11 edits that automatically make your writing stronger

Writing is really 90% editing. But you knew that.

Here are 10 Simple Edits That’ll Instantly Improve Any Piece of Writing from the Hubspot Marketing Blog:

1. Open with questions that get the reader to say “yes.”
   
2. Double tap the “Enter” button every 1-3 sentences.
   
3. Bold your key benefits.
   
4. Isolate important information using bullet points.
   
5. Start sentences with “Imagine,” “Remember,” or “Picture this.”
   
6. Incorporate the word “because” as often as possible.
   
7. Convert sentences to active voice.
   
8. Rewrite everything in the second person.
   
9. Count your adverbs and then cut that number in half.
   
10. Amend your call-to-action to be a call-to-value. (Don’t just say “DONATE” — say “HELP THE CHILDREN.”)
    

I have one more edit to add that’s almost foolproof: Cut your first few sentences. It’s almost always just a warm-up, not the real stuff you want people to read. It works like crazy!