Whenever I talk about personal writing, and I advise that you should write for a specific group of people to convey your perspective … I get a little nervous.
Personal narratives can form Company Email List connections with strangers almost magically, but self-indulgent writing has the opposite effect. It’s boring and a turn-off.
The tricky part is that there’s a fine line between “personal” and “self-indulgent.”
During my early days of learning how to become a freelance writer, my unbridled enthusiasm for crafting word art met that obstacle.
I still meet it today when brainstorming blog post ideas, but I’ve developed skills that swiftly get me back on track when I’ve accidentally veered into self-indulgent territory.
If you’re looking to customize your content marketing without distracting your audience, keep reading to discover seven of my favorite tips for personal writing that’s not self-indulgent.
1. Let your audience guide your personal writing
Select the marketing stories you tell based on who you want to attract.
Your goal is to show the people who you want to be a part of your community that they’re in the right place.
Let’s review the definition of “self-indulgence”:
“Excessive or unrestrained gratification of one’s own appetites, desires, or whims.”
The intersection of your own appetites, desires, or whims and your audience’s appetites, desires, or whims guides you to the “personal” zone.
2. Reveal your journey
People love backstories.
Think of “before they were famous” television segments or magazine articles about celebrities you like.