First off, congrats on the book! Second, lots of good tips. I saved the post to refer to later. I found myself agreeing with a lot of the things you mention in the "Why You Need To Write For You" section. A lot of those reasons are frankly why I write. Also, in the Kickass Sales Copy section did you mean to put "You’re special." bullet in there twice?
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Thanks William! Hope to see you back here soon. Looking forward to your learning book! I hope you write it regardless of the campaign. Didn't mean to have that bullet in there, good catch!
Thanks man. Yeah, I will write it regardless of the campaign. Been wanting to write a book for a long time... trying to get past the "wantrepreneur" stage as well..
I'm a writer-turned-entrepreneur, so it's nice to see that this skill can be so useful in business. To add to your tips on kickass sales copy, I'd say to pay attention to headlines on magazines when you're standing in the checkout line at a store. Cosmopolitan is one of the best in the game. Take a good headline: "3 Secrets to Finding Out If He Really Wants You Tonight" Turn it into a formula: "[number] secrets to finding out if [person] really wants [something] [time period]" Let's say you run a website that gives advice to aspiring rock bands who want to break into the music business. Apply it to your niche: "3 Secrets to Finding Out If a Record Producer Really Wants to Give You a Deal Now." It's a useful method for learning copywriting from the pros.
That's a great idea! Thanks for sharing! A lot of writers are being pushed into entrepreneurship - it's the only way now!
Kyle, this is perhaps the best post I have ever read on the subject of writing, not just for business but for any reason. Writing my goals and articulating my plans helped me start a martial arts studio at age eighteen. It helped me design curriculums for young people... that have grown up, had kids of their own and brought me NEW Students. And writing helped me get through a painful divorce. I have written an information product that has sold over a million dollars worth of copies. If I had read this post of yours ten years ago it would have been done in half the time and been twice as good of a read. I would ask to guest blog for StartupBros but DANG. Not sure if I'm up to the standard... and I'm twice your age and education. Thanks again for this post.
This was a phenomenal post. A lot of the reasons you mentioned here for not writing are my excuses daily after a long 8 hours of programming. I go home and a beer + videogames sounds so much better than writing. But, not today. Your tips on writing for yourself and writing TO someone were phenomenal. Pretend no one will ever read it, and keep writing. I've been browsing /r/writing for some time now, and this post caused me to reply not only on reddit for the first time but on here as well for how well done I think it is.
Thanks Kurt! That means a ton! Really glad to have you as a part of the community here. And your writing is great! I'd love to see your information product - where can I find it?
Awesome! I hope you come back and share something you write. One of the most freeing things to me was when I realized that I could write honestly about my experience and that would be enough. There doesn't need to be a spark, sometimes a quiet honest observation is all we need.
I'd be VERY pleased to share. Gotta lot because I'm probably twice your age! Always been a rebel though... once the computer firm I worked for in the 80's gave my superior a promotion for MY idea, and me the shaft... I decided I would always be an entrepreneur. And here we are. Though I'm not a young feller like you and Will, I want to speak to that audience. There's no reason that bright young people have to go through the heartache of having their talents misused and abused. Not when they can experience the freedom, lifestyle and rewards that are available to true entrepreneurs. Lemme know if there's a current topic that would serve your audience. If I know something about it, I'll give you the old guy perspective ;-) Keep Stepping, Kurt
Kyle, Matt Dixon, I apologize. I subscribed to this comment thread and thought that Kyle's reply to Matt was intended for me. OOOPS. Sorry about that. Regarding your actual reply to my comment. Thanks Matt! Means a lot. My info product is available at radioactivetrading(dot)com and is called The Blueprint. I wrote it in 2002 to show folks how not to get hurt trading the stock and options markets. Seems like you and Will might need it soon, with all the big bucks you'll be raking in from your "biznesses". The Blueprint is rather pricey. Shoot me an email at the Shoestring101 address and I'll forward you a PDF copy of my earlier work. I think you will dig it. Keep Stepping, Kurt
Thank you. I just started today with a stream of consciousness writing on my tumblr blog about all the things I want to be doing with my life.
Awesome! Looking forward to seeing what you've got! Sent you an early version of an upcoming product as well :)
So awesome! Feel free to share it if you'd like us to read it! See you back here soon :)
Be sure to share the link with us when it's done :)
Ya I need to figure what I can "bleed" about. Maybe I need to read more blogs to get an idea.
Dude, this is ridiculously valuable. The "ultimate guide" actually does this post justice...
D'AWWW! Thanks Mansal! That means a lot coming from a mean blogger like you.
No way, Eric! Do the stream-of-consciousness writing but do it for a full hour. Just once. Do it instead of meditation tomorrow. Do it promising that you won't show it to anybody. Then write as fast as you can and don't look at your screen. You won't be able to help but bleed. I guarantee you: an hour of that is worth four hours of reading blogs idea-wise.
What's stopping you from writing it right now? What's keeping you a "wantrepreneur"? Feel free to email me if you want to make it private - these are important questions man!
See Kyle that's what's cool about you is that you talk about these taboo things of blogging. I've only read blogs in the financial community, and I am working to expand. Anyways, I know for a fact that some of those bloggers put on a show, and don't actually believe the stuff they write. And then there are martial arts teachers that talk about budo, but do it just to sell belts. Gosh, I guess I should write about that kind of stuff. I think i'm doing the streaming stuff you're talking about. So if I write just freely. There might be a lot of profanity. My blog will be shut down. hahaha. Thanks...I'll try the streaming conscious writing.
