Become known for your writing even if you don’t like to write.

Become known for your writing even if you don’t like to write.

I’m going to tell you a little story, and it might sound a bit self-serving in a way, but hear me out because I genuinely think a lot of people don’t know about this, and they should.

So please have a read and let me know what you think.

Okay, onto the story. I was having a conversation with someone I’ve known and worked with for years.

And mid-conversation, he told me something I never knew! Which was: that he never really enjoyed the content creation (also known as writing) process.

He said:

“I like having ideas. I like having my ideas out in the world. But I hate the writing process.

Writing is slow, it feels clunky, it’s hard to say exactly what I want to say, and I always feel like it takes me 5x as long as someone who’s really good at it.

It’s like how some people feel about exercise: I don’t like doing it. I just like the results.”

I was surprised because I didn’t know this about him. But I think it’s actually quite common.

Do you relate? For years, my client felt like he had to write, because communications were essential to his business. But it felt like a slog.

He also wasn’t a bad writer — he was pretty decent at it. But writing wasn’t his #1 superpower either.

Yet he became known, renowned even, for his expert ideas and communications.

Why?

Because he surrounded himself with people (yes, people like me, *cough cough*) who could help him communicate his expertise and ideas.

We worked together for years on projects like:

  • content marketing that propelled sales.
  • thought leadership style articles that entrenched a highly regarded reputation and a devout following for him and his business.
  • a Certification textbook (a #1 industry ranked Certification at that).
  • and more.

It feels a little self-serving to be telling you this – but the fact is, my client knew something most people don’t.

Even if we never work together, I want you to know this.

>> This is THE secret of some of the world’s top leading experts... <<

They don’t write their own stuff.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1248"] (^^ An instagram post on this from my client, JB.) [/caption]

Now to be clear, I don’t mean to suggest that someone else dreams the whole thing up, plonks it down on the page, and then signs the expert’s name to it.

Rather, subject matter experts work WITH communications specialists to express their ideas more efficiently and effectively.

Why?

Because when you work in partnership, you can produce far more than you would alone; your work is better; and the process is more enjoyable.

This is sometimes called ghostwriting but ghostwriting implies work that is entirely written by someone else. My work isn’t like that — it’s more like co-authorship. I work with you to communicate your ideas.

So, here’s what I want you to know:

  • co-writing is a thing. It’s an option that exists. There are specialists who can help you communicate your ideas. (And yes, I am one of them.)
  • co-authorship = bragging rights. The best, leading experts get help with this stuff. It doesn’t take anything away from your excellence to collaborate. In fact, it helps you produce more, and get better.
  • you can communicate at a high level without top notch writing skills or tons of time. It’s all about having the right process and right person to help you.

What are your thoughts on this? Who’s on your team?

And, what kinds of challenges do you have when it comes to your professional communications? Write me back and let me know.

Meanwhile, consider joining me for my one day intensive storytelling program, the Storytelling Mastery Summit.

It’s a day of collaboration from storytelling pros and fellow thought leaders so you can instantly level up your communications.

There are only five seats remaining and they’re selling out. Details here: camilledeputter.com/summit

Thanks for being here. No matter what you do with the information I’ve shared with you today, I hope you continue to share your unique voice and perspective with the world.

P.S. Read my client's full story about working collaboratively by clicking here.