Grumpy Cat, also known as Tardar Sauce, is one of the longest lasting memes the Internet has ever seen. She took us all by storm with her adorable glare and imposing, “NO” response to everything. We have all, at one point or another, shared a Grumpy Cat meme and many of us probably shared the original because it was just too darn cute not to share. On September 22, 2012, the owners of the adorable Tardar Sauce saw their cat skyrocket to stardom and she has been going strong ever since.
How A Meme Stole the Internet’s Heart
We can all thank Reddit for Grumpy Cat, because that is where one of her human’s posted her photo in a thread. He, nor Grumpy’s family, expected this little adorable cat to get so famous, but they are taking this opportunity to make sales and do some incredible content marketing. Grumpy’s family began using this as an opportunity to teach people about feline dwarfism and it also showed the world that a funny looking cat still deserves love. In fact, there are more people rescuing and adopting strange looking animals simply because of Grumpy. Grumpy’s owners are using this as a great marketing ploy to pay for her medical bills and to donate to worthwhile charities (which we will discuss later on in this blog).
This is a great example of pulling on the Internet’s heartstrings when crafting content. You don’t want to overdo it and make people upset by feeling manipulated, but you can follow Grumpy’s path of using something adorable or funny to highlight a serious need. One or two powerful statements at the end of a funny or interesting story can change a person’s mind quickly and can bring in a lot of business you didn’t have previously.
Grumpy and the Grouch and Grumpy
Instead of just letting this meme run is course or focusing solely on the meme generators, Grumpy Cat has been crafting content with several outside sources. Her content is in different formats, which are all still easily shared. A popular Grump experience was when she met up with Oscar the Grouch, having the ultimate throw-down “Grump vs. Grouch” in an adorable Mashable video.
She also met up with the first Grumpy to steal the hearts of people all over the world. That’s right; Grumpy Cat met Grumpy the Dwarf. She has done several TV spots for Friskies, Purina, and other cat products, which is a win for those products as well as for Grumpy.
The lesson to learn from this is that multiple content formats are important in reaching everyone. Some people only like the Grumpy memes, while others enjoy following her on Facebook and seeing her “Daily Grump” photographs. Several of us really enjoy watching the various videos starring little miss Grumpy and we will all watch whichever video is newly released.
Word of Mouth Helped Grumpy
Memes all rely on “word of mouth” actions online. They are required to be shared by hundreds to thousands of people in order to become well known. Had Grumpy not relied on word of mouth, she wouldn’t have gained this popularity or success. This is crucial for all copywriters and content marketers. You need to utilize word of mouth to help skyrocket your content into a successful endeavor. You’ll be amazed by how much business you get simply from people talking about your company and sharing your content online. Grumpy utilized the popular, game changing aspect of the Internet – viral content. Crafting viral content is not difficult and the word of mouth system is greatly going to benefit your content when attempting to go viral.
Nothing Goes With A Good Book Quite Like Coffee
We all enjoy a cup of coffee with the current book we are reading and Grumpy Cat knows this. She’s spied on enough humans to know our habits and, therefore, has learned some excellent marketing strategies. These strategies involve the ever-popular Grumpuccino and official Grumpy Cat books. She also has a plethora of shirts, coffee cups, and other adorable merchandising that many people are scooping up as soon as they can. Grumpy is a great seller for other companies too because most people will buy a Grumpy piece of merchandise on impulse while shopping for other items. That cat is one crafty individual, making money for herself and others!
This is a great example of researching the client market and appealing to them. Use Grumpy as an example and start researching your client base to market effectively to them and make several wonderful sales.
Donating To Wonderful Charities
The one thing that helps many people feel fine with making Grumpy Cat purchases is that the majority of the proceeds go to charities. Some of the proceeds do go to the family, but they have stated that it was a lifesaver for them. Grumpy’s humans will offer merchandise where all the proceeds go to a charity and they always make sure buyers know which ones. For example, their Christmas merchandising went to a charity and many people really enjoyed buying cute Grumpy Christmas items while feeling they were helping a good cause. We all love feeling charitable and Grumpy and her humans know this.
