"Don't think that editors using AI is cheating; in the future, there will be editors who master AI and those who don't."
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Writing is a task that invites trouble and suffering. When your thoughts are clear, your words flow naturally, and expressions come easily. Don't rush to write; a writer spends most of their time reading. Don't hate revisions; feel free to hammer your work on the anvil twenty times. To capture the essence of a person with simplicity, it's best to depict their eyes, as eyes reveal the soul, and words born from the heart often uncover hidden truths.
1. Title
2. Article Structure
3. Introduction
4. Conclusion
5. Key Sentence
6. Story
80% depends on the topic. Hot topics are an effective way to quickly attract readers. For example, among the most popular articles on various blockchain websites and apps, 8 out of the top 10 articles with the highest readership are hot topics. The methods to create viral articles through hot topics can be divided into three levels:
· Basic Writing Skills: Getting people to read your articles.
· Mastering the Traffic Formula: Producing viral articles inconsistently.
· Applying the Viral Formula Consistently: Producing viral articles consistently and training others in the formula.
The formula can be summarized into 10 key elements combining emotion and perspective. People are not AI; they need to see something with warmth.
Emotional Factors: Three main emotions and five daily emotions:
· Love
· Friendship
· Family
· Anger
· Nostalgia
· Warmth
· Guilt
· Loneliness
Perspectives:
· Region
· Community
The 10 key elements can be used not only in writing articles but also in making videos. The better you combine these elements, the more you can stir people's emotions. Your readers become your best advocates, so quickly try adding these elements to articles in technology, finance, and other genres.
Don’t limit yourself to one perspective. Can you switch to a different role?
1. Clarify Roles: Identify how many roles are involved in the event.
2. Choose a Role: Look at where most people are. If you choose a direction where no one else is, you stand out. Competing against a few is easier than competing against thousands. Which one would you write about?
Boring, repetitive articles are tiresome for both readers and writers.
· Unique combinations that seem unrelated can easily achieve high engagement. Every year, around Labor Day, the internet is flooded with AI-generated articles about how labor is glorious and hard work brings happiness. These repetitive articles bore everyone. Writers seem unable to find new angles. Here’s a passage I read in high school: “At first, Chami felt relieved, but then the desire to meet Susan cheerfully and warmly turned into a piece of rusty iron. This piece of iron stuck in Chami’s chest, closest to his heart. Therefore, Chami repeatedly prayed to God to let this piece of rusty iron pierce his aging heart quickly, so that it would stop beating forever.” This is a description of Chami's final moments in "Precious Dust." I was deeply moved by the purity of human nature. Even today, rereading this passage still moves me. Some words can transcend time and reach the present.
Let me give you an example. As a writer in the blockchain and cryptocurrency field, if you were asked to explain blockchain and digital currency in 800 words, the answers would vary widely. Some might write about blockchain encryption technology, web3 applications, ICOs of digital currencies, or Bitcoin mining. These topics are not very appealing. If I were to write it, I would say that blockchain is represented by three people and two coins: Satoshi Nakamoto, Vitalik Buterin, CZ, and BTC, ETH. They can very well represent blockchain. Of course, this doesn't mean you must write about these three people. When describing a particularly large concept or event, it is challenging to cover everything comprehensively within a limited scope. Readers won’t give you enough time either. So, when describing blockchain, instead of talking about blockchain broadly, I would define it differently. For example, “blockchain equals three people.” You can also write about three coins, or a technology, etc. Avoid vague points and use specific points to illustrate big ideas. Just like when discussing blockchain, I only talked about three unique individuals.
The same principle applies to writing about love, technology, and various other topics. Always start from a very small point. For example, when writing about nostalgia, many authors start from a grand perspective, writing about the era, or youth. Everyone writes this way, and readers become numb. Think about how Dickens handled the era in the opening of "A Tale of Two Cities." Try a different approach: start from a small perspective, from a small phenomenon or scene. I once wrote a story about youth using a small point: playing Gomoku (five-in-a-row). Have you noticed that most people stop playing Gomoku after high school? Nowadays, the only people we see playing chess are elderly men playing Chinese chess on the street, not many youthful memories there. But I remember drawing lines on my notebook during high school to play Gomoku during breaks. A chess game would take too long and we couldn’t bring a chessboard to school. Gomoku had evenly matched classmates, the class president was a girl, and we were evenly matched. After school, we’d play a game, and once she gave me a Dove chocolate. Sometimes I’d miss playing Gomoku on the notebook, the Dove chocolate, and the shy me with a blushing face saying, “Dove means ‘do you love me?’”
