WRITER’S STORIES
Seven (7) Tips to Ease That Pain
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“How to explain something that is too complex into something simple,” I pondered. Every time I explained about what is Internet of Things, I will try to see the reaction of the person. If he still feels blank, I can try to rephrase or explain a a different way.
But what if you don’t have the chance to explain face-to-face and you can’t get that reaction? What if you tried to explain in the form of an article. And most of the times, tech articles will not receive much comments or reactions.
Reflecting on my writing experience via blogging, I’ve gathered a treasure trove of insights on how to tackle these complex subjects with finesse.
I’m not claiming guru status yet, but let me pull back the curtain on some of my misadventures and breakthroughs that might just light the way for fellow aspiring writers.
1 – Write Consistently
“Write consistently,” they say.
Easier said than done, right? When I first started, my thoughts were like a bunch of unruly wires — needed some serious untangling.
Establishing a writing routine was like programming my brain — set the schedule, debug the laziness, and run the creativity script.
It’s like coaxing a Wi-Fi signal out of a two-bar scenario — it’s frustrating but oh-so-satisfying when you finally get full bars.
If you want to keep your ideas fresh and your style crisp, you’ve got to keep at it — daily, bi-weekly, whatever fits your circuit board!
2 – Craft Compelling Headlines
Ah, headlines. Those elusive creatures that can make or break your article.
Early on, my headlines could have put a caffeinated techie to sleep.
Then it clicked — headlines are like the sleek, sexy exterior of a high-tech gadget. They need to draw eyes in a crowded room (or page). So, I began to craft them with the precision of an engineer designing the next big IoT device.
Think less “How to Turn On Your IoT Device” and more “Unlocking the Power of IoT: Transform Your Everyday Gadgets into Smart Tech Marvels!” A good headline zaps the reader’s attention and keeps them hooked.
3 – Select a Core Topic
Dabbling in everything tech was like trying to specialize in, well, everything.
Jack of all trades, master of none, right?
So, I zeroed in on IoT — my true techy love. It’s like finding your favorite coding language and sticking to it. This focus not only sharpened my expertise but also magnetized a dedicated tribe of readers.
Specializing helps you carve out your niche in the vast digital cosmos. It’s about being the big fish in your own tech pond.
4 – Engage with Effective Formatting
Remember my early articles?
If this is your first time, just check out my IoT World Blog. Picture a dense block of code without comments or line breaks. Yeah, not very user-friendly.
Learning to break up my text with subheaders, bullet points, and visuals was like discovering the joy of whitespace in programming.
It turns a daunting wall of text into a welcoming gateway of information.
Each piece of the article is a stepping stone that guides the reader through the complex world of IoT without them getting lost in the jargon jungle.
5 – Avoid Begging for Attention
Oh, the cringe-worthy days of “Please like and share my post!”
Imagine a startup begging for investors without showing any prototype — it just feels desperate, right?
I learned that the strength of your content, like the robustness of a well-designed app, should naturally engage your audience.
Make your articles so compelling that readers can’t help but share them. You want your content to be the app everyone recommends to their friends because it’s just that good.
6 – Connect and Converse
Writing doesn’t end when you hit ‘publish’. Engaging with readers is like the customer service of writing — you’ve got to keep the users happy.
I started interacting in the comments and on social media, turning feedback into a goldmine for improvements and new ideas.
It’s like debugging in real-time; you find out what works, what doesn’t, and how to enhance your next update.
7 – Reflect and Adapt
Receiving tough feedback is like getting your code reviewed — it stings a bit but it’s crucial for growth.
I treat every piece of feedback like a kernel of knowledge that can refine my writing algorithm.
Regularly revisiting my old work, I’m often surprised by how far I’ve come and how much further I can go. It’s an iterative process, much like software development.
Keep refining, keep learning, and stay agile.
Navigating the complex terrain of IoT in writing has been a whirlwind of trials, errors, and triumphs.
By executing these strategies into your writing practice, you can not only enhance your skills but also deeply engage your readership, making the journey as rewarding as the destination.
Remember, each article is not just a publication but a stepping stone towards mastering the art of writing about the ever-changing world of technology.
Keep plugging away, keep your circuits firing, and let every word you write connect you closer to your audience.
Dr. Mazlan Abbas 