Many business owners struggle with the abundance of content required not only for SEO purposes but also to simply provide value to their readers.  Yes, some of that content can be outsourced but it’s also important to share your own personal voice with your target audience.  And that means writing your own content.

Read my blog post over at Internet Based Moms to find out how to write 10 articles in as little as 2 hours.

http://experts.internetbasedmoms.com/annette/overwhelmed-by-content-time-yourself

5 Ways to Beat Writer’s Block

Writer’s block attacks for different reasons.  For me, it’s typically because I’ve been writing for days and days and days and I just need a mental break or like yesterday - my schedule is different and the normal routine I follow is absent.

Here are a few tricks I try to kick my writing brain into action:

• Outline instead of writing.  Outlining takes the pressure off and it’s still productive.  It allows you to work through your content without the pressure of actually creating something.  And it stimulates your brain to begin thinking about writing.

• Read.  I keep a file of email newsletters, blog posts, and messages in a file I’ve labeled “To Read Soon” - creative title right?!  Anyway, when I’m feeling sluggish, I’ll dive into these messages.  They’re educational, they often spur creative thought and once the wheels are turning the writing can begin.

• Change of venue.  If the kitchen table isn’t working, the home office isn’t working, and the back patio isn’t working head out of the house.  I have a mental list of about 6 coffee shops I like to visit and somehow just getting out of the “office” will stimulate creativity.

• Give it up and go for a walk.  Sometimes the most mundane activities are the best for tapping into your creative side.  I cannot tell you how often great ideas for a client’s article will come to mind while I’m folding laundry, doing the dishes or driving down the street.  Let it go and it will flow.

• Attack the project in nibbles.  If it’s a large project often times the writer’s block is based in a sense of being overwhelmed.  Rather than trying to complete the entire project, set smaller goals.  Write the introduction one day, the first chapter the next and so on.  Skip around if necessary and write whatever feels easier that day.

Writer’s block isn’t anything to stress about.  In fact, the more you try to fight it, the worse it will get.  Instead, work with your writer’s block.  Embrace it and let it go.  I

I LOVE what I do.  Even if I didn’t get paid for it, I would write every day.  I am, however, lucky enough to make a nice living writing and I have the added benefit of being able to be there for my two girls. I send them off to school, I’m here when they get home and they get the benefits of having a parent present while I have the benefit of doing what I love - it’s a great life.

That being said, there are some pitfalls of writing from home.  When you’re aware of them, you can be prepared.  If you’re not, they sneak up on you and wreak havoc with your wonderful life.

Pitfall #1  Distractions.  Television, phone calls, chores, pets, email you name it, it’s very easy to be distracted when a boss isn’t looking over your shoulder.  Sisters who know you’re home call, text and email during the day.  Loving spouses call, text and email and children think it’s okay to forget their lunch or homework because mom’s only five minutes away.  Not to mention the pets who want your attention, the dirty kitchen, the laundry that’s piling up and the twitter posts that are begging for your response.

The solution:  Create a distraction free environment.  Schedule your day.  I respond to email from 6:30-7:00 in the morning and then again in the evenings when I’m sitting on the couch watching TV.  I set aside two times to check twitter feeds each day, at lunch and first thing in the morning.  Schedule breaks - I write for an hour or two and then take a 15-20 minute break and I take a lunch.  If the writing is going well, I continue on into the afternoon.  If I’m hitting roadblocks then I work on business planning for my businesses or work on that novel in progress.

Pitfall #2  Too much food.  When you’re working at the kitchen table or the local coffee shop food is all around you.  Yikes, it’s easy to eat all day long, especially when your focus is on what you’re writing and not what you’re putting in your mouth.  My solution has been to buy healthy snacks and to make sure I eat a real lunch.

Pitfall #3  Insideritis.  Too much time inside, not enough fresh air and exercise.  Again, I know I’m starting to sound rigid but schedule time to get outside.  Even if it’s as simple as walking your child to school or taking the dog for a zip around the neighborhood.  Fresh air is good for creativity and mental health.

It never fails, someone asks the “what do you do” question and as soon as they hear “I’m a writer” I hear two things:
“I have a great idea for a book” - Of course you do, write it and stop talking about it or hire someone to write it.   We all have books inside us, I believe that.  We all have stories, experiences, and knowledge to share.  I’m glad you have a book you’re excited to write - write it.  I’m sorry, I know that isn’t empathetic but I’m not one for New Year’s Resolutions or Woulda, Shoulda, Coulda comments.  If you want to do something - do it!

Here’s the other comment I often receive:

“Oh how wonderful to be able to work at home in your pajamas.”

