Transform a BIG Idea Into A Short, Reader-Friendly Article

5 Steps To Tighten Your Content Without Losing Impact

It happens to everyone (including me).

You’ve got a brilliant idea — one of those big ideas that could help position you as a thought leader. You want to explore the topic deeply, but the word count has gotten ridiculous.

So how can you expand on an idea without getting too wordy?

(1) Write a fast first draft.

Writing as fast as possible, write up your idea, in expanded form, as if you were writing an email to a good friend. Don’t edit or censor yet.

Don’t worry about the length. It’s always easier to edit from a long document than to add ideas to a short one.

You may choose to use a timer for a “fast writing” exercise. Some writers get inspired by a deadline. Others freeze.

(2) Give yourself space.

Some writers allow a day or more between drafts. Others work with 15-minute breaks. A very rare few write multiple drafts in one sitting.

I prefer long breaks. I’ve never been able to crunch through to the finished product in one long session.