How to Write Your First Draft in 5 Practical Steps: An Ultimate Guide (for Beginners)

Drafting is the most important step in content writing.

It’s the stage where you flesh out the outline you created during the planning stage.

This guide details how to write your first draft with practical examples.

How do you write your first draft? 5 effective steps to follow

Here are the 5 effective steps to follow when you write your first draft:

• Step #1. Create engaging headlines.
• Step #2. Write the body.
• Step #3. Write the introduction.
• Step #4. Write the conclusion.
• Step #5. Include keywords.

Following these steps ensures you create a solid first draft.

I’ve broken them down below.

Step #1. Create engaging headlines.

Engaging headlines or titles act as the gateway to your article.

They determine whether your audience will invest their time in your content or not.

So, make your headlines catchy.

For example:

This headline, “3 Simple Tips to Boost Your Productivity Today,” is appealing.

And here’s why:

The words “simple” and “today” in the headline respectively show that:

• The tips will be easy to apply.
• And the results will be immediate.

So, the headline promises easy-to-implement advice that will deliver immediate benefits.

How to write great headlines (with examples)

Here are 5 actionable ways to create engaging headlines:

I. Use numbers.

Headlines with numbers, like “5 Tips” or “7 Ways,” tend to engage people more.

Such headlines set clear expectations of what the reader will get.

“Using numbers makes your headline clear, concise, and attractive.”

Using odd numbers (like 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9) works even better.

Example: “5 Reasons Why Restaurants Fail”

Using the number “5” in the above headline makes it compelling because:

• It sets clear expectations: It tells the reader exactly what to expect — 5 reasons for restaurant failure.

• It creates a sense of structure: The content feels structured and easy to digest. This appeals to readers who just want to skim the content.

• It grabs attention: Numbers naturally stand out in headlines. So, including “5” catches the reader’s eye quickly.

Overall, using numbers makes your headline clear, concise, and attractive.

II. Use a question.

A question headline is effective because it makes your audience want to find the answers to the question.

With the question headline, your audience is likely to click and read your article.

Example: “Are You Making These Style Mistakes?”

This headline is engaging because:

• It provokes curiosity: The question format makes readers wonder if they’re guilty of the mistakes mentioned. This invites them to click and find out what those mistakes are.

• It encourages self-reflection: The question prompts the reader to consider their situation. Are they guilty of the mistakes?

• It is problem-solving: It suggests that the article will offer advice to correct the mistakes.

The question headline makes your audience more likely to click and read the article as it promises insights or solutions.

III. Include power words.

Using power words in your headlines can evoke excitement, curiosity, fear, or urgency.

Power words are strong, emotional words that grab attention and inspire specific actions, like clicking a link, buying a product, or continuing to read.

Examples of power words include:

• Free
• Proven
• Secret
• Limited
• Easy
• Effective
• Guaranteed
• Ultimate.

Using these words in your headlines can evoke excitement, curiosity, fear, or urgency.

Example: “The Ultimate Guide to Content Marketing in 2024”

The power word in the example above makes the headline captivating for a few reasons:

• It shows completeness: “Ultimate” indicates that this guide is comprehensive, covering everything the audience needs to know about the topic. This makes them feel like they won’t need any other guide.

• It signals authority: The power word shows expertise and authority. This implies that an expert created the guide.

• It creates anticipation: Headlines with power words draw in readers. Such words tell them that the article is in-depth, valuable, and high-quality.

Using power words can make your content stand out and attract more readers.

IV. Promise value or a solution.

“Including the value or solution in the headline makes it compelling as it directly addresses the reader’s needs and concerns.”

Your headline should clearly show how the reader will benefit from the content.

Example: “10 Beauty Hacks to Keep Your Skin Healthy and Glowing”

This headline effectively grabs attention because:

• It promises results: The title clearly states the benefit (“healthy and glowing skin”). This appeals to readers looking for solutions to their skincare concerns.