I don’t work in my pajamas and you shouldn’t either.  For me, to be both productive and creative, I have to be dressed.  I’m talking about teeth brushed, face washed, hair combed and real clothes on.  Not leisure suits or yoga pants but real clothes.  No, I don’t wear a suit and sit in my office writing, that would be weird, but I do make myself presentable so that if I spontaneously decide to head out or gasp, someone comes to the door, I’m not looking like a schlumpadink.

My advice, if you want to work from home and be productive and professional, it starts with your morning routine.  Brush your teeth and get dressed - it sets your day up for success.

What about you, do you often hear the same comments from people when you tell them what you do?  Do you have a book inside you?  Do you work in your pajamas successfully?

Have you ever run out of something to say/write on a particular subject?

One of the problems of developing a writing niche is that you can become completely apathetic to the topic you’re an ‘expert’ on.  So what do you do when you’ve lost your ambition to write about a subject which used to excite you?

Couple of options:

Outsource the content projects  you receive with this topic.  This is of course only an option if:

• Your clients are aware you’re outsourcing the content
• You have other means of generating income.  If you rely solely on writing on this single topic then outsourcing will result in a huge chunk out of your income.  However, if you’re able to increase the scale of your business then you may be able to bring in the same income without writing a word. Hmm…food for thought, right?

The other option, as I see it, is to broaden your horizons.  That is to say, develop a new niche.  This means you may have to suck it up for a while and continue writing on that same old subject while you create your new niche writing business.

You could also take a break, join a freelance job board and take on writing projects with unique topics, or look outward for change - by this I mean take a class, join a group and generally just get out more.  Sometimes when you add something new and exciting to your life, it makes everything feel shinier, even those writing projects which usually leave you feeling numb.

If you’re solely a writer then consider broadening your business.  Write and sell an ebook on your niche industry.  Offer coaching.  Offer an online course.

The last option is to find a mentor in your niche area.  Surely you don’t know everything there is to know about your niche industry.  Surely there is someone who knows more.  Seek them, ask questions, learn and share your new knowledge with your clients.

I have the good fortune to have a variety of clients each with their own unique market and industry.  When I become “fatigued” and find myself simply saying the same old thing over and over again, I do outsource the work but my clients are aware of this and they know every piece of content receives the same quality attention from me before it is delivered.  This frees my time to pursue topics I’m excited about and maintains my enthusiasm for writing.  It’s a win win.

How do you handle topics you’re plumb tired of writing on?  Do you grit your teeth and do your best or pass on it and get a day job?  Share your story!

Want to improve your writing skills?

I have one very important piece of advice…

Read more!

I’m not just talking about reading information in your industry.  Read everything.  Read different fiction genres.  Read non-fiction and above all, read books on writing. There are hundreds of good books on writing.  Here are a few of my all time favorites which currently have front and center position on my bookshelf:

On Writing - Stephen King.  This is directed toward the fiction writer however there are hundreds of brilliant nuggets of information in this book which will improve your writing even if you’re writing sales copy.

Web Copy that Sells - Maria Veloso.  I’ve read this book many times and never fail to pick up something new each time.  It’s great for beginning internet marketers and pros alike.

Grammar Desk Reference - Writer’s Digest.  This handy guide is tabbed by category and explains grammar rules clearly and logically.  It’s a must if you sometimes struggle to remember the rules.

So what’s on your desk?  What writing guides have helped you?

Should you swear in your marketing content?

I recently read a post where the author slammed bloggers who swear in their posts.  I have to admit, I either very rarely come across this in the blogs I read or I read right past the language.  I prefer to think it’s the former rather than considering the possibility that cussing fails to register somewhere in my consciousness.

Regardless, it prompted me to go back through some of the posts I consistently read and scan for foul language.  I didn’t really find much however I did find several sales pages that did blast the reader with foul language.

When it comes to sales pages, I guess to each their own.  If their content converts then far be it from me to criticize thier methods.

However if you’re writing content, articles, blogs, forum posts and the like, most instances call for more creative, and professional, forms of expression.  There is a caveat however and that is if you have an outrageous brand personality.  Sometimes that calls for being a bit over the top in which case, occasional swearing is justified.  If it appeals to your audience then write to them.  In Internet marketing the customer/audience is who you write for.  Don’t worry about appealing to everyone. You can’t and you won’t.  If your audience responds to the occasional four letter word, then I say go for it.  You’ll definitely offend some but if you’re making a profit, riling up your audience and causing them to react emotionally then you’re doing it right.

What do you think?  Does a four letter word have a place in marketing content?

Today I’m writing about two topics I know very little about: Fishing and bird cages. I have a seven part autoresponder due and two articles about stainless steel cages. I don’t own a bird and the only time I’ve ever been fishing was off the end of a dock on a small Michigan lake. So…I don’t know fishing:-)

That being said, I plan to have both of these projects completed and delivered by the end of the day and I have no doubt the clients will love them. Not only that I know they will provide value to the readers.