While you might not be donating to charities as often as Grumpy, this is a great way to help your community and encourage your readers to help, as well. Not only will this benefit the charity and community but it will also benefit your business because people like working and shopping with companies who are charitable.
Take A Copywriting Lesson From the Ultimate Grump
The main lesson to learn from Grumpy Cat is that people enjoy laughing and having fun. She hasn’t overstayed her welcome and has grown through different formats and channels. She reaches a wide audience and makes tons of money while doing so. She is the perfect, or should we say purrfect, example of content marketing and copywriting. Take a gander at her website or follow her on Facebook to learn some daily content marketing tips and tricks that made this one little meme a huge success.
If you’re a writer – and if you’re reading this, you probably are – you have no doubt experienced that infamous bane of all creatives.
It happens when you’re staring at a blank page, screen, or canvas, and your mind is equally empty:
Writer’s block.
It can plague you for a few hours, a few days, or even months. It comes and goes as it pleases. Your flighty muse flits away, and you’re left without any words.
When writer’s block hits, you can easily succumb to it – I know I have, many a time.
Or, you can fight back and get your brain humming once again.
A great strategy to use when you’re fumbling for the right words is to look to the greats.
These writers battled it all: not only writer’s block, but lack of interest, rejection, publishing nightmares, and even their own demons. They came through it all with printed masterpieces.
So, when your muse is hiding, don’t despair. Instead, think about how to write like Oscar Wilde, George Orwell, Ernest Hemingway, Shakespeare, and other incredibly engaging authors that can elevate your muse to new heights. Read our blog for inspiration!
How to Turn Off Writer’s Block and Write Like Oscar Wilde in 6 Steps
In 2013, experts discovered a letter written by Oscar Wilde that had been previously unknown. In it, Wilde gives tips and advice to an aspiring writer over 13 pages.
One of the main points he expounded on in this precious artifact was this:
“Make some sacrifice for your art, and you will be repaid, but ask of art to sacrifice herself for you and a bitter disappointment may come to you.”
Unpacking this tidbit, as well as other pieces of advice from Wilde’s work, gives great insight for getting over your own writer’s block. You may even become a better writer.
To write like Oscar Wilde and other greats, sit up and pay attention. Let’s dive in!
Writing isn’t easy. That’s why there are so many bad writers out there – it truly is an art that must be mastered.
When Wilde says “Make some sacrifice for your art,” he means you’ve got to put in the sweat, the tears, and the pain to come out with something worthwhile.
After all, if writing was easy, nobody would ever suffer from writer’s block. In fact, the skill wouldn’t be so highly prized, and businesses wouldn’t bother paying content writers to write their copy for them.
To put it simply, you need to accept that writer’s block comes with the gig. There will be ups and downs, and if you can’t get with the program, you’ll be “bitterly disappointed,” as Wilde says.
What matters is the act of creating, even if it’s like pulling teeth. After all, you can always edit later.
[clickToTweet tweet=”Beat writer’s block by writing like #OscarWilde with this advice from @ExpWriters!” quote=”Beat writer’s block by writing like #OscarWilde with this advice from @ExpWriters!”]
2. Read Widely and Gather Inspiration
Another famous Oscar Wilde quotes sings to this tune:
“It is what you read when you don’t have to that determines what you will be when you can’t help it.”
If you don’t have inspiration to pull from, your well is sure to run dry. As writers, we read not only for entertainment, but for instruction, inspiration, and insight.
So, to improve your writing, read. Read as much as you can, and read widely. The more of the written word you absorb, the deeper your inspirational well.
But remember: don’t copy. Emulate. Practice. Your own style should emerge from your “research.”
And yes, reading is research. That’s one of the great things about being a writer – your passion and interests feed each other.
You’re unique in this world. You have something to say – so say it. According to Wilde,
“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”
Don’t be afraid to express an opinion, do something a little differently, or take a leap with your writing. These things are what make your writing yours.
If you’re holding back and it’s causing you to stare blankly at a blinking cursor, stop. Think: what are you afraid of?
