5 Simple Tips to Improve Your Writing

Let’s be honest: writing isn’t always easy. Even experienced writers get stuck. Some days, it’s hard to find the right words. Other days, your writing feels dull, even if the ideas are strong.

At Ghostwriting Squad, we’ve worked with thousands of drafts. Blogs, bios, eBook ghostwriting services — you name it. We’ve seen the difference small habits make. The truth? You don’t need to be a literary genius to improve your writing. You just need a process that works.

The five tips in this post are simple. They’re not about style points or fancy grammar rules. They’re what working ghostwriters use daily to produce clean, confident writing for real-world clients. Apply them one at a time, or all at once. Either way, they’ll help you write faster, with less second-guessing. They’ll even make your words easier for others to read.

So, without further ado, let’s get into it.

1. Write the Way You Talk (But Cleaner)

You’ve probably heard this advice before. That’s because it works. When you write like you talk, your words feel more human. Readers connect with that. It makes them trust you. It also helps you stay focused on what matters, which is to get the point across.

Here’s what this doesn’t mean: Don’t type exactly how you speak, filler words and all. Instead, use the tone and rhythm of natural speech, but trim the clutter. Think of it like editing a voicemail. You’d cut the ums, false starts, and rambling. But you’d still keep your voice, personality, and core message.

For example: “There are a number of factors that need to be taken into consideration before any decision can be made.”

Too stiff. Now try this: “You need to weigh a few key factors before deciding.”

Same idea. Much easier to read.

Experts offering eBook ghostwriting services know this trick well. When writing for clients, they often listen to interview recordings or voice memos. They learn how the client talks—and then polish it. You can do the same for your own writing.

Read it out loud. If it sounds like something you’d never say? Rewrite it.

2. Cut the Fluff Ruthlessly

Fluff is the silent killer of good writing. It hides in long phrases, vague transitions, and padded sentences. It makes writing feel bloated, even when the ideas are solid.

When you remove fluff, your message becomes sharper. You sound more confident. And you make life easier for the reader.

Here are some common fluff phrases to avoid:

• In order to → To
• At this point in time → Now
• In the event that → If

You’ll also want to watch out for extra modifiers. Words like “very,” “really,” “basically,” and “somewhat” often add nothing. If a sentence still works without them, cut them.

Here’s a real-world edit:

Original: “She was very excited about the opportunity and really hoped it would go well.”

Tighter: “She was excited about the opportunity and hoped it would go well.”

Same meaning. Less clutter.

A good rule of thumb: if a word doesn’t add meaning, cut it. Clear writing beats clever writing every time. Also, studies show that readers lose interest fast. According to the Nielsen Norman Group, people skim online text and only read about 20% of it. That means every word must earn its place.

3. Use Active Voice, Not Passive

This is a favorite among editors for a reason: active voice makes writing stronger.

In active voice, the subject does the action. In passive voice, the subject receives the action. One sounds clear and punchy. The other feels vague or wordy.

Let’s look at an example:

Passive: “The final decision was made by the board.”

Active: “The board made the final decision.”

The second version is shorter, stronger, and more direct.

Active voice is especially useful in marketing, copywriting, and ghostwriting. Clients want their content to feel bold and confident. Passive voice weakens that tone. It creates distance between the subject and the action, which makes the writing feel soft.

That said, passive voice has its place. You might use it when you want to soften blame or shift focus.

Example: “The deadline was missed” (instead of “You missed the deadline”).

Use passive voice with intention, not by accident. A quick way to check your draft is to search for forms of “was” and “were.” If they lead to phrases like “was done” or “were created,” try rewriting them in active voice.

4. Read What You Write Out Loud

This is one of the best editing tools available — and it’s free. When you read aloud, you engage your ears, not just your eyes. You hear rhythm, pacing, and flow. You catch mistakes that your brain would normally skip over.

For those offering affordable ghostwriting services, this is a must. You’re often writing in someone else’s voice. What is the best way to make sure that the voice feels real? Read it out loud.

Ask yourself:

• Does this sound like a real person?
• Would my client say it this way?
• Do any sentences feel too long or too formal?

This tip is useful for emails, articles, speeches, and books. It works in every format. Too shy to read it out loud? Use a text-to-speech tool. Hearing your words will reveal clunky phrases, awkward transitions, or strange tone shifts.

When in doubt, read it out. It might feel silly, but it saves you from publishing sloppy work.

5. Edit in Layers, Not All at Once

Most writers make the same mistake: they try to write and edit at the same time.

They write a line, tweak it, delete it, rewrite it, then second-guess the next one. This cycle slows everything down. It kills momentum and sucks the joy out of writing.

Professional writers providing affordable ghostwriting services edit in layers. First, they write freely. Then, they go back through the draft with specific goals.

Try this approach:

• First pass: Get your ideas down. Don’t worry about mistakes.
• Second pass: Fix structure. Move sections, cut redundancies, clarify points.
• Third pass: Tighten language. Check for tone, voice, and clarity.
• Final pass: Proofread. Look for spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Each layer has a purpose. And when you focus on one thing at a time, you edit faster and better. Also, stepping away from the draft between layers helps. Even a 10-minute break can give you fresh eyes.

Conclusion

There’s no secret formula for great writing. But some habits make it easier.

If you’re a freelance writer, content creator, or just someone who writes a lot, these five tips can sharpen your skills fast. They’re simple. They work. And they’ll help you hit deadlines without sacrificing quality.

Let’s review:

1. Write how you talk, then clean it up.
2. Trim every word that doesn’t matter.
3. Use active voice to keep your message strong.
4. Read out loud to find what your eyes miss.
5. Edit in layers to stay focused and avoid burnout.

Don’t try to fix everything at once. Start with one of these habits this week. Build the others in over time.

Writing is a craft. The more you practice, the sharper it gets.