Bullseye Blocked?

“Chain that muse to your desk and get the job done.”

-Barbara Kingsolver

Suffering from writer’s block?

I can’t help you get your nails back, but I can say that you’re not alone.
All writers have a tough time with the craft now and again. For those of us writing and blogging in the marketing sphere, the pressure to produce is particularly high.

Let's start by discussing some of the common causes of writer's block:

Fear:Many people, whether they realize it or not, are simply afraid of taking their ideas and putting them into words for everyone to see and critique.

Timing:It simply may not be the best time for you to write. Perhaps your mood is off, your ideas may need to mature a bit more, or you simply just aren't equipped with all the information you need.

Your Expectations are Too High - a.k.a. Perfectionism:From your mindset when you sit down to write and crafting the perfect catchy title to mastering the on-page SEO, you want everything to bejust right, and this is all before you even start thinking about the actual content orpressing the publish button!

You're Too Distracted:You've got noise in the background, co-workers bustling around you, kids who need your time. or just other responsibilities and pressures that are occupying your attention.

So, if you’ve been tasked with bolstering blog content for your brand but writer’s block is sitting on your keyboard and playing a tiny violin, take a read through the following ideas to see if you can jumpstart your creative process.

Ø Turn to Your Content Strategy

Before any real writing happens, make sure you have a strategy in place. This is always and forever step one.

Ø Think Visually

In our visual-forward world (think marketing and sales videos, Instagram, Snapchat, etc.), we need to be thinking visually, even when we’re conveying ideas through words and blog posts.

Ø Watch a Webinar or Listen to a Podcast

When writer’s block brings you a breakfast, maybe join a webinar or listen to a podcast for some inspiration

Watch something short that helps to relieve the immediate pressure of writer’s block - something to get you to laugh or something to pull out as a fun fact.

Ø Look for Success Stories

Success stories are a great way to celebrate. Remember that readers aren’t just reading for someone else's good fortune, they’re getting a taste of the success they can expect when engaging with your brand.