When I wrote this story about youth using the small point of playing Gomoku, it instantly transported people back ten years. It performed well on the public platform. These three points I mentioned are what I call the three key strategies for writing. If used well, your words will tell lively stories, and readers will eagerly embrace them.
Finding Topics: The 7 Captures and 6 Controls
High Praise on Twitter: In addition to checking highly praised comments on cryptocurrency Twitter, I also frequently look at trending topics. Trending topics reflect what people are most concerned about, willing to see, and eager to discuss at the moment. Highly praised comments highlight what people care about. Writing articles based on these points of interest will attract readers the most.
New Rankings: On your usual platforms, look at the reading rankings of the most popular articles across the internet. This easily reveals the trending topics. The first few comments on articles often hold high value for topic selection. Viral articles tend to cluster together, with one viral article often leading to another.
Cryptocurrency Communities: Follow some major influencers in the cryptocurrency space or join popular project communities on Telegram, WeChat, etc. You can directly use their posts and comments. These influencers are highly sensitive to changes, quickly identifying hotspots.
Short Video Platforms: Whether it’s Douyin, TikTok, or other short video platforms, the currently recommended short videos capture the most precise understanding of contemporary communication. Moreover, there are many excellent comments on short videos.
Cryptocurrency "Prophets": On platforms like Twitter (especially), Substack, and Reddit, follow teams that operate as "cryptocurrency prophets." Follow a few accounts. My summary of these prophet teams is: "Their ability to organize materials and discover new projects is far ahead."
Geek Circles: Register for a GitHub or CSDN account and explore. As a technological and financial revolution, blockchain is driven by these geeks who are at the cutting edge. Whether discovering new tools or providing new ideas, technologies, and perspectives, their input can be confidently used to develop topics and write articles.
Old Articles: On platforms like JianShu, Zhihu, brokerage websites, public accounts, and old magazines, look for historically high-readership articles. Successful viral articles have common traits. While times have changed, discussion methods have evolved, and readers remain the same. The core logic that stirs readers has not changed. In my view, self-media represents an era of individual consciousness awakening, where people focus more on themselves and seek information that resonates personally. Authors must understand the formats that can emotionally move readers. The formats for viral articles often include the following six points: 1.Innovative Titles 2.Rich Information 3.Concise Content 4.Abundant Tags 5.Integration of Numerous Elements in Limited Space 6.Seeming Neutrality: The author appears neutral and fair but uses various internet opinions to support their own viewpoint. If you achieve the 7 captures and 6 controls, readers will be easily moved by your articles. These methods not only apply to article creation but can also be used in other content products. On a small scale, it could be posting on social media or making a short video. On a larger scale, it could be formulating marketing plans or making movies. The underlying logic of all content consumption products is the same. Those who read articles, watch videos, and watch movies are often the same group of people. Their needs have never changed. Therefore, the key is not narrowly how to write articles but to delve deeper into stirring readers' emotions. As I often say: "You need to think like a reader, finding the intersection between the author's expression and the reader's satisfaction. This way, readers will be willing to read and share your content."
How to Write Effectively: Hitting the Mark with 8-9 out of 10
Do You Need to Read a Lot to Write High-Quality Articles (Viral Articles)? New media or blog articles are essentially about "communication." The essence of a "viral article" is not about who has better writing skills, but whose article can stir the emotions of "everyone." Good writing might get you high scores in exams but doesn’t necessarily create viral articles. So, do you need to read a lot to write viral articles? My answer is that reading enhances writing skills indirectly, in a spiral upward manner. The most direct way is to study some viral articles and master viral article formulas.
