Content writing is growing in popularity for businesses of all sizes. Small and big companies are getting more involved in content writing every day. Companies understand that content writing offers a low-cost, high-return method of reaching customers and prospects.
That’s why the content writing industry needs more innovative, creative, and expert content writers. And if you are a content writer, only reading books can make you innovative, creative, and expert. Have you any doubt about it? Most probably not.
A good content writer is a good reader and practitioner. Good content writing starts with more reading and researching. The more you read the books, the more writing styles and strategies you can acquire.
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But how can reading improve your content writing skills?
After spending millions of time on content writing and being regarded as a passionate content writer, I think I know a thing or two about it, and I will decode it in my content. And of course, brownie points, my article is never dull, and it will make you take some action that can change your way you do your writing!
Here, I have made three parts of my content.
The first part contains how does reading influence your writing?
The second part contains how to build book reading habit and
The third part contains which books you should read to improve your writing skills.
Part 1: How does reading influence your writing
Before knowing some words on that particular point, let us move on what writing skills are. It’ll help you to a deep understanding of the importance of reading for better writing.
Writing skills definition
Writing skill is a soft skill by which you can express your thoughts, emotions, ideas, and knowledge with a group of written words. Aside from it, you also know how to write readers engaging stories so that they will walk with you from hundreds of words to 4-5 thousand words; not only that, you know how to convince readers and influence them to take any decision or action by throwing some words with a keyboard.
Now, look at the central issue of this content, which is how reading improves your writing skills.
1. What the readers want to know
When you read books of famous writers, think about why you read their books. Maybe your answer is they have written your mind’s innermost thoughts or you get the information you are searching for. Absolutely, it’s right. But don’t you think that was their first writing, which you read curiously and eagerly waiting to end the book.
They have achieved these skills by reading millions of pages of books and practicing a lot. When you read more books, you can understand your readers’ emotion, desire, need, and perspective. Then this quality of understanding readers’ intention will appear in your writing.
2. Improving writing plot and structure developing skills
Have you ever noticed every famous copywriter can write an excellent plot for their copy. If you haven’t seen it, I’ll suggest you notice it. Here, I like to share one example for you to get the maximum output.
If you are writing a copy or content on a child formula, how do you feel if the starting is like that?
We know you carried your baby for 9 months and then brought him into the world. Now, you’re waiting to see with unblinking eyes every step of his growing. So you never compromise with his nutritious food. Here, we’re introducing you to the best formula for 5-9 months babies having breast milk taste.
Does this writing engage you? If yes, I’ll say you can also write this type of reader’s engaging stories by reading more and more books. By reading books, you can get a person’s full life experience and can create a superior writing structure.
3. Improving using metaphor and transition words
Do you like a tour without any wonderful sightseeing? Not at all. Using metaphor, transition, and graceful narrative words, quotes are beautiful sights in your writings that visitors like to read. In a word, they are writing jewelry that you can use to decorate your writing.
Now come to the point of how you can develop this skill of using these words by reading books. When you read books, you can observe how famous writers use these words and can execute them in your writing. For this, you don’t need to go too far. Just notice my first line of this outline.
Do you like a tour without any wonderful sightseeing?
Now come to the point how can you develop this skill of using these words by reading books (Use screenshots for both of these lines that will easy for scanning)
Here I consciously use this metaphor and transition words to attract your attention. And yes, I can acquire this skill by reading as many books as I can.
class=”wp-block-heading”>4. Getting inspiration and forwarding own work
As a human being, sometimes you feel dull, irritating, and demotivating to move your pen for further writing. In this situation, reading books comes to you as a savior to get you energy, motivation, and harmony between you and your digital pen.
But, how?
Suppose you’re reading a comic or highly philosophical book, then you must immerse in a world of laughter or thinking. In the meantime, you will forget all your boringness, irritation, and demotivation. Moreover, you feel inspired to write some words to continue your writing career. That’s simple.
