• The (anti-chaos) Content Cohort
  • How I Can Help
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • WordPlan: 1-1 Content Strategy Planning
  • Menu

4.23 Communication

Be well said.
  • The (anti-chaos) Content Cohort
  • How I Can Help
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • WordPlan: 1-1 Content Strategy Planning
 
 
 
 
Privacy Policy

© 2017-26 423 Communication, LLC. All rights reserved. Site design by Blue Elephant Creative.
Never start with a blank page

Well Said Wednesday: Never Start With A Blank Page

September 25, 2019 in Content Planning, Message Basics

If you follow 4.23 on Facebook, you’ll know that yesterday’s post was an ode to Sh*tty First Drafts. Because getting started writing new material can be tough.

It’s made easier when you know what you’re writing about and why - which is a huge component to Building Your Content Plan.

But, as my workshoppers often realize, the plan is an excellent framework. And then that framework has to be filled in with copy.

That’s why I when work with business owners who bring me on as their Content Coach, we go through a launch process so that they are never, ever starting with a blank page when creating content.

Starting with a blank page makes writing way harder than it has to be.

Instead, ask yourself these 3.5 important questions before you write and your sh*tty first draft will be a lot less sh*tty.

Question 1: What am I trying to say?

Give yourself a moment to get clear about your “what.” Keep it small and focused.

Question 2: Why am I saying it?

This is even more important. What’s the reason you’re talking about this at all?

Question 3: Why do I care about that my audience know this?

Pro tip: this question often leads to excellent client stories to tell.

Question 3.5: Why should my audience care?

A great way to get into the headspace of your audience.
Which, by the way, is far more important than your own.

That’s it. That’s all I want you to think about today, or any day you have to create content.

In fact, I have a great little card that I share with people at events that highlights 4.23 Communication’s Content Launch Questions. I keep one on my desk to keep me focused.

Want one? Tell me where to mail it!

Tags: Content Strategy, Be well said, Writer's Block, Sh*tty First Drafts, Barbara Govednik
Prev / Next

Well Said
Again

Some of our favorite blogs.


Recent Posts
Well Said Wednesday: What Writing My Dad's Obituary Showed Me About Writing For My Business
Well Said Wednesday: What Writing My Dad's Obituary Showed Me About Writing For My Business

The presumption is that there’s only one way to do it and that you must manipulate and tamp down your true voice – and your very message – to fit that form.

It’s not true.

Read more →
Well Said Wednesday:  ICYMI: Clean Up On Aisle Seven
Well Said Wednesday: ICYMI: Clean Up On Aisle Seven

What I had out there was a little junky, a little hodgepodge, a little chaotic. (Oh, the irony.) But also super common. So common, in fact, that I am willing to call myself out for it!

Message chaos happens three ways:

Read more →
Well Said Wednesday: When the tank runs dry...
Well Said Wednesday: When the tank runs dry...

This month, I am doing some deep work within my business. I am sussing out the ways I can bring the most help, support, structure and sanity to my fellow small business owners. I am designing ways for them to embody their message, in the simplest, yet most compelling ways.

And I’m running through Sharpies and Post It’s like it’s my job! (Well, for now it kind of is my job.)

Read more →
Well Said Wednesday:  About Those Voices In Your Head...
Well Said Wednesday: About Those Voices In Your Head...

Your inner critic will tell you plainly that you’re about to embarrass yourself or that you can’t say that. It’s a shifty, narrow-minded, unhappy entity that entices you to backspace, delete and spend your writing time listening to the entire catalog of The Police. Your inner critic will tell you plainly that you’re about to embarrass yourself or that you can’t say that. It’s a shifty, narrow-minded, unhappy entity that entices you to backspace, delete and spend your writing time listening to the entire catalog of The Police. Don’t let it.

Read more →
Well Said Wednesday, Again:  Unsubscribes For The Win!
Well Said Wednesday, Again: Unsubscribes For The Win!

I could feel myself teetering on the edge of "why bother" last Monday. (Yep, even people who do this for a living and who know that content marketing is a long game of trust building and credential establishing have weak moments.) 

Read more →