Is There a Quick Way to Improve Writing Skills? Luo Zhenyu’s New Year’s Eve speech always ends with a slide saying, “There is no path to sincerity; sincerity itself is the path.” At first, I didn’t quite understand it, but this sentence is created following a writing formula. It follows a rhythmic pattern. For example, “There is no weapon that can capture love; love itself is a weapon.” Or from "The Book of Songs": "The reeds are lush, the reeds are flourishing, the reeds are gathering." Xiao Hong's "Hulan River": "My home is desolate, my home is desolate, my home is desolate." Repeating important things three times or twice is a writing formula. Mastering these formulas allows you to craft striking sentences, making writing articles or copywriting easier.
Can You Learn to Write from Scratch? I am not a literature or editing major, nor do I have a background in blockchain and digital currency writing. I am not even an avid reader; the most I read are xianxia novels, and I am a science student. My answer is: as long as you master the writing "formulas," you can learn to write. Charlie Munger once said: "The distance between you and the master is not just 10,000 hours of practice." Deliberate practice does not necessarily lead to success, but mastering writing "formulas" and then practicing for 10,000 hours can make you a master writer.
Do You Need Various Apps and Databases? Whether it's crypto influencers on Twitter or tools like Google, the core is to use the best content tools from encrypted information platforms. These tools will tell you daily industry information, like "which coin is the hottest today" or "what everyone is focusing on." This way, you can see the essence of the crypto world without struggling to find topics and sources. Some of my article titles and content come directly from comments on Twitter, which often provide good angles and represent user recognition. Don't get too hung up on different apps; focus on whether the readers of these apps are the same group of people.
How Many Articles Should You Write Each Day? The number of articles you write depends on individual circumstances. The key is that each one should be good, not just written for the sake of quantity. For example, if there are five hotspots in the crypto world today, see which ones you can write about. Writing should rely on what happens around you and stories you gather from friends. Regarding quantity, I believe there are many girls on the street, but you can spot the beautiful ones at a glance.
Not Sure What to Write About? Not Sure How to Write? The first secret tip is to read posts and comments. These contain the most interesting and trending topics. The second tip is to look at early "viral articles" and those with over 100,000 reads. If you still don’t know what to write, find a viral article and copy its logic, filling in current hotspots until you generate your inspiration.
How Should an Author Position Their Work? If you are still producing traditional content, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum mining knowledge or analyzing strategies, you are not competitive in web 3.0 content. However, if you combine series content with stories, such as "The Geek’s Guide to Earning Crypto," your article will be unique. I believe it’s like writing "Introduction to X Chain Strategies," but with a different appeal. Turning ordinary things into unique stories sets you apart. Storytelling distinguishes us from apes; it’s a great way to position your articles. Unlike research-based content, stories can engage readers on a deeper level.
How to Understand Reader Needs? You might think your articles are different, but you can’t guess reader needs. To understand readers' views on a particular issue, go to relevant platforms where users are concentrated. I recommend 528btc, the number one Chinese crypto platform. Look at the top-ranked articles; likes and shares are readers' votes. Analyzing this data sharpens your instincts.
What is the Lowest Cost Way to Attract Readers? Three words: "write about hotspots." Today, the lowest-cost method to attract readers or gain likes, apart from spending money, is to write about current hotspots. Following my recommendation to focus on hotspots, your article’s readership can double in a month. I believe there is no such thing as one batch of fans and another; all your past article fans are still your current fans. You need a new writing process and master new writing formulas.
What is the Key to Reader Recognition? New media and blog articles are short and quick. You must quickly attract most readers' attention. The title and introduction must grab their eyeballs, or they will click away. After the title, get straight to the point. Users want various tags in a short time. Novel writing can lean more towards plot, starting with a grand narrative, but new media requires concise and engaging writing within a short word count to make readers want to read, share, and like the article. What’s the Difference Between You and Skilled Writers? Many people say they are not good at writing but don’t understand the difference between good and bad writing. For example, if you want to write that you are very happy, you might just write "I am very happy." But a skilled writer would describe a scene. If you want to post on social media saying you are sad, think about how to explain "I am sad" to your friends. Writing is also about explaining your feelings to readers. Make your happiness their happiness, and your sadness their sadness. To write a viral article, analyze 100 viral articles. This will be your foundation. If you are not good at using long sentences, modifiers, or idioms, don’t use them to achieve your writing goals. Write according to your abilities, aiming for the intersection of what you want to express and what you can express. First, analyze what you are good at that others can’t write about—this is what you need to refine.
