Yes, you read that title very correctly and, I meant every bit of it. Do you want to be seeing as an expert through your blog posts? Do you want to become a prolific writer? If you answered yes to the above questions then, you will have to read this post from start to finish because, I’m about to tell you what you might have not heard before.
Whenever you’re writing a blog post, do you usually write for your readers or for yourself? You need to answer that question to enable you know if you will agree with the points I’m trying to make on this post or not.
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The goal of any writer is for his audience to find his articles quite engaging and interesting and for you to achieve that, you have to make your readers feel that you’re referring to them personally whenever they’re reading your posts. Don’t just write for writing sake, you must try and pass the information you’re trying to convey the way your audience will understand it and even feel as if you both are just having a one-on-one conversation.
It will be a waste of time and efforts if after writing that long post, your readers didn’t grab the message you want to pass or, they just felt as if you weren’t talking to them in the first place.
You see, writing is not a do or die affair. You must not be a writer before you can become a blogger because, you can also purchase articles from those that understands the act but, acquiring a good writing skill will be an addition to you which is why you must try and master how to do it well.
It’s not all about opening a word document and start writing, just like there are rules and formats governing anything in life, there are also some formats to writing a quality blog posts and, you must learn it if you intend to become an awesome writer.
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One of the best things that can happen to you as a writer is for your readers to feel as if you’re just sitting beside them and talking to them personally whenever they are reading your posts. Let them feel as if you had them in mind while writing that post.
How can you achieve this? Good question……
Always Personalize Your Articles
How can you personalize your articles? This is a very simple thing to do. I’ve noticed that most people while writing always use the word “I”. This might not be wrong somehow but, talking from your readers perspective, it is absolutely wrong.
Whenever you’re using that word “I” on your articles, it means you are addressing yourself and not your readers. Therefore, if you must grab their attention through your writing, you must always ensure that you replace that “I” with “YOU” in your posts.
Using “YOU” instead of “I” will make the people you’re talking to know and feel that you’re really talking to them directly and not being general or talking to an anonymous individual.
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I don’t know if what I’m saying here is understandable but, the point I’m trying to make is that, it is very necessary and of utmost importance to always personalize your posts if you’re not doing so yet because, if your readers didn’t see your posts as if it were meant for them, there will be no need for them to read it because after all, it’s not for them.
Finally, I will like to know your own take on this topic. Do you agree with me or not? Why and why not? Please, let’s share your own view on the comment section.
And, if you found the post interesting enough please, help spread the word by tweeting and sharing it with your friends.
Thanks and, happy weekend in advance:).
Photo Credit: Freedigitalphotos.net
Harleena Singh says
Hi Theodore,
I DO agree with you 100% 🙂
Yes, I’ve also noticed many bloggers use ‘I’, instead of ‘you’. In certain cases however, it’s alright too, especially if they are addressing something they have undergone or if they are sharing their own personal experience, either within the post or otherwise. But in general, I think when we address the audience as ‘you’, they can feel that the post is for them.
I guess that feeling of reading a post just written for them comes in, and it does seem like you are talking face to face with the person too. I do that in all my posts, though sometimes when the sentence becomes tricky and it’s needed to address all of us, I use ‘we’ also, so it all depends on what you are writing, and who you are addressing too.
Thanks for sharing. Have a nice weekend, yes, in advance 🙂
Theodore Nwangene says
You’re right Harleena,
If we’re writing about our experience then, its normal to use “I” but in a case whereby we’re addressing our audience, its good to always use “YOU”. In some cases, I normally use “WE” too which is also good. I guess it all depends on the type of post we’re writing anyway.
Hope you’re enjoying the weekend so far Harleena :).
Thanks for coming.
Michael Belk says
Theodore, I agree it is very important to use the word “You” in your articles. I have to watch my wording use because I am very guilty of using the wrong words.
Even though I do not intentionally send the wrong idea about my real subject, but it does happen. We need to keep this in mind. Thanks
Theodore Nwangene says
Great to have you back again Michael,
I’m glad to see that you also agree with my points. You just have start forming the habit of personalizing your posts, its really important. Thanks for coming and sharing your own opinion with us Michael.
Have a great weekend.
Jane says
Whenever I write a blog post I imagine the person sitting in front of me – the person for whom I’m writing that blog post – my target audience. If I’m alone at home, I usually speak out the post as I write and in this way I find myself write faster!
If we use “you” and use a conversational voice it is much easier to establish connection with the readers.
Thanks for sharing Theodore.
Theodore Nwangene says
I’m glad you agree with me Jane,
I’ve never tried speaking out my posts but, that’s something I will try again :). Thanks a lot for stopping by Jane and, have a fabulous weekend
Joseph Adediji says
Great Post Theodore,
I agree with you, it is important for us to use “YOU” while writing as this makes the reader feel more connected to us and it makes the post look like a discussion between two people.
Though there are some posts that may require you to use “I” instead of “YOU”, especially when writing cases studies; but usually, YOU should be used when writing!
Theodore Nwangene says
Thanks a lot for stopping by Joseph,
I’m happy you agree with the points I made here. I also agree with you that while writing some posts such as case studies, you will sometimes need to use “I” to explain some things but generally, we should learn to be personalizing out posts.