Confidence in your unique point of view will take you far in your writing, but remember to avoid cockiness. Nobody likes the snooty writer who brags about their skills.
4. Don’t Fear Failure
A fear of failure can make you want to put your head in the sand and never pick up a pen again.
But, as Wilde says,
“Experience is merely the name men give to their mistakes.”
In short, failure can actually make you a better writer. Failure is experience – you lived through something awful, and you survived to tell the tale. You’re probably a stronger person for it, too. Use that to your advantage!
Failure is never the enemy. Failing to try, however, is.
So, when writer’s block hits, forget worrying about whether your words suck. This anxiety can freeze your brain. Instead, just start. Just try.
5. Don’t Rely on Tired Phrases and Clichés
Using clichés is a good way be unoriginal. These are phrases that people have used in both speech and writing, over and over again, to describe a particular situation, feeling, or person.
This next bit of advice, which comes from George Orwell, is simple: don’t use them! As he says,
“Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print.”
Why shouldn’t you do this? Not only is it unoriginal, it’s a lazy way to write. Instead of describing a person, place, or thing in a new way that’s unique to your perspective, you’re falling back on overused descriptions that have long since lost their meaning.
Examples:
“It’s like beating a dead horse.”
“There’s no use crying over spilled milk.”
“It’s like throwing the baby out with the bathwater.”
6. Just Write
According to Henry Miller,
“When you can’t create you can work.”
Even if it feels impossible, just start writing. Get the words on paper, one after another. Don’t just sit there. Write.
If the words sound stupid, good. If you’re forgetting to use correct punctuation, great. If you hate every word you’re putting down, even better.
Open up a blank document in your word processor and start typing. Grab a notebook or journal and a pen, and just scribble. You can even write fragments and ideas on post-its and stick them around your desk.
The point is to get the words out there. You can worry about the rest later – that’s what editing is for.
You’ll never get anywhere if you don’t write through the tough times when the words aren’t flowing. In fact, you may find that the difficult times outnumber the ones where your writing is spinning effortlessly from your mind, like Rumpelstiltskin spinning straw into gold.
If you wait to write until the muse is sitting on your shoulder, crooning in your ear, then you’ll only write sporadically, if at all. And, if you never write unless you’re feeling good, you’ll never become better at your craft.
This infographic from Copyblogger says it succinctly:
How to Write Like Oscar Wilde: Break Through Mental Blocks with Perseverance
Writers write. That’s all there is to it.
They write when they’re happy. They write when they’re sad. They write through mental blocks, and they write through bad days. No matter the circumstances, they keep pushing. They accept failure as experience and keep going.
To overcome your own writing hang-ups, take advice from the greats, like Oscar Wilde, George Orwell, Henry Miller, and more, and run with it.
Remember: writing is hard. You have to forget the fear of failure. You need to have confidence in your point of view. Use your own unique insights. Most importantly, just write.
Share Your Writing Insight and Experience
Finally, once you have acquired your own wisdom about how to write like Oscar Wilde and other great authors, pass it on. As Wilde says:
“The only thing to do with good advice is pass it on. It is never any use to oneself.”
Now that we’ve examined the words of great writers, what about you? What are some practical tips and strategies you’ve used to stave off writer’s block and get back to work? We’d love to hear your ideas!
At Express Writers, we’re always growing our writing skills to bring you the best content to boost your business – check out our Content Shop to find out what we can do for you.
Niche industries or unique industries have it made — they just don’t realize it. The competition isn’t as fierce in unique industries, such as high technological products. If you’re in a unique industry, it’s likely it’s just you and perhaps a handful (if that) of competitors. People are still searching for your niche, which means you have the potential to become a superstar overnight. See what we mean about having it made?
Unfortunately, finding compelling copywriting ideas in such a tight niche can be difficult.You need something fresh and something that catches the reader’s attention at the same time. As you sit there in front of the computer screen watching the cursor blink and taunt, your mind just draws a blank.
Turning a Boring Topic into Brilliant Copywriting
How do you come up with something brilliant in a topic that is, well, boring? The most difficult part of copywriting is just getting an idea and getting it on paper (or screen). There are ways to overcome this challenge, however, even for the tightest niche category.