Eric, I consider my blog to be MY place and voice. Even if nobody reads your / my material, it helps you to internalize the message so that it stays relevant for your own life. It's almost like accountable journaling in a way. You are accountable to anyone who does read it, but you are journaling your thoughts and feelings. As far as bleeding is concerned, it is all about your comfort level. Do you feel comfortable writing about things in your life? Would you feel comfortable showing your friends and family? If the answers are "yes", then you are bleeding and more power to you.
Mans, I'm confused. Kyle was telling me that the most uncomfortable things to post are your best works.
This is really interesting! It comes down to the individual. My best stuff comes when I go to another place in my life/brain that I haven't discussed publicly before. It's scary (uncomfortable) to get naked in front of people in a new way. I NEVER get into somebody else's personal life. This isn't because of comfort level but because I don't have the right to share their details. Bleeding doesn't mean you need to expose your life but it does mean you need to expose yourself. Seth Godin is a perfect example of someone who rarely talks about his life (never his family) yet has exposed himself completely. His soul is so tied up in his writing that we can feel the vulnerability. THIS IS ALL BULLSHIT BY THE WAY! Think about bleeding. It's effortless. When you have a cut then blood just flows out. THAT'S the important part. Just let the words flow as though they were blood. That means being okay with writing bad words and letting yourself go back and edit them later. It means you might not hit publish on that post. It also means that you have little control over what you're writing. You don't censor anything until the edit. WARNING GRAPHIC POOPOO WORDS A couple other visuals... and these get kind of gross. Puking and shitting. When I really didn't like my writing I had to use those as visuals for what I was doing. I don't expect anything out of shit, I'm definitely not going to show it to anybody. But it flows and it has to come out. Mans, could you describe your journaling idea more? For me, I have to keep a journal that's separate. I even have to keep a blog that's separate from StartupBros. When I'm here I have a certain duty to talk about things within a realm. It's not fair for me to use this place as too much of an exploration of ideas. StartupBros is for presenting battle-tested ideas to people who care. My journal is to externalize the things you won't care about. Nah'wut'ay'mean?
Kyle, I dont see how one can expose themselves without exposing their life, family and the people around you? That is what life is!
If you wrap your soul into a certain idea tightly enough and ask people to listen you'll find yourself exposed. Think of a poet or artist who's soul is on the line yet you know nothing about his life. I agree though, it's much easier and usually more effective to use your own actual experiences to connect. Does that make sense?
Any tips on how to improve writing when having problems with the language? Because my second language is english and proofreading all my texts costs for me (I am still a student) a ton of money.
Focus on keeping your communication as simple as possible. This will help you stay clear and avoid as many nuances as possible.
Great information Kyle! I've had blogs and books on my mind for a long time and this helps me to get the ball rolling in the right direction. I have not background or experience but this gives some great advice to changing that! Thanks for the tips!
Absolutely! I'm looking to do more on writing so email me with any questions you have! Kyle at startupbros dot com Looking forward to seeing what you write!
Sounds a lot like advice from James Altucher but you definitely made it your own. Really great post. I've been teetering on the edge of being consistent with my writing but I think this is the thing that will topple me over and make it a daily practice. Thank you. - Steve
Hell yes for the Daily Practice ;) James has been one of the major influences in my writing in the past couple years so I'm sure there are going to be overlaps. Good ideas need to spread, no matter where they come from!
I have a theory/technique that is very rare and whenever I share it people are blown away and encourage me write a book. Some friend are outright angry with me for not pursuing this as its been almost 5 years that I have been sitting on this. You asked what is holding me back? 1. I suck at writing, I'm so envious of people who can express their thoughts and articulate so well. The masterpieces in my mind never translate on paper. 2. I wouldn't want anyone to know I wrote the book. If it actually did well I wouldn't want to be known and the person that wrote it. If I could publish is anonymously or with a fake alias I would be much more inclined to start. I don't think anyone would be interested in reading a book who's author doesn't want to admit writing.
Hi Kyle, thank you... I was researching about business plans and suddenly found you! I feel extremely inspired by your words on the "massive guide" to writing, it was all I needed today. This encouraged me to start something different now without fear. I will definitely give writing a try, in fact, I will start as soon as I post this comment. Please continue writing, your tips and advices are so refreshing, I feel like someone deep cleaned my brain. Everything seems clearer now. Wish me luck!
So glad you found this useful Vanessa! I can't wait to see what you do! Hope to see you back here soon!
I love this! Its my dream to have my book! Been trying to start on writing since college. Will save this! Definitely big help! Thanks!
Godspeed!
Hey Dan, I'd love to see your book, email it to me at kyle at startupbros dot com if you'd like! All unedited writing sucks. Nobody starts great. You're problems are amazingly common (but FEEL uncommon)... if you could bring the courage to share you could inspire others.
Excellent tips mate I've just tried writing anything in a notebook for 30 mins, and it wasn't all complete rubbish!
Kyle, This is 'God Send.' Lots of inspirational ideas. No time like the present, so I've taken the 'plunge.' 30 minutes each day set aside to write....starting now! 'Procrastination Is The Enemy Of Success.' Now, that is a good title for a best seller.... Keep the good information flowing... Mark.