Stop Writing Like Everyone Else
Here’s how to write so people actually care.
Most people write in a way that guarantees no one will care.
They follow advice that sounds logical but doesn’t actually work in real life.
And they wonder why their posts don’t land.
Larry McEnerney, former Director of the University of Chicago’s Writing Program, said something that changed the way I see writing:
Good writing isn’t about what’s in your head.
It’s about what happens in the reader’s head.
And that’s where most people go wrong.
Today, we’re breaking five writing myths that keep your words from landing—and showing you what it actually takes to write so people care.
Myth #1: "Writing is about expressing yourself."
Truth: Writing isn’t about you. It’s about the reader.
Most people think of writing as a way to get their ideas down.
They sit at the keyboard and ask:
"What do I want to say?"
That’s the wrong question.
The right question is:
"What does the reader need to hear?"
Example:
Bad writing: “I’ve been thinking about how hard it is to stay consistent with content.”
Good writing: “Struggling to stay consistent with content? Here’s the shift that made it easier for me.”
The first one is about the writer.
The second one is about the reader.
That’s the difference between writing that gets ignored and writing that lands.
Myth #2: "Clarity is the most important thing."
Truth: Clarity alone won’t save you. You need impact.
You can write the clearest, most well-structured piece in the world…
But if it’s not valuable, no one cares.
Where does value come from?
Not from grammar.
Not from perfect structure.
Not even from making sense.
Value comes from two things:
Solving a problem
Challenging a belief
Example:
“Here’s how I manage my LinkedIn content.” (No problem solved.)
“The biggest reason your content isn’t working? You’re overcomplicating it. Here’s what actually matters.” (Challenges a belief.)
If your writing doesn’t change how people think, it won’t stick.
Myth #3: "Follow the rules to sound professional."
Truth: Writing rules were made for school, not real life.
Most writing advice was created for students writing for teachers.
Teachers are paid to read your work—so you could get away with:
Long-winded introductions
Formal, academic language
Burying the main point at the end
Real-world readers?
They have zero obligation to read your work.
They’ll scroll past in half a second if you don’t hook them.
That means:
No long, dense paragraphs—break them up.
No fancy, academic words—write how you talk.
No saving the best for last—lead with it.
Example:
“In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, professionals often find themselves grappling with the challenge of maintaining audience engagement across multiple platforms.”
“Getting engagement is harder than ever. Here’s why—and what to do about it.”
Which one makes you want to keep reading?
Myth #4: "Never start writing until you feel ready."
Truth: The best writers figure things out on the page.
Most people wait for:
The perfect idea
The perfect structure
The perfect moment
That moment never comes.
Good writing isn’t about waiting.
It’s about starting messy and refining as you go.
The secret?
Write a terrible first draft.
Cut everything unnecessary.
Rewrite for clarity and punch.
By the time you’re done, no one will know it started as garbage.
Myth #5: "Good writing informs."
Truth: Good writing disrupts.
Most people write to explain things.
Great writers write to shake things up.
Think about the most viral tweets, posts, or articles you’ve read.
They don’t just inform.
They challenge what people believe.
Example:
“Networking is important for business.” (Everyone agrees. No impact.)
“Networking is overrated. You don’t need more connections. You need deeper ones.” (Challenges a belief.)
When you disrupt how people think, you force them to pay attention.
What Does It Take to Write So People Care?
Stop writing for yourself. Start writing for the reader.
If your first sentence is about you, start over.Don’t just aim for clarity. Aim for impact.
If it doesn’t solve a problem or challenge a belief, it won’t stand out.Ditch the writing rules that hold you back.
School writing isn’t real-world writing. Get to the point fast.Write before you feel ready.
Messy drafts become great writing. No one gets it right the first time.Don’t just inform—disrupt.
If your writing doesn’t make people rethink something, they’ll forget it.
Bottom Line?
If you want to write so people care—
Stop following myths that don’t work.
Write to challenge.
Write to change minds.
Write to make people think.
Everything else?
Doesn’t matter.
That’s your writing lesson for the week.
If you found this useful, hit reply and tell me:
What’s one writing myth you’re breaking this week?
See you next time.
— Imran