• It shows value: The readers are more likely to open an article that promises clear, valuable outcomes.

• It appeals to a broad audience: Most people are concerned about their skin health, which makes this title relevant to more readers interested in skincare.

Including the value or solution in the headline makes it compelling as it directly addresses the reader’s needs and concerns.

V. Create a sense of urgency or exclusivity.

“Creating a sense of urgency and exclusivity in your headlines motivates your audience to read the content and act immediately.”

Use words like “today,” “now,” or “limited” to compel your audience to act fast.

Example: “107+ Low-Cost Business Ideas to Start Now”

Using “now” in this title creates a sense of urgency in these ways:

• It encourages immediate action: “Now” suggests that the business ideas are viable right now. This makes the audience feel there’s no time to waste and pushes them to act fast.

• It highlights relevance: It shows that the information applies to the present moment. This makes the content feel timely and practical for anyone looking to start a business soon.

• It taps into the reader’s need for fast solutions: By adding “now,” the headline appeals to an audience looking for quick ideas that don’t require a long wait or preparation.

Creating a sense of urgency and exclusivity in your headlines motivates your audience to read the content and act immediately.

Step #2. Write the body.

Writing the body, instead of the introduction, is step #2.

This might surprise you, but listen:

Some content writers get nervous and struggle with the introduction simply because they start with it.

That’s not ideal.

And they waste time figuring out a perfect hook or an interesting angle for their article.

“Some content writers get nervous and struggle with the introduction simply because they start with it.”

Think about this for a moment:

Can you confidently talk to your audience about an idea that hasn’t been fleshed out?

Well, you can try it.

But you can’t engage your audience that way — when you have no clear idea of what you’re introducing to them.

So, the best practice is to write the body first.

This helps you in 2 ways:

• Focusing on expanding your main points first without being distracted by how to introduce or conclude them

• And creating a more engaging and relevant introduction because you already know the value your article offers.

Meanwhile, here are some strategies to apply as you write the body.

5 effective strategies for writing the body

• Keep your audience in mind.
• Write clearly and concisely.
• Use transitional phrases.
• Don’t edit as you go.
• Cite your sources properly.

I’ve explained these strategies below.

I. Keep your audience in mind.

Write with your audience in mind.

This makes your content relatable to them.

And if the content is relatable, it will be more engaging and useful.

So, here’s how to keep your audience in mind throughout the writing process:

• Think about what they want to learn or the problems you’re solving for them. This helps you address their specific challenges and needs.

• Ask yourself, “Will my audience understand and find this information useful?” This helps you stay focused on the goal.

• Pretend you’re speaking to one person — preferably, someone you know in person. This makes your tone personal and direct.

Following these tips makes your content relatable and easy to understand.

II. Write clearly and concisely.

Express your ideas directly, without unnecessary words or complex sentences.

Writing clearly and concisely:

• Makes your writing easy to read and understand quickly

• Helps your readers focus on your key points

• And saves you from spending too much time refining unnecessarily long paragraphs.

But if your sentences are lengthy or unclear, they can confuse or bore your readers.

Here are 5 tips for writing clearly and concisely (with examples):

Use short, simple sentences

Shorter sentences are easier to read and understand.

For example:

• Wordy: “The reason why I went to the store was to buy some groceries.”

• Concise: “I went to the store to buy groceries.”

Choose simple words

Avoid jargon or complex words when simpler ones will do.

For example:

• Complex: “Utilize” or “commence”

• Simple: “Use” or “start.”

Use active voice

Active voice makes sentences more direct, while passive voice can be lengthier and less engaging.

For example:

• Passive: “The report was written by the CEO.”

• Active: “The CEO wrote the report.”

Use precise words

Instead of using a lot of words to describe something, choose one word that has the exact meaning.

For example:

• Wordy: “The manager talked in a way that was clear and easy to understand.”

• Concise: “The manager spoke clearly.”

