ,'" she says. She’s smiling, making eye contact. She’s selling now. "I think that one’s more finished."

The director looks back at her. He’s peering over his glasses now. "And I think you’re putting me in the position of saying, I don’t care what you think."

When you finish writing a tagline, it’s not done.

It’s not done until someone else reads it, nods, and says, "That’s the one."

Indeed, every creative person is a salesperson, too. In copywriting — or any advertising discipline, for that matter — the powers that be must buy into your work, your idea or concept or turn of phrase.

"To sell work I could be proud of," said art director George Lois, "I’ve had to rant, rave, threaten, shove, push, cajole, persuade, wheedle, exaggerate, flatter, manipulate, be obnoxious, be loud, occasionally lie, and always sell, passionately!"

That’s one approach, I guess. But what if you’re not in a position to "threaten" or "shove" or "push" your boss? Or, what if acting this way — aggressive and domineering — feels unnatural to you? Or uncomfortable? Or, erm … illegal? Then keep reading because this Mad Men scene provides some alternative advice, some timeless wisdom I, as a copywriter, wish I’d known sooner:

Chicago, 2014.

I feel nervous. I shake out my hands, take a breath, and knock on the door.

I hear my CEO’s muffled voice. "Come in."

I crack the door and peek through the opening. "Hey, Rick," I say. "I’m a bit early—"

Rick is looking at his monitor, typing. "No problem." He looks up and smiles. "Early is good." He slurps some coffee. "Come on in." He puts the mug down with a thud. "Close the door."

I purse my lips, nod, and step into his office, closing the door behind me. Rick gestures at one of the chairs in front of his desk. "Have a seat," he says. I sit down. "How’s your first week going?"

I’m a copywriter , four days into my first role at Rick’s marketing agency. It’s a small, busy shop, specializing in lead-gen websites. I was hired on the back of my direct marketing experience and told I’d be focusing on writing conversion assets — landing pages , email campaigns, banner ads — but I could be tapped for other projects, too.

"Oh," I say, "I love it here. Everybody’s been so welcoming."

"Great to hear." Rick crosses his arms and leans back. "I’ve got a project for you."

"I want you to write us a new tagline."

He has some more coffee. "Or would it be a slogan ?" He put the mug down. "I dunno."

The difference is nuanced but taglines and slogans aren’t interchangeable. Basically, a tagline supports the goals of a business while a slogan supports the goals of a specific campaign. A tagline is a branding tool. A slogan is a marketing tool. A tagline should differentiate the brand — and it’s there for the long haul: could be years, or even decades. A slogan should express the campaign’s specific idea or message — and it has a shorter shelf life. A tagline is more or less perennial. A slogan will change with every campaign.

"I think a tagline ," I say. "If it’s for the business in general."

"Yes, a tagline," Rick says. "Can you bring me a few options by next week?" he asks. "Is that enough time?"

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Writing a tagline doesn’t have to be complicated.

It can be. That is, you can make it so … but it can also be simple.

You can’t make it easy , unfortunately. It’s still creative work, fraught with decisions and self-doubt and, sometimes, agony. But having a process — a series of clear, reliable steps — can make it simple , less daunting.

For example, most taglines are synthesized expressions of either:

• A brand’s unique selling proposition , or USP, the claim or benefit nobody else can make, the thing that makes your product different, exclusive.
• A brand’s positioning statement , or PS, what you do for a specific market.

So, to write a tagline, simply start by writing out your PS or USP in as many words as necessary. Then, edit for brevity and concision: cut the word count in half once, twice, three times. Doing fine. Keep going until you’re left with a sentence, one line. Then, put down the ax. It’s time to finesse, to make your tagline attractive to the masses:

• Make it clear. No fancy jargon, please. Fancy words are usually big. And a big word will never impress The Reader as much as a big idea , clearly expressed. Good copy, first and foremost, is understood.
• Make it beneficial. During his career, copywriter John Caples tested thousands of headlines. "The best headlines appeal to people’s self-interest ," he said. So, act accordingly. Your tagline is the headline for your business. Tell folks what’s in it for them .
• Make it amusing. Puns, rhymes, wordplay, metaphors. These things are fun. People like fun. (We remember it, too.)

