Writing Checklist — DWC Magazine

Writer's Resource

Writing
Checklists

Write with clarity, confidence, and purpose — whether it's an article or a caption.

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Non-Promo Article — Content that puts your reader at the centre. No pitch, no hard sell. Personal essays, how-to guides, opinion pieces, and educational features. The goal: deliver genuine value and build lasting trust.

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01 Before You Write — Clarify Your Purpose

I know exactly who I am writing for Essential

Name your reader: age, situation, pain point. The more specific you are, the more powerfully they will feel seen.

I can complete this sentence: "After reading this, my reader will…"

One clear outcome keeps your article focused and purposeful from start to finish.

I have chosen one specific angle — not a broad topic

"Mental health" is a topic. "Three ways to quiet anxiety without meditating" is an angle. Narrow is powerful.

02 Headline & Opening Hook

My headline is specific, clear, and promises real value Essential

Use numbers, questions, or "how to" wherever possible. Avoid vague titles like "Tips for a Better Life."

My opening line makes the reader want to keep going

Start with a bold statement, surprising fact, relatable question, or a brief story. Never begin with "In today's world…"

My intro clearly signals what the article covers

Readers decide in seconds whether to stay. Tell them exactly what they will get — and make it worth their time.

03 Content & Structure

I have used clear subheadings to break up the content Essential

Most readers skim first. Good subheadings guide them to where they will read closely.

Every paragraph has one main idea

If you cannot summarise a paragraph in five words, it is doing too much. Split it into two.

I have included at least one example, story, or real-life scenario

Examples make ideas stick. Show, don't just tell — this applies to every article you write.

I have removed content that doesn't serve my one main point Pro Tip

Every sentence earns its place — or it goes. Ruthless editing is a gift to your reader.

Sentences are short and conversational — aim for under 20 words each

Write like you talk. Long, winding sentences lose readers. Punch. Then pause.

04 Tone & Voice

I am writing to one person, not a crowd

Say "you" not "people" or "readers." It creates an instant personal connection with every single reader.

My tone is warm, human, and free of jargon

Would your reader nod along if you read this aloud to her over coffee? That is your bar.

I have removed filler phrases like "In conclusion" or "It's important to note that"

These are space-fillers with no value. Delete without guilt.

05 Ending & Next Step

My ending ties back to the opening or lands a satisfying conclusion Essential

Don't trail off. Land the plane. A strong ending is what readers remember and share.

I have included a soft next step — share, comment, reflect, or try something

Even non-promo articles can invite engagement. A thoughtful closing question goes a long way.

06 Final Polish

I have read the article out loud at least once

Your ear catches what your eyes miss. Awkward sentences and run-ons become immediately obvious.

I have proofread and run a spelling and grammar check

Errors undermine credibility. Use Grammarly or paste into Google Docs as a final safety net.

My article is the right length — not padded, not cut short Pro Tip

600–1,500 words is a solid range for most articles. Every word should earn its place.

Your Article Is Ready

You have worked through every section. Your article is clear, valuable, and reader-first.
Hit publish with confidence — your audience is waiting for your voice.

Facebook Caption — Facebook rewards posts that spark genuine conversation and keep people on the platform. In 2026, the algorithm favours meaningful engagement over reach alone. These steps reflect how the platform actually works — and what your audience actually responds to.

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01 Before You Write — Know Your Intent

I know what I want this post to do Essential

Educate, inspire, drive traffic, spark conversation, promote — choose one. A post trying to do everything does nothing well.

I know who I am writing for and what matters to her right now

Picture one specific person. Where is she in her day when she sees this post? What does she need to hear right now? Write to that.

02 The Opening Line — Stop the Scroll

My first line earns the "See more" click Essential

Facebook cuts off captions after 2–3 lines. Your opening must be compelling enough to make someone tap. Lead with a question, a provocation, or a bold truth.

I have not started with "We are excited to…" or a company announcement

Brand-first openings are ignored. Human-first openings get read. Start in your reader's world.

