ECRET

TOP S

THE
SECRET 6
Six Pro Writer Secrets to
Go from Blog Beginner to
Master in a Week

DAVID LEE
 INTRODUCTION

My sophomore year in college one of my writing professors gave me some

advice after class that I have kept with me and used it my entire career.

He said it as if he was passing on something invaluable. As if few people knew it

or even were allowed to know it.

It was the first secret.

I have worked with some incredibly talented copy writers, editors, journalists,
feature writers and bloggers in my career. I have discovered several other
secrets that writers use often to make their writing more professional and
effective.

I’m going to share six of the biggest secrets with you in this eBook!

All of these are important to the pros. I have used these exact secrets to
generate thousands of dollars a month on several different websites and blogs.
You can use them all to start writing like a pro in less than a week!

Make your writing more professional.

Make your writing more effective.
Connect more with your readers.
Find your voice.
Engage your readers quickly and keep their attention.
Discover a time and place for writing.
And many more benefits.

©Copyright 2016 All Rights Reserved – CoachDavidLee.com

 A LITTLE ABOUT ME

I’ve done a lot of writing, editing, marketing and public relations over my career.
I have been published in hundreds of national newsstand magazines and have
created marketing materials for billion-dollar companies.

I’ve met and interviewed hundreds of professional athletes (that’s me below

with Heisman Trophy winner and college football national champion Derrick
Henry), and have partnered with the NFL, NBA and billion-dollar companies to
create marketing campaigns and business building materials.

I’ve also built successful businesses and brands online with various websites and
blogs that generated tens of thousands of dollars in MONTHLY sales. Some of
these are still bringing me business today. That’s the power of attraction
marketing and blogging.

Me and Heisman Trophy Winner/College Football

National Champion Derrick Henry

So, are you ready to get started? Let’s go!

©Copyright 2016 All Rights Reserved – CoachDavidLee.com

 THE FIRST SECRET: WRITE LIKE YOU TALK

This is that first secret I was talking about earlier.

My professor simply told me, “Write like you talk.” It’s one of the best pieces of
advice I ever received. It’s ridiculously simple, but something that so many
people never consider.

Now, this doesn’t mean word for word. It doesn’t mean the lazy grammar that
can slip out when you talk. And it doesn’t mean your crutch phrases (“you
know?” “uhm” “I mean”).

When you write, make sure it’s you. Make sure it’s your voice. You’re not Robert
Frost or J.K. Rowling, so don’t try to be them.

I’ve read a lot of people’s writing that sounds nothing like them. It’s as if they
become a completely different person when they put their fingers on a
keyboard.

I’ve also read a lot of writing that is so real and genuine that you can almost see
the writer’s personality in the words they write. That’s good writing. Not
necessarily because it’s grammatically perfect, but because it’s real.

Don’t use words or phrases you wouldn’t say. Don’t try to impress people. Being
genuine is way more important. If you have a blog, it’s probably something
you’re passionate about. Use that. Focus on that.

If you are more genuine in your writing, your passion about your subject will
shine through and connect with your readers. You will also get more fulfillment
knowing that your blog is genuine.

PRO TIP: Read good writing.

What authors do you like? What do you like about them?
What is it about their writing draws you in? Pay attention to
that, because it will help you find your voice.

©Copyright 2016 All Rights Reserved – CoachDavidLee.com

Cont. The First Secret: Write Like You Talk

PUT IT TO THE TEST

How do you test to see if your blog post or article is your voice? Read it out loud.
If it doesn’t sound like you—if it sounds odd—it’s probably not your voice. Ask
yourself, “Would I talk to someone this way? Do I use these words when I talk?”

Another way to test your writing it to read it to people who know you well. See
what they say. They may pick up on some things that you can’t.

If you’re funny, be funny. If you’re more technical, be technical. Just be you.

You’ll attract way more people by being real than you will by trying to be
someone you’re not.

It sounds simple, but it’s huge. Practice this a few times and I promise you’ll
surprise yourself.

PRO TIP: Kill the clichés!

Look, we are all in the same boat here. So, for the love of all
things holy, avoid clichés like the plague. They seriously make
me want to pull my hair out. (See what I did there?)

Clichés are not you!

©Copyright 2016 All Rights Reserved – CoachDavidLee.com

 THE SECOND SECRET: SHORT SENTENCES. SHORT
PARAGRAPHS. SHORT POSTS.

People’s attention span is getting shorter and shorter. You’ve probably already
stopped reading this eBook. But if you’re still with me, please, keep on reading.
This is a big one!

Whatever you’re writing, the most important thing you have to understand is
your audience. Who are you writing to? What are they getting out of your blog?
What value are you bringing your readers? What problems are you solving?

You also must understand that your readers are busy. Keep your blogs short.
How do you do that? Keep your paragraphs short. And to do that, keep your
sentences short.

Short sentences. Short paragraphs. Short posts. Mmmmkay?

