A mistake?

A guest post by Sean DSouza of Psychotactics

I remember the time I was watching a video on the ‘water test’

The ‘water test’ is a method to accurately gauge if a pan is exactly at the right temperature, as the accurate temperature prevents the ingredients from sticking.

As you might have realised, I had my nose to the video to make sure I wasn’t getting the steps wrong. Yet when I tried it on my pan at home, I couldn’t replicate the water test. No matter how many times I watched the video and tried the exact steps, I still couldn’t get the ‘water test’ to work.

The reason? I was using a non-stick pan

Yeah, mine was non-stick and the pan in the video was a stainless steel pan. Heck! You think I would have seen the difference. But I never did, and your readers have the same problem when they’re reading your articles.

And that’s because they’re not just reading. They’re trying to read, assimilate and execute the learning at one go.

And in doing so, they miss out some valuable points

In effect, they make ‘mistakes’. And those in-attentional mistakes can be avoided if you take the trouble to educate your reader. Of course the easiest formula to achieve this goal is to do the following:

Step 1: Give the reader the steps to follow.
Step 2: Point out the hurdles along the way.

Step 1: Give the reader the steps to follow

Let’s say you’re teaching the reader how to cook a delicious chicken tikka masala. Obviously, you’d give them steps, because the reader is now following a recipe. And that’s what most recipes do. They tell you what to do. But they don’t tell you what possible problems or mistakes you could make while executing the dish. Which is where Step 2 comes into play.

Step 2: Point out the hurdles along the way

So ha jee, we have shown the reader how to make the chicken dish, but now we need to point out where they can go wrong. They may fry the spices too long, causing a bitter after taste. Or the gravy may turn a bit sour. And when we point out these mistakes, we help the reader avoid the obstacles in advance.

This gives your article two solid advantages

Any article that covers both the how-to as well as the mistakes immediately marks itself out as a solid, enduring piece of information. The second advantage however, is that if your article instantly gets beefed up to a nice, solid consistency every single time.

But what are the mistakes you can make when adding ‘mistakes?’

The problem with article-writing isn’t that you have less information. In fact the reverse is often true. You have the curse of knowledge. So you try to stuff your article with a whole lot of how-to information. And then while the reader rolls around with indigestion, you proceed to add even more on his plate.

And there’s a way around this problem

You want to balance out the how-to with the mistakes. If you have two or three steps involved in the how-to, then a mistake or two is fine to slip in, just to balance things a bit. But should you find yourself generating half a dozen mistakes or more, it’s probably a better idea to write an article (or two) that covers the mistakes alone.

Pointing out the mistakes a reader can make are crucial

I sure as heck should have known that I should have been using a stainless steel pan. The pan was right in front of my eyes in the video I was watching. And yet I missed it. And so will your reader.

So point out the mistakes and both you and your reader will go on to make many more perfect chicken tikka masalas for a long, long time.

To read more articles by Sean DSouza—and get a very useful report on “Why Headlines Fail”, go toPsychoTactics.com

A guest post by Sean DSouza of Psychotactics

Put couple of tablespoons of petrol in your car’s tank today. And see what happens to the car.

I’ll tell you what. It’ll probably take you a few inches further.

And you’ll say to yourself: “What the heck? What difference will a few inches make?”
Just as you’d say: “What the heck? What difference will a word or two make to enhance the power of a headline?”

You’ll be amazed, how by simply adding a target + a specific, you’ll make your headline far more attractive in a matter of seconds.

Why don’t we find out for ourselves, eh?

And let’s start off by taking a random topic…

e.g. Let’s take an topic such as: ‘Why article writing is the key’

But the key to ‘what?’

Most writers leave out the core detail. They miss out telling you where the article is going in the first instance. And these writers don’t leave out the core detail on purpose.

They just don’t realise the importance of the core detail. And the core detail should usually contain what we’d loosely call a ‘target.’

A ‘target’ is simply ‘who or what are we speaking about?’

Let’s me demonstrate what I mean, by doing a little addition.

So instead of: Why article writing is the key…

We say: Why article writing is the key ‘to getting strategic alliances.’
We say: Why article writing is the key ‘to getting clients.’
We say: Why article writing is the key ‘to getting paid.’

Notice what happened when we put in that ‘target’?

