5 Tools To Boost Your Online Writing
Over the past year, I’ve experimented with dozens of websites, software, services related to online writing/blogging. In this article, I’ll discuss the 5 most important tools for my writing journey: a note-taking app, Grammarly, WordPress.com, Medium, and Twitter.
Let me elaborate.
A note-taking app
There are many note-taking apps out there. Evernote, Microsoft OneNote, Google Keep, and Notion to name a few.
I use Evernote for anything related to writing. Here’s why:
- It’s convenient.
- All of my documents are organized, visible, and in one place.
- Easy navigation.
- Search bar for keywords.
- Going through documents is seamless.
- Cloud backup and accessible on multiple devices
- All of the features I need.
- It’s free!
I know I’m bordering on sounding like a paid advertisement, but sadly it’s not.
I recommend Evernote because I’ve personally been using it for years. I have hundreds of notes stored, backed up, and accessible from my phone. Then when I remember the fact that it hasn’t cost me a dime, I can’t help but be happy!
Regardless of what program you end up using, I strongly believe that this sort of centralized writing software is crucial for any writer. If you’re not using something to help with organization, you’re paying for it with your time.
Grammarly
Grammarly is a browser add-on, extension, or app that helps clean up your writing.
Grammarly checks your writing for spelling, punctuation, correctness, clarity, engagement, and delivery.
The correctness and clarity issues are available for free. The engagement and delivery suggestions are only available through the premium version of Grammarly. I’ve done some basic research and based on reviews, people don’t seem very impressed by the Grammarly premium version.
That said, I’ve never used the premium version and I encourage you to do your own research. The free version has worked great for me I think it’s a no-brainer for anyone who writes.
It’s not perfect. Sometimes it misinterprets and gives bad suggestions. But it’s still another piece of software that I’m quick to recommend for the clear value it provides with zero risk (it’s free).
Medium and Wordpress accounts
If you’re reading this, odds are that you already have one of these accounts. But from my experience, it’s great to use both. I have approximately 200 followers on each platform and I would guess that less than 20 percent of them follow me on both.
I post on my WordPress blog first and then import it to my Medium account. It only adds about 5–10 minutes per piece and the extra exposure is well worth it.
I’ll admit — I don’t do a whole lot of writing on Twitter myself (although it’s something I’m working on).
Regardless, it might be the most powerful tool of all. You can connect with people, build a following, practice your writing, share your opinion, and speak directly to people which would have otherwise been impossible.
That’s seriously powerful stuff. And again, it’s free.
What’s the goal?
At the end of the day, it depends on what your goals are with your writings or blog. The goal of my writing is to help people, but I can only do that if people see my articles. So a sub-goal is to increase my readers and expand my reach.
The Pareto Principle states that 80% of the benefits come from 20% of the sources and these tools have been those sources for me.
Just remember that a tool only performs as well as it’s handler. So treat these resources as the valuable tools that they are and invest time into learning and improving.
All of the tools that I mentioned are free (although I would strongly recommend paying the $5/month for a Medium subscription).
There’s very little risk and a lot to gain. So why not give them a try?
That’s it! I hope you enjoyed this article. What tools have most positively impacted your writing? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment below!
Originally published at https://mindpowergrow.com on May 28, 2020.