- Do your Research
Meaning stay abreast of present events and what is going on in the world right now, know your topic inside and out to include the history, challenges, benefits, present day views on the subject matter and so forth. Review trends, statistics, unusual factors, oddities, and the trendsetters in the arena your topic of interest incorporates.
- Benchmark those whose level you’d like to evolve to
Study and survey those who impress you in the same arena or circle of interest you are in; it doesn’t mean carbon copy, just take away the things they do that you feel confident in including in your agenda or strategies to get you to the top of your game. What are they doing that makes them effective? Can you do the same?
- Think outside the Box
When you think about all the famous cat characters from Garfield to Tom (from Tom & Jerry), to Sylvester (from Warner Brothers), Hello Kitty and even Heathcliff, they all differ in some fashion, -not just from one’s standard viewpoint, but personality as well, though they may share some common ground, such as how Tom and Garfield are always at someone else’s throat, be it Jerry or Odie. You have to use that same kind of comparison to differentiate yourself in your standard arena. What are you doing differently? How can you differentiate yourself and what you bring to the table, whether it’s a different look or persona?
- Innovate
What has not been said? What has not been done in your industry or on your topic? What can you bring to the table, that has never been brought to the table before? Go deeper than a table setting, bring a whole new dish. What are others afraid to say or discuss? Take on a forbidden topic on the matter? Debate an idea on the topic you don’t agree with. Whatever it is, bring a brand spanking new, fresh and untouched topic or idea or theory to the table.
- Read, Read, Read
The more you read the more you know, how else is knowledge acquired? It doesn’t have to just be the news or educational resources, sometimes ideas and knowledge are acquired through imagination, -read a fantasy or sci-fi novel, sometimes these kinds of books spark ideas you hadn’t previously thought of, or they bring about a new awareness.
- Watch, Watch, Watch
If you have little time or quiet space to read and comprehend what you are reading, you can always watch: documentaries, news, non-fiction flicks about real world events and the like, while you work, that are pertinent to your subject matter or industry.
- Honesty
This is an important one to staying current as a writer, report the facts, tell the truth, support your statements with proof, facts, statistics, events, quotes, -even a picture is worth a thousand words, better yet incorporate video footage if need be, but always show and prove, be honest. Be a writer and resource readers can trust beyond a reasonable doubt, it makes you credible, thus keeping your current and relevant.
- Vulnerability
As much as I personally hate getting personal about my own experiences, sometimes it creates a connection with your reader or audience. If they know you, they come to trust you, and an article or blog piece starts to have a feel of a letter from an old friend. Take those “Dear Abby” columns for example, they were close and personal were they not? Would anonymous writers have written her if they didn’t feel comfortable with her or if there wasn’t a level of trust or familiarity? Vulnerability will allow you to stay current as a writer in the sense it shows you have real world experiences, no different from the average Joe, you become relatable and more human and that is a quality that never gets old.
- Rationality
Logic is key in staying current, if you bring nothing else to the table, readers want to read intelligible scribe that they can relate to or learn from. That doesn’t mean you have to use overly sophisticated language that would require a Dictionary or Thesaurus to write, always consider your audience. Use layman’s terms, something the average reader can comprehend and understand. Use slang and clichés sparingly and only if it fits the feel or theme of your piece and appeals to your audience. Be a smart and witty, intellectual writer to stay current, that’s something that spans through the hands of time.
- Challenge the Status Quo
Without a challenge how can anything or anyone get better, improve or grow? Decipher or identify a fresh and progressive means to accomplishing your goal or writing endeavor. This adds value and helps you stay relevant, useful and thus current. It goes hand in hand with innovation. How has it always been done and why? How can the process be improved upon? Can you do the total opposite and acquire a larger viewership?