Hi,

If you want to make it on the Internet you need copywriting skills, right?

Well, I am terrible.

I have tried in different ways.

But every time it's the same problem... I sit down in front of the PC to write and writer's block sets in.

I am so used to copying text from other people and expressing them in another language (as a translator that's what I do) that I felt I couldn't create anything new, something I could call my own... and then, 2 things happened:

1) I found copywriting.com, which has helped me a lot with useful tips (thanks Miguel)

2) I read a recent blog entry by Joe Vitale about how he (master copywriter, by the way) sometimes has nothing to say and then ends up saying a lot, and even brilliant things. (Click here to see the blog entry)

I decided to follow his advice, and out of nothing to say, this came out.

If anybody can think of other strategies to improve my writing, please let me know... will ya?

Best regards,

Jennifer

Hi Jennifer,

I read recently (by Bob Bly I think) that a good antidote to writers block is to sit down and just start listing features and benefits. Just the act of writing SOMETHING seems to get your thoughts flowing and VOILA! You've conquered writers block!

Hope this helps.

Joe N.

Hi Joe,

It actually does help... thanks for the tip!

Jennifer

Hello.

Another great way to kill writer's block is to use a methodical
approach to writing. That is, to organize your material and
write a short outline (bulleted) of the points you want to cover
in your piece.

Once you have that outline, you can start writing any part of
it - the one that inspires you the most.

As soon as you do, ideas for other parts will start going through
your mind. Write them down and organize them later.

Getting those fingers moving and having bits and pieces written
for each section are normally enough to get you in "the zone"
and geared up to finish the piece.


All the best!
Miguel Alvarez
Copywriting.com

Hi Jennifer.

You've already been given some excellent tips. To add something more I would suggest you feel enthusiastic about what you want to write about. Feel excited about your service or product. Think about the benefits. Feel like you have something very interesting to share with your readers/visitors.

Don't worry about the language initially. Write in monosyllables if that helps. Some also recommend speed writing. Let everything out. And when you feel you have said all you wanted to say, leave it for a while. At least you have something now.

Sometimes I use a note pad (pen and paper) to jot down my ideas using drawings and charts. It helps me organize my thoughts.

Amrit
Content Blog

helloo,

Truly great tips. I have never (knock on wood) experienced writers block. A blank page screams at me to fill it up! And I do. Para after para of nonsense. I do the bulleted thing and re-organize the paras, then the sentences and check for redundant wording and all that later on.

Sometimes I have so much written that ending with only a few paras is a problem. Most of what I write down ends up in a big pile of deleted words on the cutting room floor (and up the walls...).

I write too much and most of it sounds stupid, looks stupid, feels stupid, reads stupid, (uh, get my drift?) and probably is stupid. Sometimes, so stupid I LOL. Geeze, this is not helping you.

When I sit down to work, I like a quiet atmosphere and darkened room with my desktop light on to further control my concentration and focus. The surroundings make a difference for me a lot of the time. Although I have written in cars, trucks, trains and planes - I have to admit I scrap a lot of that when I do get the chance to focus my concentration.

Maybe I am saying FOCUS is my key. We do all have a key to turn us on to the subject matter.

For a product, I hold it in my hand and turn it over and over (depending on what it is) and think about what pictures it instills in my mind. FOCUS. Then I write about it. That is when the stupid pours out of me onto the screen. Yikes!

Anyhousen, focusing on the item, service, product or merchandise line brings in the flow of the bulk of work that turns into the few paras that are acceptable, and sometimes great.

FOCUS... and don't be afraid to start over when the stupid stuff jumps out at you.

Verb

Hey Jennifer,
A few things that might help...

Start keeping a personal journal (offline) or start a blog (online).

Each day try to write something down. It doesn't matter whether it's a couple of sentences or a whole slew of paragraphs. Just get in the habit of writing whatever comes to mind.

Another thing that will help get you in the writing mood is start posting to Internet forums. Anything that can get you in the habit of writing is a big plus. I know it helped me when I first got started.

One more little tip...

When you do decide to write actual copy, write as though you are writing a letter to your best friend... In other words, get personal, be open, and most of all... be honest about your emotions.

If you are mad about something, spill it out. If you are jazzed and happy, also let it out. Just be yourself as you write. Don't try to be something you're not and you'll go far.

I did an audio interview with copywriting superstar, Michel Fortin a few months ago and one of the tips he gave about writers block was just to write, write, write. Don't stop to edit. Don't stop until you are exhausted of everything you need to say.

Once you have finished writing, then you can go back and edit.

Last but not least...

Please forgive me for being a bit explicit here, but writing is much like good sex. Please let me explain.

If you try too hard and think too much about the outcome, you will have a difficult time reaching that "climactic moment". Writing copy is much the same way.

