Copywriting in a Crunch
I have been told that I have an aggressive carriage return. It’s true. When I’m in my copywriting flow my fingers fire on all cylinders and I give a hearty tap on the return key at the end of every paragraph.
It’s not always the case though. In fact, more often than not it seems like I’m in the cycle of writer’s block. I always manage to break through but it isn’t without a lot of time spent staring at a screen and spending a few dollars on impulse purchases.
Staring, scrolling and spending isn’t always a copywriter’s luxury. Regardless of your process, sometimes you have a deadline to meet and writer’s block to beat.
I have a few tips for when you need to write the words but the words just won’t happen.
Tip 1: Get in the Zone
Writing requires a shift in your mindset regardless of the assignment. Context switching between writing and non-writing tasks is often the culprit for writer’s block.
Every writer is different so this is where my advice becomes soft science because I don’t know what will work for you. Is it music? Is it running? Is it Instagram? How about a cup of coffee? I like all of these things but what gets me in the zone varies.
An example: Recently I needed to internalize the tone for a client project and just couldn’t get into it. My breakthrough came when I fell down a rabbit hole of personified-pet content and early musical stylings of Snoop Dogg.
I thought about ending this tip there but I realize that’s abrupt. Before you fall down a rabbit hole of pet-forward brands and 90s rap, take a beat and think about the elements of the zone you seek and follow that.
Tip 2: Get it all out
Garbage first drafts are a great way to gain momentum that you can leverage into a breakthrough. Write something. Write anything. Write all the things. Getting words out of your head and onto a notebook or Google Doc builds the momentum you need to move forward toward kick-ass copy.
Tip 3: Make Peace with Mediocrity
Not everything you write will be great. When you are churning and burning through hundreds of words you have to make peace with mediocrity or you will lose your mind.
While some people can write brilliance on the verge of a breakdown, there is a better way. Make it mediocre and at the very least you have it finished, and best case scenario you have a starting point for improving your draft.
Tip 4: Name the Voice in Your Head
Self-doubt trickles in when you face writer’s block. It might seem unconventional, but naming the voice in your head gives you something to push back against. That tension between you and the voice in your head can be magic for getting words on the page.
The name of the voice in my head changes but most often I call her Marge. Marge is the worst. She thinks I’m a fraud and that my writing is phooey. It’s satisfying to tell Marge a thing or two and I often find inspiration on the other side of our tussles.
Tip 5: Walk Away
In Big Magic, Elizabeth Gilbert talks about ideas as disembodied, energetic life-forms. They come and they go. We can’t control when an idea or inspiration will strike but we can capture it when it happens.
If you aren’t feeling the flow, step away from what you are doing to free your mind. But be prepared for when it comes to you. I have trained my family to know when I’m capturing an idea so they don’t perceive my note-taking on my phone as neglect and can give me the space to be productive at the moment.
TL:DR
"This writer's block is not going to destroy me."
This writer's block: pic.twitter.com/BBbWihDI04
— Jen Rittenhouse (@YennyPie) August 4, 2022
Copywriting in a crunch is only fun if you are in your flow.
There are no guaranteed tips or formulas to break through the block.
What works to free your mind today may not work tomorrow.
Collecting a series of tips and tricks to try will empower you to face your writing challenges.
Embrace the power of trying new things and seeking inspiration in unexpected places.
Remember, you are a smart and talented writer who can break through the biggest of blocks. When in doubt, give that return key an aggressive tap to give yourself some momentum.