I am not using clickbait — my opening delivers on what the post contains Watch Out

Facebook actively suppresses posts flagged as clickbait. If your hook doesn't match your content, reach drops sharply.

03 Content — Substance Over Noise

My post gives something of genuine value — a perspective, tip, or story Essential

Facebook rewards posts that people want to comment on and share. Value drives that behaviour. Filler does not.

The caption works as a standalone — the image supports it, not the other way around

Many people scroll without sound or full attention. Your words must stand alone and make sense without the visual.

I have kept it focused — one idea per post

Trying to cover too much dilutes your message. One clear idea, delivered well, performs far better than a catch-all post.

Line breaks are used to create breathing room and keep people reading

Dense blocks of text are skipped. Short paragraphs — sometimes a single line — pull the eye down the post.

04 Engagement — Invite the Conversation

I have ended with a genuine question or conversation starter Essential

Facebook's algorithm prioritises posts with comments. A real question — not "what do you think?" — gets real answers. Make it specific and easy to respond to.

I am not asking people to "like, share, and comment" in the post copy Watch Out

Facebook explicitly suppresses "engagement bait" — posts that instruct people to interact. Ask meaningfully, not mechanically.

If I am sharing a link, it is in the first comment — not in the caption body Pro Tip

Facebook actively reduces reach for posts with external links in the caption. Put your link in the first comment and reference it briefly in the caption instead.

05 Hashtags, Tags & Formatting

I have used no hashtags — or no more than one or two at most 2026 Guidance

Hashtags no longer drive meaningful reach on Facebook. Multiple hashtags look spammy and distract from your message. If you use any, keep it to one that is genuinely relevant.

I have only tagged people or pages that are directly relevant

Tagging for attention rather than relevance feels hollow and can reduce trust. Tag with purpose.

I have not used all-caps or excessive punctuation to grab attention Watch Out

ALL CAPS and multiple exclamation marks!!! are associated with spam. They undermine credibility before a word is read.

06 Final Check

I have read the post as if seeing it in my own feed for the first time

Would you stop for it? Would you feel something? If not, it needs work before it goes out.

I have proofread for spelling and grammar Essential

Errors on social media spread quickly and are not forgotten. One pass is not enough — read it twice.

The post reflects the DWC voice — warm, grounded, and worth someone's time

Every post is a small trust signal. Make sure it earns its place in her feed.

Ready to Post

Your caption is focused, human, and worth stopping for.
Publish with intention — and reply to every comment you receive.

Instagram Caption — Instagram in 2026 is a discovery platform. The algorithm pushes content to non-followers when it signals genuine value. Captions matter more than ever — they tell the platform what your post is about and give your audience a reason to engage.

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01 Clarity of Purpose

I know what this post is meant to do Essential

Inspire, educate, promote, build community, drive saves — one post, one purpose. Clarity drives better captions and better results.

My visual and caption are telling the same story

On Instagram, the image earns the pause — the caption earns the engagement. They must work together, not contradict each other.

02 The First Line — The Only Line They See

My opening line makes someone tap "more" Essential

Instagram shows only the first line before the cutoff. That one line is everything. Make it a question, a provocative truth, or a direct address to the reader's situation.

I have not started with an emoji or a hashtag in the first line

Both are wasted real estate. Your words are the hook. Emojis mid-caption add warmth; opening with one weakens your lead.

The first line does not restate what the image already shows

"Here is a photo of me at the retreat" adds nothing. The caption should extend, deepen, or reframe — not describe.

03 Body — Value That Earns the Save

My caption gives something worth saving or sharing Essential

Saves are the highest-value signal Instagram tracks in 2026. A tip, a truth, a list, a story that resonates — give people a reason to return to it.

Short paragraphs and line breaks keep the caption readable

Two to three sentences per block maximum. White space makes a caption feel approachable rather than demanding.

The tone is personal and direct — not corporate or broadcast

Instagram audiences respond to voice. Write as you would speak. Authority comes from clarity and authenticity, not polish.

I have used keywords naturally within the caption 2026 Guidance

Instagram now uses caption text as part of its search and recommendation algorithm. Include one or two words or phrases your audience actually searches for — written naturally, not stuffed.

