Content & Writing Tycoon

**MarissaTAVision** · 03-26-2012, 11:55 AM

When it comes to writing marketing and/or advertising content, what are some good techniques for dealing with writers block? Suggestions? Also, for blogs.

**vangogh** · 03-26-2012, 04:03 PM

Pushing through is one way. You might not write your best at the moment, but it will get you through writer's block. Prolific writers also go through times when the words aren't flowing. They just don't let it stop them from writing.

Beyond that you want to set up the conditions to make it less likely you don't run into blocks. Keep your eyes open and record any idea that comes to you. Take in lots of information. Spend time reviewing those ideas to find the better ones. Try to set up an environment conducive to creativity.

If you search a little around the word creativity you'll find lots of suggestions. The main thing is not to let it get to you. Push through even when your writing is the best.

**WebOutGateway** · 03-28-2012, 03:04 AM

Based on my experience, I'm only having a writer's block whenever I'm stressed-out. During those times, I don't push myself too much, I relax a bit then I get back to work after clearing my mind.

**vangogh** · 03-29-2012, 04:02 PM

Quote:

I'm only having a writer's block whenever I'm stressed-out.

Writer's block is one of those things that probably differs for all of us. The best thing to do is figure out what works best for you. For me pushing through works. For you taking time away works.

I have to admit that sometimes I need to take time away too. There's no one solution to feeling more creative and getting the words to flow.

**cantletugo** · 04-05-2012, 12:10 AM

Well new ideas aren't easy to come by. If it were easy, everyone would be a guru here! New ideas are like inventions - they take time and may come easy to some.

**krishacetravison** · 04-23-2012, 10:22 PM

Kidding aside, I eat peanut and chocolate whenever I experience writer's block. Actually, I can't back my answer up with some scientific theories akin to peanut and chocolate to be effective against writer's block.

But I'm doing it for a long time and it's very effective to me. I have already made it as my hobby when I am writing an article. And guess what?! I was able to come up with good ones whenever I eat peanut and chocolate while writing.

**vangogh** · 04-24-2012, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Well new ideas aren't easy to come by.

Actually I think ideas are very easy to come by. It's implementing those ideas that are difficult. I can spend the next hour writing down idea after idea for something to write about. Most of those ideas will never see the light though, because I can't come up with a good way to turn the idea into a good post. It's the implementation that's difficult. The ideas generally come easily.

Quote:

I eat peanut and chocolate whenever I experience writer's block.

Whatever works. At least your way to get over writer's block is delicious.

**macanohost** · 04-24-2012, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarissaTAVision

When it comes to writing marketing and/or advertising content, what are some good techniques for dealing with writers block? Suggestions? Also, for blogs.

Include a story of your own?
Do something out of the ordinary so it'll catch the readers attention!

**stevenlw** · 04-28-2012, 01:13 AM

I've been developing 'content' for 34 years -- I go into shock every time I allow myself to think about it!

But writer's block is common, and it will go away soon enough. I can push through it (that is, I won't worry about a lead/hook just yet, but instead I'll start adding what I can here and there for polishing at a later time); or I can get up and walk around (to clear my mind of the issue, worry, bewilderment); I can change my assignments (instead of writing this blocked assignment about people working with HIV patients, I'll focus my attention on the story about recent innovations in the electric utility industry).

There are many ways. Knowing what is behind the anxiety that is causing the block is important. That's the only way to address it. Maybe it's just a matter of taking a 20 minute walk around the block, drinking enough water, and then going to bed early. Sometimes, that's really all it can take to start fresh the following morning.

I feel many of us would be intrigue to know what your current assignment is.

**chrishirst** · 04-28-2012, 06:43 AM

Usually doing something else sparks an idea and like Steve (vangogh) most of those ideas never see light of day the several domain names that have absolutey nothing on them are testament to that

Hitting a block? Leave it and do something else unrelated instead, peanuts and chocolate definitely would not work though, as I don't particularly like peanuts and chocolate acts like a soprific on me.

**sdudey** · 05-08-2012, 07:47 AM

Most of the time I come with new ideas when I am out for a walk. I love being in the nature because I can get so much inspiration.

**SEOGlen** · 05-18-2012, 05:01 AM

go back to your previously written blogs or articles. read them and try to rewrite them. that's what i usually do. but if nothing happens, i do try to play some online games or take a nap to relax my brain.

**daniel1024** · 05-31-2012, 08:18 PM

I'm suffering from writer's block right now. Stress is of particular import.

I've tried everything.

1. Movies - Fun and entertaining but still no inspiration.
2. Reading a book. Stimulates the imagination, but when your thinking about something else - like making money, you feel it's a waste of time.
3. Playing video games - Just makes me want to play more rather than write.
4. Read a comic book, a real one - Stimulates visually, but doesn't work all the time.

Things I haven't tried to overcome writer's block:

- Jogging

**vangogh** · 06-01-2012, 03:36 PM

Quote:

most of those ideas never see light of day the several domain names that have absolutey nothing on them are testament to that

So true. The hard part is turning the idea into something that others will be interested in. Ideas themselves are easy.

Quote:

I've tried everything.

Looking at the things you've tried and why they aren't working I'd suggest part of the problem is waiting for inspiration. You can't wait for inspiration. You have to create the environment that invites it to come. Most of the time inspiration will strike after you've already started writing.