If you try too hard, there is a good chance you'll get stuck in a rut or as you call it, you'll get writer's block.

Just let your thoughts flow. Let them go...

Visualize your thoughts and words as a brook, which leads to a stream, which leads to a river, which leads to an ocean

I hope some of this helps you as it has for me.

Hi,

What about taking a course in copywriting? It might help you think more like a copywriter. Good luck.

Hmm, I don't think I can help much here. I've never experienced writer's block. My problem is that I just can't stop writing.

I guess I can only add the same advice as everyone else: write! A lot! Since I have small children, I usually try to write while they nap or after they go to bed (internet posting counts too, right!) I also have notebooks in every room in my house and in the car, so when I get an idea I can jot it down really quickly, before I forget. I also read a lot of books on writing; well, a lot of books in general to see how others write. I'm already starting to see improvement in my writing, as well as pick up on mistakes that I make often.

Hope that helps!

Have you tried using voice recognition software such as Dragon NaturallySpeaking?

I picked up a copy off eBay for $95 and I find I use of more and more.

Mind you I suffer from 'fat finger' syndrome, so I guess I'm more inclined to use voice recognition software than someone who can type very effectively. But it could be useful in overcoming writer's block, simply because it's such fun to use; and just watching the words magically appear as you talk can be enough to get you going perhaps.

Could be worth a try?

Kind regards

Alex

Hi

Whether or not you are naturally good at stringing words and sentences together, the fact is that constructing a structured task is never an easy task. When I write a piece on any topic, I always find it helpful just to write down anything that comes to mind, however haphazard it may be. I step away from it at intervals and go do something else, clear my head and then return to it later. Ideas will come to mind that did not occur initially. I then bullet point key aspects and then the structure begins to take shape.

I suggest you do not get anxious because your mind is blank and it does not seem to be coming together. It is like anything else in life: the more desperate you are to get it done, the harder and less likely you will. If it is not coming together, I say chill out and do something else - read a book, watch a DVD, take a walk, or anything else you like doing. That is when the ideas will drop into your head - when you least expect.

Regards


Mark
Dorset, England

http://www.topletters.co.uk

Hi.

I used to own "Naturally Speaking" and I found it to be an extremely
valuable addition (I'll be buying it again soon). After all, some of the
best copy is written in a conversational mode... right?

I would definitely recommend it to anyone with an interest in learning
to write powerful copy. You still need some structure, but it is a lot
easier to create an outline in paper and then start talking about it
than it is to try getting all the words in paper right from the start.
Editing is, of course, either way.

Also, I know that this will probably sound weird... but it is best to sit
down knowing that your first draft will probably suck anyway. But
you can always improve it by putting on your "editor's cap".


All the best!
Miguel Alvarez
Copywriting.com

This works for me. The age-old (but probably still sage) advice of "just sit down and write something... anything at all!" never worked for me. I suppose that's because a lot of times it's not truly the dreaded "block" but more like not wanting to write. In fact, it's actually made the block worse for me because I *so* detest being forced to do something, even if I'm the one doing the forcing.

Outlines do not force me to *write* when I don't feel like writing but rather prepare me for when I AM ready to get down to business.

There really should be a term for the opposite of writer's block, shouldn't there? For those of us who can't shut it off... who sometimes have insomnia with ideas floating around our heads and we can't find the off switch.

I do think the first step may be finding that way to get a little enthusiastic about the writing. I just sat on a project for days because I didn't want to do, wasn't interested, and didn't think I could come up with anything.

Once I finally decided to do it I did what I usually do, which is do a little reading/research on the subject/field - just kind of a skimming type of thing. I find that skimming a bunch of research/articles will result in catching my eye on one or two of them. Once an eye has been captured that means a little interest has flickered. Once the interest flickers the enthusiasm can follow.

I have done this many times, too... as soon as I research and get determined to do a project,
it becomes much easier to sit down and actually start to do the writing. Forcing myself to write
when I'm *not* enthusiastic about the project is more often a disaster than not.

I sometimes get writer's block as well. Try freewriting - just sit down and write anything that comes to mind. It doesn't matter if it makes sense right now. The point is you are putting something on paper. Also, another thing that works for me sometimes is finding a different place to write. If you normally sit at your desk try moving to another room or if you have a laptop try going outside. Sometimes a change of scenery helps.

I've heard of this before and I can see how it might work, yes. Some changes of scenery work
great for me but some don't. One of the places that doesn't work for me is while I'm on vacation.
Even if it's just a few hours with nothing else to do, I just can't seem to write while on vacation.

A change of scenery does really help. I myself do copywriting, but I do not write books. I, did, however date a girl that wrote a lot of books and poems. We would often take an adventure into the hills or by a lake - she remarked on numerous occasions how it helped her think much clearer about what she wanted to say exactly. I couldn't have agreed more, but for me it was just a lovely day out!