Whether or not you’re a professional blog writer, content writer or marketing copywriter, or even another type of copywriter, there are always times when getting your writing started is a hard slog, no matter its purpose.
Maybe you’ve been tasked with writing a blog for your company. Or perhaps you need to write a case study for a proposal or website content. But you just can’t find the spark to get started. And if there’s a deadline, you’ll be feeling especially pressured.
If procrastination is the cause, be assured that there’s never a perfect time to start. Getting started with copywriting is one of those ‘just do it’ activities. Procrastination over copywriting is usually because we think we won’t know what to write or that it won’t sound right. Being concerned with perfection from the start means that you’re likely to get writer’s block. Experienced copywriters know that you just have to get on with copywriting to overcome writer’s block.
Fortunately, the copywriters at Proof Communications have some tips to help you when inspiration is thin on the ground. The tips will help you to avoid getting stuck before you’ve even started.
You can also check out our 21 tips for copywriting that anyone can use.
Get out of your office or home office
When we remove ourselves from our usual workplaces we’re more likely relax our minds and gain new thoughts or perspectives that kickstart your copywriting. Go to your local café, library, a co-working space or a meeting room with your laptop.
Brainstorming
Many of us have used brainstorming when working in a team, but you can apply it to writing too. Brainstorming will help you to clear your thoughts – you’ll get down on paper all the thoughts that have been swirling around your mind. The aim is to get them all down so that you can then put your copywriter hat on.
Jot everything down in any order, and do not worry about grammar, spelling or completeness. You can use a professional proofreader for that, once you’ve finished writing your final draft. Brainstorm for a set time and don’t throw anything away.
Mind-mapping
Mind mapping is not in vogue these days, but it’s another great way to get everything out of your head. It’s a very useful tool when you want to clarify your thoughts. It’s a visual approach to getting your copywriting started, which will appeal to many.
It doesn’t matter if you’re writing a case study, an article or blog, a tender or a proposal, mind-mapping can be used by all types of B2B copywriters.
Freewriting
This is a great technique by professional copywriters to get their copywriting juices flowing. Freewriting is a very personal process, but usually people write non-stop for a set time, such as 5 or 10 minutes. Set a timer and just start writing.
Do not worry about grammar, spelling, the flow, sense, or the order of your thoughts, as no one else will read what you have written. Just type away and get down as many thoughts as you can. If you’re on a roll, feel free to keep going beyond the timer.
Freewriting is a very useful starting point for copywriters because you can do it anywhere and use it for any document, or at any stage of your writing. If you are really stuck, get started by freewriting about your weekend or holiday – anything to get your thoughts flowing.
Once you’ve had enough, read through your writing. You’ll find at least one nugget that’s good, which can form the starting point for your next draft.
Use the Pomodoro Technique
Using the Pomodoro Technique is also a great tool for copywriters. You can use it with any of the techniques above. The Pomodoro Technique is well-known as a time management tool, so it works for all sorts of tasks, not just copywriting.
Very simply, set a timer for 25 minutes and start writing. Don’t be distracted. Just focus on copywriting. Even if you’re not freewriting but are writing in a structured way, keep going for 25 minutes. When the timer goes, take a 5 minute break.
After the break, start again.
Generating ideas for content
If your challenge is more that you’re struggling to think of topics to write about, our blog on hacks for blog writers will give you some hints.
Organising your thoughts
No matter what technique you’ve used, once you have written down your ideas or thoughts, review them and:
- List the major subject areas or themes.
- Put the major headings into logical order.
- Break down the major subjects or themes into sub-points.
- Put the sub-points into logical order, such as chronological, advantages/disadvantages, feature/
- benefit, problem-cause-solution.
- Identify the benefits or outcomes of each point for the reader.
Now you can start writing sentences. Present your key point in the first paragraph and keep one point in each paragraph.
And, once you’ve written a paragraph, move up the last sentence to the start of the paragraph. This is another very useful copywriting technique that will improve your business writing right now.
Contact us today for your professional copywriting, copy editing and proofreading needs
Whether you’re writing an award entry, case study or government tender for the first time, or your hundredth time, partnering with the professional copywriters, copy editors and proof readers at Proof Communications will help you increase your opportunity for success. Get in touch or ring us on 02 8036 5532 to learn what we can do for your business.