How can you use writing to connect with your audience and build relationships?

When I write, I write as if I'm in the reader's shoes. Working on compliance content, I've learnt to write for all readers, whether experts or lay readers. Simplicity and clarity have been game changers. Examples is an example. Readers must find what they're looking for and understand the whole topic from this single piece. Research is another element that enriches your knowledge and allows you to cover all aspects of regulations confidently. If they find what they want, you gain their trust. Simplicity, clarity, conciseness, richness, authenticity, and research are key contributors to your success as a writer. Writing is a cycle; you first do your homework and apply all the above, and readers will wait for your simple but thorough content.

Everything in life stems from writing. This paragraph, marketing copy, presidential speeches, tv scripts, books, etc. So much of our education is done this way as educators and as students. Building your brand is a form of education. Educating your audience who you are and why they should care. And how well you write = how easily they understand. So remember that its about delivering the information they need as quickly and as emotionally as possible for greatest understanding and impact. Happy writing!

One thing I found helpful is that our social media accounts is a work in progress. We can always update our bio, and highlight some experiences/ expertise which we didn’t think of at the time we created/ amended our profile.

Be authentic. I believe in writing and selling the same way. Keep it real. Get to the point. Clever analogies that people can relate to are helpful.

I don't think I'm ready for AI articles. It's comprehensive, grammatically faultless and informative, but I love human thoughts from real people :-)

When you share your stories — these journeys in your life that make up who you are — they allow your audience to get to know you a person. That’s a way to get engagement, connect and build trust. Stories about the things that make you human, your imperfections, highlight your relatability. We are all inherently flawed. Who can relate to someone who’s perfect and never had a bad day in their life? Stories can build trust. Trust formula = (vulnerability + competence)/risk Competence you can show through your CV, roles etc. vulnerability? Well that’s through stories.

Honesty and authenticity are important in telling your story. People want to hear real experiences and stories. They want to hear more than just the successes. I’ve found that writing about failures and mistakes or feeling stuck have build deeper connections with readers than just retelling success stories. Because honestly that’s where so many people are their lives. So be open and let your real emotions show in your writing. Telling your story can empower readers to think about their own stories and builds better connections.

? Active writing is active thinking. Writing is a skill. Skills cannot be downloaded, installed, or inherited; there are no shortcuts. We learn skills. Learning takes time and practice. ?? During his 78-year career, Picasso created 13,500 paintings, 100,000 prints, 300 sculptures, and 34,000 illustrations, averaging an astonishing two pieces daily. Practice is the only teacher to excel a skill. ?? We define excellence in writing as developing an authentic voice, distinctive style, and profound depth. Writing takes courage to write it like you mean it. ? Outsourcing writing to AI equates to delegating your thinking process. While you attain the result, the opportunity to refine excellence through practice slips away.

When your audience can discern what you stand for and what you're passionate about, it becomes easier for them to connect with you on a personal level. This shared understanding can be the foundation for a strong and lasting relationship. Consistency in your writing style and voice also plays a vital role. It helps your audience become familiar with your unique perspective and fosters a sense of continuity in your relationship. Whether you're sharing personal stories, expertise, or insights, maintaining this consistency helps you build credibility and reliability over time.

In today's digital age, where everyone is vying for attention in the vast online landscape, authenticity has become a precious commodity. It's the unique voice that sets you apart from the crowd, the genuine expression of your thoughts, experiences, and passions. As a blogger, I've come to realize that writing and blogging are not just mediums for self-expression; they are powerful tools to unveil one's authenticity.

Writing on LinkedIn and in my own blogs and newsletters has been a life-changing experience for me. I've found that sharing our insights and experiences helps us gain much-needed self-awareness and perspective. But it's also a powerful pathway to a mutual exchange of ideas. For instance, publishing polls on LinkedIn has been a terrific way to not only share what I've been thinking about a particular topic, but also to elicit fascinating views from others, and get a quantitative read on where people stand on key issues. My tip is to get out there and share more honestly what you're experiencing and ask others for their candid feedback. We need to tame that desire to appear as an "expert" only. True experts learn from everyone around them.