Done? Fantastic! Now, rinse and repeat. Go again, and again, and again . Quality comes from quantity because volume is illuminating: the more you write, the less precious and more objective you’ll be about each line, which is the point.

"The fewer ideas you have," said screenwriter Scott Dikkers, "the more weight each idea holds in your mind."

Indeed, as a copywriter, fetishizing one "darling" tag is counterproductive. Stifling your ideation prevents you from doing your best work. Instead, have many tags, many options. Don’t start with only three or four or five. There’s not enough there, not enough slack. You’ll be forced to settle. Better to start with 20 or even more — and pare down. The more you cut, the better. Eventually, you’ll start cutting ideas you actually like. This is the mark of true progress.

"Kill your darlings," said Stephen King. "Kill your darlings, even when it breaks your egocentric little scribbler’s heart."

Yes, kill your darlings. It’s the only way to produce your finest work, which is also the only work you should be putting in front of clients. If you’re asked to bring "a few options," each one must be viable.

If you wouldn’t want an idea to get picked, don’t bring it to the table. I learned this the hard way:

"Next week is fine," I tell Rick. "I’ll turn it around."

A week later, I’m in his office again. This time, I have a handful of tags for him to review.

"Great work, Ed—" he says, flipping through the deck I created. "What’s your favorite?"

I had one, the clear winner in my opinion. "This," I say without hesitation, pointing at the screen.

Rick’s face turns sour. "Eh," he says, "I prefer this one ." He’s pointing somewhere else. "Let’s go with this one."

I lower my chin. "I really like this one," I say. I’m smiling, making eye contact. I’m selling now, explaining my decisions: the clarity of the message, the inclusion of a benefit, the creativity of the phrasing. "It’s gotta be this one," I say, pointing at my option.

Rick looks back at me. He’s pursing his lips now. "Yeah," he says, pointing at his option, "it’s this one for me."

Murphy’s Law tells us, "Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong ."

Copywriter’s Law tells us something similar:

"Any idea that can be picked, will be picked ."

"Why would you put something in front of me that you don’t want me to pick?" says Lou.

"Because you told me to give you two ideas," says Peggy.

Lou takes a beat. "You apparently only gave me one ."

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Reduce your blog writing time with AI.

A high-quality blog is one of the best ways to boost your business’ organic traffic and lead generation, but building it out can be a drain on your time and resources. HubSpot’s AI blog writer helps you boost your blog’s output frequency without additional time or headcount investments.

Create new posts by providing the AI blog post generator with prompts or topics, and let the software do the initial research and writing for you. Then edit the content to suit your brand voice and your audience’s preferences. 

Create engaging content in no time.

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If you’re interested in the AI blog writer, these related resources may help.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is ai blog writing software.

AI blog writing software is a machine learning-based tool that helps businesses generate blog posts and outlines in minutes.

What are some best practices for using AI-generated blog posts?

AI-generated blog posts can be a powerful ally in your content marketing efforts. If you want to get the most out of them, there are a few best practices to keep in mind:

• Add value to each blog post with your own expertise and voice.
• Edit to ensure every post matches your written style guidelines.
• Expand your blog's reach by sharing new blog posts via newsletter emails and social media.
• Use an engaging title and meta description to drive click-throughs from search. 

How much does HubSpot’s AI blogging software cost?

You can get started with HubSpot’s AI blog writer for free.

How can AI blog writing software benefit my business?

AI blog writing software can help your business by:

• Reducing the time you spend on research and writing.
• Allowing you to create content at scale without scaling headcount.
• Helping you repurpose and refresh existing content and ideas.

Popular Features in Content Hub

The AI blog writer is available for free in Content Hub . Explore additional Content Hub features below.

Create and customize your own website with an easy drag-and-drop website builder.

Easily customize your online presence with pre-built website themes and page templates.

Grow your audience with SEO friendly content. Publish quality content with a free blog maker that widens your brand’s reach and grows your audience.

Build a beautiful website and preview what it will look like as you build through our modular approach to website development that allows marketers to leverage developers.

A free suite of content management tools for marketers and developers that are looking to expand their online presence with automated security, SEO recommendations, and more.

Host your website on a fully managed and optimized infrastructure that scales with your business.

