Great copywriting does more than get your message out there. It combines that message with your best qualities to create copy your readers can relate to. They'll feel the difference between you and your competitors and be compelled to act.

Solutions For Writer’s Block — What Do You Do To Find Inspiration?

In the world of copywriting every idea you have for a project will directly affect your income. When you have a great idea, you may find a steady client and possibly a bonus. Get stuck on a bad idea or fail to come up with one at all, and you could lose more than just one customer. What do you do when you get writer’s block?

Find Target Rich Locations

Depending on what topics you are working on, this may very well be the only solution you need. When I need an article idea, I head over to writing sites such as Helium or Associated Content. Fair warning — don’t copy someone’s idea! You are simply looking for something that triggers your writer’s mindset.

For example, I might read an article titled ‘Five Mistakes People Make When Raising A Hamster.’ From that article, I can choose one of those mistakes, expand on why it is a mistake, what it causes, how to prevent it, and what to do if you do make that mistake.

Blogs and places such as Technorati can be a goldmine for inspiration. Look for posts that surround the topic you are working on. What you are looking for is one that presents ideas you disagree with or answer a question that the post doesn’t answer (the comments are great for this!). You might even have different ideas that you could add to it as I did with this short, but interesting post on problems copywriters often face.

Focus On Something Else

Sometimes, you just need to work on a different project and leave the troublemaker alone for a bit. I do try to keep it along the same topic if I can. Think of it like looking for the back door. If you are writing about dog breeds, for example, try working on a project that involves looking after puppies or a different breed. Sounds simple, but it is often just enough to get yourself going.

Twitter and Social Networking

When I write, the topics I have the most difficulty with are those that I know very little about. I head straight over to Twitter or Facebook when this happens. I just start talking to those who know about the subject to see what they have to say. I don’t always gain information. Instead, I often end up asking a question or the other person brings up a related topic that needs answers. Voila! Instant hit! After all, if one of you is asking the question, you can’t be the only one.

If one of these tricks don’t do it, it can only mean one thing: I need a break.

I get the mail, grab a coffee, or go for a short workout. If it is really bad, it may even call for some Dr. Phil and a nap on the couch depending on the day’s topic.

Do you have other ideas? What do you do when you are stuck on a project? Blog about it, or feel free to comment! I would love to hear your ideas.

(Thanks for the use of the picture h.koppdelaney.)

December 8, 2008 at 8:45 am | For the Writer | 2 comments

2 Responses to “Solutions For Writer’s Block — What Do You Do To Find Inspiration?”

1. The Definition Of Quality Content | Career Building Tips.html says:

   January 18, 2009 at 2:29 pm

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2. For the Writer.html |The Definition Of Quality Content says:

   September 10, 2009 at 11:18 am

   [...] present something fresh, write from an alternative perspective. This step often creates writer’s block, but the fight is worth it. For example, instead of using the topic ‘how to write a blog post,’ why not try [...]