First, it actually gave your article a solid direction. And hey, it did even more. It created curiosity. Your la-la topic, suddenly spruced up, brushed its hair, and put on a tuxedo.

And if you’re amazed at what adding a ‘target’ could do, let’s now add a ‘specific’ to that headline. I’m going to replace just one word/one phrase at a time. And you watch.

Watch how the article literally swings from one side to another.

Example 1:

Why article writing is the key.
Why article writing is the key to getting strategic alliances.
Why article writing is the key to getting ‘active’ strategic
alliances.

Example 2:
Why article writing is the key.
Why article writing is the key to getting clients.
Why article writing is the key to getting ‘higher-paying’ clients.

Example 3:
Why article writing is the key.
Why article writing is the key to getting paid.
Why article writing is the key to getting paid ‘in advance.’

So you see what we did?

We took the core topic.
We added a target.
We added one specific such as ‘active’ or ‘higher-paying’ or ‘in advance’.
And we instantly intensified the power of the headline.

Amazingly that change in the headline did a lot more. It made the article easier for you to write. Without the ‘target’ and the ‘specifics’, the headline was weak, and the resulting article would be a soggy waffle.

But as we put in the ‘target’ and the ‘specific’ it actually forced you to focus on that specific, thus resulting in a mucho superior article.

Instead of the article being general and vague, it’s now specific.

You’re either going to be writing about ‘article writing’ and ‘active strategic alliances.’ Or ‘article writing’ and ‘higher-paying clients.’ Or ‘article writing’ and ‘getting paid in advance.’

You’re most certainly not going to write about all three (not right today, at least!)

Because as you can plainly see, they’re three completely different articles, going in three completely different directions. But when you have a vague headline, it’s almost impossible to keep the content of the article focused.

When you have a specific headline, it’s darned impossible to go off track.

What’s more is that your audience is more focused too, because the rest of your article is delivering exactly what the headline promised.

The specificity of the headline is what drew the reader in, and it’s the specificity of the rest of the article that will keep the reader reading.

And if you don’t believe me, remove those measly words…

Remove the specifics. Chop off the target.
Then write your article.

The headline loses power. The article weaves, then stalls. What’s worse is that the entire article becomes so much harder to write.

And even if you were to actually complete and publish the article, your reader would not experience a sense of clarity.

And you get that clarity with just two measly words. The addition of just a measly word or two, and your article is vrroooming down the road.

And hey, in the right direction too!

To read more articles by Sean DSouza—and get a very useful report on “Why Headlines Fail”, go to PsychoTactics.com

A guest post by David Meadvin of Inkwell Strategies

I’ve focused almost my entire career on speechwriting for senior government officials.  When I left the public sector to launch my own speechwriting firm last year, I almost immediately started receiving inquiries from journalists and freelance writers interested in learning more about speechwriting.  In this article, I’ll tell you about how I became a professional speechwriter and share some tips for dipping your toe into the profession.

I was fresh out of college and living with two roommates in a tiny old walkup apartment in Manhattan’s Lower East Side.  I hadn’t taken my first step in the professional world, but was reaching out for advice and job leads.

One morning, I got an email from a friend of a friend.  He informed me that the new governor of a very large state had already cycled through a handful of speechwriters in his first few months and desperately needed someone for the job.  I had some political experience from summers growing up in New York and took quite a few writing-intensive courses during college.  I knew a little bit about politics and a little bit about writing, but I had never written a major speech for myself or anyone else.

I figured I didn’t have a shot at the job.  I was 22 years old and had virtually no relevant experience.  But since email is free, I figured there was no downside to sending in my resume.  I emailed it along with a cover letter that put a brave spin on my inexperience, and then promptly forgot all about it.

A couple of weeks later, I got a phone call from the governor’s communications director.  She received my resume and liked it enough to request a writing sample.  Three days later, I was on a flight to meet with the governor and was offered the job on the spot.  I didn’t even have enough time to fly home and pack up before moving and diving headfirst into my new job.

Like that, I was a professional speechwriter.  It took a stroke of good luck, an employer desperate to fill a slot, and a little bit of a knack for decent writing.  And aside from a few detours, it’s pretty much all I’ve done since then.