Back all your hosted content with a market-leading CDN to ensure your content is delivered more quickly anywhere around the globe.

Help secure your content and lead data with standard SSL on all HubSpot-hosted content.

Defend against cyber attacks and help keep your CMS-hosted website safe with 24/7 malware scanning and a dedicated security team.

Automatically detect and remove potential attacks on your website from bad actors before they pose a threat to your business.

Gain control over your company’s brand by connecting a custom domain to HubSpot

Cloud-based CMS that provides 24/7 threat & security monitoring, flexible user permissions, and customized security settings.

Ensure peak site performance and security by monitoring which users access and change your website.

Easily build web applications that automatically respond to user inputs, without the pain of managing servers.

Go beyond password-protected pages to create membership-based content.

Use HubDB to quickly update content across your site. Make a change in one place, and see that change reflected wherever you reference your data table.

30+ Resume Objective Examples (Plus, Tips on How to Write Yours)

Resume objectives are a bit controversial. Some career experts see them as outdated, while others believe job seekers can still use them to their advantage. Although resume objective statements have slowly been replaced by resume summaries, they remain useful in certain situations—and that's why you should know how to write one, just in case.

For instance, if you're changing careers and your previous work experience doesn't quite match the new role you're after, an objective statement could help communicate your professional goals to the hiring manager. Likewise, if you're a recent graduate or looking to relocate, you could use this section of your resume to highlight these intentions.

We've gathered 32 resume objective examples—plus, some tips on how to craft one that grabs the hiring manager's attention.

What is a resume objective

A resume objective is a brief statement outlining your short-term career goals, usually one to two sentences long. It should be tailored to the specific job or industry you're pursuing and is placed at the top of your resume, just below the header.

What is a good objective for a resume, and when are they welcomed? That's what we'll show you in a moment.

When you should use a resume objective

Resume objectives aren't quite the norm these days, so they should be only used when you need to clarify why you're applying for that particular role or company. Here are three situations where using an objective statement is a good idea:

• If you're doing a career pivot: A resume objective can guide recruiters on your career goals and prevent you from being disqualified when transitioning to a new field.
• If you're changing locations: Applying for jobs outside your current state or city can leave recruiters uncertain about your location; a resume objective can clearly express your willingness to relocate.
• If you're a recent graduate: Since you likely have little to no work experience to show, a resume objective can give a glimpse into who you are and what you aim to achieve.
• If you've worked in a variety of roles: When your work history is all over the place, a resume objective statement can be a helpful tool to highlight your most relevant skills, experiences, and what you're looking for in your next role .

Resume objective vs. resume summary

A resume objective outlines your career goals and what you aim to achieve in a position, while a resume summary focuses on skills, accomplishments, education, and relevant experiences for the role.

“Think of the resume objective as your career aspiration and the summary as your professional snapshot,” says Angela Tait, People Operations Specialist and Founder of Tait Consulting . “The objective sets your sights forward, while the summary looks at your past and present achievements.”

How to write a resume objective

If you decide to write a resume objective, it'll be the first thing recruiters see on your resume, right after your name and contact information. This means their first impression will be based on how well-written your objective statement is. Here are key tips to do it right:

1. Mention your area of expertise

“Start by mentioning your area of expertise and the role you are applying for,” Tait says. This way, you let the employer know right away about your background and what you want to achieve professionally.

2. Show how you can add value to the company

Your objective statement—and your whole resume, actually—should be tailored to each job opening. “Personalize your resume objective by stating how you can add value to the company you're applying to,” Tait says. “For instance, ‘ Seeking to leverage my expertise in digital marketing to drive brand growth and engagement at XYZ Corp.’”

3. Highlight skills relevant to the role

Once again, to write an effective resume objective, keep in mind the role you're going for. “Focus on how your skills and interests align with that specific job opportunity,” says Conor Hughes, certified in Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM) and HR Consultant at SMB Guide .

For example, for a software developer, skills in programming with languages like Java, C++, and Python are pretty important. Meanwhile, a graphic designer should highlight technical skills in creating and editing visual projects using tools like Photoshop, Illustrator, and Figma.

4. Optimize your statement for ATS machines

These days, most resumes get scanned by an ATS robot before reaching human recruiters. So, it's crucial to optimize your objective statement for these ATS machines. How? “Use keywords from the job description to show you have the relevant abilities they're looking for,” Hughes says.

