Letter #20: 4 quick writing tips from a journalist

Want to improve your content’s quality? These pro tips will help.

Hello hello 👋

This fresh week I bring to you writing tips from Sarah Frier, author of No Filter (the book that I’ve recently finished) who covers big tech at Bloomberg. 

Google’s knowledge graph introduces her saying: “Her award-winning features and breaking stories have earned her a reputation as an expert on how Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter make business decisions that affect their future and our society.”

Of her work that I’ve read though, I’d say she’s a dope writer. Also, a top-notch journalist who shares Instagram’s tale wrapped in what I call “epic storytelling” in her book.  

In fact, studying her writing and the way she unfurls the story can help you up your content game 🚀

So here are 4 writing tips that I gleaned from the book: 

✅ Tell engaging stories and make sure you throw in relatable characters too 

Sarah’s book has a well-planned plot, proper character development, and a bit of dialogue (as she quotes some of her interviewees) — all put together in a story sharing struggles, wins, vulnerabilities, and takeaways for readers. 

✅ Write with an air of authority to win readers’ trust 

Being a subject matter expert helps with this.

But there’s more that you can do (or guide freelance writers you’re working with to do): interview experts and research information on the topic.

Then, drop your research sources’ names in your content to highlight the amount of work you’ve done. 

✅ Share reasonable context throughout your writing 

This way, you can educate readers on matters they don’t know of or need refreshers on. 

✅ Be descriptive (share specific details that spur imagination)

This is the key to making your writing memorable. And to flirt with your writers’ imagination — helping you not only get their attention but also retain it. 

That’s it for today 🤓

Have you picked up writing tips from authors you’ve read? Hit reply and share ‘em with me.