Get That Premise Right: The Key to Thriving as a Writer!

How I turned my struggling blog into a thriving writing career.

Ever feel you’re going nowhere, no matter how hard you work at writing great content? I was there overworked, underpaid, and burned out until I learned the power of a good premise.

Why You Need to Define Your Premise?

Building a blog or a newsletter is like navigating a maze. It requires creating valuable pieces of writing that educate, inspire, and help solve your reader’s problems.

Your writing must give massive value to interested readers.

I once heard that “content is king and distribution is queen.” And sure, I agree. You can create exceptional content, but you’ll get nowhere toward achieving your goals without good distribution and marketing.

Honestly, the process of monetizing your writing is a little complex. Therefore, defining your promise properly will guide you to better fulfill your readers’ needs and achieve your goals while removing a lot of unwanted blocks.

Here are some other benefits of a solid premise:

Focus and Direction: Without a solid premise, your writing might become disorganized, and your audience will have no idea what to expect from you.
To Be Different: A good premise separates you from the competitors. It allows you to determine what distinguishes you and why readers should select you above other authors.
Attract the Right Audience: The right premise helps attract the right readers that resonate with your message. Instead of throwing a wide range of content and hoping for a catch, you’ll be able to attract the proper audience that appreciates your work.
Clear Marketing and Distribution Strategy: An awesome premise serves as the compass to effectively market and distribute your content. When you fully grasp what you offer, who you serve, and the value you bring, your promotional efforts become more targeted and effective.
Stay motivated: A solid premise ensures that you stay motivated and consistent in achieving your writing goals.

I Learned the Hard Way That a Good Premise Is Essential for Writers!

I was excited when I started my first blog. Even though I had little experience in writing online, I was optimistic that this blog would be successful just to shut down those inner fears and doubts.

I began by choosing a niche that I was passionate about, which was “jiu-jitsu,” as I was already practicing that martial art and had a lot to share.

I started right away writing articles on anything that came into my head. After a while, I hit a block since I was desperate to not receive any traffic.

I remember looking at my Google Analytics which was showing few visitors and low engagement. My hopes of building a profitable writing business vanished and the frustration overcameme. I wondered: “Is writing really worth it.”

The Problem? Writing about hazardous topics did not help me at all.

I needed a clear content strategy in which articles are linked together and each new one is integrated into the overall desired growth. Not just that! A good content strategy increases the reader’s trust and establishes the writer’s credentials.

As a result, I tried to develop a good content strategy for my blog. But things weren’t easy because I had so much to write about. So I was overwhelmed and quit writing several times.

But things are different now because the first thing I do when starting a writing business is define a “good premise,” which has helped me a lot in targeting the right audience with the right content.

For a writer, a premise is more than just a catchy concept. It helps establish the “why” and objectives of your writing, meet your audience’s needs, etc. This was the hard truth I faced after countless blog failures.

How to Define a Strong Premise for Your Writing Business?

Think of your premise as the foundation of a 100-floor building. Everything you build will vanish into thin air unless you have a solid foundation.

Now that you understand the importance of a strong premise for your writing success, here are some tips to help you define the right one:

Identify Your Strengths: Which type of writing do you excel at (blogs, storytelling, etc.)? Which industries or niches are you the most knowledgeable about? Focus on what distinguishes you where you can provide enormous value.
Understanding Your Audience: Who are you writing for? What challenges and problems do they face? Your premise should be about solving their problems or fulfilling their needs.
Unique Value Proposition. What sets your writing business apart from the crowds? Is it your writing style (informative, humorous, and emotive)? Is it your experience or background? Is it your distinctive technique or method? Your premise should showcase what makes you distinct.
Create and concise: Your premise should be a one- or two-sentence summary that conveys: Who do you serve? What do you do? What are the provided benefits?

The Formula:

I enable [specific audience] to accomplish [specific objective or solution] by using [unique strategy or experience].

Examples of a Strong Premise for Writers

“I help startups tell their stories through compelling blog content that generates organic traffic and builds trust.”
“I create informative articles that break down complex topics into digestible insights for small businesses.”
“I write concise technical guidelines for IT specialists to simplify complex structures into simple, practical steps.”
“I create enticing product descriptions for e-commerce stores to convert casual visitors into committed consumers.”
“I write compelling email sequences that boost conversions for online entrepreneurs.”
“I write compelling personal essays that capture the emotions and lessons of real-life experiences.”
“I write romantic comedies with heartwarming characters and laugh-out-loud moments.”

If I could travel back in time, I would urge my younger writer self to “focus on your premise first!”

A solid premise helped me turn my writing business from failure to clarity and success. It allowed me to prioritize what was genuinely important—delivering value to my readers via clear, focused writing.

Every project I take on now is based on a well-defined premise, which has made a huge impact. I no longer feel lost in a sea of limitless writing possibilities. Instead, I know exactly what I need to do and what I need to achieve.

So, fellow authors, if you’re failing to establish momentum or develop a profitable writing career, start by defining your strong premise. It is the base from which everything else will flourish.