New To Online Writing? Follow These 29 Rules

The most essential online writing tips summed up in short and sweet one-liners

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1. If it sounds like writing, rewrite it. (Elmore Leonard)

2. Read it out loud.

3. Write shorter sentences and shorter paragraphs.

4. Replace half your commas with periods. (David Perell)

5. Don’t keep everything short: vary sentence length.

6. Increase whitespace.

7. Use short and simple words.

8. Imagine you’re getting paid for every word you cut.

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9. To impress people with your writing, stop trying to impress people with your writing. (Josh Spector)

10. Write to one person.

11. Address that person.

12. Write actively.

13. Write for skimmers (use bullet lists and subheaders).

14. Remember that many readers are not native speakers.

15. Be specific.