4 Tips for Writing Successful Memos

Before I started writing here I was somewhat overconfident about my writing abilities. Having spent most of my life putting my thoughts and ideas to paper, such hubris wasn't entirely unjustified. However, it wasn't long before I was humbled by the format. Here's what I learned.

1. Pick an engaging topic

The nature of reading has changed. Even when content is well-written, many don't have the time or patience to fully appreciate it. Literature lovers may not like it, but simpler styles of online writing tend to get more clicks and reads.

Does this mean you should only write listicles or "get rich quick" articles? Not necessarily. If you want to succeed as a writer in today's world you have to balance your integrity with compromise. Pick a trending subject, sure, but stay true to your core values.

2. Keep it concise

Like Twitter, Memo'd comes with limitations. Each bullet can only contain under 280 characters, and an entire piece ends up at around 450 words. This means you can't delve into the nuances of an argument like you could in an essay. You have to be ruthless.

Think of each bullet as a self-contained story that supports the overarching thrust of the entire piece. Convoluted sentences won't give you enough space to do justice to each individual point, so practice pruning until each section is satisfactorily succinct.

3. Use an eye-catching headline

Never underestimate the power of a title. Obscure, poetic headlines are for novels. For this platform, you want catchy ones that lead to clicks. This doesn't mean you can't be creative, but remember, you are trying to appeal to a wide audience.

Ask yourself what titles make you click on certain content: Were they different? Did they neatly encapsulate a current issue you are interested in? Don't just write a header everyone's seen a thousand times before. Be original, but keep it simple and alluring.

4. Avoid repetition

A common mistake I see writers making is overusing words. Even in long-form content (unless it's for purposes of style) reading the same word 4 times in a paragraph can be jarring. On this platform especially, you should use synonyms when possible.

Forget the haters: the thesaurus is your friend. With the internet, it takes less than a minute to find a suitable replacement for a recurring term. Of course, it's not always avoidable, but with practice, you'll understand whether repetition is acceptable, or ill-advised.

Conclusion

For experienced writers, Memo'd may seem like a walk in the park. However, there is a real art to succeeding on this platform. While the tips I've outlined are important, without a large following, they alone aren't enough. So share, share, share!