Most Bloggers Fail Because Their Writing Is Too Complicated
After writing online for 9 years, I finally understand the reason most bloggers fail.
Their writing is too damn complicated.
New writers hop online, with a lot of life experience, and simply do not know how to simplify their writing for readers.
Then they fail, assume they suck at writing, and take courses that teach them how to write better.
“I’m not getting traction because I’m not a writer! I need to get better at writing!”
Sure. That’s a part of it..
But it doesn’t address the root problem.
Writing Skill Isn’t Your Problem—Simplifying It Is
Have you ever said to yourself “My writing is good! I don’t know why it’s not being read more!”
It’s because you’re right! You are a good writer. You just don’t know how to market yourself online.
Your headlines need work
Your cover photos are unpleasant
Your publication is a mess
You write about a billion different topics
Your writing is GOOD! It might even be phenomenal! But it gets lost in the sea of Substack articles, because your writing isn’t focused.
You just write. You throw spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks.
You might’ve had an initial idea for a blog and you went with it, paying no mind to your reader’s experience. You failed before you began.
I do 1-1 coaching with people, and most times they want advice on how to write their articles better. What we actually spend time on, though, is simplifying their writing. Simplifying their direction—their focus.
They don’t need to improve their writing.
They need to simplify their writing.
How Storytelling Can Help You Simplify Your Writing
Look, most people start a blog because they’re an expert in something.
“I’m good at finance!”
Then they write about random financial advice with articles like, “The importance of 401K’s for retirement.”
This is fine, but it’s also unemotional, and boring.
What if we focus on how you became an expert? Were you broke at 30 with a family and decided to get your butt in gear? Write about that!
“I Had $0 In My Bank At 34 And By 55 I Was A Millionaire—Here’s How I Did It”
Which article do you want to read more? 🧐
How does your story focus—or simplify—your writing?
For one, it focuses your writing on an outcome. You’re helping X people do Y.
It’s mind-boggling how many bloggers don’t know what outcome they’re helping their readers achieve! That’s where EVERYTHING starts. Without that, you’re lost. Recounting your story will help you get crystal clear on the outcome you’re helping people achieve—and who you’re speaking to! Spoiler alert: It’s probably just a younger version of you!
Second, your story has a clear beginning, middle, and end.
Let’s stick with the millionaire example. How did this author become one? Maybe there’s 10 actions they took consistently. Great. They should break em all down! Take us through the whole journey from 0 to hero!
Not just in one hero post, but in dozens of other posts in 2025 and beyond! Talk superficially about the 10-step process in the hero post, then go deeper on each step in individual posts for your publication.
This focuses your writing immensely.
When you lose something, what do you do?
You retrace your steps.
When you’re lost writing online, you need to retrace your steps, too.
Reflecting on our story takes us back to the beginning. It helps us understand:
What we had to do first, then second, then third to find success
What our biggest problems were
What worked and what didn’t
What we were feeling at the time
All of these bullet points👆will give you endless content. This is literally all it is, ladies and gentlemen. I’ve made my writing career focusing on these five elements over and over again! 👇
What we had to do first, then second, then third to find success: How To Build An Easy $1,000 Per Month Money Stream Online
What our biggest problems were: I’m 27 And I Have No Idea What I Want To Do Anymore
What worked and what didn’t: Want To Get Really Good At Something? Avoid These 7 Deadly Mistakes
What we were feeling at the time: I’ve Lived In Mexico For 2 Years And Here’s My Brutally Honest Opinion About It
The more you harp on all that 👆, the more you’ll resonate with your audience, and the more your writing will make sense to them.
And the more focused your writing will be.
At the end of the day, you’re just writing letters to your younger self. And chances are, there’s millions of “younger you’s” out there who need your guidance.
Basing your blog in your own story is the best way to focus your writing and begin resonating with your audience.
Discover Your Hero’s Journey With 30 Other Writers This November
So, what’s your hero’s journey story?
We’re giving you the chance to discover that with a group of 30 other writers in our upcoming Substack Campfire program. We start on October 28 and go until November 22.
First Two Weeks - Write 10 Stories Together
In the first two weeks, we will post 10 Notes together that tell the 10 biggest stories from our lives. Before we start posting on Monday, October 28th, I’ll give a live three hour workshop that covers how to find your 10 core stories, and how to write effective stories on Substack Notes.
By the end of our first live workshop, you’ll have:
Your first Note already written
Your 10 core stories outlined.
A bulletproof story formula for writing your next 100+ Notes.
That live workshop will happen on Saturday, October 26th.
We’ll then spend the next two weeks publishing one story every weekday, sharing them with our intimate group of 20 writers, and tracking which stories:
A. We loved to write
B. Resonated the most with our group AND Substack
Then the fun begins!
Last Two Weeks - Write Our Hero Post Together
On Monday, November 11th, I will teach you how to select one of these stories to become your “Hero’s journey,” and how to write an entire hero post for your publication based on that.
Then we will workshop our hero posts, share our drafts with each other, and give feedback. I will also personally look at every hero post, suggest any edits, and give my stamp of approval when it’s ready!
Then you will know that your blog is built on a rock solid foundation. You’ll know:
Who you’re writing for.
What to write about in the future.
What core messages to harp on over and over again.
And it’s going to be beautiful.
Your hero’s journey. Crowdsourced by a group of 30 writers, Substack, and me.
Stop feeling lost as a blogger. Discover your direction on Substack for 2025.
November Cohort Schedule
Here’s the schedule for our upcoming cohort.
October 25 - Doors to this cohort close at 5 PM EST
October 26 - Live training at 10 AM EST: How To Find Your 10 Core Stories And Write Captivating Stories on Notes
October 28 - November 8 - Post your 10 stories on Notes
November 11 - Live training at 10 AM EST: How To Select Your Hero’s Journey Story And Write Your Hero Post
November 11 - November 22 - Create, edit, and finalize your hero post
November 22 - Publish your new hero post
1-1 Workshopping With Me
In this program, you’ll receive LOADS of 1-1 time with me.
I guarantee that I will:
Read all 10 of your Notes.
Give you personalized feedback on how to write Notes better (if necessary).
Help you select your hero’s journey story.
Give feedback on your hero post.
Personally give a “thumbs up” when your hero post is ready.
I will be deeply involved every step of the way with your writing and direction. It will be half-course, half-coaching.
Community Workshopping
My vision is to divide everyone up into groups of 3 so you can give feedback to each other during the program. Honestly, I need help! I’m not going to be the ultimate judge here of which story you need to center your brand on. I want you to get multiple opinions and make some friends in the process.
This will be a group effort FOR EACH PERSON. The fact that we’ll be crowdsourcing your brand together basically guarantees we’ll find the perfect direction for you in 2025.
Slack Channel
To facilitate our program, we’ll join a shared Slack channel to collaborate, share Notes, and edit together. Some of our shared channels will include:
#introductions - For introducing yourself to the group
#share-notes - To share our daily Notes with the community
#feedback - To get feedback on our hero posts
#trainings - To get easy access to past recorded trainings
Pricing + $500 Discount
Since I’ll be giving lots of personal attention to each student, the normal price of this cohort is $1,000. However, I’m giving a $500 discount to the first 20 people who use discount code STORY at checkout.
Here’s how to input the code. 👆
Again, there’s only 20 STORY discount codes available, so get them while they’re hot.
The discount code also expires this Friday, October 25 at 5 PM EST.
Got any questions? Feel free to respond to this email. I’ll be happy to answer any questions you have.
Great advice. Sorry I missed the program.
Interesting. I definitely had to “unlearn” some of the writing habits/style I developed in college. Academic writing is definitely different than blogging!