To help get your creative juices flowing, consider these copywriting tips for coming up with topics on the fly for your niche.
1) Befriend Social Media
Social media is one of the best ways to come up with topics — especially for tight or boring niches. In fact, social media is a topic gold mine.
2) Look to Twitter for Trends
Twitter gets over 500 million tweets per day, according to ABC News. That means there are a plethora of ideas just waiting to be plucked from this social media giant. Start by using the search feature on Twitter. You can look for keywords or hashtags — depending on the type of content you’re looking for. Add or eliminate spaces to refine your search. We recommend going into Twitter’s search first using your targeted keywords in your niche. See what pops up.
Then, it’s time to see what is trending. Copywriting your content around what is trending, as long as it is relevant, is a great way to build your site’s traffic faster. Also, trending topics are fresh and what people are looking for right now — double score! Once you’ve found keywords and hashtags that are relevant to your niche, it’s time to see if any of these are relevant to what is trending right now.
When you log in you should see the “Trending” feature box in your Twitter profile. Here you will see the topics people are most often tweeting about right now. While these trends come and go, they will usually stick around for at least a week — giving you plenty of time to write a blog about something trending.
3) StumbleUpon Ideas
StumbleUpon covers trending topics and unique niches that you might not find on Twitter. It features a collection of the most popular Internet pages, and you can even find recommendations based on what you like. Use StumbleUpon to see what is trending in your industry or expand your search by clicking on the “Discover” tab.
4) Scan Facebook
Facebook is similar to Twitter and has trending topics. There are tons of industry and niche-specific groups and pages on Facebook. You can even find guest blogging groups on Facebook that you can team up with to brainstorm ideas. While there might not be a lot of pages in your particular niche, there may be some that are just outside of it where you can get ideas and make them more relevant to your own.
5) Look Through YouTube
YouTube is considered the second largest search engine out there — and it’s not just about someone’s crazy home videos. According to YouTube statistics there are over 1 billion users on the site everyday — which means this is a great way to find some content ideas. Check out the videos posted in your niche categories, and you’ll get the idea juices flowing instantly.
6) Turn to LinkedIn Groups
There are niche groups on LinkedIn — even for those small, difficult niches. Joining these groups’ gives you access to a plethora of ideas and industry professionals who are ready to let you pick their mind for ideas. Set up a discussion thread in one of your LinkedIn groups to populate ideas.
7) Use Keyword Tools
Sure, Google’s free keyword tool has disappeared, but there are other keyword tools out there. Ubersuggest.org, for example, is a free tool that lets you look up relevant keywords from search queries posed by real Internet users. Just enter your industry niche or topic and see what people are searching for. Use these ideas to create your blogs, content and even guest posts. These long lists should instantly trigger some ideas and give you inspiration.
SearchEngineWatch.com discusses optimizing keywords within your specific niche. While keywords aren’t the most important, they can help drive your content creation.
8) Just Ask
There’s no need to be shy with your readers. If you’re struggling to find a good topic or a new topic, post a question to your audience. You can get stellar ideas from the people who read your blog or website. Create a request line where readers can request topics or ask questions. Then cover them on your blog. We recommend posting your questions on social media, such as a Facebook fan page, for higher visibility.
9) Use Your Experience as Inspiration
You’re an industry professional. You’ve been there, done that and know everything in between. Take inspiration from the daily activities in your industry and the people you meet within that industry. Think beyond the walls of your office and take on the perspective of your readers. The more pride you have in your work and in your industry, the easier it is to come up with relevant topics.
What about you? Are there questions you ever ask yourself that are relevant to your niche? Instead of searching Google for the answer, create your own answer in your posts. Use research to fill in the gaps of what you don’t know and discuss with your readers what you have found in your own research. Don’t wait for some other competitor to get the idea and answer the question — do it yourself in your blog first.
10) Look for Answers to Audience Questions
You’re in a ridiculously narrow niche, but that doesn’t mean your readers don’t have questions. In fact, readers probably have more questions because your niche is so small. There aren’t thousands of websites out there that help readers in your particular area, so you are the go-to source for everything related to your industry.
