20 Questions That Will Make Your Writing 10X Better
Why Most Writers Struggle (And How to Fix It)
10X Writer #29
Welcome to 10X Writer, the weekly newsletter designed to help writers, copywriters, and freelancers achieve 10X results with expert insights and actionable strategies.
Writing isn’t just about putting words on a page. It’s about choosing the right ideas, structuring them well, and making them resonate with readers.
But most writers struggle with:
Picking the right ideas – Not knowing what to write about or choosing topics that don’t connect with their audience.
Communicating clearly – Writing that feels scattered, clunky, or hard to follow.
Keeping readers engaged – Struggling to hold attention and make an impact.
If you’ve faced any of these, you’re not alone. But great writing isn’t about talent—it’s about asking the right questions before you start.
Use these 20 questions as a filter to think, refine, and improve your writing—so you can create clear, engaging, and effective content every single time.
I. Picking the Right Idea: How to Find Topics That Actually Work
The biggest mistake writers make is choosing ideas based on what they want to say rather than what their audience wants to read.
If your content isn't solving a problem, answering a burning question, or making people think differently, it won’t get attention—no matter how well-written it is.
Before you start writing, run your idea through these questions:
1. Am I solving a problem or answering a question my audience actually cares about?
If your topic doesn’t provide value, your reader won’t care. Find questions your audience already asks on social media, forums, or search engines.
2. Is this idea interesting, unique, or framed in a way that makes it fresh?
If your topic has been covered a thousand times before, why would someone read yours? Look at existing content on your topic and find a new angle or perspective.
3. Does this idea connect to something my audience is already thinking about or struggling with?
People engage with content that feels relevant to their current situation. Look for trends, industry shifts, or recurring pain points.
4. What’s the one key takeaway I want my reader to remember?
If your message isn’t clear to you, it won’t be clear to your reader. Summarize your idea in one sentence—if you can’t, your topic is too broad or unclear.
5. Have I researched enough to support my idea with examples, data, or real-world applications?
Strong ideas need strong foundations. Before writing, gather stats, case studies, or personal experiences to support your points.
6. Would I be excited to read about this topic if someone else wrote it?
If you’re bored writing it, your reader will be even more bored reading it.
II. Structuring and Communicating the Idea Clearly
A great idea is useless if it’s poorly structured. Confusing writing leads to disengaged readers.
A clear structure makes your message easy to understand and enjoyable to read.
Use these questions to organize your thoughts and strengthen your flow:
7. Is my introduction strong enough to hook my reader in the first sentence?
If you don’t grab attention immediately, your reader is gone. Start with a bold statement, a thought-provoking question, or a relatable pain point.
8. Does my piece follow a logical structure that makes it easy to follow?
Use a clear structure:
Introduction (Hook + Why This Matters)
Main Points (Organized in a logical flow)
Conclusion (Key Takeaway + Call to Action)
9. Am I making one point at a time instead of overwhelming my reader?
Focus on one idea per paragraph. If you’re cramming in too much information, break it into separate sections.
10. Am I using subheadings, bullet points, and short paragraphs to improve readability?
Nobody likes a giant wall of text. Subheadings, bullet points, and short paragraphs make your content easy to scan and digest.
11. Does my tone match the audience and platform I’m writing for?
The same content won’t work everywhere. A social media post should sound different from a business report. Match your tone to your audience.
12. Is this written from my audience’s perspective, or is it just about what I want to say?
Readers care about themselves, not you. Shift the focus from "I" and "we" to "you" and "your."
13. Have I eliminated jargon, complex words, and unnecessary fluff?
If your writing sounds complicated, readers won’t try to understand it. Use simple words and remove unnecessary phrases.
III. Making Your Writing Engaging and Emotionally Impactful
Even if your writing is well-structured, it won’t stick if it doesn’t make people feel something.
Use these questions to inject personality, emotion, and impact into your writing:
14. Am I writing for a single person rather than a faceless crowd?
When you write for everyone, you connect with no one. Imagine your ideal reader and write as if you’re speaking directly to them.
15. Am I using real-life examples, stories, or analogies to make my points stick?
Abstract ideas are quickly forgotten. Use personal anecdotes, case studies, or analogies to bring your message to life.
16. Have I used enough specificity to make my writing more compelling?
Vague writing feels weak. Replace generic statements with concrete details—numbers, names, and real-life references add credibility.
17. Am I writing like I talk, or does it sound stiff and robotic?
Overly formal writing feels distant. Read your work aloud—if it sounds unnatural, rewrite it to feel more conversational.
18. Is there an emotional hook that makes the reader feel something?
People don’t just read—they feel. Tap into emotions like fear, curiosity, excitement, or frustration to make your writing more powerful.
IV. Refining and Strengthening Your Writing
Even the best first drafts have fluff, awkward phrasing, and weak spots. This final step is where good writing becomes great.
Before publishing, run your writing through these final tests:
19. Have I read this aloud to check for awkward phrasing or clunky sentences?
If a sentence makes you pause or stumble, it needs rewriting. Smooth writing should flow naturally when spoken.
20. Have I removed all unnecessary words without losing meaning?
Brevity equals impact. Cut redundant words, replace weak phrases, and eliminate filler.
Instantly Improve Your Writing
Great writing isn’t reserved for the naturally gifted. It’s a skill—one that anyone can develop.
Most writers struggle not because they lack talent, but because they skip the thinking process before writing.
Now, you have a 20-question filter that ensures every piece you write is:
Based on the right idea
Clearly structured
Engaging and emotionally compelling
Crisp and polished
Use this checklist before you start writing, and you’ll instantly see an improvement.
The next time you sit down to write, don’t just start typing. Run your idea through these questions first.
You’ll write faster, more clearly, and 10 times the impact.
Now, go write something worth reading.