Heminway, Evernote, Bear, Grammarly, Scrivener, Ulyssess or Freewriter – there are numerous content writing apps out there that aim to make us all the best writers we can be.
Each one has its own unique selling point that gets bloggers, freelancers and any kind of writer on the bandwagon, whether it’s Hemingway’s intuitive correcting or Ulysses’ comprehensive solution to all your writing needs.
However, sometimes content writing apps aren’t always as helpful as they claim to be. Here are some of the reasons why content writing apps could be doing us more harm than good.
Everyone’s a content marketer
With the use of these apps, anyone can write content. There’s no more exclusive club for the George Orwells or Maya Angelous. And while this new found accessibility allows everyone to give writing a shot and try expressing their creativity in a way they may not have considered before, there can be downsides.
The increase in unedited content being posted on the web is bigger than ever, meaning that authoritative sources such as your favourite magazines and newspapers have to battle with the everyday blogger for readers.
While apps can help you self-edit, there are certain things they simply won’t spot, which is why submitting to a real, human editor will always be preferable.
Are you dumbing yourself down?
Using apps that correct spelling mistakes and bring your attention to errors are great – after all, no one wants to publish anything that could be incorrect. But is it really as good as it seems?
Continually relying on apps to correct your writing can build up over time, so much so that each word change goes unnoticed by you. After a while, this can become normal routine and culminate with you not checking spelling when you aren’t using the app.
It doesn’t do everything for you
There’s plenty still to be learnt outside of content writing apps, which is why you’ll need more than an email and password to become the world’s next best content creator.
Speaking to other writers and reading plenty will still be the best ways for you to improve your writing skills, so don’t let content writing apps lull you into a false sense of security.
Make sure you keep your writing skills at their best by turning off that content writing app every once in a while and be your own editor.
Hello bugs
If you’re trying out a brand new content writing app, you have to expect that bugs will be part and parcel of the process.
Otherwise, you’re simply duping yourself into believing you’ve stumbled across the next Microsoft Word when actually it can’t even copy and paste text yet.
When working in a content writing app, be prepared for it to have bugs and errors while they work out the kinks – and make sure you back up your work every step of the way!
What are your opinions on content writing apps? Does the good outweigh the bad? Leave your comments in the section below or get in touch with us on Facebook or Twitter.
