7 unconventional ways to succeed as a writer
Beyond the usual tips to ignite creativity, foster deeper connections, and get you seen by the right readers.
Hi,
We've all come across classic writing advice like be consistent, engage your audience, find your authentic voice, and so on. It's solid guidance, but it’s also what literally every other writer on the planet is doing. If you wanna break through, you often have to break the mold.
There’s an old saying in Hollywood. There might be a million ways to break in, but nobody breaks in the same way twice. Once somebody uses a strategy, the powers that be pave over it so nobody can do it again.
As cool as it might be to send a shoebox to an agent with a note that says “Trying to get my foot in the door”, that’s already been done and probably definitely won’t work again.
Love where your head is at, though. Let’s see if we can fill it with more thinking like that. The approaches below might feel a little risky or weird at first, but they can also help get you noticed for all the right reasons.
Get comfortable being unliked. If you want some people to have strong positive feelings about you, then you have to get comfortable with the idea that other people will have strong negative feelings about you. A magnet’s polarity works both ways. If nobody is ruffled, you might be playing it too safe. It's not about being a troll or intentionally offensive, but if you have a bold opinion, don't water it down just to keep everyone happy. Writers with a strong point of view attract an audience that genuinely cares, rather than one that vaguely hovers.
Ignore "finding your voice” and try borrowing voices to discover your own. Maybe for a week, try composing short stories inspired by Ernest Hemingway's sparse prose. The following week, mimic a breezy style akin to Nora Ephron. You might even merge journalistic objectivity with comedic ranting just to see what happens. Through these experiments, you'll start picking up bits and pieces that resonate with your natural inclinations. Over time, the mishmash of influences will crystallize into something original. Your voice, built through playful borrowing.
Weaponize your worst moments. On social media, it's tempting to present only the highlight reel like bestseller lists, glowing reviews, or that time you got 1,000 claps on Medium. But let's be honest, everyone has meltdown moments, like the day you got a harsh rejection letter or the time you froze during a live reading in front of 50 people. When you open up about these moments, your readers see someone relatable, not an untouchable success story. Share the lessons you learned, the secondhand embarrassment, and the messy process of getting back on your feet. The honesty makes your triumphs feel more earned. Plus, there's an odd power in showing you're not afraid to talk about mistakes. It's a signal you care more about authenticity than polishing a perfect image.So many creators obsess over “audience growth hacks”, but the most viral moment you can have is when you write with zero intention of going viral and spill the messy, real stuff that truly matters to you. The rawer you get, the more readers lean in.
Try this: Open a blank doc and write about a belief you hold that feels a little risky to share. Don’t tailor it to an algorithm or a “target demographic.” Let it breathe, then hit publish. It might feel scary, but that honest spark is exactly what cuts through the noise.
Steal like a data analyst. Let the numbers reveal your hidden strengths. If you have a newsletter, look at open rates for various subject lines. If you post on Substack, pay attention to which pieces receive the most highlights or reader comments. On Twitter, see which tweets spark meaningful conversations rather than just likes. Use that data as a flashlight. Maybe you notice that whenever you talk about personal finance, people perk up and share your posts. Perhaps your comedic rants always get more engagement than your strait-laced essays. Incorporate more of those elements. This isn't about chasing trends. It’s about noticing genuine reader interest so you can lean into your natural strengths.
Publish in imperfect formats. Half-formed and quick doodles can spark more inspiration than polished prose. You might publish a weekly "scribble section” or photographs of notepad pages alongside bullet points about what you’re learning. They're not polished, but they attract curious readers who want to see behind the scenes. Share rough drafts, half-outlined thoughts, or even audio recordings of your brainstorming sessions. It's a refreshing contrast to a platform full of neatly packaged articles, and it fosters a sense of co-creation with your audience.
Curate more than you create. Some of the most influential people in any field got there by being excellent curators. If there's a subject you're passionate about, start curating the best work you can find. Share quotes, snippets, and links with your own unique commentary. Over time, you become a trusted source for filtering through the noise. It's as valid as creating new content and often more valuable.
Don't just write, create cultural moments. Writing can be a solitary act, but it doesn't have to stay that way. Think about hosting a virtual event or a writing challenge that sparks collective energy. For instance, you might invite readers to write a single paragraph based on a prompt you provide, then share their results in the comments section of your blog. Or organize a short daily livestream where you spend ten minutes freewriting and encourage viewers to do the same. Moments like these turn your platform into more than just a source of reading material. They become community touchstones, shared experiences that people look forward to. When everyone can participate rather than passively read, you create real bonds.
By mixing risk-taking (like encouraging controversy or sharing failures) with deliberate experimentation (like imitating styles or analyzing data), you sidestep the trap of generic content creation. Going off the beaten path can be daunting, but it's also what helps you break away from the sea of identical advice.
There’s no single secret formula for writerly success, and that's what makes the journey both maddening and magical. When you give yourself permission to step outside tidy guidelines, you allow yourself to uncover surprising strengths.
Don't be afraid to polarize, to play with different voices, or to showcase your failures. Post something that isn't polished, or spend a week shining a spotlight on others' brilliant work. If you're willing to do things a little differently, you just might find an audience that respects your courage and rallies behind you all the more.
In a world filled with repetitive advice, these approaches stand out because they embrace experimentation and honesty. Try one or two ideas and see what happens. You might alienate a few readers along the way, but the ones who remain will feel more connected than ever, like they're part of a creative revolution. And for a writer, that bond is worth more than any safe, one-size-fits-all strategy.
What do you think?
Which of these unconventional approaches speaks to you the most, and how could you adapt it to your own writing style?
Can you recall a time you felt unsure about sharing a vulnerable or imperfect piece of writing? How did your audience react?
If you had to create a cultural moment around your work, what would it look like and why do you think it would resonate with readers?
Let us know in the comments.
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