How to Overcome Writer's Block When You Work in Marketing
Lately, I’ve been struggling with writer’s block, which may seem odd for someone who writes professionally. Some people will tell you writer’s block isn’t real, that “real” writers simply show up and get to work. And maybe that’s true, but “real” writers also know the difference between an exciting write-up and a disappointing one.
Don’t get me wrong; I feel so lucky that I get to write for a living, but that doesn’t mean I don’t get stuck. Creativity isn’t an unlimited resource, after all (although there are ways to increase it). In short, it’s definitely possible to overdraw from that well.
What is writer’s block?
In its purest sense, writer’s block is the inability to brainstorm, outline, or write. For me, it takes the form of feeling stuck, even when I do write something. It’s reading what I’ve written and not being satisfied.
How to overcome writer’s block when you work in marketing
So, how does someone overcome writer’s block? To be honest, much more successful writers have written books on the subject, so I feel a little silly posting about it. With that said, though, I can share a few tips on how I deal with writer’s block as a professional writer.
Professional writers often write about topics that aren’t necessarily “passions.” For instance, I’ve spent a lot of my career writing about software services and marketing, but I wouldn’t necessarily say those subjects are my obsessions.
That’s not to say that I don’t love talking marketing and business, because I actually do. But my true writing passions might be fiction or screenplays—things that someone would read for pleasure rather than education.
In some ways, this separation between “passionate” writing and “practical” writing is ideal, because I don’t get burned out writing what I love. On the other hand, inspiration can be difficult to come by.
For instance, I’m not always thinking about marketing, or software, or whatever it is I’m writing about. And because of that, I run out of ideas and creative ways to phrase things. In these moments, I have a few methods to help me out of my funk.
Writer’s block tips
Browse social media for topics and ideas
Use AI to generate editable content
Make a list you can reference later
Browse social media for topics and ideas to overcome writer’s block
Creativity doesn’t happen in a vacuum. When it comes to content marketing, I like to read what other people are writing and find what people are asking. If you’re on LinkedIn, following professionals you admire can often give you direct insights into how people are structuring their content, what topics they’re covering, and how audiences are responding in real time.
You can also use Reddit forums to learn what questions people have about your industry. You can monitor active threads to gauge interest and learn answers for your own blog posts.
I also love browsing social media from a copywriting stance. Platforms like Instagram are a one-stop-shop for discovering inspirational videos, clever advertisements, and topical content. Don’t be afraid to save posts you like and screenshot styles you want to emulate in your own brand.
Use AI to generate editable content to overcome writer’s block
You’re likely tired of hearing about AI, but it can be used for good (yes, even if you’re a writer). If you work in copy or content, you likely do a lot of mindless work before you ever start writing. Outlines, research, and UI/UX layouts are just a few of the administrative parts of writing professionally.
You can use AI to for these tasks that typically eat up valuable time. For example, here’s an AI response to a UX question:
With this response, you get a starting point for an outline, helping you to organize your thoughts.
You can also think of the AI responses as early drafts, helping you break up your workload. Even if you don’t use anything from these initial drafts, they’re a good starting point. If nothing else, you aren’t looking at a blank screen.
Make a reference list to overcome writer’s block
As you’re brainstorming via social media and creating outlines with AI, keep a list of any new ideas you have. When you keep a running list, you’re aiding your future self. Each time you go to write, you’ll have topics and inspiration, without needing to start from scratch each time.
When it comes to building your list, it can be as simple as handwritten ideas or as detailed as a color-coded Excel sheet. I usually create my topic first, attach a keyword to that topic, and brainstorm an attention-grabbing title using CoSchedule. Having a reference list has helped me brainstorm topics countless times when I was feeling creatively blocked.
Bonus ideas for overcoming writer’s block
Below we have some honorable mentions for overcoming creative blocks—ideas we’ve talked about before that can help you when you’re struggling.
Research what people are Googling
Take a walk
Do writing exercises
Research what people are Googling
As we’ve mentioned before, SEO tools can be a great option if you don’t know what people are asking. Google auto-fills questions as you’re typing, which can be a perfect resource when you need to see what questions people have.
I also like to use Moz Keyword Explorer, which is a more advanced SEO tool that’s free to use (up to 10 search terms each month). Simply type in a term, and you’ll see search results related to that term, as well as how many people are searching for it each month.
Take a walk
In Hollye’s write-up about art direction, she says walks help her generate creative ideas. Walks are a healthy way to meditate and activate your mind. Additionally, Stephen King uses walks to fight writer’s block in his memoir, On Writing. (And it seems to work for him!)
Do writing exercises
Writing exercises are great because there aren’t stakes attached. The prompts can be silly, and no one ever needs to see what you’ve written. Writing exercises are purely for you and your creative stimulation. You can find numerous writing prompts here.
Conclusion
I believe writer’s block is a struggle for anyone who writes (even Stephen King gets it, remember?). But there are several things you can do to mitigate that frustrating feeling. No matter what, it’s important to remember that writer’s block never lasts forever.
There are several things you can do if you’re wondering how to overcome writer’s block, including reaching out to brands like ours. Struggling to write because you’re overwhelmed with to-dos? We offer a variety of marketing services that can help.