Authentic writing is not just about sharing successes and triumphs but also about being vulnerable and honest about your struggles and challenges. It's this raw and genuine expression that resonates with people, as they can relate to your human experiences. In turn, this fosters empathy and trust.

Writing and sharing your experiences is a powerful and inspiring way to connect with others. And with yourself. And while it's crucial to have the message to your customers at the back of your head, I always recommend looking at all the stories you tell yourself first. And how you engage with them. Which stories do you no longer need? Which has transformed, and you haven't paid attention yet? Be gentle, vulnerable, and forgiving with yourself. Then it's easier to engage with others, too.

As a military journalist, I often found myself hoping that my articles would make a difference with someone out there. There were moments when I wished for better engagement through likes, shares, and comments. Here's the thing: even if just one person stopped to read my piece, and I got a single like, I felt accomplished. Being engaging with your content isn't just about numbers; it's about making a genuine connection. It starts with understanding your audience and delivering the information they're looking for. What's always fascinated me is the analytical side of content creation. Why did they like this? Why did they comment on that? It's like solving a puzzle, and the answers often come down to two factors: consistency and relevance.

The goal of content is to start conversations. If your posts are not performing well, it is likely because you are talking at your audience instead of having a conversation with them. Ask questions, seek feedback from other industry professionals, and make your content engaging. Community is formed when people with shared values and aligned intentions come together and engage with each other. If you do this consistently, you will have a large following and community but also build trust, rapport, and mutually beneficial relationships with other community members.

I’ve found LinkedIn very helpful in this regard. I also get connection request and even request to connect with like minded people.

Go beyond social media to connect with different writers. Join a writing group, try to get on film sets as a crew member, or even search for creative meet-ups that allow you to interact with other filmmakers. Get your name out there! Make sure people know who you are and build genuine friendships.

I use LinkedIn more than other social media sites because the atmosphere resonates with me more here than other apps. I find value in the discussions I join and appreciate how the interactions don't typically feel surface-level. I have made friends and formed new professional relationships on this platform because the people I meet often bring an added value and expertise to my life that I didn't have previously. Networking is an important aspect of a job search and I am always interested in meeting new people.

Just be careful that the Network you are growing includes the people you most want to influence. For example, I’m aware that my contributions to this article may be seen by readers all around the world. However I am only really interested in improving my influence in the UK. So why am I bothering? It’s an experiment.

Good writing is crucial for all kinds of networking and human communication. When you achieve clarity in your writing, you open the door to genuine resonance in your interactions, leaving no room for misunderstanding, misrepresentation, or miscommunication.

It's easy to fall into the "judgment trap" that stops you from writing more. Instead of thinking: 1. People will judge my content as boring 2. Other people have cooler content 3. My copywriting is not enough 4. My content is not relevant 5. I’m sharing too much Think like this: 1. You only need to help one person to work/become better. 2. Focus on your unique angle and your process. 3. Keep writing, it's a trainable muscle. 4. Test different post ideas. 5. Be value-relevant. Focus on how you help, that's how you can keep adding value to your audience.

When writing a story, write it in a manner that makes the reader feel the emotion and the experience. It will have a much bigger impact when you can reach someone on an emotional level, and not just an intellectual level.

Tell stories. The music, television, books and movies we consume all captivate us by the stories they tell. You can build your audience by telling authentic stories that relate to the points you are trying to make. Plus, evidence shows we remember stories easier and far longer than general information. Get good at storytelling and watch your writing skills soar.

Don't allow your inner critic to bend your writing to fit external standards or ensnare you in the perfectionist's snare. Adjusting your writing to meet external standards may strip away depth and the human touch, while striving for perfection keeps you forever chasing a horizon, an endless game. Approach writing as a journey, not a final destination. Nobody's flawless. What we yearn for is more rawness.

Writing forces clarity. If you can clearly articulate your message in writing, it's easier to describe and discuss with others. Writing allows you to explore your thinking and your language as well as unpack all your angles. It's much harder to know if you are clear by only working your ideas in your head