Letters by Burk #154: My 5-Part Writing Strategy

Also, TV series, fun facts about writing, and more

Dec 03, 2024

black pencil on white printerpaper — Photo by Mark Fletcher-Brown on Unsplash

Hi friends,

I went on a little hunt.

And yes, I seemed to have figured out why some of my posts went viral while others died completely, and the reasons may not be what you’d expect…

Let’s step back a little.

I publish fairly regularly. Here, on Medium, and on my blog. Or I used to. Medium has gotten little love from me lately. For a reason. I was trying to figure out how to continue my writing there. And while thinking about this, I realized that my whole writing pattern has changed over the months and years.

How? You’ll find the answer in today’s main story, but first, let’s take a look at my favorite quote of the week:

#1 Main Story

The 5-Part Writing Strategy (That Drove Most Of My Income)

I’ve spent some time looking at my writing stats and dozens of viral posts from successful writers to see what did work in the past, what seems to work right now, and what should be working in the future.

And by working, I mean what makes writing accessible, successful, and profitable.

Here’s what I’ve found.

Writing “Advice”

Before we begin…

I get it.

Generic writing advice that tells you to “write great content” or “know your audience” is boring. And not really helpful.

After spending quite a few years writing online, building a couple of newsletters, and yes, failing spectacularly (more than) a few times, I’ve seemed to learn what actually moves the needle.

The stuff that works – the strategies I wish someone had told me when I started.

Part 1: The Psychology of Viral Posts (The Stuff Nobody Talks About)

Read the rest

#2 Off Topic:

The Fun Connections Between Friends and Gilmore Girls

When two iconic TV shows like Friends and Gilmore Girls share a studio lot, magical connections are bound to happen.

Both shows are beloved staples of the late ’90s and early 2000s, celebrated for their humor, heartfelt storytelling, and memorable characters. But the relationship between Friends and Gilmore Girls runs deeper than their Warner Bros. roots.

From behind-the-scenes friendships to wardrobe swaps and even actors appearing in both shows, the connections between these two fan favorites are fascinating. Let’s dive into what makes this crossover of talent and setting so special!

Read the rest

#3 Factually

Here are 10 quick fun facts about online writing:

1. Subheadings Engage: They boost engagement by up to 40%.

2. Emoji Effect: Emojis in headlines can increase clicks by 25%.

3. SEO Adverbs: Fewer adverbs = better SEO rankings.

4. Late-Night Wins: Posting at night (10 p.m.–1 a.m.) gets more views.

5. Long-Form Rocks: Articles over 1,500 words rank higher.

6. Listicles Rule: Lists outperform other formats by 80%.

7. Fonts Matter: Sans-serif fonts feel friendlier.

8. 7-Minute Cutoff: Attention drops after 7 minutes.

9. Images Stick: Visuals improve memory retention by 65%.

10. Questions Hook: Questions grab curiosity and clicks.

#4 Moviebuff 50% Off

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