Writing about money and investing isn’t easy. How do you take a sometimes dull topic and make it enjoyable? How do you tackle issues that are written about daily and provide fresh, compelling takes? It’s so tricky that many advisors don’t do it and opt instead to purchase white-labeled articles and publish them as their own. 

I’d be lying if I said I never considered doing the same thing. I’ve wondered what, if anything, I’m accomplishing by writing for public consumption. Am I helping anyone? Do people find my perspective appealing? Recently though, I’ve recognized that the most significant benefits are for myself. 

Writing is Educational:

Writing is learning. Some people learn by hearing something repeated, and others with a hands-on approach. But putting thoughts on paper (or screen) helps me expose gaps in my understanding and encourages me to seek answers to questions that come up. Since deciding to write more, it’s become clear that I’m retaining more information and gaining confidence in areas in which I was already knowledgeable.

Writing is Focusing:

Few things are more satisfying than getting in “the zone.” When thoughts flow effortlessly into simple, easily understood words and sentences, the feeling is incredible. When I’m having trouble motivating myself, opening the word processor and jotting a few thoughts down seems to help my focus. A quick writing break can disrupt the monotony of daily tasks and refresh the mind for highly productive spurts.

Writing is Therapeutic:

We all have challenging days. Whether stressed because of something work-related or dragging from a lack of sleep, writing is an effective coping mechanism. Journaling for personal use or diving into a blog post like this one, the reason hardly matters; the pen is mighty for the mind. 

Writing is Reinforcing:

We all need to be checked sometimes. Whether by a spouse, friend, or someone else, it’s important to be “kept honest.” Writing is a way to check myself (before I wreck myself). Imagine writing an article about the importance of patience and a long-term mindset as an investor while at the same time having doubts. Reminding the reader of essential investing concepts also serves as a self-reminder, and helps reinforce personal values, strengthen business tenets, and maintain discipline when it’s most difficult. 

Once I decided to write, I had to learn how to write more. Thinking of engaging topics month after month seemed daunting. And what about days where more time is spent staring at the screen than filling it with hot takes? And let’s not forget that writing takes time. When will I find time to take a break from working with clients, running my business, and being with my family and friends? 

Each of these concerns was really an excuse, and I was determined not to allow excuses to keep me from doing something I wanted to do.

Here are some practices I found helpful in developing a writing habit and creating content that (hopefully) someone finds useful.

Jot down ideas:

When you think of something that might be a topic worth writing about, jot it down. I have a page on the note app of my phone that I use to jot ideas on when I’m on the go. When it’s time to write, and I’ve got nothing in mind, that page is full of starting points (where do you think this blog post came from)?

Consume quality content:

You are what you eat. The adage applies to content too, so if you’re constantly consuming nonsensical content, be prepared to have a difficult time making the switch when you sit down to write.

Tell a story:

Admittedly, I have trouble with this one. Since my writing is primarily professional, I tend to write too formally and inject too little storytelling. But readers love stories, and I’m actively working on writing more engagingly.

Create recurring calendar events:

I recently switched from a traditional daily planner to using a combination of a to-do app and a cross-platform calendar. The change was difficult at first, but the results have been astounding. I have a recurring task on my to-do list that serves as a reminder to write, and I do my best to stick with it, even on those days when things just aren't clicking.

Publish:

Writing is one thing, but publishing your work adds another layer of difficulty. I used to worry about making silly grammatical errors, sounding uninformed, and whether anyone would read what I write. But who cares? When I look back at my early posts, I laugh, but they remind me of the growth I’ve experienced as a writer.

Disclaimer: This article is provided for general information and illustration purposes only. Nothing contained in the material constitutes tax advice, a recommendation for purchase or sale of any security, or investment advisory services. I encourage you to consult a financial planner, accountant, and/or legal counsel for advice specific to your situation. Reproduction of this material is prohibited without written permission from James Vermillion, and all rights are reserved.