5. Getting ideas by reading books
There is a word “money that makes money”. In the same way idea makes idea. Reading books is the treasure of ideas. I know you can’t imagine how much wealth a treasure has! Basically, the books are the treasure of ideas where you can pick as many ideas as possible! Even there isn’t any end to the treasure. Just you have to know how to choose.
You know a good book contains more than a hundred pages, but all the pages don’t have ideas for you. Some pages have opinions, and some not. So you have to read carefully to get the idea from the pages. It’s like picking pearls from the treasure with a simple torch. If you can, believe me, you don’t have any lack of any idea how to write good content.
6. Knowing what is already written
As a good and expert content writer, you must know what is already written by other writers on the topic. When you read, you can learn the strong and weak points of the existing writings. As a result, you can grab the opportunity to fill up the gaps of weak points and write better and powerful content with great information.
If you can accurately take the chance of better writing, then you don’t have to wait for many days to be a famous and top-rated content writer. Yes, for this you have to read more and more.
7. Learn lessons from generation’s smart and famous writers
You may think copy and content writing is a new version of writing. But for your kind information, these two were present in the ancient time. Yes, that time they were in print media, now it turns into digital media. But the main issue or theme is the same.
So how much you read the generation’s famous and smart writers’ work that much you can learn from them. You can learn how to write an introduction, create a story or writing plot, climax, and conclusion of your content. That can grab readers’ attention.
8. Improving critical thinking
Do you think I am a terrible person who wants to teach you complexity and conspiracy instead of simplicity? Please don’t misunderstand me. Actually, I want to bring simple things into your spotlight. You may read many famous writer books or blog posts from browsing the internet. But, how can you assess whether the books and blog posts are good or not?
For your assessment, you have to think by deep down to the words. When you read many writing types, you have created a good thoughtfulness by differentiating between good and bad writings.
So you can take the good writings to read and kick throw the bad writing out of the box. You also detect this analysis for your own writing. So before submitting or publishing the writings, you can cross-check them.
9. Enrich vocabulary
Reading books help you to enhance your vocabulary ocean. When you read the reputed writer’s work, you will notice they use various types of strong words to make their writings extraordinary. So by reading their writings, you get the chance to develop your vocabulary and word choice skills. These two are very crucial to write better content.
For this, there is no need to write down any notes like preparing for the exam. Just highlight the phrase and words which you feel masterful. After that, while writing, try to use them in your works. Don’t take any pressure, be steady and calm and simply insert the strong words in your content.
class=”wp-block-heading”>10. Make intimacy with writing
When you regularly read books, you will build a habit of reading. You know there is an excellent relationship between reading and writing. So as a writer, you must create an intimate attraction for your pen and paper to write.
In this case, the habit of book reading assists you. No matter what kinds of books, blog posts you read. Just the point is continuous reading. Reading makes you friendly to your writing.
These are the best ten benefits of reading books to improve your content writing skills. Let’s jump into the second part of the content.
Part 2: How to build a book reading habit
If you are a content writer but don’t have time for reading books, then you are a pilot who doesn’t like to drive the plane on the runway or a footballer who doesn’t have time to warm up. Reading books is essential and complementary if you want to be a pro writer. Here are 7 tips for developing a regular book reading habit in your everyday busy work schedule.
1. Starting is the most challenging job
I don’t know if you agree with me or not. But most people say when you want to develop any habit, then determining the mind and starting is the most challenging part of the work. Sometimes it happens, you think let the day go; I will start from tomorrow. And the same thing happens for days after days; as a result, you won’t start. But, if you make up your mind and begin with difficulties, you can do it. So without giving any chance of laziness to your mind, just start.
2. Start with baby steps
At first glance it doesn’t need to take pressure to read many pages every day. Instead, read a few pages initially when you give your first baby step to make the habit. In this way, every day, increase your reading pages to read more. Eventually, it will be best if you make a challenge with yourself to read more pages and offer you a reward to complete the challenge successfully.
No, I don’t tell you to give you a considerable reward. The reward can be a sip of your favorite coffee, a simple short break from work, a telephone conversation with your beloved one, seeing a moonlit night, etc. No matter how small or simple the reward is! Always remember reward is a reward, and you have won it.
