LinkedIn is awash in advice on how to write online.

The best tips I’ve heard recently came not from a famous writer or long-established media company, but a new outfit called The Messenger.

According to an article by New York Times reporter Benjamin Mullin, The Messenger has a playbook that encourages staff reporters to ask three questions before posting anything.

They are:

–Would I click on this?

–Would I read the whole thing?

–Would I share it?

These questions could help any writer, from professionals to amateurs.

WOULD I CLICK ON THIS? This serves as a speed bump that forces you to ask yourself whether the topic and the presentation are compelling to readers. Obviously, you have decided it’s a good idea. But is the piece worth anyone else’s time?

WOULD I READ THE WHOLE THING? This gets at a major problem: most articles are too long. Is there unnecessary background? Unneeded boilerplate? Extraneous words? Can anything be cut? Am I asking too many questions? You get the idea. Readers should be educated or entertained during the entire ride.

WOULD I SHARE IT? This is the fundamental value test for online content. Almost by definition, online articles need to be shared to be successful. If you cannot imagine anyone sharing your article, you should consider other options.

Combined, these questions form a simple troika that should help any writer focus on what to write and how best to write it.

Journalists as a general rule abhor checklists and The New York Times article left the impression that the three questions were somewhat undignified, more about chasing traffic than producing great reporting.

I don’t agree with that view, however. I think simple questions like these can help keep you on track by prioritizing what you write and how you write it.

There is a lot more to say about this topic.

I could go on and on.

But you would probably stop reading.