By now, most copywriting have learned this valuable lesson by heart: accurate, inspiring, pertinent, properly optimized, 100% unique web content is a must-have in any given set of circumstances. However, when it comes to putting theory into practice, numerous writers have a hard time trying to deliver a powerful, compelling message to the same audience, over and over again. After all, how many times could you possibly elaborate and share cleverly disguised marketing messages serving the same purpose, without becoming redundant and incredibly boring? Here are a few useful tips, showing you how to come up with beautiful, useful, invigorating creative ideas, while proving that there is life even after the most terrible writer’s block.
1. Excellent everyday practices that will turn you into a copywriting guru
Copywriters often blame their failure on a continuous lack of inspiration. In this case, inspiration should not be considered a rare bird, but a valuable asset that gives content writers the great power to create remarkable stories with a mobilizing call-to-action. This “gift” can and should be cultivated by those who want to create great copywriting more, better, or with greater passion on a daily basis in a few simple ways.
a) Read more and always keep an eye open for new information impacting some of the most important fields of activity. In this line of work, staying informed at all times is a necessity, not an option.
b) Write your most important ideas on a piece of paper. This is a highly effective old-school practice, recommended by author Peter Shallard from Copyblogger in his article entitled “How to Find More Content Ideas Than You’ll Ever be Able to Create,” providing excellent results for most writers. After all, thoughts, feelings, emotions, and ideas fly in the blink of an eye, while written words last forever.
c) Organize a content roundup. Perhaps you’ve stumbled across many valuable ideas over the last week, but have failed to expand on those particular subjects for some reason or another. A roundup would give you the chance to evaluate, rate, select, and reinterpret your golden ideas and ultimately turn them into first-hand content pieces.
2. Watch and learn (from your fierce competitors)
A gifted copywriter is, by definition, an excellent observer who takes the time to study the weapons and the course of action embraced by his/her main rivals. Successful copywriting aiming to deliver informative, relevant, engaging web content should always read all materials promoted by their competitors and find accurate answers to a few questions. What kind of topics do they usually come up with? Who are they talking to? Is their approach appreciated by their targeted audience? Are they getting any kind of feedback? Are there any untouched subjects that you could consider food for thought? These answers will help you come up with a new strategy and plenty of original ideas for delightful content pieces with real substance.
3. Conduct extensive research
In most cases, your inspiration just won’t come overnight, especially if you know very little or nothing at all about the subject you’re trying to expand on. Instead of complaining or delaying the creative process, conduct a thorough online search, read books, watch documentaries, interview experts in that particular niche, write down your conclusions, and then find the best way to make them public in a creative, engaging, informative manner.
4. Re-read, rewrite, recycle, reuse
Copywriting is a creative, time- and energy-consuming process. Unless you are a genius, it is impossible to fill pages and pages without ever feeling tired, irrelevant, or simply uninspired. When you feel like you’ve squeezed your last drop of creativity, just take a break, leave the problem-solving attitude behind, relax, and focus your entire attention on something else. Afterward, go back to what you’ve copywritten. Does it represent you? Could it be improved to sound better? Are there are new facts that should be factored in? Don’t hesitate to rewrite several parts of your article until you are satisfied with the final result. At the same time, don’t be too hard on yourself. Just think about what Margaret Atwood once stated, “If I waited for perfection, I would never write a word.” Furthermore, an article published by The Center for Writing Studies indicates the fact that perfectionism can only aggravate a case of writer’s block. Perfection is not real, and false expectations will only delay your progress.
5. Follow a new approach
Be consistent when it comes to your copywriting style, but don’t be afraid to follow a different approach in order to identify new sources of inspiration for your articles. Even tech copywriters who are creating copy for the most difficult niches can profit from this amazing opportunity. Attend important industry events, create new connections, talk to some of the most prestigious attendees, and make predictions. This new approach will help you write something totally original, different, and unpredictable and, let’s face it; it’s much more productive than staring at the blank page in front of you.
All in all, a fair amount of research, correlated with a high dosage of creativity and enthusiasm plus excellent everyday practices, will help you improve your copywriting skills; come up with fresh, exciting ideas for your blog; kick that annoying copywriter’s block to the curb; and enhance your online influence in record time.