Why Writing About Everything Could Be Killing Your Content – Here’s What to Do Instead
Ever find yourself staring at a blank screen wondering, “What on earth should I focus on next?” You’re not alone. The truth is, anyone who’s tried their hand at freelance writing or solopreneurship knows that success isn’t about juggling endless topics—it’s about zeroing in on a few solid content pillars. Believe me, in my years wrangling SEO and crafting killer content, I’ve seen the magic happen when writers stop scattering their efforts and start sculpting their work around core themes. It’s like building a trusty fortress instead of a bunch of flimsy sandcastles. Curious how to identify those pillars that’ll not only give you clarity but also build a loyal tribe of readers? Let’s dive in—and spoiler: it’s more about strategic narrowing than throwing spaghetti at the wall. LEARN MORE.
Word Wise: Practical Writing Tips for Freelancers and Solopreneurs
How to ID your content pillars and build a loyal following
When I started my website in 2004, I focused on sharing writing tips and tutorials for nonprofit leaders. In truth, I wanted to generate leads, so they’d hire me.
I focused on three key content pillars:
- Basics for writing clearly (so they had concise messaging)
- Basics for writing different types of content (so they could pick and choose which ones to produce)
- Basics for writing persuasively (so they could grow their reach)
The strategy worked. While many nonprofit leaders want to acquire writing skills, most don’t have time. They are busy meeting with funders, hiring staff, organizing volunteers, and putting out fires. My content was consumable and helped them grow their skills, but in the end, they found it easier to hire a freelancer.
So I got plenty of gigs.
Within a couple of years, I noticed that a large number of my readers were not nonprofit leaders. Instead, they were freelance writers or those who wanted to become writers for hire. These folks were looking for simple writing tutorials to shorten their learning curve and help them find work, particularly with nonprofits. And along with the practical tips, they tell me that a healthy dose of inspiration (“I’ve done it — you can, too!”) doesn’t hurt, either.
Since then, my audience has shifted and grown further to include small biz owners, bloggers, pastors, and students. But my original content pillars have remained the same.
If you want to grow a following, the key is to nail down a handful of core topics. Stick to those subjects and write to a specific audience. And you’ll find you attract other readers, too.
What’s a content pillar?
A content pillar is a key theme. You can also think of your content pillars as core values, core principles, core ideas, or core topics.
If you’re a writer who makes money from your words (or wants to), you’re a business. Core…
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