For example, your industry covers umbilical cord clamping. That’s one heck of a small window. But, think of all of the questions and concerns people investigating that niche would have. For example:
When you should clamp the umbilical cord
The effects of clamping the cord
Steps you take to clamp a cord
Is there a risk when clamping a cord?
Each of these ideas could be spun into their own post — that’s four ideas right there for a tight niche. Address every concern and question your readers would have about your particular niche. The more you address your readers, the more ideas that will flow.
Never dismiss the ordinary or very basic questions either. Browse forums related to your industry and see what people are asking. By providing these answers on your site, no matter how simple they are, you can become the expert in your niche instantly.
11) Hijack the News
Newsjacking is a very popular method for getting ideas. There is always some sort of industry news buzzing around. See if you can relate the news’s top stories and spin them into content related to your niche. Using the example above, you could use a top story about births in your country, etc. and then go more in-depth about cord clamping.
Another example, you own a radio company. Capitalize on the music industry news and releases — there’s tons weekly– and connect them to your own products and services.
There’s a right way and a wrong way to news jack though. If you see a news topic related to your niche, you need to act fast…like really fast. Same day posting is likely to get you more traffic than posting a week later. You also need to choose your topics wisely. News happens by the minute, so you have to decide what topics are worth taking the time to write about and what topics are not.
You can also take non-industry related topics and make them industry-related. For example, a celebrity is in the news for his or her latest drama, we will refer to them as Celebrity X. Sure, it has nothing to do with your niche, yet. But, when you take that drama and trending story and say something like “10 Things Radio Professionals Can Learn from the Latest Celebrity X Fumble” you’ve just made it related.
The content you write from news stories still needs to be unique, interesting and share-worthy. It’s not as easy as it sounds. Just because you tail on the popularity of a news story doesn’t necessarily mean your post will automatically be popular. It’s all about taking your unique approach on the story, but keeping it relevant to your brand’s style.
12) Expand the Niche Through Connections
As an industry expert, you probably have plenty of connections — both on and offline. Reach out to those experts in your field or a related field for ideas. Brainstorm with one another and perhaps set up a guest blogging schedule with one another where you can share and branch off either others ideas on your sites.
13) Think About What People Will Disagree With You On
This is not only a great way to come up with posts, but also a great way to come up with world-changing ideas. It doesn’t matter what your niche is, you are going to have someone who tells you you’re doing it the wrong way. Think about how someone might disagree with your advice or any doubts they might have. Don’t be afraid to take a stance, no matter how controversial it might appear to be. Recite research and personal experience to back up your method and discuss why the other methods are wrong. It is a great way to come up with topics and also establish your credibility in this tight niche.
Just keep in mind the more controversial the topic, the more of a heated debate you might have in your comments section. Monitor the comments to see what ideas people share so you can expand in a follow-up post, but also moderate the comments to make sure it doesn’t get out of hand.
14) When In Doubt, Search the Competition
Everyone has a competitor. If you don’t, then you really have it made. Browse what your competitors are writing about to get some ideas. We’re not saying copy your competitors. We’re saying draw on what they are writing about for inspiration. Put in your own expertise or spin off of that idea in your own direction. This is also a great opportunity to come up with more engaging topics and better titles than your competition has — giving you an edge when it comes time for a reader to choose between one blog or the other.
Tips for Implementing Your Ideas
You have some great starting ground here. You know how to come up with ideas even in a tight niche, but you still have to write some compelling content from those ideas. To achieve that kind of copywriting, you need to take your idea and brainstorm how you can make it better. While you have the advantage in a tight market — limited competition, a higher chance of visibility, etc. — you still need to make your content unique.
Coming up with great titles is only half the battle. The goal is to create a post or web copy piece that people are compelled to act on, comment and share. Consider some great content strategy ideas to get started. Once you’ve written your post, ask yourself if it is unique and helpful enough. Would you share it on social media with friends? Would you consider it unique compared to the competition? If so, then you are on the right track.
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