After spending several years writing on Capitol Hill and the U.S. Department of Justice, I’m now president of Inkwell Strategies, a Washington, DC-based firm that specializes in speechwriting and message development.  Frequently I’ll get an email from someone looking for advice on how to break into speechwriting.  Here are some of the things I usually tell them:

-          The first speech is the hardest. As is the case for many niche professions, most speechwriting jobs require significant previous experience.  This creates a classic chicken and egg conundrum: how do you get that previous experience if there aren’t many entry level opportunities? Your best bet is to write a few speeches for free or on spec to build a small portfolio.  When I’m hiring a writer, it doesn’t make much difference to me whether they previously wrote for a Fortune 500 CEO or a town councilman.  If the writing is good, I’ll take notice.

-          Great writing for speech is different than great writing for paper.  I’ve heard from a number of journalists who have tried to make the leap to speechwriting and found it surprisingly difficult.  The longer, more complex phrases and sentence construction you might find in literature doesn’t translate when spoken.  If you’re new to speechwriting, the most important thing you can do is stand up and read your draft aloud.  If you stumble on it, your boss will, too.

-          Simple is always better. TV shows like The West Wing might give the impression that speechwriting is all about sweeping, grand phrases.  Yes, there are rare instances when big words are appropriate.  But the number one trap for novice speechwriters is writing “too big.”  If you’re writing the president’s next State of the Union address, by all means break out the thesaurus.  Otherwise, stick to clear, simple language, expressed in short sentences that are easy for the speaker to deliver and the audience to follow.  You’ll notice that even history’s most famous rhetorical flourishes are usually comprised of concise language artfully composed.

-          Read first.  Write second. Whether you write for an elected official, corporate CEO or as a freelancer, you’ll be called on to write speeches on a wide variety of topics.  No speechwriter can be an expert on everything.  When an assignment comes in, give yourself at least a day or two to gather and read as much material as you can put your hands on.  The depth of your research will depend on the scope of the project.  If you feel that the amount of research required will leave you with little time for writing, consider working with a researcher or asking your client for assistance with research.

-          Beware of burnout. A colleague who wrote for President Clinton once described speechwriting to me as “the best dead-end job in the world.”  It can be extremely exhilarating and rewarding, but at a certain point, most professional speechwriters hit a wall.  Churning out constant content is emotionally – and even physically – exhausting.  I once calculated that during my career as a U.S. Senate staffer, I wrote more than 1 million words in the Congressional Record.  That meant staying constantly wired to the news and issues of the day, developing an in-depth knowledge of major policy initiatives, and burning through quite a few keyboards.  It’s a great ride, but few can stay on it for long.

Some have raised concerns that the modern media, which can value sound bites and 140-character Tweets over thoughtful prose, could prove fatal to the speechwriting industry.  But legendary speechwriter Peggy Noonan recently opined that on the contrary, backlash to this “CliffsNotes” version of political debate is creating new demand for deeper dialogue.  As she put it, “speeches are back.”  I’m inclined to agree.  If so, it’s great news for current and aspiring speechwriters alike.

David Meadvin was chief speechwriter for the U.S. Attorney General and U.S. Senate Majority Leader, among others.  He is president of Inkwell Strategies, a professional speechwriting and executive communications firm.

When we called for nominations for the Top 10 Blogs for Writers  Contest, we got over 500 responses. This year’s fifth annual competition was intense. Great to see how passionate readers feel about their favorite writing blog!

We ended up with 20 finalists.

The finalists were closely examined by our panel of judges,with the greatest weight on the quality of their content. Here are the judges:

• Leo Babauta, the creator of Zen Habits and mnmlist, the author of Focus and co-creator of Write to Done.
• Brian Clark, the creator of CopyBlogger, as well as co-founder of Teaching Sells and Third Tribe.
• Michael Stelzner, the author of “Writing White Papers” and Founder of Social Media Examiner
• Deb Ng, the founder and former owner of the Freelance Writing Jobs. She now blogs about blogging and social media at Kommein and works as Conference Director for the BlogWorld and New Media Expo.

And now is the time to reveal the winners of the Top 10 Blogs for Writers. There’s some serious gold here, folks!

1. StoryFix
   .
2. Men with Pens
   .
3. Make a Living Writing
   .
4. Cats Eye Writer
   .
5. The Renegade Writer
   .
6. Writer Unboxed
   .
7. Word Play
   .
8. The Creative Penn
   .
9. Victoria Mixon
   .
10. Courage to Create

Congratulations to all the winners!

