Writing skills continue to be important for success. Author and writing coach Alan Gelb joins us on the podcast to talk about how to make writing easier and more effective.
Alan Gelb is the author of Seven Steps to Confident Writing as well as the bestselling book Conquering the College Admissions Essay in 10 Steps. He is a writing coach and communications consultant for higher education and his writing has appeared in the New York Times, the Daily Beast, Next Avenue, and many other publications. He lives in upstate New York. Find out more about his work online at www.ConquerTheCollegeEssay.com.
3 Key Points
- Don’t be overly self-critical—there’s a merit to gentleness.
- Write for somebody. Know your audience and craft your writing to fit your understanding of them.
- Set yourself a quota to help yourself get to work.
Quote
“Writing is connection. When we’re able to write something, we can make a connection with people… promote our cause and feel better.”
What We Talked About
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- 01:03 – How important is the skill of writing for entrepreneurs?
- 02:32 – How do you help hesitant writers start writing?
- 05:00 – On avoiding being overly critical
- 06:38 – Editing vs. writing
- 08:53 – On seeing one’s progress in writing
- 09:50 – Tell us about the process of writing subsequent drafts
- 13:49 – Can polishing your writing result in losing your authentic voice?
- 17:00 – On using one’s authentic voice in marketing
- 19:22 – Can non-writers cultivate a love of words?
- 21:15 – How can one effectively convey a story?
- 23:55 – On having the audience in mind while writing
- 27:50 – How do you deal with obstacles to writing?
- 32:09 – What is the impact of your work on non-writers?
Actionable Tips
- Share what you’re good at.
- Work hard and get the job done, no matter the task at hand.
- Give yourself room to feel good and help others feel good about themselves.
Resources Mentioned
- Alan’s website: alangelb.com
- Alan’s books we mentioned:
- Seven Steps to Confident Writing
- Conquering the College Admissions Essay in Ten Steps
- Having the Last Say
Resources for Your Business
Click here for free resources to increase the impact of your business.
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Ursula Jorch, Host of The Impact Interviews
Ursula Jorch is a business coach, speaker, and podcaster who shows women leaders how to turn their businesses into profitable agents for lasting change, global impact, and a force for good in the world.
