Write first, think second — Kelford Labs Daily

“Good, clear writing—writing that teaches and informs without confusion—emerges from a process of struggle, or if you prefer, litigation. ... Clear thinking can emerge from clear writing.”

— Scott L. Montgomery, The Chicago Guide to Communicating Science

Writing is a thinking tool.

But that means we have to start writing, sometimes, before we’ve done the thinking.

When it’s time to make a post for LinkedIn, a script for a video, or a draft for our newsletter, we often want to know what we’re going to say before we start saying (or typing) it.

And, sure, that makes sense. We certainly don’t like the feeling of talking without thinking. How many times have you had the feeling of, “Wait, what did I just say?”

But, actually, we do want the feeling of writing without thinking.

Because the very act of writing, of putting one word in front of another, helps us think.

So don’t be afraid of the blank page or text document—just start filling it.

Montgomery says to treat every draft like “an audition,” an opportunity to see what’s good about it, and what needs to be changed or improved.

That’s the secret to great marketing writing. It’s not about getting it perfect on the first try.

Or thinking things through all the way before you start writing them down.

It’s about writing as a way of thinking, so you’re always practicing, and always improving.

Like a picture that comes into focus, clearer and clearer with every moment, our writing becomes clearer and clearer with every draft.

But first, we must start with something to fix, something to focus on.

First, we must start—then, we can think.

Kelford Inc. shows you the way to always knowing what to say. Marketing positions and messages for hands-on entrepreneurs.