Readers, be sure to check out these awesome blogs.

And please help spread the word!  Click the retweet button to share this post with friends and fans.

The badge of distinction: If you are a winner, feel free to post the image you see here on your blog. Please link the badge back to this page.

I’d like to thank the judges for all their work. It’s a big responsibility and takes a lot of time to examine each blog with care. Leo, Deb, Michael, and Brian – you have lifted this contest to a whole new level.

Mary Jaksch – Chief Editor WTD

I would also like to acknowledge Scott McIntyre of Vivid Ways for his generous help with organizing this contest.

A guest post by Darko of FinderMind.com

Don’t just do it, just get started!
What a great name of a blog for this topic! Write to Done, implying ‘Write and get it done!’.

Procrastination is a topic commonly discussed in the writer’s community. Yet, when it comes to the evidence presented to back up specific claims on procrastination, it all comes down to opinions. No specific studies are mentioned nor the things we can learn from these studies. Maybe because people aren’t aware of them.

I hope all of this is going to change with this article. We’ll explore some of the findings from the  psychology on procrastination and the lessons we can learn from those studies.

Just do It Doesn’t Help Much

One great quote I once heard about this is, Telling a person who chronically procrastinates ‘Just do it’ is like saying to a chronically depressed person ‘Just relax! This might sound funny at first, but think about this quote for a while.

We have an entire self-help industry with a bunch of books preaching this Nike’s logo as the ultimate way to get out of procrastination. Just do it, don’t delay! I wish it worked so well. I don’t want to imply this particular motivational phrase doesn’t work at all, but it doesn’t work as well as many people (who write pop psychology books) would like to.

Timothy A Pychyl is an associate professor of psychology at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. He and his students did a series of studies where they determined that the participant’s perceptions of the tasks they needed to get done changed over the course of the week (many avoided doing a task on Monday). The second thing they discovered is once people started doing the task, they didnít find it so dreadful as they thought it would be.

What’s the lesson here? According to professor Pychyl, the lesson is to just to get started. I found this phrase useful to replace the Nike’s logo. You don’t have to just do it, but just get started. It only takes you a small start to see that the thing you wanted to do isn’t as scary as you thought. Do you think that new article you plan to write will be a nightmare? Try to get started and you’ll probably see it isn’t that bad. To get started is way easier than to do it.

How to Resist Short-Term Temptations

You’ve probably heard about that Marshmallow study where they determined the kids that resisted eating the marshmallow were WAY more happier/positive/persistent/successful than the kids who ate it immediately. If you haven’t heard of the experiment, here’s a short summary:

A kid is placed in a room with a table and a marshmallow on it. The kid is explained by the experimenter that he can eat the marshmallow now or wait until the experimenter is back and then he’ll get two. The goal here is to examine whether the kid is going to resist eating the marshmallow while nobody is in the room.

This is just one experiment to demonstrate how self-will and self-discipline is important in long-term success. The problem I have with all this is that nobody TELLS you HOW to NOT eat the marshmallow! I think that telling someone “resist short-term temptations” is far from enough to get him to do that. I think this is like telling a depressed person “resist feeling depressed!” It just doesn’t work well.

Two psychologists (Fishback from the University of Chicago and Benjamin Converse from the University of Virginia) have a few specific suggestions to offer on overcoming temptations.

The first suggestion is the concept of width. Temptations might seem harmless at first (should I not exercise these two days? It isn’t a big deal!) if we consider them in isolation. What we should do is to expand out view and consider other opportunities that will impact our long-term goal. Something like ‘Yes, being lazy and not exercising today might be harmless but tomorrow I’ll be in the same situation).

The second concept is consistency and it implies that we need to expect that the particular decision we’ll make at the moment will play out in the future. This is common sense if you think about it: You are more likely to do tomorrow what you did today. Or at least it will be easier to make the same thing in the future. So if you listen to your temptation today, you are more likely to do the same thing tomorrow. If you avoid your temptation today, you are also more likely to do that tomorrow. What will you choose?

The same concept applies to writing, if you avoid starting writing today, you’re more likely to do it tomorrow. So just get started and realize that the more you do it, the easier it will get and will eventually help you get closer to your long-term writing goals.

Darko is currently writing for FinderMind.com