Thanks a lot for coming brother and, have a pleasant weekend 🙂
phonetechng says
whao;! what a great post. This is great bro, keep it up
In addition to what you have said, i want to advice bloggers to write unique posts with great contents. Content is the king, when you have great content, well constructed to enhance easy flow by readers, i tell you, you are on point.
My WEBSITE
Theodore Nwangene says
Hi Phonetechng,
Thanks for your awesome contribution. Writing great and quality contents can never be ignored of cause so, its very essential for the growth of any blog. Thanks for stopping mate.
Adrienne says
Maybe I’m the lone person here but I don’t necessarily agree with you 100% Theodore and let me explain why.
I don’t always use the word “I” in my posts but I do use myself as an example a lot of times. Therefore I would be using the word “I” or “me” but it’s referring to an experience that I want my readers to be able to relate to. So I think for those instances it’s necessary but the entire post should not be about you but for your readers. I do agree with you on that note for sure.
You’ll have to let me know your thoughts on that one but it obviously hasn’t hurt me one bit! lol…
Thanks Theodore and enjoy your weekend.
~Adrienne
Theodore Nwangene says
You’re 100% right Adrienne,
There is a type of post I will be writing and, I will also need to use “I” and not “YOU”. I think it all depends on what you’re writing.For instance, if you’re writing a case study type of post where you’re telling your audience about something you did then, it will be best to use “I” and vice versa.
Thanks for coming mate and, have a great week 🙂
Asaolu olubayode says
To be candid, i never took note of the YOU and I stuff whenever i’m writing my post, but i’m always adopting jane method of writing. in that i assume i’m teaching people sited across the table in front of me. And for Adrienne, i think Theodore only sited an illustration in respect to when you are teaching people on “how to”, therefore you need to write for YOU. Thanks for the wonderful article Theodore, you are simply the best.
Theodore Nwangene says
Hey man :),
Thanks a lot for the shout out, I really appreciate the kind words. It gladdens my heart to see that you agree with the message I’m trying to pass. Thanks a lot for stopping by.
You’re also the best 🙂
Jeevan Jacob John says
Hey Theodore,
I agree completely. Our readers don’t care much about us, and they won’t care about what we write, unless it relates to them; unless it is about them.
As blog owners, it is out responsibility to make our blog posts about our readers – personalize our blog posts, share our stories and experiences (and help the readers to relate back to them. If we had a problem, there is a chance that our readers will also face the same problem).
Of course, with stories, we can’t replace I with you. Since, stories are our from our experiences – what we have learned from this world. It all comes down to helping our readers to relate back (present it in the form of a problem?).
Anyways, thank you for the post, Theodore 🙂 Appreciate the post! Hope you have a great weekend.
Theodore Nwangene says
Thanks for your amazing contribution as always Jeevan,
And yes, I’m enjoying the weekend. I’m about to travel to go and see my parents 🙂 and will be back next week. I’m also happy you like the post man and, I agree with your points.
If our readers must read our posts then, the posts must be for them.
Thanks for coming man and, I hope you’re also enjoying your weekend?
Jeevan Jacob John says
Hope you have a good time 😉 Happy Journey 😀
Yup. I had a good weekend. Thanks!
Theodore Nwangene says
Yeap man :).
I’m back now and the journey was very smooth :).
Thanks for asking and a bright week
metz says
“If your readers didn’t see your posts as if it were meant for them, there will be no need for them to read it because after all, it’s not for them.”
I totally agree with you! You are right, A writer who has had prolific careers with hundreds of their works being published should do what you have said. It will surely be a good and smart move. They could magnet the right audience by doing so.
Thanks for the valuable tips!
Found this post shared on Kingged.com, the IM social bookmarking site.
Theodore Nwangene says
Thanks Matz,
I’m happy to have you here again and, I also happy to hear that you agree with me. Thanks a lot for the visit.
Samir says
Hello Theodore,
Yes, i agree with your mentioned points reading the writing secrets. i think it was also my mistake to use I instead of “YOU”. it will make the readers to understand and make seems there own experience.
Thanks for sharing.
Theodore Nwangene says
Thanks Samir,
I’m glad you agree with the points I’m making and, I hope you will now take corrections :). Thanks for coming
Akos Fintor says
Hey Theodore,
I’ve not been around here for a while.
Great tips here.
However I realized that the less I have NEED to make money the more money I make. This is my greatest realization since I’ve been online.
(At least for me) when I try to “make a sale” I fail.
Anytime I write a genuine post (like a post in my personal diary) I get further in the terms of popularity and making more commission.
So I guess what i’m trying to say it that it IS the other way around. One makes more money when he does NOT need it.
great points
Peace out!
Akos
Theodore Nwangene says
Welcome back Akos,
Its been a while and, I’m happy to see you here again. Keep on making more money man, At least, you deserves it because you’re working for it. Thanks for coming back.
Chimezirim Odimba says
Using “You” keeps your writing focused on your reader instead of yourself. And the more you train your mind to be centered on your readers and NOT yourself, you invariably communicate more effective. That said; there are situations where grammar and other factors make it imperative that you use I instead of you. But your point is clear enough to anyone who wants to write better.