5 Ways to Boost Your Confidence When Writing About a New-to-You Topic

Writing about a topic you’re not familiar with can feel intimidating, whether you’re working on a new client project, tackling a subject you’ve just learned, or diving into an unfamiliar field. For reporters or agency pros, this challenge is all too familiar. You often need to become a subject matter expert fast—whether it’s for a quick-turn assignment or a client project that’s due yesterday. A first-of-its-kind AR wearable? No problem. The state of the housing market? You’ve got it. Flying taxis? Of course!

So here’s my secret: You don’t need to be an expert to write confidently. With a smart approach, you can get up to speed quickly, produce high-quality content, and keep learning as you go.

1) Embrace your beginner’s mindset

It makes sense to feel unsure about writing on a topic you don't know well. But here’s what I’ve learned: starting with a beginner’s mindset is actually a huge advantage. You’re approaching the topic with a fresh perspective, which helps you see the bigger picture.

Working with a comms team, we always recommend explaining a product or topic like you’re talking to a friend. Whether it's media training, writing exec bylines, or creating owned content, this approach helps the speaker or writer to get to the heart of what’s really important. Explaining something in everyday language is so much more effective than getting bogged down with jargon or overly technical details.

So, before you dive in, ask yourself: What would someone who’s never heard of this need to know first? What are the most essential concepts? Starting with simplicity helps you write with an approachable tone that’s easy to understand.

2) Find credible resources to get up to speed quickly

Research is key, but when you’re unfamiliar with a topic, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Instead of trying to learn everything at once, focus on the basics. When time is tight, it’s important to find resources that give you the most value quickly. Start by gaining a general understanding, then dig deeper into the areas most relevant to your assignment.

I often turn to high-quality, condensed resources—like podcasts or summary articles—that give me some of the knowledge I need without eating up all my time. Then, I look for articles that hone in on any outstanding specifics I think are important for my piece.

3) Use analogies to simplify complex ideas

Some topics are dense or technical, making them tough to wrap your head around, let alone explain. That’s where analogies come in, for both your education and writing to teach readers. Comparing new or complex ideas to everyday situations can make them much easier to understand.

Try relating your topic to something most people already know. For example, I recently spoke with three amazing women who helped build Orion at Meta. We compared their process to designing a new pair of sneakers—you have to balance comfort, fit, and functionality. Just like the sneakers support your feet and help you move easily, AR glasses need to be comfortable to wear while also delivering tech to interact with the world around you. While we didn’t include this analogy in our final blog post, it helped us understand the team’s process and shape our thinking while writing.

4) Incorporate an expert perspective

One of the quickest ways to feel confident talking about a new topic is to talk to someone who knows it inside and out. Experts can fill in gaps, offer insights you might not find on your own, and give you valuable context. Plus, hearing them explain things in their own words can make it click.

I often turn to interviews to clarify parts of a topic I’m stuck on or need more details about. Many people are happy to chat on background, especially if it helps build a media relationship, and their expertise can give you confidence. You can also use expert commentary as a foundation for your story and let them serve as the voice of authority on the topic! In either case, set expectations upfront: make sure you’re both clear on whether their comments are on or off the record, and how their insights will be used.

Not sure where to find an expert? QWOTED is great for connecting with professionals across industries. And if you have a following LinkedIn or X, try posting your request there. In addition to your personal network, using a hashtag like #journorequest (X only) can help experts and their PR reps find you.

5) Trust the process—and your storytelling abilities!

The key to feeling confident, no matter the topic you’re covering, is trusting in your ability to communicate clearly. Don’t stress about trying to sound “smart” or technical—instead, focus on explaining things in a way that’s clear and relatable.

Enter, the “ugly draft”. I always find it helpful to get my thoughts on paper, then refine later. Don’t worry about getting everything perfect in your first draft. That’s what revisions and editors are for! 

At the end of the day, part of being a writer or comms pro is about mastering the art of turning unfamiliar topics into clear, engaging stories. With the right mindset and approach, you can confidently tackle any subject, no matter how complex. Trust your ability to dig, learn, and communicate—and know that with each story you write, you’ll get even better at your craft.