How can you develop a unique writing voice as a freelancer?
As a freelancer, you want to stand out from the crowd and attract your ideal clients. One way to do that is to develop a unique writing voice that reflects your personality, values, and expertise. But how can you find and hone your voice without sounding like everyone else or losing your authenticity? Here are some tips to help you craft a distinctive and engaging voice for your freelance writing.
The first step to developing your voice is to expose yourself to different styles, genres, and voices of writing. Read articles, books, blogs, newsletters, and anything else that catches your eye. Pay attention to how the writers use language, tone, structure, and perspective to convey their message and connect with their audience. What do you like or dislike about their voice? How do they make you feel or think? How do they express their opinions or emotions? How do they use humor, sarcasm, or irony? Reading widely and critically will help you expand your vocabulary, improve your grammar, and inspire your creativity.
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A unique writer will always challenge the status quo by bringing in new authoritative debates on current topics. These skills assist in dispelling disinformation, especially if the source of the disinformation can be negated. A writer must be well informed across specific topics rather than a broad range as there's simply not enough time in a day to consume relevant information across social media, print media (yes some of us still use it), broadcast news (radio/television - yes we still use it), blogs, opposition groups, activist groups, state actors and political groups. Understanding opposing messages assists in shaping your voice as an authority and in your learning as well. Be critical in your thinking and challenge yourself.
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One thing I would suggest is to focus on your niche. As mentioned in this section, read articles and blogs focused on your niche. This will give you a good idea of the language and tone used. Additionally, a good practice is to read at least 10 pages from a book. This can help you improve your vocabulary.
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Levis Kihara
Freelance Digital Marketer, SEO Optimised Content Writer and Social Media Manager
(edited)Read widely, that's for one. Look at your favorite writer, what do you think it is about them you enjoy? What style of writing do they use? You'll notice a consistency in their posts and writing. As a creative writer, I didn't even know my style/voice untill after sometime when someone pointed out they know my handwriting. I use puns and always try to add in humour in my stories. Again, you wouldn't know if you don't try!
The second step to developing your voice is to practice your writing skills and experiment with different techniques. Write regularly, whether it's for your own blog, a personal journal, a newsletter, or a client project. Try different formats, topics, and tones. Write for different audiences and purposes. Write in different moods and settings. Write with different tools and methods. Write with different constraints and challenges. The more you write, the more you will discover your strengths, weaknesses, preferences, and quirks. Writing regularly and experimentally will help you refine your craft, explore your identity, and express your voice.
The third step to developing your voice is to get feedback and advice from others who can help you improve your writing and voice. Seek out mentors, peers, editors, coaches, or clients who can offer you constructive criticism, honest praise, and useful suggestions. Ask them to review your work and tell you what they think of your voice. How do they describe it? What do they like or dislike about it? How do they relate to it? How do they suggest you improve it? Getting feedback and advice will help you gain perspective, learn from others, and adjust your voice.
The fourth step to developing your voice is to be yourself and be consistent in your writing. Don't try to copy or imitate someone else's voice, or change your voice to please everyone. Instead, write in a way that reflects your personality, values, and expertise. Use words, phrases, and expressions that come naturally to you. Use a tone that matches your mood, purpose, and audience. Use a structure that suits your message and style. Use a perspective that showcases your point of view and experience. Be yourself and be consistent will help you build trust, credibility, and loyalty with your readers.
The fifth step to developing your voice is to keep learning and evolving as a writer and a person. Don't settle for a static or stagnant voice that limits your growth and potential. Instead, embrace new opportunities, challenges, and experiences that can enrich your writing and voice. Learn new skills, knowledge, and insights that can broaden your horizons and perspectives. Evolve your voice as you evolve your goals, values, and passions. Keep learning and evolving will help you stay relevant, fresh, and authentic in your writing.
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Have a point of difference. Become the closest possible thing to a subject matter expert you can and from there develop the confidence to speak with authority. Knowing a brief and topic will afford you the ability to instinctively seek out the right people, information and platform to deliver the information and tell the story from a place of trusted authority.
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