Sometimes it will make sense to make some sentences longer. That’s fine. But do
what you can to keep it short and easy to read. You want your readers to
understand your post the first time they read it. You want them to be able to
easily follow along without having to re-read sections.

Like in the example below, it’s OK to start with short sentences and gradually
increase the word count.

©Copyright 2016 All Rights Reserved – CoachDavidLee.com

Cont. The Second Secret: Short Sentences. Short Paragraphs. Short Posts.

HOW TO SHRINK IT
“How can I make this shorter?”

Ask yourself that constantly. If you can say the exact same thing in fewer words,
do that!

When you’re writing, go ahead and just write. Finish your post. Get the thoughts
out of your head. Then go back and see how you can delete some words, and
condense your sentences and paragraphs. Look for places where it makes sense
to break up a longer paragraph. People don’t want to read large blocks of text.

Keep in mind that about half of all website visitors are using a small mobile
device. Text on a phone, for example, will display narrower, especially if people
hold their phone vertically, which most do.

If at first glance your readers see short sentences and short paragraphs, they are
more likely to engage and stick with your post.

Keeping your posts short will leave your readers wanting more. This is where you
can link to other relevant posts that support or continue the subject you’re
writing about. This way you keep your readers engaged on your block, looking
for more info and building you as a credible source.

PRO TIP: Stay on topic.

Once you decide on a post topic, flush it out and stick with it. Your post
might take a few turns here and there as you write, and you might do
some editing. But overall, stick with the purpose of your post.

©Copyright 2016 All Rights Reserved – CoachDavidLee.com

 THE THIRD SECRET: WHEN AND WHERE
YOU WRITE MATTER
Some of the best and most effective writers in the world have a specific place
they like to write. They also have a favorite time they like to write.

You may be able to write at any time, but I bet if you start paying attention to
this secret, you will find that you also have a time and a place in which you
produce better content. Let’s first take a look at the place.

Some pro writers might have a few specific places, or types of places, they like to
write. It’s a place they use specifically for writing. Here are some traits this
special place can have:

It’s free from as many distractions as possible.

It inspires you.
It puts you “in the mood” to write.
It’s quiet.

Some places you can try:

A small corner of a room

A park
A local coffee shop
A public bus or train
A couch
A patio

Those are just a few examples. It could be several places like these. You might
even designate one of these places to just start writing with a pen and paper and
transcribe it later.

Or, mix it up. Changing your atmosphere can be a great way to get new ideas
and experiences.

Think about places where you are comfortable. But not too comfortable—you
don’t want to fall asleep. What places can you designate solely for your writing?

©Copyright 2016 All Rights Reserved – CoachDavidLee.com

Cont. The Third Secret: When and Where You Write Matter

PRO TIP: Turn off your phone!

Set a specific time you will write. Focus on your writing and eliminate
distractions. You will be amazed at how much you will get done in a short
amount of time with planned, undistracted focus.

TIME AFTER ALL

Do you want your blog posts to be in your voice? Do you want to write more
effectively and connect with your readers? If so, pay attention to the time of day
you write.

This one is connected to the place in which you write. Once you identify your
best place and time to write, combining these two can help immeasurably.

You won’t always be able to write at a specific time, and that’s OK. Scheduling
specific times during the day or week to write will make it a priority. This is one
of the most common excuses people give for not having a blog. No time. But
scheduling it will make it a priority. At first, you might want to try different times
to see how it works in your schedule.

You’ll hear many writers say

they need to be “in the mood”
to write. Here’s the truth:
when inspiration hits you, you
should write. Or at least start
jotting down notes to capture
your idea. That’s not always
going to happen at the perfect
time. But if you make it a
priority to block off a specific time of day that you feel you do your best writing,
your schedule will “magically” start to be more flexible. The universe is funny
that way.

Most writers claim their ideal time to write is in the morning before any of the
day’s distractions have had a chance to hijack their mind. Maybe it’s in the
morning on a quiet back porch with a cup of coffee. I don’t care if it’s at 7:00 in
the morning or 11:30 at night. Just make sure you block out the time to write.

©Copyright 2016 All Rights Reserved – CoachDavidLee.com

 THE FOURTH SECRET: USE AN AP STYLEBOOK,
AND USE IT OFTEN
This one probably surprised you. Now, before you just move past this one
thinking you can dismiss it, know that this is the secret that will put the finishing
touches on your writing.

This is the secret that will increase your credibility. It

irons out the wrinkles. It creates consistency. If you
want your blog to look professional, use an AP
Stylebook.

Associated Press style is what is used by every

credible magazine, newspaper and journalism
website. This is to maintain a common style across
all media. The AP Stylebook is not meant to be
memorized. Use it as a reference.

For example, do you use “farther” or “further?”

What’s the difference? When do you use “fewer”
and “less than?” Every day or everyday? Do you
write the number 5 or write the word five? What’s the proper way to write
measurements such as feet and miles?

Look it up! The answers are in the book.

