Volume wins.
There isn't a writing platform on the internet where this ISN'T the case. Social platforms. Major publications. Every growth period of my writing career happened during months/years of consistent volume.
Period.
[THREAD]: Here are 10 (painful) lessons I've learned writing 3,000+ articles on the internet over the past 7 years.
On writing advice, growth hacks, going viral, and feeling fulfilled in the process 👇
Volume wins.
There isn't a writing platform on the internet where this ISN'T the case. Social platforms. Major publications. Every growth period of my writing career happened during months/years of consistent volume.
Period.
In my early 20s, I spent a LOT of time reading digital marketing blogs about how to get 50% more views here, or 20% more subscribers there.
A lot of it is mental masturbation.
You're far better off just consistently creating new content.
You don't have to "air your dirty laundry," but you do have to say something that makes the person on the other side of the screen pause, *feel you*, and engage.
This can be done through story, tone, before/after photos, etc.
You go viral by publishing day after day, week after week, year after year.
My Quora dashboard is a great example. Out of 1,200+ Answers, less than 100 have gone viral.
That's not luck. That's rolling the dice 1,200+ times.
This is a brutal truth, and one of the first big hurdles you have to overcome as a writer online. If your writing isn't engaging, you might not be saying anything unique/compelling/original.
So? Dig deeper.
The publishing world celebrates best-selling authors. The reality? Most are broke.
The writers with the most creative AND financial freedom are all independent. They monetize in a variety of ways—not just book sales.
It's lucrative. It's a supercharger for building a powerful network. It teaches you how to write in different voices. It allows you to play with words all day long & practice your craft.
Every writer should also ghostwrite.
I became a ghostwriter after I had already built myself as a writer on Quora. Nobody paid me to write online. That was a personal investment in myself, and it changed my life.
Always always invest in yourself.
The easiest ways to make $$ as a writer is by providing a service or teaching. Both, low barrier to entry.
Get here, first. THEN, once you're established as a full-time writer, chase the Great American Novel dream
Anyone who is actively writing is a writer.
Anyone no longer actively writing (IMO) is not. They're a "retired writer."
Don't wait for the accolade to tell you who you are.
Let your habits speak for you.
Join 10,000+ other writers and get them straight to your inbox, every morning M-F:
https://t.co/aB6kuANb2l
More from Nicolas Cole
I started writing threads on Twitter in 2019.
Since then, I've written more than 200 threads and accumulated over 50,000,000 views on Twitter alone.
Want to know a secret?
I (pretty much) use the same 7 thread templates every time.
🧵👇
Template #1: The Framework Thread
The best frameworks all follow this same recipe:
• To solve X [well-known & difficult] problem
• I do Y [unconventional] thing
• To achieve Z [highly desirable]
Template #2: The Curation Thread
Recipe: "I did all this work—so you don't have to."
But the secret w/ curation threads is to niche down HARD.
"Biz books to read on investing" > "Best biz books" > "Best
Template #3: The "This Just Happened" Thread
Breaking News always has a 24-48 hour hype cycle.
The recipe here is:
• Write about a trending topic
• Provide your own unique take
• Unique take must be relevant to your
Template #4: The "If I Had To Do It Over Again" Thread
Recipe =
• I achieved X
• And made a lot of mistakes along the way
• If I were you, and had to do it all over again, here's what I would do
Since then, I've written more than 200 threads and accumulated over 50,000,000 views on Twitter alone.
Want to know a secret?
I (pretty much) use the same 7 thread templates every time.
🧵👇
Template #1: The Framework Thread
The best frameworks all follow this same recipe:
• To solve X [well-known & difficult] problem
• I do Y [unconventional] thing
• To achieve Z [highly desirable]
In 2021, I published 4 books.
— Nicolas Cole \U0001f6a2 (@Nicolascole77) January 3, 2022
In 2022, I plan on publishing 8.
Here's the 5-step framework I use to write 60,000+ words in 30 hours or less (2,000 words per hour) \U0001f447
Template #2: The Curation Thread
Recipe: "I did all this work—so you don't have to."
But the secret w/ curation threads is to niche down HARD.
"Biz books to read on investing" > "Best biz books" > "Best
Over the past 10 years, I have read over 500 business books.
— Nicolas Cole \U0001f6a2 (@Nicolascole77) January 4, 2022
99% were 1 idea stretched across 300 pages.
They should have been blog posts.
Save yourself the time and just read these 10 \U0001f447
Template #3: The "This Just Happened" Thread
Breaking News always has a 24-48 hour hype cycle.
The recipe here is:
• Write about a trending topic
• Provide your own unique take
• Unique take must be relevant to your
Today, Microsoft announced its acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
— Nicolas Cole \U0001f6a2 (@Nicolascole77) January 18, 2022
$68.7 billion. All cash.
But Activision has had a rough couple years.
\u2022 World of Warcraft dying
\u2022 Overwatch delayed
\u2022 Sexual harassment charges
Microsoft needs to fix these 3 things to be successful:
\U0001f9f5\U0001f447
Template #4: The "If I Had To Do It Over Again" Thread
Recipe =
• I achieved X
• And made a lot of mistakes along the way
• If I were you, and had to do it all over again, here's what I would do
I started writing online when I was 17 years old.