If a job posting specifies “experience in copywriting” and “SEO optimization” as requirements, you should incorporate these exact keywords in your objective statement—and wherever else they fit on your resume. Using just “SEO” or only “copywriting” might not be enough; precision is key.

Need some help? Here's how to read the job description the right way —so you can stop sending resumes into the void.

5. Make it as concise as possible

Recruiters go through resumes really fast—that's one of the reasons two-page resumes aren't usually recommended. When writing your resume objective, keep it concise. “To one or two sentences max,” Hughes says. Remember, the goal is to give enough information about why you're applying for that role, not to share your whole life history.

32 resume objective examples to guide you

Now that we've covered the basics, here are 32 good examples of objectives for resumes categorized by job title and different professional situations, like career pivoting and entry-level positions. Use these examples as a guide, and don't forget to inject your own personality and core information.

General resume objectives examples

1. career change.

Copywriter with five years of experience, now transitioning into the UX Writing field, looking to leverage my writing and content creation skills to create digital experiences that drive business growth. Strong background in content strategy and data-driven decision making.

Find UX writer jobs on The Muse »

2. Relocation

Experienced customer service representative relocating to New York in July, seeking employment with an established customer support agency. I bring my strong communication skills , conflict resolution and customer retention ability developed in seven years working in the industry.

Find customer service jobs on The Muse »

3. Entry-level

Creative marketing graduate seeking a social media assistant entry-level position at a fast-growing marketing agency. My goal is to apply my strong storytelling and creative writing skills to create impactful content for clients and foster professional development.

Find marketing jobs on The Muse »

Compassionate and enthusiastic elementary school teacher with four years of experience teaching young students. Seeking to leverage my creative ideas, multitasking and organizational skills to create a safe and stimulating environment where children can play and learn.

Find teacher jobs on The Muse »

Registered nurse with three years of experience in patient care , currently specializing in pediatric nursing. Seeking to join the Grey Hospital nursing team and bring my knowledge of patient care and my critical thinking skills to foster a safe and empathic environment for patients.

Find registered nurse jobs on The Muse »

6. Journalist

Seasoned journalist seeking a News Reporter position at the USPN channel. I bring my five years of experience working on live television, interviewing sources, gathering and reporting information in fast-paced environments.

Find journalist jobs on The Muse »

Seeking a litigation paralegal position at The Law Group. I bring my three years of experience in conducting legal research, processing legal documents, and witness preparation for deposition and trial.

Find lawyer jobs on The Muse »

8. Architect

Experienced architect relocating to Houston, Texas in August. In my 10 years of experience in the architecture industry I was able to work both in industrial and residential projects, holding high proficiency in AutoCAD and Photoshop.

Find architect jobs on The Muse »

9. Real estate specialist

Passionate and proactive real estate specialist with solid experience in lease negotiation and facility management. Looking for a similar role to manage a real estate portfolio, implementing strategies to improve profitability and cost effectiveness.

Find real estate jobs on The Muse »

10. Waiter/Waitress

Seeking a waitress position at a local, family-led restaurant where my two years of experience in customer service and hospitality industry would contribute to create an exceptional experience to customers, guests, and clients.

Find waiter/waitress jobs on The Muse »

Resume objective examples for tech professionals

11. software engineer.

Software engineer with 5 years of experience in the banking industry, pivoting to the customer service industry to foster professional growth. Deep knowledge of object oriented programming, experienced with Java, C++, C#, Ruby, Python, and relational database schema design.

Find software engineer jobs on The Muse »

12. Software developer

Computer science graduate seeking an entry-level position as software developer. I bring my experience with Git, Java, and Python, as well as strong documentation abilities and communication skills .

Find software developer jobs on The Muse »

13. Data scientist

Experienced data scientist, seeking a senior position in the e-commerce industry. My goal is to leverage my ability to write complex and efficient SQL queries to extract data and translate business needs into analytical frameworks.

Find data scientist jobs on The Muse »

14. SEO analyst

SEO analyst, passionate about SEO and digital audience growth. 7 years of experience with site migrations, SEO analytics tools (Google Search Console, Chartbeat, Google Analytics, and SEMRush), reporting and sharing data insights, and making data-driven decisions.

