3 secrets to get in the mood to write hot copy

Why don’t you slip into something more comfortable?

We ended the year with a plea not to be a copywriting zombie.

So it’s only fair that we start the New Year off with the right tone.

I’m talking Marvin Gaye, people. Barry White. Gnarls Barkley.

Whatever gets you in the mood.

As last year wrapped up, I noticed that my clients and colleagues had writing projects they were focused on.

And some of them actually admitted to me that they were enjoying the process.

A few of them even mentioned that it was a treat to write.

Now, this is really, really good news. And so I want to make sure you have having that experience, too.

Because when you really want to work from home, take good care of your health, your people, your kids and other living things in your household, and not work for someone you don’t respect (or simply: work for yourself!)…

… you’ve got heaps of writing to do.

And if you hate it, or you are scared of it, or you beat yourself up about it because you are worried about looking silly, dumb, or outright corny, it’s probably not going to go very well.

If any of that is true for you, give yourself permission to let it go and turn over a new leaf.

You don’t need to be a “good” writer to persuade and influence people.

You just need to get past all those gremlin voices that are keeping you from getting your writing good enough, done and out the door.

(Recovering Perfectionists: note that I didn’t say “perfect.” I said “good enough.” It’s not worth working over a 450-word blog post for 6 hours. A sales page, sure. But not an article. Dare to suck. Have the courage to share stuff that’s 3/4 baked. The rest of us will love you more for it. Really.)

Here’s 3 secrets to make your writing feel like a trip to the spa (or at least, less like sticking a pencil in your eye):

Secret #1 – Separate the “thinking” from the “writing.” Most business owners, time-pressed as you are, leap right into writing whatever it is you need to get done. But that’s a mistake that often leads to misery. Sure, writing helps you clarify your thinking, but why not take the direct route… and use thinking to clarify your thinking?

Here’s how to make it fun: I teach my sales page writers to grab a brown paper grocery bag and tear it open. Then, do a data dump of all the ideas floating in your head. Mind map it. Maybe one bubble is “marketing notes” and another is “things my clients ask me about this topic” – then let your mind freeform it. The brown bag signals to your head that it’s okay to be half-baked and sloppy (and gives you plenty of room to empty your head so you can go back and organize your thoughts before you write).

Secret #2 – Don’t push. I like to think of my inner writer as a show dog. The kind that’s prissy and wears bows and needs to be brushed a lot. If I want my show dog to win, I need to pamper her and give her lots of coddling, cooing, and treats. This means that anytime I feel myself “pushing” to get something done, I stop and check in. Because no one wants to read “just trying to fart this out” writing.

Here’s how to make it fun: When you feel the “push” inside, stop. Gather your wits about you. Take a breath. And figure out what your inner show dog needs. A walk? A good laugh? To drape yourself over a yoga ball and roll around until your back releases and your energy returns? To renegotiate a deadline to make it more humane? Remember: you are the boss. You are the captain of your ship. You get to experience time any way that pleases you. Choose not to hurry. And pamper the paws off the little princess of a Pomeranian within.

Secret #3 – Pretend you’re at the spa. I am so not kidding you here – make writing the most pleasurable thing you can imagine doing with your day. If that’s a stretch, tap into your imagination a bit more. Really lean on it. I’ve been doing this for the last couple months, and cannot recommend the secret, mischievous joy that is turning your desk into a clandestine HQ of simple pleasures. I dare you!

Here’s how to make it fun: Spa it up – bring a carafe of water with cucumber to your desk, and relish serving yourself (bonus: being so hydrated, you’ll get up from your desk at regular intervals to stretch your legs, if you know what I mean {wink, wink}). Listen to music that gets you happy, funky, or energized. Sit on a yoga ball. Light a candle and say a prayer to your patron saint of client attraction (real or imagined). Sometimes, I write copy with a pink feather boa – okay, so that’s not a “spa” suggestion… but it sure is fun. Dance. Take off your shoes and go outside (if you are in South Florida like me) or put on your boots, scarf and coat and build a snowman effigy in homage to your ideal client that you’ll write to (if you’re in Montana or someplace snowy). Or catch snowflakes. Or chase cars. Whatever works to snap you out of the “ugh, writing, this is drudgery” blahs. Blip!

There’s a misconception that writing comes from our heads. It doesn’t. At least, not the good stuff. I’m no scientist, but as far as I can tell, hot copy originates in our emotions, our bodies, in the energy we are beaming out into the world, in what we hope to be true and what we fear won’t ever happen. These secrets aim to help you tap into that. Because when you’ve got writing habits and rituals that take you to that place, your writing will connect. It will inspire. And it will influence and persuade the people you love to work with most.

Mighty thanks to Tampa Band Photos flickr photostream for the happy couple.