I am a retired attorney who is 67 yoa and was regarded as a very good writer of legal materials, such as legal briefs. I am now trying to develop myself as a writer on the Internet.
However, I quickly found that writing for social media is an entirely different breed of cat from writing legal materials.
Your article is extremely instructive on how to write for and promote yourself in the social media world. It is both informative and practical in every respect.
I learned a lot from reading and studying your article. I believe it's going to save me a lot of time learning how to both write and market myself.
Thank you very much for giving us your insight and experience.
Thank you for such a thoughtful comment! Your transition really resonates with me - I made a similar leap from academic writing (PhD in Animal Cytogenetics) to online content. The shift from scientific writing to engaging storytelling was quite a journey!
Like you, I had to reimagine my writing style completely. After four failed blogs, I finally discovered what works online: 'Be clear, not clever.' Your legal background gives you a unique lens - people would absolutely value your perspective on complex issues explained clearly.
The skills you developed writing legal briefs - structuring arguments, breaking down complex concepts, and attention to detail - are incredible assets. It's just about adapting them for a different audience. I look forward to seeing how you transform your expertise into compelling online content!
Excellent tips. I have two big challenges. Determining content someone might pay me for, I'm a jack of few trades and master of none, except I can deal a mean crap game. The other is who that someone is that might pay for what I might have to offer. So the who and what are my challenges, the why and how are easily defined.
You've hit on two crucial questions that many creators face! I've discussed these topics in detail in my exclusive workshops for paid subscribers. But let me share a practical path forward:
Start by flipping your 'jack of few trades' perspective - those unique skill combinations are often where the most interesting opportunities emerge. Sometimes, our most valuable insights come from the intersection of different life and professional experiences, especially with the wisdom that comes from years of navigating various fields.
Quick action step for finding your 'what': List at least 3 specific problems you've already helped others solve, even informally. Don't overthink it - sometimes, our most valuable skills feel so natural we discount them. What challenges do people regularly come to you for advice about? What solutions have you discovered that others might benefit from?
To define your target audience, look at those who have already sought your advice. What do they have in common? What stage of life or career are they in? What specific challenges do they face that you understand deeply? Your ideal audience often mirrors the people you've naturally helped throughout your journey.
You don't need to be the ultimate expert. You just need to be a few steps ahead of your audience and willing to share your journey honestly. Your unique combination of experience might actually be more valuable than deep expertise in just one area.
Thank you! You do realize I’m spending this morning thinking about these questions, as uncomfortable as I am in doing so. It’s time to level up and I must face the stuff I’ve been avoiding, the two questions posed have been bugging me for a year.
I’m a great motivator for people. That’s one gift. How to parlay it into writing is another thing.
Love that you're diving deep into these questions, even when it feels uncomfortable! That's exactly where growth happens. And you've just revealed something powerful - you're a great motivator for people. That's not just a gift, it's a superpower in writing!
Consider this: What if your first series of posts focused on the actual motivation techniques you use? Share real stories of how you've helped people push through their own uncomfortable growth moments, just like you're doing now. Your readers would get both the technique and the authentic experience of someone working through challenges.
Your ability to motivate others while being honest about your own journey? That's exactly what makes writing relatable and valuable
Oh wow, this is over-the-top good. Okay, I’ll think about a time my motivating was successful to write about it. I would think a video might work better for this, but that is too far out of my comfort zone right now. I’ll start with something I can handle.
Thank you for helping me, I’m not trying to take advantage and get your advice for free, I don’t believe in this—you should be paid for your work— and I’ll do so, you’re my next paid subscription choice. But I have to wait until after the first of the year.
More great stuff Jerry!
Thank you, Bette.
Really great stuff, Jerry!
I am a retired attorney who is 67 yoa and was regarded as a very good writer of legal materials, such as legal briefs. I am now trying to develop myself as a writer on the Internet.
However, I quickly found that writing for social media is an entirely different breed of cat from writing legal materials.
Your article is extremely instructive on how to write for and promote yourself in the social media world. It is both informative and practical in every respect.
I learned a lot from reading and studying your article. I believe it's going to save me a lot of time learning how to both write and market myself.
Thank you very much for giving us your insight and experience.
Thank you for such a thoughtful comment! Your transition really resonates with me - I made a similar leap from academic writing (PhD in Animal Cytogenetics) to online content. The shift from scientific writing to engaging storytelling was quite a journey!
Like you, I had to reimagine my writing style completely. After four failed blogs, I finally discovered what works online: 'Be clear, not clever.' Your legal background gives you a unique lens - people would absolutely value your perspective on complex issues explained clearly.
The skills you developed writing legal briefs - structuring arguments, breaking down complex concepts, and attention to detail - are incredible assets. It's just about adapting them for a different audience. I look forward to seeing how you transform your expertise into compelling online content!
I appreciate the advice here, I needed ideas for posts and you provided ideas for several. Thank You.
I'm so glad these ideas sparked your creativity! Thanks for letting me know it helped.
Excellent tips. I have two big challenges. Determining content someone might pay me for, I'm a jack of few trades and master of none, except I can deal a mean crap game. The other is who that someone is that might pay for what I might have to offer. So the who and what are my challenges, the why and how are easily defined.
You've hit on two crucial questions that many creators face! I've discussed these topics in detail in my exclusive workshops for paid subscribers. But let me share a practical path forward:
Start by flipping your 'jack of few trades' perspective - those unique skill combinations are often where the most interesting opportunities emerge. Sometimes, our most valuable insights come from the intersection of different life and professional experiences, especially with the wisdom that comes from years of navigating various fields.
Quick action step for finding your 'what': List at least 3 specific problems you've already helped others solve, even informally. Don't overthink it - sometimes, our most valuable skills feel so natural we discount them. What challenges do people regularly come to you for advice about? What solutions have you discovered that others might benefit from?
To define your target audience, look at those who have already sought your advice. What do they have in common? What stage of life or career are they in? What specific challenges do they face that you understand deeply? Your ideal audience often mirrors the people you've naturally helped throughout your journey.
You don't need to be the ultimate expert. You just need to be a few steps ahead of your audience and willing to share your journey honestly. Your unique combination of experience might actually be more valuable than deep expertise in just one area.
Thank you! You do realize I’m spending this morning thinking about these questions, as uncomfortable as I am in doing so. It’s time to level up and I must face the stuff I’ve been avoiding, the two questions posed have been bugging me for a year.
I’m a great motivator for people. That’s one gift. How to parlay it into writing is another thing.
Love that you're diving deep into these questions, even when it feels uncomfortable! That's exactly where growth happens. And you've just revealed something powerful - you're a great motivator for people. That's not just a gift, it's a superpower in writing!
Consider this: What if your first series of posts focused on the actual motivation techniques you use? Share real stories of how you've helped people push through their own uncomfortable growth moments, just like you're doing now. Your readers would get both the technique and the authentic experience of someone working through challenges.
Your ability to motivate others while being honest about your own journey? That's exactly what makes writing relatable and valuable
Oh wow, this is over-the-top good. Okay, I’ll think about a time my motivating was successful to write about it. I would think a video might work better for this, but that is too far out of my comfort zone right now. I’ll start with something I can handle.
Thank you for helping me, I’m not trying to take advantage and get your advice for free, I don’t believe in this—you should be paid for your work— and I’ll do so, you’re my next paid subscription choice. But I have to wait until after the first of the year.
I LOVE your writing style.
It's clean, to the point and helpful.
Keep up the great content!
I appreciate your comment.