Find SEO analyst jobs on The Muse »

15. UI/UX Designer

Mid level UI/UX Designer, seeking employment in a fast-growing tech startup. Solid experience with user-centered design principles, knowledge of responsive design, strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Find UI/UX Designer jobs on The Muse »

Examples of resume objectives for creative jobs

16. content writer.

Results-driven content writer with two years of experience writing for blogs and websites. Skilled in SEO, creative copywriting, and storytelling, looking forward to applying my skills and creative ideas to help XYZ build an engaged audience.

Find content writer jobs on The Muse »

17. Graphic designer

Creative graphic designer seeking an entry level-position in the education industry. Proficient with InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Figma, and After Effects, quick learner with strong time management skills.

Find graphic designer jobs on The Muse »

18. Video editor

Outcome-oriented video editor, proficient with Final Cut, After Effects, Adobe Premiere, and Photoshop. Seeking employment in the entertainment industry where I intend to apply my extensive experience in storytelling and project management to create engaging stories.

Find video editor jobs on The Muse »

19. Social media manager

Experienced social media professional, seeking a manager position at a high-growth company. I bring my in-depth knowledge of social media strategy and five years of agency experience creating content that is engaging and exciting to the community.

Find social media manager jobs on The Muse »

Resume objective examples for administrative roles

20. front desk.

Highly energetic tourism and hospitality graduate, looking for a front desk clerk position. 1.5 years of experience in customer service. Strong time management and organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to learn quick and adapt in fast paced environments.

Find front desk jobs on The Muse »

21. Receptionist

Looking for a receptionist position in the real estate industry. Three years experience in customer-facing roles, communication and leadership skills, ability to work with tight deadlines focusing on all aspects of a task or project.

Find receptionist jobs on The Muse »

22. Administrative assistant

Seeking an administrative assistant role in the healthcare industry. I bring five years of experience in customer service, advanced Excel skills, and ability to multitask to perform my duties in a timely and efficient manner.

Find administrative assistant jobs on The Muse »

23. Human resources

Human resources graduate, looking for an entry level human resources generalist position with ABC company to apply my strong verbal and written communication skills , analytical abilities, and proficiency in Microsoft applications to provide hands-on assistance to the HR team.

Find human resources jobs on The Muse »

24. Logistics

Logistics supervisor seeking a manager position at AABB company. I bring my extensive experience in global logistics operations and project management to enhance supply chain and logistics efficiency and achieve cost-effectiveness.

Find logistics jobs on The Muse »

25. Executive assistant

Seeking an executive assistant role at XYZ company. I'm an experienced professional with strong interpersonal skills, ability to multitask, and attention to detail to provide timely and high quality administrative office support to senior level leaders.

Find executive assistant jobs on The Muse »

26. Office manager

Experienced administrative assistant seeking an office manager position in a fast-paced work environment to apply my written communication skills, time management, prioritization, and planning abilities and provide exceptional service and foster professional growth.

Find office manager jobs on The Muse »

Resume objective examples for sales jobs

27. sales assistant.

Problem solver and team player sales professional, seeking a sales assistant position in a challenging work environment. I bring my experience supporting high acquisition organizations, willingness to learn, and winning team spirit to support sales teams.

Find sales assistant jobs on The Muse »

28. Sales manager

Dynamic sales manager seeking employment in the pharmaceutical industry to develop strategic sales plans and achieve revenue and market share objectives. Two years of experience in pharmaceutical sales plus three years of experience in general sales, excellent communication and leadership skills.

Find sales manager jobs on The Muse »

29. Cashier

Recent high school graduate looking for a cashier position at a company with a culture of recognition and excellence. One year of experience in retail sales, strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills to represent the company in a professional manner.

Find cashier jobs on The Muse »

Examples of resume objectives for finance careers

30. banking.

Seasoned relationship banker looking to secure an investment banking analyst position at Bank of America. 15 years of experience in the banking industry, advanced knowledge of banking transactions, strong interpersonal skills, and ability to develop and expand relationships with stakeholders.