— Nicolas Cole \U0001f6a2 (@Nicolascole77) November 10, 2021
Since then, I've...
\u2022 Written 3,000+ articles online
\u2022 Ghostwritten 1,500+ articles online
\u2022 Published 5 books & 30 "mini-books"
\u2022 Built two 7-figure writing businesses
If I had to start from $0 again, here's what I'd do:
More from Writing
SHORT THREAD!
Simple Writing Trick to Avoid Plagiarism when using Templates
This may be useful for anyone but the examples here are more relevant to scholarship applicants
In other words, how to avoid the copy & paste syndrome.
Kindly RT to help others.
The past week brought some concerns about plagiarism in scholarship documents. For example:
Plagiarism is unacceptable at any level in academia and may lead to several undesirable outcomes, including revocation of admission offers or conferred degrees. So here is how you can prevent or rid yourself of the copy&paste syndrome
1. Don't use any template at all.
Just follow the darn instructions, or use helpful tips scattered all over the internet. Worry less about perfection.
I understand this may be hard for less experienced scholars. So if you must use a template, continue with the thread.
2. If possible, find more than one template.
This helps you identify the flow of ideas and the commonalities in the template. You can then develop your own unique document from this knowledge.
If you are still confused and must use a template, continue with the thread
Simple Writing Trick to Avoid Plagiarism when using Templates
This may be useful for anyone but the examples here are more relevant to scholarship applicants
In other words, how to avoid the copy & paste syndrome.
Kindly RT to help others.
The past week brought some concerns about plagiarism in scholarship documents. For example:
I got a call from the recruitment office at a Canadian university today and the issue was most of the Nigerians who applied there have almost the same Statement of Purpose letters. Please show originality in your applications, use your own words......1/3
— Tosin AJ (@ajibz_tosin) January 20, 2021
Plagiarism is unacceptable at any level in academia and may lead to several undesirable outcomes, including revocation of admission offers or conferred degrees. So here is how you can prevent or rid yourself of the copy&paste syndrome
1. Don't use any template at all.
Just follow the darn instructions, or use helpful tips scattered all over the internet. Worry less about perfection.
I understand this may be hard for less experienced scholars. So if you must use a template, continue with the thread.
2. If possible, find more than one template.
This helps you identify the flow of ideas and the commonalities in the template. You can then develop your own unique document from this knowledge.
If you are still confused and must use a template, continue with the thread
I want to talk about how western editors and readers often mistake protags written by BIPOC as "inactive protagonists." It's too common an issue that's happened to every BIPOC author I know.
Often, our protags are just trying to survive overwhelming odds. Survival is an active choice, you know. Survival is a story. Choosing to be strong in the face of the world ending, even if you can't blast a wall down to do it, is a choice.
It's how we live these days.
Western editors, readers, and writers are too married to the three-act structure, to the type of storytelling that is driven by conflict, to that go-getter individualism. Please read more widely out of your comfort zone. A lot of great non-western stories do not hinge on these.
Sometimes I wonder if you're all so hopped up on the conflict-driven story because that's exactly how your colonizer ancestors dealt with people different from them. Oops, I said it, sorry not sorry. Yes, even this mindset has roots in colonialism, deal with it.
If you want examples of non-conflict-driven storytelling google the following: kishoutenketsu, johakyu, daisy chain storytelling/wheel spoke storytelling. There was another one whose name I forgot but I will tweet it when I recall it.
Writing tip: let\u2019s talk about the INACTIVE PROTAGONIST. I\u2019ve seen a lot of amazing books lately with incredible plots, intricate worlds, and just really great writing with one recurring issue, which is the inactive protagonist. I think it can get tough when you\u2019re writing (1/10)
— Briston Brooks (@briston_brooks) January 26, 2021
Often, our protags are just trying to survive overwhelming odds. Survival is an active choice, you know. Survival is a story. Choosing to be strong in the face of the world ending, even if you can't blast a wall down to do it, is a choice.
It's how we live these days.
Western editors, readers, and writers are too married to the three-act structure, to the type of storytelling that is driven by conflict, to that go-getter individualism. Please read more widely out of your comfort zone. A lot of great non-western stories do not hinge on these.
Sometimes I wonder if you're all so hopped up on the conflict-driven story because that's exactly how your colonizer ancestors dealt with people different from them. Oops, I said it, sorry not sorry. Yes, even this mindset has roots in colonialism, deal with it.
If you want examples of non-conflict-driven storytelling google the following: kishoutenketsu, johakyu, daisy chain storytelling/wheel spoke storytelling. There was another one whose name I forgot but I will tweet it when I recall it.
The world's most valuable skill:
Writing effectively.
But colleges charge you 120k and still do a terrible job teaching it.
Instead, here are 9 writing frameworks that cost you nothing and will save you hundreds of hours:
1. Start with building your writing habit by leveraging @jamesclear's Four Laws of Behavior
2. With your writing habit down, study these 10 tips from the world's most legendary marketer: David Ogilvy.
3. Then, immerse yourself in the takeaways from the bible on business
4. Like to learn on the go?
Dive into the creative process of the world's best writers in these 10 episodes of the @timferriss show.