3. Find a favorite place to read a book
You can’t focus and concentrate on your reading if you don’t feel comfortable. So the next thing is to find a calm, cool, and noise-free favorite place where you can read books. Of course when you read books that must be your free time. Unless it will be your free time, you think about your work in the back of the mind. So the time you invest in reading books and get benefited will go in vain.
You can use a soft armchair, a soft table light, and a soundless fan to make the reading environment more comfortable and productive. But by doing all those, please don’t forget this is your reading time, not your sleeping time.
4. Read at lunch break
If you are a full-time job holder, then seriously, it’s very much harder to find extra time to read books. But, you know what, “where there is a will, there is a way”. So you have to utilize every single chance that you get to build up your book reading habit.
Most offices give a one-hour lunch break, and you don’t need this one hour to take your lunch. So the extra time which you can save from fixed lunchtime why not you read books. Listen, nobody will give you any preference to make this habit unless you give importance to yourself. So after completing lunch, sit to read books.
5. Read books before bedtime
Many complain that they do not fall asleep as soon as they go to bed, and it’s a common issue for all. If this happens to you, read some pages of books. And do you know, reading books is an excellent medicine for sleeping? While reading a book, you can’t realize how much time passes, and you feel asleep. It’s done two in one.
When you feel asleep, keep a bookmark on the particular page that you’re reading and keep the book aside on your pillow. Now have a sweet sleep with a sweet dream!
6. Convert your waiting time to reading time
In your busy life, the boring word “waiting” kills most of the valuable time. Isn’t it? So transfer this boring waiting time into enjoyable reading time. When you’re staying at the doctor’s serial, or to pick up your daughter or son from school, or at traffic, then keep a book in your hand and start reading.
Yes, I know that sometimes the places aren’t ready for reading books. Still, you can pass this boring time by utilizing it. Maybe at the starting point, you can’t concentrate on your books, you can lose the line where you’re reading. But once you can build this habit, this can’t affect you anymore.
7. Read books while traveling
Every day you have to go to many places, and at that time you are almost free and nothing to do. Grab this chance to make a habit of reading books. When you are commuting to work, read books on the bus, car, or train.
Not only that sometimes you travel a long time such as almost 10-12 hours while going a long distance place. It’s good to watch sight scenes in the first part of the journey, but it will turn boring after some time. So you can carry some of your favorite books to read.
At this time, have a look at the digital book, which is an audiobook. Sometimes you are busy doing exercise, jogging, or walking, but your mind is free. You can listen to audiobooks, which is an alternative to reading books. Since technology is booming and blessing you with many good things, make the full advantages of all those things.
Part 3: Which book you should read to be a pro content writer
Your writing can show your creativity, and intelligence before the world. But you can get this only by reading the right books. You have to add creative and exciting facts to your piece of content to make it better than competitors.
If you read exact books, you can compose the overall best content to pull traffic to your content. But if you rewrite, you’ll be backfired by the readers and search engines. Now, look at our top 5 books to grow you as an expert copy and content writer.
1. Content Writing Handbook: named a handbook but worked like a dictionary
Kunal Gupta is the writer of this most effective content writing book. You can learn language skills, content writing strategies, and writing skills by reading this book. Here, the author of the Content Writing Handbook shows you how to learn content writing and manage content writing works from home. Moreover, by reading such a book, you can monetize your writing skills and make money online. If you can’t afford this book right now, you can check 3 steps on how to start a content writing career? Skills, marketing, and find work.
Kunal Gupta spent 200K+ hours and analyzed 36514+ people’s difficulties in understanding the best words to solve their problems. The Content Writing Handbook covers all writing types such as creative writing, research writing, technical writing, SEO or copywriting, email, e-book, and white paper writing. That means this is a complete book to make you market-ready as a writer.
Here’s a shortlist of the subjects the book covers
- ● Content writing in-depth explanation
- ● How to polish writing ability
- ● Best tips to practice persuasive content writing
- ● The different styles and formats of content composing
- ● Some useful content writing software that can help you to write better.