Find banking jobs on The Muse »

31. Accounting

B.S. graduate in accounting seeking an entry-level accounting associate position to use my growth mindset, desire to learn, and organizational skills to ensure financial goals are achieved and foster professional development.

Find accounting jobs on The Muse »

32. Financial analyst

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) looking to secure a senior position in a competitive and results-driven work environment. 10 years of experience in financial analysis in banking and technology industries, advanced Excel and SQL skills, and ability to articulate analysis outcomes and relevant insights.

Find financial analyst jobs on The Muse »

Key takeaways

Resume objectives aren't the favorite of most recruiters, but they still serve a purpose. If you're career pivoting, relocating, applying for your first job, or have a diverse professional background, an objective statement can help the hiring manager understand your career goals and how they align with the job opportunity.

However, in other circumstances, using a resume summary might be more appropriate. (Here are 20 resume summary examples to make writing your own easier .)

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Harness the Power of AI Editing Across Atlassian Products

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Good communication gets tasks done more efficiently. Whether you’re collaborating with teams, writing reports for leadership, or conveying ideas to clients, clear and effective communication is your ticket to success.

We understand how crucial smooth communication is in modern workflows. That’s why we infused the magic of generative AI into our suite of tools. These AI editing features are designed to make writing and editing easier and more efficient across a range of Atlassian products, including Confluence, Jira, Bitbucket, and Trello. 

Our AI editing features offer a range of capabilities to enhance your collaboration experience . Whether you’re drafting a detailed document in Confluence or setting up a complex task in Jira, our AI is here to help you:

• Tailor messaging
• Suggest improvements
• Catch writing mistakes 
• Streamline workflows

We’re excited to help you communicate more effectively and efficiently. Curious to see what Atlassian Intelligence can do for you? Keep reading to learn more about AI editing capabilities. 

Better Editing with Generative AI

Generative AI offers more than just simple open-field prompts; it revolutionizes the editing experience by providing features that streamline the writing process and improve the quality of content.

Here’s how generative AI editing enhances Atlassian products: 

• Versatile content creation: Users can generate content across various formats and styles, from project documentation to customer communications. AI assists in generating text that is coherent, relevant, and tailored to specific needs. 
• Audience-specific writing: Generative AI analyzes the context and audience of the content being edited, providing suggestions and insights to help tailor the writing style and tone accordingly. Whether communicating with technical teams or non-technical stakeholders, AI assists in crafting messages that make sense to the intended audience. 
• Clear and concise communication: With AI-powered editing features, users can improve the clarity and consciousness of their communication. AI offers suggestions for simplifying complex language, removing redundancies, and structuring information for better comprehension. 

Introducing New AI Editing Features

We’ve recently introduced several new AI editing features. Here’s what you can do: 

• Reference other Confluence pages and Jira tickets in prompts: Now, you can easily link to other Confluence pages or Jira tickets when using AI prompts in Confluence and Jira editors. This feature helps you deeply contextualize your prompts, and keep your references organized and accessible, making connecting related information easier across projects.
• AI summary and action items panel: A handy addition to any Confluence page, this feature provides an AI-generated summary or action items panel. As you update your page, the AI scans the content and suggests relevant summaries or action items. With just a click, you can update and refine these suggestions to keep your page fresh and informative.

• (Beta) Translation across 23 languages: Language barriers are no longer a hurdle. With this new feature, you can translate content across 23 languages directly within Confluence. Whether collaborating with international teams or reaching a global audience, translation ensures that language differences don’t stand in the way of effective communication. 

Create and Summarize with Atlassian Intelligence

Atlassian Intelligence has continued to innovate with cutting-edge AI editing features to create and summarize content across Atlassian’s suite of products, supporting you in your workflow at as many touch points as possible. 

Let’s take a look at the full suite of capabilities:

AI Editing in Confluence

With the power of AI, you can quickly create, summarize, and analyze content within Confluence . Let’s see how this translates into real-world benefits:

• Reference other Confluence pages and Jira tickets: This new feature helps contextualize prompts, making your content more comprehensive and ensuring better output. In your open-field AI prompt, you can link to relevant Confluence pages and tickets for AI to scan.
• Create AI summaries and action items: This new feature scans Confluence pages for key points and can generate summaries, making it easier to grasp the main ideas and relevant information quickly. 
• Generate content on a page: Need to create how-to articles, reports, campaign plans, or strategy pages quickly and efficiently? With open field prompting, AI empowers you to generate content directly on a page, streamlining the process and saving time.
• Analyze existing information: AI’s ability to analyze existing content can help define action plans and items based on the information available. As you review your existing Confluence pages, AI can identify key points and suggest actionable steps to take. 

