Writing assignments often make their best impact in a succinct form. I struggle with this at times, so have crafted a process which helps me limit my wordiness.

Begin with a brain dump

The data/information collection stage is really where I allow myself the practice of TMI (too much information.) I begin each writing assignment by taking copious notes. Whether from interviews, internet searches, or even personal knowledge, it all gets written down. I make sure to keep my notes organized to...

Perusing the internet, reading through your favorite blogs, a style pattern may emerge — headline, intro, series of subheads with 1-2 paragraphs under each, a few bullet points, conclusion. There’s a reason for this format, as formulaic as it may be. Crafted with the right words, in the right format, your blog post is more likely to get read, thanks to SEO.

Search engine optimization (SEO) works when relevant words are woven into your content. This includes word placement as much as word...

You can call me a snob if you like, or roll your eyes when I correct your grammar or punctuation. I don’t care. It’s intrinsic for me to flinch when it appears that someone has forgotten elementary-school English. Having already expressed my views on commonly confused words and misplaced commas, I’ve started to notice two other areas where people can struggle in getting things just right — apostrophes and exclamation points. In my opinion, both tend to be overused primarily because of a lack...

I sometimes find myself reading through feedback for a piece I’m working on, whether it’s via email or as comments directly on my working document. I look at them all, give myself a minute, then get a little verbally cheeky at my computer. It’s not that the feedback isn’t helpful, but maybe it’s not delivered in the best way. The hard thing is that, as a freelancer, I’m automatically not the subject expert. I may know a little, but I don’t know everything my client does about their brand or...

When I began my freelance content creator career I had just come off a long stint in marketing. For 15 years I worked in an environment where the message mattered most and the more concisely you could present that message the better. For a long time, SEO didn’t exist, and neither did social media, so the focus was print. There was no algorithm to write for, and no length restrictions other than how big the print piece was.

As I left the marketing world, writing for the Web was becoming more...