The 9 Sacred Principles for Inducing Readers to Click on Your Articles Is the Title Important? In new media and blog articles, usually read on mobile phones, the title is crucial. Unlike print media, smartphones only display the title, with the content folded underneath. Readers can quickly scan through multiple titles, and with touch screens, they swipe rather than flip pages, giving you less than a second to capture their attention. If your title doesn’t grab the reader, it doesn’t matter how long you spent writing the article—it’s like going to a job interview without ever meeting the boss. A captivating title is essential to entice readers to click and read your article.
Keep It Short Titles should not be too long. Different new media and blog platforms display varying numbers of characters on different mobile devices. For instance, iPhones generally display fewer characters than Android phones, and different models vary as well. If readers can't see your entire title or understand its meaning at a glance, they won’t click on your article.
Avoid Overloading Information Consider a title like: “Ethereum Spot ETF Approved, Prices Hit New Highs, How Long Until Ethereum Surpasses Bitcoin?” What’s your reaction after reading this? Probably no desire to click. Instead, consider: “Will Ethereum Surpass Bitcoin in the Next Bull Market?” The first title has too much information and lacks focus, whereas the second title hones in on a single, intriguing question, making it more compelling.
Limit Word Count Long titles, like “Ethereum Spot ETF Approved, Prices Hit New Highs, How Long Until Ethereum Surpasses Bitcoin?”, are problematic. Authors often mistakenly believe titles should summarize the article, a bias from print media. In new media, content is hidden, and without an attractive title, your article won’t get read. Titles should tease and entice, not fully explain.
Use Trigger Words “Have you ever had a pocket cleaner than your face? Your ex-girlfriend left you because your wallet was empty, not giving you a chance to explain, only to find out later you had a stash of Bitcoin.” Trigger words or phrases compel readers to click without much thought. Find trigger words using tools like Weibo hot searches, Google, WeChat Index, or video sites. Frequently appearing words are often effective triggers.
Incorporate Numbers Examples like “A Gen Z with 100 Bitcoins,” “1000 Accounts for Airdrops: Follow These 5 Tips,” or “Know These 13 Etherscan Functions to Surpass 99% of Crypto Traders” show how effective numbers can be. Our brains are naturally drawn to numbers, which simplify information processing. Using numbers in titles makes them more engaging and easier to understand.
Leverage Identity Contrast For instance, a title I once used for a soft article was: “While Everyone Fights for XXX Airdrop, Sun Ge Picks Up XXX on Huobi.” This juxtaposition of two contrasting elements attracted attention by transferring the popularity of the former to the latter. Good authors can stir up a crowd, making their readers their strength, leading to higher engagement.
Create Dual Meanings A profound title can resonate with readers by offering multiple interpretations. However, profound titles can also be confusing, turning readers away. For example, “Decentralized AI: A True Scientist Must Be a Dreamer” combines a popular topic (AI) with a poetic phrase, making it compelling without being obscure. Combining hot topics with profound ideas creates engaging titles.
Ask the Reader a Question Questions are a simple and effective way to grab attention. For instance, “Do you think only poor people buy Bitcoin?” challenges common assumptions, intriguing readers to find out more. Good questions align with the readers' thoughts, encouraging them to engage with your content.
Reflect and Refine Avoid overloading your title with sensational phrases just to grab attention, like “This Year, No Gifts But XX,” “80% of Crypto Traders Are Watching This,” or “How I Achieved Financial Freedom by Claiming Airdrops.” While these might seem catchy, they often come across as clickbait. The best titles are those you reflect on after drafting your article. Read them multiple times, on different devices, and seek feedback from friends to ensure they are compelling and honest. The key to enticing readers to click on your article lies in creating a title that captures attention immediately, reflects the content accurately, and appeals to the reader's emotions. By mastering these principles, you can significantly improve the chances of your articles being read and shared.