7 tips to boost your writing mojo

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7 Tips To Boost Your Writing Mojo By Lisa Knox, Writer|Public Relations Specialist Develop writing-confidence in the casual world of emoticons and autocorrect.

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Page 1: 7 Tips To Boost Your Writing Mojo

7 Tips To Boost Your Writing Mojo

By Lisa Knox, Writer|Public Relations Specialist

Develop writing-confidence in the casual world of emoticons and autocorrect.

Page 2: 7 Tips To Boost Your Writing Mojo

Like to write. Sound obvious? You’d be surprised at how many people feel uncomfortable writing a simple email, let alone drafting a page for their website’s product page or writing an impactful fundraising letter. In our business we see it every day. Clearly, writing isn’t a skill in everyone’s tool belt (wait, is that a mixed metaphor?), but with a little attention and practice, even those who find it daunting can learn to stomach writing—even if it’s simply to send an email that doesn’t cause the reader to cringe. That being said, if tackling a bigger writing project like a fundraising letter is simply too much, hire a professional. It’s ok. We’re here for you.

Page 3: 7 Tips To Boost Your Writing Mojo

Minimizedistractions

.Our offices aren’t much different than our clients. Phones ring, visitors pop in, and suddenly we’re pulled in ways we didn’t anticipate. So, we’ve learned to minimize distractions when we need to be at our most productive. When it comes to writing, think about your environment. Shrink your email out of sight, put your phone on Do Not Disturb, invest in a set of noise-canceling headphones. It works. By the way, I almost didn’t remember to include this tip—that is until I realized that my pinging IM, my ringing phone and my interest in a co-worker’s evening plans were stopping me from getting these tips written.

Page 4: 7 Tips To Boost Your Writing Mojo

Ask for backup.

Do you think we know everything about the healthcare industry? Or educating today’s high schoolers? Of course not, yet we’re developing content with expert skill for clients in a wide variety of industries in which we know little about. How? We know when to ask for help with the more technical aspects of our writing. If you’re writing a grant proposal seeking funds for children’s programming, it’s ok to ask a staff member from that department to send you professional language that describes it knowledgeably.

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Recognize writers’ block.When this happens—and let’s be clear: it’s common for all writers—there are a few tricks I’ve learned over the years. I’ll type out every incomplete thought, every stray word, every phrase I want incorporated. I’ll begin to craft clumsy sentences in random order. And then I walk away. It’s ok to not write from top to bottom. Hopefully, you’ve not procrastinated and have built in time for creative delays like this. But, if not and you’re really stuck, refer to the previous rule and ask for backup. In our office, we’ve been known to throw a brainstorm just to come up with a single word or phrase that means exactly, precisely what we want to say.

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Get inspired.In any profession, it’s good to keep examples handy of what works. Graphic designers might keep a stash of magazines they admire nearby to grab when they want inspiration. Every one of us has a writing style we enjoy reading, even if you haven’t recognized it as such. You might have a favorite book author, a favorite magazine, heck you might even look forward to getting certain catalogues in the mail because you like the way they describe their products. (Have you ever read the Duluth Trading Company catalogue? Wicked clever.) The point is, it is ok to mimic someone’s style to use as a launch point for your own writing style (which is not to be confused with plagiarizing. Another blog for another time). Which leads us to the next tip.

Page 7: 7 Tips To Boost Your Writing Mojo

Watch your language.

How you write it is as important as what you write. Are you a conversational writer? Careful you don’t get careless on sentence structure. Are you going for humor? Careful you don’t unintentionally offend. And always remember your audience. If you find yourself writing an introductory email to a potential new customer or donor, a good tip is to pretend the person is in the room with you. Be friendly and warm, factual and straightforward. Use paragraphs and line spaces. If industry jargon is necessary, be sure your reader understands.

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Proof, edit, rewrite and repeat.

If you’ve stared at a piece for a long time, it’s extremely easy to miss a double word or an apostrophe in the wrong spot (in fact, I’ve purposefully left one out…did you find it?), so let someone else glance at it. Someone you trust to point out errors. And if I can offer one more bit of encouragement: don’t assume emails require less attention than do typed letters. Frankly, they’re often the way most people begin a relationship today. How you write leaves a major impression on the reader, making emails extremely important in today’s business world.

Page 9: 7 Tips To Boost Your Writing Mojo

BONUS TIP! I think when people say they don’t like to write, they’re often simply self-conscious—shy that their writing isn’t “good enough.” Writing is a skill which takes practice. Even professionals aren’t immune to error—ask any reporter how they feel about copyeditors—but maybe the difference is that we “pros” have developed greater writing confidence. Let me know what you think. Unless you’re calling to point out a mistake.

Be confident.

BigIdeaCompany.com

Courtney King