Avoid redundancy

Unnecessary words or phrases repeat the same meaning and can clutter your writing.

Instead of using more words than necessary, choose one strong word.

For instance:

• Cluttered: “In my personal opinion, I think this idea is a good one.”

• Concise: “I think this idea is good.” or “This idea is good.”

Following these tips enables you to create a clear and concise first draft.

III. Use transitional phrases.

Without transitional phrases, your writing will feel forced and weak.

Transitional phrases show relationships between ideas.

That is, they connect your ideas, sentences, and paragraphs.

Without transitional phrases, your writing will feel forced and weak.

Now, here’s the magic:

When you use transitional phrases, your writing will flow well.

And when your writing flows well, it engages your audience because they can easily follow your thought process.

Anyway, here are ways to use transitional phrases to connect your ideas:

To show cause and effect

To show how one idea leads to (cause) or affects another (effect), use transitional phrases like:

• Because
• Therefore
• As a result
• Due to
• Consequently
• So
• Hence.

Example:

“The project was delayed, so the deadline was extended.”

Or, “The deadline was extended because the project was delayed.”

To add and emphasise information

To add extra information (addition) or stress important points (emphasis), use transitional phrases like:

• Moreover
• In addition
• Furthermore
• What’s more
• Also
• In fact.

Example: “He is an excellent speaker. In fact, he has won an award for that.”

To compare and contrast ideas

To highlight similarities (comparison) or differences (contrast) between ideas, use transitional phrases like:

• Similarly
• On the other hand
• In contrast
• Whereas
• In comparison
• Alternatively
• However.

Example: “In contrast, this method focuses on speed rather than accuracy.”

To show the sequence of events or ideas

To show the order of events or ideas, use transitional phrases like:

• First
• Second
• Next
• Then
• Before
• Afterwards
• Subsequently
• Finally.

Example: “First, boil the water. Next, add the pasta.”

To summarise and conclude

To restate or wrap up your points, use transitional phrases like:

• In conclusion
• To sum up
• Ultimately
• In short
• Overall
• In the end
• In summary
• Finally.

Example: “To sum up, proper planning is key to success.”

To give examples

To give specific instances or clarify your points, use transitional phrases like:

• For example
• For instance
• Such as
• In particular.

Example: “Many cities, such as Paris and Tokyo, are known for their iconic landmarks.”

To show condition

To show that one idea depends on the next idea, use transitional phrases like:

• If
• Unless
• Provided that
• As long as.

Example: “You can attend the event as long as you’re comfortable with it.”

Using transitional phrases effectively makes your writing well-structured, clear, and engaging.

Note:

Don’t overuse transitional phrases.

Overusing them:

• Disrupts the natural flow of your writing
• Makes your writing difficult to understand
• And removes the conversational tone that engages your readers.

So, use them sparingly and thoughtfully.

IV. Don’t edit as you go.

“If you edit or try to perfect your writing as you go, it will slow you down and disrupt your creative flow.”

It’s great to write clearly and concisely.

But believe me:

Resist the temptation to edit your writing until you have completed the first draft.

The reason is simple:

If you edit or try to perfect your writing as you go, it will slow you down and disrupt your creative flow.

I’m sure you don’t want that.

So, write freely without worrying about grammar or sentence structure.

Remember: This is your first draft. It doesn’t need to be perfect.

Just focus on getting your ideas down first.

You’ll have plenty of time to revise the draft later.

V. Cite your sources properly.

If you quote statistics or use ideas from a particular source, acknowledge the source in your content.

That’s the right thing to do.

More than that:

When you cite sources properly, you:

• Show that research or expert opinions back your content.

• Give credit to the original authors of the information you’re using and avoid plagiarism. Plagiarism can have legal consequences or damage your reputation.

• Support and add weight to your claims. And when your claims are strong, your content is more persuasive.

• Help your audience follow up on your references. This enables them to verify the facts or learn more about the topic.