- ● A checklist of content writing interview questions with answers
- ● How to secure your position in the content writing world
You can complete reading this book if you dedicate one hour per day and continue it for 32 days.
2. The Content Code: 6 practical strategies to lighten up your content creation skills
The INC magazine declares this content code book as one of the best SEO books among the five best books. Mark W. Schaefer is the author of this writing coding book, and there he analyzed 6 content writing factors to make you a successful content creator and content marketer.
In general mind, you can’t think how amazingly he described all the content writing steps to make you an advanced level writer.
Here’s a shortlist of the subjects the book covers
- ● Describe all information about SEO writing, achieving more organic traffic, and increase revenue
- ● Analyze a bonding between content creation and brand image
- ● How to lock landed visitors to your site
- ● How to get online promotion
- ● How to balance on subject writing and budget
3. The Story Engine: Tell brand story across the world
A story is a first and foremost weapon to write readers engaging content. Even every brand wants to tell a story of its activities. No matter if they’re running a million dollars company or a small personal company. This is the most conversational issue of the story engine book.
Creating lucrative content is one of the best great methods to showcase your brand’s name in the industry. Writing engaging content needs more effort, more efficiency, more energy, and more time. The author knew it, so he tried to blend all of these essential things in his story engine. It is a concise, worthwhile, and reasonable book to keep your aside and read.
Here’s a shortlist of the subjects the book covers
- ● How to achieve expected content marketing goals
- ● How to make content to influence customers and build a healthy relationship.
- ● Describe a content creating method for every size of business—especially B2B and B2C companies.
- ● How to use paid campaigns to transform site visitors to customers or clients.
- ● Describe the ways of getting immediate and short outcomes not to demotivate you.
4. Don’t Make Me Think, Revisited: (3rd Edition) a complete web writing guide
Don’t Make Me Think is a great book published in 2000 for the first time. Then because of its popularity, the publishers bring the third revision. So you can understand how much exciting and useful things Steve Krug’s tried to tell you with this book. There he told you the writing standards, how to design and navigate good content, and how to overcome writing struggle.
The book isn’t too large to read and contains as many strategies as you need to develop your writing career. When you read the book, you have come to know many unknown things, and it may open the door to your success. It’s not an ordinary book which you have found in the market. It’s a digital runway of your writing career where you land and make yourself ready for flying a long way.
Here’s a shortlist of the subjects the book covers
- ● It describes the foundation factors of a web writing architect.
- ● Describe different kinds of writing formats.
- ● Show you how many writers can’t succeed in this sector and what’s the reason.
5. Everybody Writes: know everything about excellent content
Ann Handley is the author of Everybody Writes. Here, she tried to show you the path of writing strategies, production, and publication secrets. You can also learn some expert guidance and get advice to bring quick results in your writing journey.
This book also describes the manual and beneficial theories to grab clients’ attention as freelance content writers. Even by following these, you can dominate the writing world. The master of writing, Ann Handley, offers you writing knowledge with accurate direction to aim the arrow at the target.
Here’s a shortlist of the subjects the book covers
- ● Give you a shortlist of content creation from A to Z.
- ● How to make content 100% readers friendly and engaging.
- ● Tell you everything about the best content writing to make yourself, clients, search engines, and readers satisfied.
Warping up
The more you read, the more you learn, the more you grow, and the more you become a successful content writer. But being a successful writer, you must have the patience of reading books every day. So make a list of books to read and be determined to finish the books as per your planning. If you can do that, no one can keep you behind the scene of big fish level clients.
Here I’ve tried to uplift how reading can improve your content writing skills. I will suggest you keep in your mind reading for writing as a Mantra or principal of resources to improve writing skills.
My beloved writers, just go and grab the opportunity to hone your skills and be market-ready by reading books, content, copy, and quotes.
Let’s know if you have any questions, inquiries, or advice about content writing by throwing a comment on the comment section.
Good luck for your writing career!
Be an author with the easy to follow tips.
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