27 Feb How to Overcome Writer’s Block So You Can Write that Darn Blog Post
You set aside time on your calendar to write a blog post. That time is now. You sit down to write – and you just stare at the screen. The clock is ticking. You need to overcome writer’s block now to get this article out the door.
What to do?
How to overcome writer’s block
I can’t tell you how many times I have been hit with writer’s block. (Yes, even professional copywriters get it. And yes, it sucks.)
The first thing I do is:
Think about recent conversations or questions
Recent discussions are great fodder for blog posts. Someone had a challenge or question and asked you for your expert advice. What did you tell them?
Unless you’re a hermit, you probably have at least one conversation each week that can spark a blog post. I keep a list of these “prompts” in my editorial calendar and pull them out as needed.
News with broad implications
Marketing changes constantly, so I do my best to keep up with the latest news, tools, methods, tips, stories, etc. When I read about something that can affect my clients, I write about it.
A few weeks ago, I wrote about record user and engagement numbers at LinkedIn. For my B2B clients who use LinkedIn for marketing, this is really important information to have. If they’ve been slacking off, learning how engaged LinkedIn users are could be the spark they need to jump back on the platform.
101-level explanations
As an expert in your field, it’s so easy to forget that not everyone knows what you know. It’s perfectly OK to write 101-level blog posts. You know the ins and outs of selecting a high-performance dishwasher, planting a small herb garden, or setting up an LLC – so share that!
True story: I didn’t know what small-cap, mid-cap and large-cap companies were until an options trader became a client seven years ago. I guess because I have a college degree, people assumed I knew this stuff.
Your take on a method or tool
Pinterest has long been a darling of the B2C social media marketing world. Personally, I don’t like the platform. It’s easy to go down a rabbit hole, and I don’t have the patience for endless “moments of discovery.” I want to find what I need and get outta there. (I also shop for clothes this way.)
I bet you have your own “Pinterest”. It could be a method or tool that people in your industry LOVE but that you just shrug at. Write about why you don’t like it.
Walk away and do something else
Sometimes, the words refuse to come. If that’s the case, don’t force it.
Work on something else and reschedule your “blog post writing time” for later in the week. If you write a week or two ahead of the actual “publishing” time (like I do), this won’t be a big deal. Give yourself lead time, and you won’t stress about it.
Tiffany Turley
Posted at 14:21h, 10 MarchGreat read!! And yes… I LOVE the idea of being alright with a “101” post about something simple, Because it certainly does feel like just because we know all about it, others would too. Thanks for these ideas!
Monika Jansen
Posted at 14:45h, 10 MarchThanks Tiffany – glad you found them helpful!