It also sounds like you're holding other things in your mind that aren't about what you want to write. For example if you're thinking about making money while writing, your writing isn't going to turn out well. You have to focus on what you're writing about.

**daniel1024** · 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vangogh

So true. The hard part is turning the idea into something that others will be interested in. Ideas themselves are easy.

Looking at the things you've tried and why they aren't working I'd suggest part of the problem is waiting for inspiration. You can't wait for inspiration. You have to create the environment that invites it to come. Most of the time inspiration will strike after you've already started writing.

It also sounds like you're holding other things in your mind that aren't about what you want to write. For example if you're thinking about making money while writing, your writing isn't going to turn out well. You have to focus on what you're writing about.

Exactly, it's a never ending cycle that traps creativity. But eventually, we somehow get used to its numbing power. Thanks for the insight. Alas, until such time that we can freely write without any constraint for monetary considerations and no boundaries - we are all slaves of the pen - or in my case the keyboard.

Imagine if Mashable.com stopped posting blog posts even for a single day because they're already earning thousands of dollars everyday in Adsense - their traffic would drop off significantly - it's a living proof of concept that most of the hype involving writing and blogging are inaccurate and overhyped estimations of monetization.

**vangogh** · 06-04-2012, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Alas, until such time that we can freely write without any constraint for monetary considerations and no boundaries- we are all slaves of the pen - or in my case the keyboard.

You can do that now. The monetary constraint is one you impose on yourself. It's an understandable constraint. Just saying nothing is stopping you from writing anything you want.

One thing with the monetary to also consider is that if you create something truly valuable it will enable you to make money from it. Instead of thinking about the money while writing, think about producing the most valuable piece of content you can. The money will follow.

Quote:

Imagine if Mashable.com stopped posting blog posts even for a single day because they're already earning thousands of dollars everyday in Adsense - their traffic would drop off significantly

1. Mashable aims to be a news site, which usually means it needs quantity of content. They play the advertising game of more page views means more advertising dollars and you can increase page views simply by increasing pages.

2. Mashable isn't exactly quality content. Much of what appears there is garbage. You shouldn't have writer's block writing their kind of content, since it's less important what you write about or how well you write it. What's important for the business model is that you write anything.

**Aaronzheng** · 06-06-2012, 11:11 PM

you can read news everyday, that will help you to get a good idea.

**daniel1024** · 06-07-2012, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vangogh

2. Mashable isn't exactly quality content. Much of what appears there is garbage. You shouldn't have writer's block writing their kind of content, since it's less important what you write about or how well you write it. What's important for the business model is that you write anything.

True from a subjective perspective I suppose, but from what I understand they really do go out of their way to cover the tech beat just as well as the other prominent blogs like huffpo, tc, gizmodo.

It's easy to say write about anything you want, and the money will follow. I've been doing that for 5 years now. The only time that the money suddenly came to me was when I wrote garbage, like diablo 3 memes.

Logically speaking, would this mean that garbage is a good business model?

**vangogh** · 06-07-2012, 02:30 PM

I wouldn't say any of those blogs are aiming to produce quality content. They all aim to create more page views to increase revenue from advertising.

Maybe I shouldn't have said the money will follow and instead said the money can follow. Creating more garbage so you have more page views and can get more advertising is one business model. If that's all you're interested in then produce as much content as you can. However if that's your business model you can't talk about writer's block. In that business model the quality of your content is mostly irrelevant. What's being blocked? Throw some words down on the page. It hardly matters what those words are.

The sites with the more page views business model often just grab content from other sites and mix in a couple of original paragraphs. I'm looking at the first post I seen on Mashable right now. It's about the stolen LinkedIn and eHarmony passwords. The post consists of 7 short paragraphs, 3 of which are quotes. The 4 original paragraphs are a combined 144 words and they all they do is report something that happened.

Algorithms can do that now and often better.

I'm not saying you can't or shouldn't follow this business model. Just saying if you are I don't know where writer's block fits in. The business model you're talking about is one where the content mostly writes itself.

**daniel1024** · 06-07-2012, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vangogh

I wouldn't say any of those blogs are aiming to produce quality content. They all aim to create more page views to increase revenue from advertising.

Maybe I shouldn't have said the money will follow and instead said the money can follow. Creating more garbage so you have more page views and can get more advertising is one business model. If that's all you're interested in then produce as much content as you can. However if that's your business model you can't talk about writer's block. In that business model the quality of your content is mostly irrelevant. What's being blocked? Throw some words down on the page. It hardly matters what those words are.

The sites with the more page views business model often just grab content from other sites and mix in a couple of original paragraphs. I'm looking at the first post I seen on Mashable right now. It's about the stolen LinkedIn and eHarmony passwords. The post consists of 7 short paragraphs, 3 of which are quotes. The 4 original paragraphs are a combined 144 words and they all they do is report something that happened.

Algorithms can do that now and often better.

I'm not saying you can't or shouldn't follow this business model. Just saying if you are I don't know where writer's block fits in. The business model you're talking about is one where the content mostly writes itself.

Aye, you are correct. Thanks for the insights, I suppose this does deserve a separate thread. You made me realize that yes, Mashable's content is really pretty thin. Condensed to the point of barrenness.

Yet somehow, people like it.