Writing effectively.
But colleges charge you 120k and still do a terrible job teaching it.
Instead, here are 9 writing frameworks that cost you nothing and will save you hundreds of hours:
1. Start with building your writing habit by leveraging @jamesclear's Four Laws of Behavior
Atomic Habits from @jamesclear changed my life.
— Dickie Bush \U0001f6a2 (@dickiebush) March 10, 2021
In Atomic Habits, James lays out the Four Laws of Behavior Change.
1. Make it obvious
2. Make it attractive
3. Make it easy
4. Make it satisfying
Here's how to leverage them to build a daily writing habit (\U0001f9f5\u270d\U0001f3fc):
2. With your writing habit down, study these 10 tips from the world's most legendary marketer: David Ogilvy.
One of the most legendary marketers of all time: David Ogilvy
— Dickie Bush \U0001f6a2 (@dickiebush) June 2, 2021
In 1982, David wrote an internal memo to the employees of his advertising agency titled "How to write."
And in just 10 bullets he put together a masterclass in effective writing.
Here's a breakdown of each one: pic.twitter.com/MxRYuQRLyA
3. Then, immerse yourself in the takeaways from the bible on business
Business writing is a superpower.
— Dickie Bush \U0001f6a2 (@dickiebush) June 8, 2021
But schools and employers do a horrible job teaching people to write.
In 1981, two advertising executives wrote a timeless guide for how to write in the business world.
And here are 12 of their tips you should staple to your desktop: pic.twitter.com/w0hh0qBOG4
4. Like to learn on the go?
Dive into the creative process of the world's best writers in these 10 episodes of the @timferriss show.
I've listened to every episode of the @tferriss show.
— Dickie Bush \U0001f6a2 (@dickiebush) March 3, 2021
And some of my favorites are when Tim interviews prolific writers, diving into their creative process to improve his own.
If you are looking to build a writing habit, these 10 episodes are a must-listen:
\u270d\U0001f3fc\U0001f3a7\U0001f447\U0001f3fc
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H was always unseen in S2NL :)
Those who exited at 1500 needed money. They can always come back near 969. Those who exited at 230 also needed money. They can come back near 95.
Those who sold L @ 660 can always come back at 360. Those who sold S last week can be back @ 301
Those who exited at 1500 needed money. They can always come back near 969. Those who exited at 230 also needed money. They can come back near 95.
Those who sold L @ 660 can always come back at 360. Those who sold S last week can be back @ 301
Sir, Log yahan.. 13 days patience nhi rakh sakte aur aap 2013 ki baat kar rahe ho. Even Aap Ready made portfolio banakar bhi de do to bhi wo 1 month me hi EXIT kar denge \U0001f602
— BhavinKhengarSuratGujarat (@IntradayWithBRK) September 19, 2021
Neuland 2700 se 1500 & Sequent 330 to 230 kya huwa.. 99% retailers/investors twitter par charcha n EXIT\U0001f602
Great article from @AsheSchow. I lived thru the 'Satanic Panic' of the 1980's/early 1990's asking myself "Has eveyrbody lost their GODDAMN MINDS?!"
The 3 big things that made the 1980's/early 1990's surreal for me.
1) Satanic Panic - satanism in the day cares ahhhh!
2) "Repressed memory" syndrome
3) Facilitated Communication [FC]
All 3 led to massive abuse.
"Therapists" -and I use the term to describe these quacks loosely - would hypnotize people & convince they they were 'reliving' past memories of Mom & Dad killing babies in Satanic rituals in the basement while they were growing up.
Other 'therapists' would badger kids until they invented stories about watching alligators eat babies dropped into a lake from a hot air balloon. Kids would deny anything happened for hours until the therapist 'broke through' and 'found' the 'truth'.
FC was a movement that started with the claim severely handicapped individuals were able to 'type' legible sentences & communicate if a 'helper' guided their hands over a keyboard.
For three years I have wanted to write an article on moral panics. I have collected anecdotes and similarities between today\u2019s moral panic and those of the past - particularly the Satanic Panic of the 80s.
— Ashe Schow (@AsheSchow) September 29, 2018
This is my finished product: https://t.co/otcM1uuUDk
The 3 big things that made the 1980's/early 1990's surreal for me.
1) Satanic Panic - satanism in the day cares ahhhh!
2) "Repressed memory" syndrome
3) Facilitated Communication [FC]
All 3 led to massive abuse.
"Therapists" -and I use the term to describe these quacks loosely - would hypnotize people & convince they they were 'reliving' past memories of Mom & Dad killing babies in Satanic rituals in the basement while they were growing up.
Other 'therapists' would badger kids until they invented stories about watching alligators eat babies dropped into a lake from a hot air balloon. Kids would deny anything happened for hours until the therapist 'broke through' and 'found' the 'truth'.
FC was a movement that started with the claim severely handicapped individuals were able to 'type' legible sentences & communicate if a 'helper' guided their hands over a keyboard.
