If you own a business, are in charge of marketing one, or are responsible for business development, you’ve undoubtedly heard about the benefits of writing.
That's great — if you're a writer. If you aren't, it can be a very daunting task. Especially when marketing experts suggest you write at least one blog a week. Doing some quick math, that's 4-5 per month on top of your regular responsibilities. Yikes!
But you're a smart person. You know your trade. How hard could it be, right? There's bound to be lots of topics floating around that big ole brain of yours. If only you could tap into them when you needed them and put them down on paper (do people still use paper?) in a coherent way.
So, where do you start? Like most people, you look up at the ceiling or out the window, squint your eyes, and wrinkle your nose. Because clearly, that is the sure-fire method to unearthing the perfect blog topic. To accelerate the synapses connecting, grab a pen. Even if you're writing your blog in a Google doc, Word doc, or otherwise, it's good to have a pen nearby. Not for the use of writing, of course, but for tapping or chewing on it. These activities are known to stimulate the writer's mojo and release that which is blocking your creativity. Last but not least, when all else fails, ask your dog.
Sounds funny, right? We all do it. And that's ok, but if you want a boost to battle your writer's block, here are three tools that help me efficiently move from a blinking cursor on a blank page to a completed blog:
- HubSpot Blog Topic Generator
- Grammarly
- FatJoe Blog Post Title Headline Generator
You might look at that list and question the order, wondering, "Why isn't the title generator first on her list?" Hey, it's my list! Seriously though, feel free to rearrange the order to what suits the way your writing brain works best. I tend to come up with a title last — after I have my article complete. To me, it's the cover of the book. I don't really know what it should look like until it's done.
Chronology aside, all three of these tools are probably self-explanatory, but I'll give you the quick overview below and then encourage you to give them a whirl.
First, HubSpot's Blog Topic Generator is a nifty tool where you simply fill in the fields with terms you'd like to write about, and then shazam! Through it's AI, it spits out a week's worth of relevant blog post titles in a matter of seconds. If you want more ideas, you'll have to pay for those, but you get five for free. If you don't love those exact ones, they still serve as good inspiration and spark your own idea. Or, take another stab at adding new words and see what HubSpot comes up with the second time around.
Once you land on your topic, next, it's time to start writing. Grammar, punctuation, and spelling are no-brainer inclusions, but how compelling is your writing? I mean, let's face it — if you're going to put all of this effort into writing, you sure as hell want people to read it, right?! Well, that's where Grammarly comes in. At the onset, a screen will pop up, asking you a handful of multiple-choice questions to help you set your writing goals. Don't freak out, this step is painless. Once done, get writing! Grammarly will grade you as you go and offering up suggested edits to improve correctness, clarity, engagement, and delivery. I have to say it's very cool. And it comes with a Chrome plug-in so you can use it just about everywhere — email, websites, Google docs — all automatically. Grammarly has a free version but full disclosure, if you want all the helpful bells and whistles, you'll have to upgrade.
Last but not least, if you're like me, it's time to come up with a good title for this work of written art you just created. HubSpot's Blog Topic Generator can help you create headlines, but if you need some additional inspiration, try FatJoe's Blog Post Title Headline Generator. It's free and cranks out 100s of options for you. The title may not always be perfect, but it will likely get your wheels turning to help you come up with a winner.
So quit looking at the ceiling, get the pen out of your nose, and get writing! The tips I shared above should help you break through your writer's block, but if not, give me a call, and I'll brainstorm with you. Or I'll just ask my dog.
Incite Creative is a marketing strategy and creative implementation firm that works in an outsourced capacity. In short, we become your company's chief marketing officer (CMO) and do so virtually and efficiently — saving you time and money. Since 1999 we’ve had the pleasure of building and boosting brands for a core set of industries. Our thoughtful process, experienced team, and vested interest in our client's success has positioned us as one of the Mid-Atlantic's most sought-after marketing partners for those looking to grow their brand awareness and their bottom line. Stop paying for digital and/or traditional services you may not really need. Our retainer, no mark-up model means our recommendations don't come with any catch or commission. The recommendations we make align with what you need and what fits within your budget. For more information, contact Dina Wasmer at 410-366-9479 or info@incitecmo.com.
