Why most writers fail

I’ve talked to hundreds of writers and I’ve helped 50+ people write online and build personal brands. 

The #1 reason someone fails is because they can’t stay focused. 

They can’t:

→ choose 1 topic to write about

→ develop a system to generate content

→ produce content consistently

Here’s how you can achieve each of these things:

1. Choose 1 topic to write about. 

This is really the first step for any serious writer who wants to make money online. 

You need to be known for something.

Most people want to try to talk about too many topics. That won’t work. 

Instead, identify:

- 1 problem

- 1 solution

- for 1 person

That’s your main topic. 

2. Develop a system for generating content. 

After you’ve discovered your main topic, we need to flesh it out a little bit. 

Most people immediately feel constrained by only being able to write about 1 topic. 

However, we need to see that there’s much more you can talk about even within a niche-focused topic.

Break down that 1 main topic into 3 content pillars. 

These pillars will reflect how you’re going to approach your main topic. 

Typically, I break this down into:

1. Thought leadership

2. Personal stories 

3. Cast studies and testimonials

Use chatGPT to generate 15-20 subtopics for each of these categories. 

Now, you’ve generated 45-60 post ideas. 

3. Develop a system for producing content.

Now that you’ve generated ideas for content, we need to determine how it will be produced on a week to week basis. 

Throughout the week, you want to touch on each of your content pillars. 

- tell a personal story

- talk about an industry topic

- share a case study

Right there, you have 3 posts per week you can write and we’ve already generated post ideas for each of these topics.

This helps you maintain consistency over a long period of time.

Building an audience online through writing can take a long time.

But if you focus, you’ll be able to earn more income and generate opportunities.

Hemingway: An example of focus in literature

Ernest Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea is a great example of focusing on one topic. Hemingway centers the story on Santiago, an old fisherman, and his struggle to catch a giant marlin. This focus creates a powerful narrative, pulling readers into Santiago's world of endurance and determination.

By sticking to this main conflict, Hemingway explores big themes like human spirit, struggle, and the bond between man and nature. His simple, direct writing style keeps the story clear and engaging, showing how focusing on one topic can make a story more impactful.

How to focus when you sit down to write

How do you focus when you actually sit down to write content? 

Here are 7 tips: 

• Set clear writing goals 

• Eliminate all distractions (phone!)

• Create a dedicated workspace 

• Break tasks into smaller chunks 

• Use a timer for focused sessions 

• Take regular short breaks 

• Review and adjust your progress

This way, you can produce the best content possible.

Tools I use to focus

You won’t be able to focus and produce the right content without the right tools.

Here are the main tools I use:

1. Notion (project management)

2. Apple Notes (ideas and notes)

3. Google Docs (writing and formatting)

4. Canva (graphic design)

5. Social Pilot (content scheduling)

6. Content Drips (carousels and quote pics)

7. ChatGPT (generating ideas and templates)

That right tools will change your life.

Final thoughts

Focusing on a single topic when writing enhances clarity and impact. Eliminating distractions and honing in on one main idea makes your message stronger and more engaging. Break down writing tasks, set clear goals, and maintain a dedicated workspace to boost concentration. These strategies improve the quality of your content and make the writing process more efficient and enjoyable.

As a writer, staying focused on what you write and how you write will help you achieve your goals and boost your income in the long run.

Like this newsletter? I’d love to hear your feedback. Shoot me an email to let me know how it helped you!