Meanwhile, what is the best way to cite a source?

Let me show you 3 ways to cite your sources properly:

Use hyperlinks.

In written content, the best way to cite sources is to use hyperlinks.

And that’s so easy to do.

Just link the relevant text (e.g., a statistic, quote, or concept) to the source.

For example:

“They have over 2,100 five-star reviews from Walmart shoppers…”

As you can see, “five-star reviews” is a clickable link to the source.

Notice how the link text (anchor text), “five-star reviews,” shows what the linked page is about. This helps people know what the page is about before they visit.

Mention the source in the text.

Another way to cite sources properly is to mention the source directly in your content.

This is called in-text citation.

“An in-text citation is a brief reference within your writing that shows where specific information or quotes come from.”

Remember: Hyperlink the source after you mention it in your text.

This makes your content more credible, especially when the source (e.g., expert or institution) is well-known and trusted.

For example:

“The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that…”

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is the primary fact-finding agency for the U.S. government in the field of labour economics and statistics.

It’s a trustworthy institution.

So, mentioning it in the text instantly tells your audience the authority behind your content.

Note: An in-text citation is a brief reference within your writing that shows where specific information or quotes come from.

It points the reader to a reference list at the end of your article.

Include a reference section.

This third option is for more formal, academic, or research-heavy articles.

How to go about it?

• Gather all the sources you used in the content (in-text).
• Add them in a reference section at the end of the article.

The screenshot below is an example of a reference section.

List all the sources with easily accessible URLs.

Including a reference section is also convenient when you use sources (e.g., books, interviews) not found online.

Notes for when citing your sources:

• #1. Credit images and other media too: Mention the source directly under the image or link back to the source, especially if it’s subject to copyright.

• #2. Don’t overlink: Only link to credible, valuable sources. Too many links, especially to irrelevant or common knowledge, can clutter your content. So, know when to cite and when not to cite a source.

Finally, applying these strategies and tips for writing the body ensures your content is clear, concise, engaging, and credible to your audience.

Step #3. Write the introduction.

“A great introduction captures attention, engages your audience, and compels them to continue reading your content.”

As I stated earlier, you write the introduction after you’ve written the body.

Now, let’s get into it.

The introduction is like the sales copy introducing a product to an audience.

But only this time, the product you’re introducing to your audience is the body of the article.

A great introduction captures attention, engages your audience, and compels them to continue reading your content.

It includes:

• The hook
• And the benefit.

So, start with the hook to grab your reader’s attention.

I. The hook

The hook can be any of the following:

• A question
• A statement of fact
• Or a statistic.

The hook can be a question, a statement of fact, or a statistic.

Examples:

If your topic is “How to create a content calendar,” here are different options to use the hook:

Ask a question.

“A question engages the reader by addressing their problem.”

“Are you struggling to keep your content creation organised and consistent?”

The question engages the reader by addressing their problem — the struggle to keep their content creation organised and consistent.

This makes them curious about how a content calendar might be the solution.

Make a statement of fact.

“A statement of fact immediately grabs attention by highlighting the benefit of the fact.”

“Consistently planning and scheduling content can help you stay organised.”

This fact is powerful.

How powerful?

It immediately grabs attention by highlighting the benefit of using a content calendar.

This sets the stage for the rest of your content.

Use a statistic.

Example: “According to CoSchedule, marketers who use a content calendar are 94% more likely to be successful in their marketing efforts.”

This statistic is compelling.

It shows that a content calendar is effective in achieving marketing success.

Once you hook the reader, end the introduction with what your audience will benefit or gain from the content.

II. The benefit

The benefit can be the solution to your audience’s challenge or what they’ll learn from the content.

Now, following the example used in the hook, the challenge is:

• Inconsistency and disorganisation in creating content.

So, here’s the solution stated briefly:

• “To stay consistent with your content creation, you need a content calendar.”

