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10 Steps to Becoming a Better Writer [Free Poster]

written by Brian Clark
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10 Steps to Becoming a Better Writer [Free Poster]

Back in the sweltering summer of 2007, I got a bit crazy.

I wanted to get across to people that becoming a better writer is not something a “10 Step” article can teach you. Yes, reading helps writers immensely, but when it comes down to it, you become a better writer by writing.

Then, it occurred to me. Why not deliver that “10 Steps” post that everyone was hoping for as a way of hammering home the point?

With that, the original 10 Steps to Becoming a Better Writer was born. It was an instant hit, and remains one of the most popular posts on Copyblogger.

So, we decided to put it into a couple of additional formats.

PDF Poster: You can now download the PDF version, suitable for hanging near your workspace when you need to see it most.

Shareable Graphic: Or, if you’d prefer to publish the image on your own site, just use the handy embed code below.

infographic -- click the text links in the post for text versions of the visual material

Embed this graphic on your own site

Copy and paste this code into your blog post or web page:

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Reader Comments (95)

  1. This is kinda like how you become a better swimmer, or guitar player, or video editor, or golfer, or designer, or dog trainer, or drummer. Do it and do it and do it. Great, simple, awesome poster!

  2. I’ve shared this post soo many times and it’s my favorite Copyblogger post.

    I will download it and hang it on my own wall and give the poster to a handful close friends!

  4. That article is surely a hit on your website, and it seems appropriate to have an graphic for that.

    Amazing image and a well put way to show that visually. Awesome job, Brian..

  18. Do you have a more feminine version? Maybe…you could make one…maybe

  21. Haha, yeah, when it comes together it’s indeed that simple! Love this graphic, I should print it ! 🙂

    When people are asking for advice what to do to help their business, blog it is really that simple. When you write you get better on it, just keep writing. Heh, there is dirty details and with just writing it won’t make your business however, but if you push on quality you will definitely become more successful! As you keep researching and writing, your knowledge grows naturally!

    Interesting if you can share how did you came up with idea of this post making it that simple and not focus on any other details? Would be really curious about that behind the scens thinking process!

    Tweeted and shared between my followers as well!

  23. Oh, I’ve pinned this infographic. Very funny, yet important for bloggers. It’s something that I’ll be following in the near future. *fingers crossed*

  24. I love this poster. @ the age of 61, and owning an advertising agency, I feel as though I cannot write! How can this be? I have a professionl need to blog YET a passionate and deep desire to personally blog. I have so much to say it is bursting out of me! But, alas, I feel that I really have nothing of interest to say and that I’ll make a fool out of myself. 🙁 By subscribing to this terrific newletter i hope to catch glimpses of inspiration! Thanks for the excellent and FREE content. P.S. I will try to write, write and then write some more.

  25. Given the subject matter it would be rude to NOT write here and now. I’ll be putting that up on a wall right by my desk, thank you!

  26. I like it. Getting good at anything takes time and practice. As I’ve done more and more blogging I’ve found my writing improve. In another blog i follow the author wrote two posts a day for a month. His writing got better and better as the month progressed. Makes me want to try something similar.

  27. This is fantastic – thanks so much for permission to share, it’s going right into my next post. This is very timely for me because I’ve only recently got into a daily writing habit and finding it’s amazing what a difference it makes. The only other thing I’d add is READ…….Read more…….Read even more………
    Your posts are one of the few things I look forward to receiving in my inbox – they’re always worth reading!
    Thank you!
    Sue

  32. Great infographic; I’d also also emphasize the importance of reading!

    For me, reading other people’s stuff is almost as important as practising my own craft, because it gives me ideas and keeps me up to date on current styles.

    Of course, pretty much everyone reads blogs and news articles these days.

    But I think it can be valuable to break open the occasional novel for ideas on how to spin sentences and weave words in ways that resonate with readers.

    All forms of communication are interconnected, and it’s good to see what’s going on in areas outside your specialty sometimes.

  33. Yes reading is that first step that could inspire oneself to be a better writer. I wonder do all of us have what it takes to be a writer? Well, we can give it a sincere try. Thanks for this straight forward infographic. You made my day.

  34. I try to write or at least read everyday. For some reason though my son doesn’t seem to want me to be a writer or a reader. Unless it is one of his books which he wants to turn the page after I read 2 or 3 words.
    Thanks for the post.

  38. Brian,
    There’s something elegantly simply about your infographic. 🙂
    Thanks for sharing it.
    – gotta get back to writing.
    🙂
    – Drew

  42. Ever had a moment when you wondered what to do?
    It’s the moment to do something that will move you forward to your goal.
    Maybe it’s just a minute or two or maybe a couple of hours. Do it.

  45. My mother, who taught college-level English composition for 30+ years, knew that the only way her students would get better was by writing all the time. As a result her students considered her the toughest prof in the English department!

  50. Love it. Will be referencing this in a new blog posts discussing quality of content over quantity and how loyal reader bases can make all the difference.

  51. Thanks Brian Clark for those awesome brilliant tips. Totally loved it, especially the number 8, 9, and 10. These are what i’ve been struggling to do everyday: “WRITE WHEN I DON’T WANT TO WRITE”. Thanks, i promise i’ll do those tips every day.

  54. i was hoping some daunting tips to follow to improve my writing, but that was something new. Awesome idea. write,write write is all we need to improve writing. thanks brian.

  55. Can’t wait for the sequel “20 steps to becoming a better writer” 🙂 All kidding aside… You are totally right. If you want to make it in this world you gotta produce something and then some. The guys that make it online either write a lot themselves or have someone else doing it for them.

  56. Well, I must say that the idea of this poster is unique and pretty much meaningful ! Just shared the poster on my facebook profile… Liked it.. :mrgreen:

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