AI Editing in Jira

Atlassian Intelligence capabilities aren’t limited to Confluence! They also enhance Jira . These features are designed to streamline workflow, improve content, and optimize the overall user experience: 

• Referencing other Jira tickets: As mentioned, this feature enhances the context of prompts in Jira, making creating and updating tickets with relevant information easier. Linking to Confluence pages and Jira tickets ensures all the necessary details are included. 
• Speeding up writing user stories and ticket updates : Create detailed and well-structured user stories quickly, with AI suggesting relevant information and context from other sources. You can also ensure your tickets always remain up-to-date. AI helps you add necessary details, ensuring clarity and completeness in your updates. 
• Generating suggestions: AI generates suggestions for removing dependencies and optimizing workflows. By analyzing existing data and patterns, AI can propose improvements that enhance efficiency and streamline processes to ensure a smoother project execution. 
• Brainstorming edge cases: AI in Jira helps brainstorm potential issues and dependencies, helping teams identify and address edge cases. This feature ensures that users consider all possible scenarios and avoid overlooking critical aspects of a project.

AI Editing in Bitbucket

With Atlassian Intelligence AI-generated pull request descriptions, Bitbucket users can focus more on coding and less on documentation. This feature streamlines the review process and improves communication across teams.

Atlassian Intelligence in Bitbucket automatically generates pull request descriptions and summarizes code changes. This feature saves developers time and ensures that pull requests are clear and informative, making it easier to understand the changes. 

AI Editing in Trello

Integrating AI to brainstorm new ideas in Trello enhances team collaboration and creativity. AI-enhanced editing in Trello can assist teams in brainstorming by providing intelligent suggestions and prompts. Use AI for: 

• Generating project ideas: AI can analyze existing boards, cards, and user inputs to suggest new project ideas. Whether you’re starting a new marketing campaign or planning a product launch, AI can provide relevant and innovative ideas to kickstart your project. 
• Task suggestions: For ongoing projects, AI can recommend specific tasks based on the project’s goals and previous activities. 

Transforming and Translating Content

With AI editing, you can go beyond content creation and summarization; capabilities allow teams to transform and translate content across Confluence, Jira, and Bitbucket. 

These capabilities ensure your communication is clear, effective, and accessible to a global audience: 

• Tone and writing quality adjustments: AI can adjust the tone of your content to fit various contexts. Whether you need a professional, empathetic, casual, neutral, or educational tone, AI can help tailor your writing for your audience and purpose. AI tools can also enhance overall writing by checking and correcting spelling, grammar, and consciousness. This process ensures your content is polished and easy to understand. 

• (Beta) Translating across 23 languages: AI-powered translation capabilities allow you to translate content across 23 languages. This feature helps teams operate globally, ensuring language barriers don’t hinder collaboration and understanding. AI helps team members and stakeholders from different backgrounds comprehend content by providing accurate translations.

Incorporate Atlassian Intelligence Into Your Workflow

Atlassian’s AI editing tools offer a suite of features that enhance communication and collaboration across our products. By integrating Atlassian Intelligence advanced AI capabilities, these tools streamline content creation, ensure content fits your workflow, and tailor content to the intended audience. AI helps users produce high-quality content effortlessly, reducing time spent on editing and allowing teams to focus on their core tasks. 

AI can transform the way teams work together. Explore these AI capabilities in your workflows to experience the benefits for yourself. 

Using Atlassian Intelligence in the work place

Atlassian Intelligence is a powerful resource that can change how your company operates. When everyone knows how to use it and why it’s important, it creates a culture where people work better together. 

With Atlassian Intelligence, tasks become easier, and decisions become smarter with data-driven insights and automation. When everyone understands how Atlassian Intelligence fits the company’s goals, it can be integrated smoothly into everyday work, making teams and individuals more productive and efficient. 

Learn more about how Atlassian Intelligence works .

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