You do not have to be a professional journalist to know how to use an AP Style

Book. It’s a ridiculously simple reference book that provides quick answers.

The importance of regularly using an AP Stylebook is to create professionalism

and consistency throughout your entire blog. If you want to write like the pros,
use it!

There is an app, but I still prefer the physical book to flip through. You can find
the book at any major bookstore or at the link below.

www.apstylebook.com

©Copyright 2016 All Rights Reserved – CoachDavidLee.com

 THE FIFTH SECRET: OUTLINE YOUR
BLOG POSTS FIRST
There will be times when you feel like sitting down and just writing—letting the
thoughts pour out of your head. Whenever you feel like doing that, do it. But
most of the time, it will make your blog posts much more professional and well-
thought-out if you outline them first.

This doesn’t mean perfectly planning your post (more on this later). If you have a
great idea for a post, start writing some notes. Then think about the main points
you want to make and write those down.

What you’re doing is creating the skeleton of your post. It’s the structure.

This not only helps you think through your post, it will also help you think of a
few different supporting ideas to your main points. It creates a nice flow for
your readers.

This can be done pretty quickly, and you will start to see your post come
together. From there, you will develop each point further.

PRO TIP: Immediately write down your great ideas.

When the idea first popped into my head about creating this eBook, I
immediately typed the idea into my Evernote app on my phone. Anytime
you have a great idea, write it down immediately. Get it out of your
head and onto a piece of paper, on your phone, in your computer,
whatever. Write it down so you remember it and can develop it later.

USE SUBHEADS (LIKE THIS ONE!)

After you outline your post, add some subheads. Subheads are short headlines
within your post that break up your post and lead into the next main point. This
helps attract more readers.

Subheads are almost essential for longer posts. Readers are a lot more likely to
begin reading your post than if is broken up with subheads. It’s more inviting and
it lets the reader quickly glance over the main points you’re making.

Readers can glance over your subheads to see what the sections are about. This
is why you want to make your subheads relevant and attention-grabbing!

©Copyright 2016 All Rights Reserved – CoachDavidLee.com

 THE SIXTH SECRET: STOP WAITING ON PERFECTION
Brendon Burchard is credited with the saying, “Version 1.0 is infinitely better
than version 0.0.”

Nike says it another way: Just Do It!

Don’t worry about creating the perfect blog post. Don’t be that person who aims
and aims and aims and aims and never fires. You do not have to be a
professional writer to write effective blog posts or articles. Hopefully you realize
that by now.

So, yes, I’m telling you that one of the secrets professional writers use is to not
worry about looking too professional.

So many people sit on a great idea or worry about crafting the perfect blog post.
But the greatest idea in the world isn’t worth crap if it’s not put to use. You can
spend hours tweaking your blog post, and sometimes, you can sit on it for days
telling yourself that it’s not ready yet.

One of my mentors always says, “Doubt will take you out of action, but action
will take you out of doubt.” That’s so true. You will learn so much more by taking
action.

Get out of your own way. If you believe that people need to hear what you have
to say, write your post and get it out there. And here’s the great thing about
online publishing: you can always edit it later.

Cool, huh? It’s true. It’s technology and stuff.

Your passion for and knowledge of your topic far outweigh the little
imperfections on your blog. Don’t worry about being all impressive. Content is
what matters, so implement these six secrets and get your content out there.

The more you write, the better you’ll get. So you might as well get to writing.

Just be you. Focus on your passion and bringing value to people.

Above all, I hope you surprise yourself.

©Copyright 2016 All Rights Reserved – CoachDavidLee.com

 Did this eBook help you?
I really hope you got some value with these six secrets. Oh, and don’t be selfish!
Please share this eBook with anyone you think might benefit from it.

Helping home business owners grow their business is my passion. If you have a
home business or a passion about something, a blog is a terrific way to share it
with the world. It’s also a great way to generate some passive income!

My contact info is below, so please drop me a note and let me know your
thoughts on this eBook and what you got out of it. I may even use your
testimonial and a link to your site on my blog. I’d love to talk with you to see how
I could help you grow your business.

Contact me below for a FREE 30 to 45 minute consultation.

If you are open to looking at what I do to create passive income that pays me
month after month, visit this page: CoachDavidLee.com/Work-with-David

David Lee
CoachDavidLee.com
496-348-4231
DreamAgain@verizon.com
Let's Connect:
Facebook.com/DavidLeeCoach
Twitter.com: @DavidLeeCoach
YouTube.com
Periscope: @DavidLeeCoach
Snapchat: @FreeEnergyDude

BONUS RESOURCES (Lucky You)!!!!

My Ultimate Blogging Resource and Entrepreneur Library

How to Never Run Out of Great Blog Ideas

21 Quick Tips on Writing Great Blog Posts

How to Write a Blog Post: A Simple Formula + 5 Free Blog Post Templates

Simple Ways to Write Attention-Grabbing Blog Posts

©Copyright 2016 All Rights Reserved – CoachDavidLee.com