How do you write on a subject you know almost nothing about, write it fast, and have it provide valuable information?

Step One: Put yourself in the reader’s shoes. What questions are they asking? What information would be good for them to know?

For example, with the stainless steel bird cages readers might be asking, “Why should I buy stainless steel? What benefits does it offer? How will it help my bird? How will it help me? Where can I buy stainless steel cages? What should I look for?”

Step Two: Make a quick outline of your article or report using the questions your audience might want to know. The questions for the stainless steel cage audience make very good subheadings for an article.

Step Three: Before you do any research on the subject, answer the questions you already know the answers to or think you know the answers to. For example, you might imagine that stainless steel lasts longer and it’s easier to clean.

Step Four: Once you’ve gone as far as you can go on your own knowledge base, then it’s time to do the research. Don’t go out and buy books on the subject, particularly if you’re only writing an article! If you’re writing a book or a long report that’s another matter. However if you’re simply writing an article then search for answers to specific questions online.

For example, instead of searching for “stainless steel cages” you might search for “Where can I buy stainless steel cages?” You’ll see much faster and more specific search results which of course cuts your research time down to minutes rather than hours.

Quick note: Don’t rely on one source to answer your question and provide the necessary information. There is an abundance of incorrect information online. Instead, find at least three sources which seem to make sense, are credible, and support each other. Additionally, I always recommend asking a client for good sources of information, even on topics I think I’m well versed in.

Step Five: Finish writing your article and then consider trying out for a trivia game show with all the knowledge your acquiring on a variety of subjects!

Happy writing!

It’s the end of the month which means a lot of projects are coming due plus I have invoicing to take care of and contractors to pay. Needless to say it’s a busy time which has meant six 10 hour days this week because I worked on Sunday. Now I’ve read the 4 hour work week by Tim Ferris and I have to say that I like what I do and wouldn’t change much so I’m definitely not complaining about the long hours.

I do however know that it’s time for a break. After writing about 40 articles, a report, and a few blog posts, I’m plumb out of words…and brain power for that matter. Today, and I’m normally very on the ball, I spent half the day with my shirt on backwards and I’ve walked to the mailbox twice to get the mail. The second time I passed the mail on the kitchen table as I headed for the door. I looked directly at it and still my tired little brain said “Go get the mail.” UGH!

So…I’m taking tomorrow off. No writing. Absolutely none, zip, zero.

It’s important, at least in my experience, to give yourself these days - probably more regularly than I do - to regenerate. You come back refreshed and focused. The result…better writing. (And no more unconscious trips to the mailbox with your t-shirt on backwards!)

Take a day off and enjoy!

The folks over at DailyWritingTips.com offer some great tips for minimizing distractions while you’re writing, you can read the post DailyWritingTips.com offer some great tips for minimizing distractions while you’re writing, you can read the post here

I’d like to offer one more tip to their list. Set a timer. Yep, set a timer. It’s very easy to get caught up on a sentence, mired by a paragraph, or bogged down with plot, main point, headline etc… However when you set a timer and a goal to reach in that set amount of time, you don’t have time to ponder whether the word whisper or hissed is the best word. You simply write.

So now a few questions may have come to mind. How long do you set the timer for? What types of goals do you set? What happens if mad, frantic writing results in pages of material for the recycle bin? Let’s address them independently.

How long do you set the timer? If you’re very motivated to finish your project, 5 minutes. Hate to be rushed and feel anxious when you have time hanging over your head then set it for 10 or 15 minutes. Really. Find a timer which repeats automatically so you hear it go off every 5, 10, or 15 minutes without having to reset it. I use a cute little pink IronMan Triathlon Timex watch.

What goals do you set for yourself during that writing time? Again, a page every 5 minutes if you’re motivated. 1 page every 10 or 15 minutes if you’re anxiety prone. Don’t like those goals, set your own. How much do you want to accomplish in your given amount of time? For example if you want to write a 20 page report, five minutes a page is 100 minutes, right? A little more than an hour and a half. How much time do you have? If you’ve given yourself the day to complete the report then you have 4 hours to write it and 4 hours to edit and polish it. 4 hours is 240 minutes. I think that’s 12 minutes per page. So there you go, set your timer for 12 minutes.

The final question…what if after this speed writing exercise you end up with junk? You won’t. When you’re writing under pressure quite often your thoughts flow onto the paper very well. The rough parts? Well you’ll fix them when you edit and polish. Even if you’d taken a full hour to write that single page you’d still need to edit and polish it.

So how does a timer minimize distractions? When you’re on the clock trying to meet your own personal and hopefully challenging deadlines, nothing else matters. You won’t have time to think about the laundry, what’s in the refrigerator, that new social networking site you’ve joined or calling or emailing your friends. The only thing you’ll be able to think about is the words flowing from your clever and creative mind onto the paper.

Happy writing!