You can also briefly describe a content calendar.

Pro tip: Keep the introduction short and direct. 3-4 sentences will be enough to avoid unnecessary details.

Step #4. Write the conclusion.

The conclusion reinforces your main message.

It includes:

• The summary
• And the call to action (CTA).

These help you leave a lasting impression on your audience.

I. The summary

The summary is a quick recap of the key points of your content.

Example: For our content calendar topic, here’s how the summary might look:

“A content calendar is more than just a tool for organisation. It’s the key to maintaining consistency, saving time, and getting better results. By planning, you can ensure your content aligns with your goals and reaches your audience at the right time.”

This strengthens the main points of the article.

II. The call to action (CTA)

The CTA is a directive that prompts your audience to take a particular action.

It guides them toward the next step.

Common CTAs include:

• “Subscribe”
• “Download”
• “Start now.”

Example: The CTA for our content calendar article might be:

• “Start creating your content calendar today to stay organised and consistent with your content creation.”

• Or “Download our free content calendar template and start planning your content effortlessly.”

Finally, the CTA should motivate readers to apply what they’ve learnt.

Step #5. Include keywords.

“Using relevant keywords makes your content more visible on the search engine results page (SERPs).”

Include relevant keywords in your content.

Using relevant keywords makes your content more visible on the search engine results page (SERPs).

Example:

• Keyword: “digital marketing strategies”

• Sentence: “Effective digital marketing strategies can help businesses connect with their target audience and reach their marketing goals.”

Meanwhile, don’t stuff keywords in the content.

Example:

• Keyword: “digital marketing services”

• Sentence: “If you’re looking for digital marketing services, our digital marketing services are the best digital marketing services in the digital marketing industry.”

This excessive repetition doesn’t work.

Here’s why:

The sentence is tough to read and gives little value to the reader.

But wait.

What if the keywords are relevant?

Look.

Even if they’re relevant, packing them in your content backfires.

The mindless repetition is called keyword stuffing.

Keyword stuffing is overloading your content with excessive keywords in an attempt to manipulate search rankings.

Don’t do that. It’s bad for the user experience.

So, it prevents your content from appearing on the SERPs.

Note:

Including relevant keywords in your content is just one of the SEO optimisation strategies.

So, don’t confuse them as the same.

Tips for writing your first draft

Writing your first draft can be challenging for various reasons.

But when the challenges meet you, here are 3 important tips for tackling them:

1. Losing energy halfway

Halfway into writing your draft, you can feel less inspired. This can make it hard for you to complete the draft.

Break your draft into smaller, manageable chunks to deal with this challenge.

Set mini-goals like finishing one section or writing 500 words per hour/day. Then reward yourself after reaching each milestone to stay motivated.

2. Lacking clarity

You can struggle to put your thoughts into words sometimes. This can make the draft feel confusing.

Whenever you’re unclear about the writing, speak out your ideas as if explaining them to a friend.

Write down key phrases or points that capture your thoughts, then expand on them in your draft.

3. Getting lost in the details

Focusing too much on minor details is another challenge. This can interrupt the flow of your writing.

So, use placeholders for detailed information or examples like [add stats here] or [research this point later] and keep writing.

You can fill in the gaps during revision.

Finally

Once you complete your first draft, don’t start editing right away.

Take a break for a few hours or a day.

This gives you a fresh perspective when you return to the draft. You’re more likely to spot errors and weak points with a clear mind.

Meanwhile, here’s how to edit your own writing in 7 simple steps.

I would love to hear from you

I hope you enjoyed reading this article.

What new thing did you learn from it? And was it helpful?

Did I miss anything?

Have any questions for me?

Let me know in the comments now.

Take the next step to start content writing NOW!

If you want personal mentorship, talk with me or send me your questions and concerns here:

• simplymoses25[at]gmail[dot]com (simplymoses25@gmail.com).

Be assured I’ll respond to you within 12 hours.