04 Call to Action — Guide the Next Step

I have one clear call to action — and it is specific Essential

"Save this," "drop a question below," "visit the link in bio for the full guide" — one ask, stated clearly. Vague CTAs get ignored.

If I want comments, I have asked a question worth answering

Comments signal value to the algorithm. But only genuine questions get genuine answers. Make it easy to respond and specific enough that the reader has something real to say.

If I am directing to a link, I have referenced "the link in bio" clearly

Instagram does not allow clickable links in captions. Your bio link is the only path out. Reference it with context: "the full article is linked in bio" — not just "link in bio."

05 Hashtags — Quality Over Quantity

I have used 3–5 targeted hashtags — not 20–30 2026 Guidance

Instagram's own guidance now recommends 3–5 relevant hashtags. Large hashtag blocks are associated with spam behaviour and can suppress reach. Fewer, better hashtags outperform quantity.

My hashtags are specific to the content — not generic placeholders

#motivation and #love are so saturated your post will disappear instantly. Use niche, relevant hashtags where your actual audience is active.

Hashtags are placed at the end of the caption or in the first comment Pro Tip

Placing hashtags mid-caption disrupts the reading flow and looks untidy. Keep your caption clean and move hashtags below or into the first comment.

06 Final Check

I have previewed how the caption looks on a mobile screen

Most Instagram users are on their phone. What looks fine on desktop can be an impenetrable wall of text on a small screen. Preview before posting.

I have proofread carefully — including any emojis used Essential

Typos on Instagram travel fast. And the wrong emoji — particularly across platforms — can change meaning entirely. Check both.

This caption earns a pause in someone's feed

Read it fresh. Would you stop for it? Would it leave you feeling something, knowing something, or wanting to do something? If not, keep working on it.

Ready to Post

Your caption is intentional, readable, and built to connect.
Post it — then engage with every response you receive in the first hour.

Writer's Resource

Writing Your Bio

Your bio is not a CV. It is the first thing a reader uses to decide whether to trust you. These steps will help you write one that feels like you — and works.

Start with what you do — not who you are The instinct is to open with your name or job title. Resist it. Lead with the transformation or value you offer. The reader wants to know what you can do for them before they care about your credentials.

Instead of: "Sarah is a coach with 15 years of experience."
Try: "Sarah helps women in their forties stop shrinking and start leading."
Name your reader — make her feel seen The best bios speak directly to a specific person. Who do you serve? The more precisely you name her — her situation, her struggle, her goal — the more she will feel you wrote it just for her.
Example "I work with established women founders who built something real and are now running it on fumes."
Include one piece of credibility — not a list Choose the single credential, result, or experience that is most relevant to this audience. One well-chosen detail is more persuasive than a catalogue of achievements. Ask yourself: which one thing would make her trust me most?
Add one human detail Something that is true, specific, and a little unexpected. Not generic ("I love coffee and long walks") — something that reveals character. This is what makes a bio memorable and distinguishes you from every other expert in your field.
Example "She grew up wild on horseback in the Australian bush, where the rhythms of nature taught her to listen deeply and see clearly beneath the surface."
Write in third person for articles and profiles Third person ("She is…") is standard for contributor bios, directory listings, and media kits. It reads as more authoritative in a publication context.
First person ("I am…") works well for social media profiles and personal websites where you are speaking directly to your audience. Match the format to the platform.
End with a clear next step Your bio should not just describe you — it should direct the reader somewhere. A website, a specific offer, your DWC author page. Even a single closing line with a link turns a passive profile into an active introduction.

Short 40–60 words
Directory listings, social profiles

Standard 80–120 words
Article bylines, speaker profiles

Full 150–250 words
Media kits, about pages

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Opening with your name or job title as the first thing the reader sees
Listing every qualification, award, and role you have ever held
Writing in a tone that sounds nothing like you
Using vague descriptors — "passionate," "dedicated," "results-driven" — without evidence
Forgetting to say who you actually help
No link, no CTA, no clear next step for the reader