If you're a Product Manager, you've likely heard of the Lean Startup methodology. Have you ever thought about how you can use this methodology to improve your writing?

Enter the Lean Writing methodology. Imagine your writing is your startup, and you are the CEO. This methodology encourages you to “start small” and let data tell you what you should write next.

The build-measure-learn feedback loop is a core component of the Lean Startup methodology. Turns out, you can also use it to improve your writing. Follow these steps to minimise the total time through the loop:

• Step 1: Plan your writing experiment. Crete a hypothesis and generate ideas.

• Step 2: Write about new ideas in their most “atomic” form. Only expand proven topics into long-form articles, products, etc.

• Step 3: Measure the results against your hypothesis, so you can find out how valuable your content is.

• Step 4: Learn from your results, and decide whether to persevere or pivot.

Then, cycle back to the beginning, and keep on going around the loop as you develop your content.

This technique minimises the risk and cost of creating content that no one wants. Also, it helps you "zero in" on something that your readers will embrace.