Mastering the Art of Writing with Personality: A 4-Step Guide

 

The Power of Personality in Content Creation

Let's face it...

The most valuable skill you can possess as a content creator is the ability to write with personality.

Why?

Because people crave entertainment, and a captivating personality is simply irresistible.

When you can infuse your content with a distinct personality and build an audience around it, everything else falls into place. People love, pay, and support creators they genuinely like.

This is precisely why Hollywood actors earn millions while others struggle to make ends meet.

Personality is the key to engaging content, and engaging content means success.

 

Overcoming the Fear and Temptation of Templates

 Now, here's the catch:

Developing a unique writing style with personality is no easy feat.

In fact, it's one of the most challenging skills to learn and teach.

However, I recently had a enlightening conversation with my good friend and we devised a framework to teach the art of writing and creating content with personality.

A Long-Term Journey: Treating Writing with Personality as a Skill

First and foremost, it's crucial to understand that writing with personality is a skill—a skill that requires constant practice and refinement.

So, don't take it lightly. Commit to this process, and I assure you, your life will transform for the better.

Your audience will grow, your wallet will fatten, and your life will become more fulfilling and fun.

Let's embark on this journey together.

Step 1 - Grasping the Universal Principles of Good Writing

To begin, we must acknowledge that all good communication stems from good writing. Mastering the art of writing is our foundation. While we can't delve into this vast topic in a single post, here's a valuable tip:

Immerse yourself in the following books to understand the principles of good writing and immediately put them into practice by writing and publishing content:

 - "The Elements of Style" by Willink Strunk Jr. and E.B. White

- "The Adweek Copywriting Handbook" by Joe Sugarman

- "Great Leads" by Michael Masterson

By grasping fundamental principles you'll have a reliable foundation to lean on whenever you sit down to write.

Step 2 - Breaking Free from Natural Speech Patterns

You've likely heard the advice to "write like you speak," but here's a revelation:

That advice doesn't apply to everyone.

While it's beneficial for individuals with exceptional speaking skills, it can be disastrous for those who struggle with articulation or tend to ramble without closure. Instead, focus on learning to write well and witness how it enhances every aspect of your communication.

Step 3 - Mastering the Art of Storytelling

Now that you've learned to distinguish between good and bad writing, it's time to inject your personality into your work by incorporating storytelling.

But here's the next challenge:

What makes a good story, and how do you learn storytelling? The key lies in consuming a plethora of stories and applying critical thinking. This may sound daunting, but it's the most effective way to learn.

Forget about formulaic approaches or "how-to" books on storytelling; storytelling is an art form that demands practice and a deep understanding of what engages and resonates with your audience.

Step 4 - Emulating until Your Unique Style Emerges

This technique takes inspiration from Benjamin Franklin's method.

Identify writers who produce the type of content you aspire to create. Reflect on your desired writing style and compile a list of these writers. Immerse yourself in their work, studying and analyzing it.

Apply the Benjamin Franklin technique by emulating their writing until you develop a unique blend of your natural style and the styles you admire. Eventually, your personality will shine through in your content, creating a distinct voice that resonates with your audience.

NOTE: This piece explores breaking free from content templates and the importance of creating a personal brand. It stresses that true success comes from showing your unique voice, building trust, and engaging audiences authentically. Read more.

The Path to Mastery

There are no shortcuts on the journey to writing with personality. It's a continuous process that demands dedication and practice. While reading books on writing provides a solid foundation, the real learning begins when you cultivate a habit of reading extensively and writing prolifically. Writing with personality is a skill that few master, but those who dedicate themselves to this craft find that everything else falls into place.

So, embrace the challenge, persist, and watch as your unique voice captivates your audience and propels you towards success.

Hope this guide helps you unleash your writing personality.