5, 4, 3, 2, 1. You're a Published Online Writer
Take these easy 5 steps and start writing online today
If two years ago, I’d known these five easy steps, I’d have saved myself 70 hours of sleeplessness.
I’d have knocked over my first post and gone back to bed.
Then done the same thing the next day.
And felt the sweet thrill of making a dream come alive.
Because tormenting myself with questions is far less fun than just doing the thing.
You know those 3 am questions:
What will I write about?
What if someone I know reads it?
Who am I to write anyway?
What if it’s no good?
They roll around your head and keep you wondering.
Ruminating.
Not writing.
But what if I told you that you’re far from alone in all this mental torment?
Even expert, accomplished, and published writers are disarmed by these questions.
So you know, the doubts don’t vanish with experience.
They never completely go away.
They just get quieter.
They linger in the background while the writer works.
So let’s get to work.
Here are the five steps to get that first post written and published online today.
1. Stay personal
Start with writing about something close to home.
Think of a quick personal story you’ve told a friend.
The fish you caught.
The way your son looked at you that morning.
The hour that changed everything.
The book you couldn’t put down.
It doesn’t have to be earth-shattering or reveal your deepest secret.
Just a good true story, that’s yours.
Everyone has one.
Probably dozens.
So, have a go at writing it in two to five paragraphs.
Start with the exciting bit to tempt us to read on:
“The fish was ginormous. My shoulder almost popped holding the line.”
“My eyes were burning. I missed the party. But I just had to know how it finished.”
“Can we go to Luna Park?” What I’d give to have that day with my son back again.
Feel it. Write about it. Bring us right there.
See what comes up and get the words down on any scrap of paper handy.
If it helps, dictate it to your phone as if you’re talking to a mate.
Then transcribe.
2. Choose a writing home
Then spend 10 minutes looking at each of Medium.com, X.com (formerly Twitter), and Substack.com.
See which platform sings to you.
Where you feel drawn to the writing.
Where you’d love to see your own name after the headline.
Choose one for now.
Don’t fuss about this.
Avoid analysis paralysis here.
You can always branch out later.
3. Claim the front door key
Set up an account on that platform.
All are free to start.
You’ll give your
name
email address
password.
Once set up, you have all you need to start posting online.
You’re in.
4. Get our attention and make it worth reading
Edit or expand your story, depending on the platform you’ve chosen.
You can write longer on Medium and Substack but only 280 characters if on X.
Write a headline and sub-headline that stop us in our tracks.
Make it clear what the post is about and how it helps the reader.
Some headlines for inspiration:
Why You Should Stop Worrying About …
10 Things My Two-Year-Old Taught Me About …
What They Don’t Tell You About Losing Your Driver’s Licence
Play around with these or any that strike you when exploring the platform you chose.
And remember, at the end, to give the readers a takeaway.
What can they learn from your story?
Answer the crucial question, "What’s in it for me?”
5. Let it fly free into the world
Let the post breathe, then review your work the next day.
Read it aloud.
Anywhere you cringe or stumble, pay attention and change.
Edit without mercy.
Remove every cliché.
Make it lean and clean.
Add a royalty-free image from Unsplash.com or one from your own gallery of photos if it suits.
When you’re happy with the piece, (no later than sometime later today),
hit “Post.”
Your creative work is on the World Wide Web.
With your name on it.
Sit back and glow.
Way to go!
This is not a small accomplishment.
90% of people who consider doing this never make it this far.
Celebrate your courage and your bias toward action.
Then repeat these steps tomorrow.
You’re on your way.
You’ll find your readers.
You’re now a writer.
How does it feel?
Please don’t stop.
Thanks for the this essay ! Very educative