Copywriting is a creative and rewarding skill, but it can also be mentally exhausting. Writing compelling and engaging copy for different audiences, channels, and purposes requires constant research, brainstorming, and editing. How can you prevent writer's fatigue as a copywriter and keep your ideas fresh and original? Here are some tips to help you avoid burnout and stay motivated.
One of the main causes of writer's fatigue is unrealistic expectations. If you try to write too much, too fast, or too perfect, you will end up feeling frustrated and overwhelmed. Instead, set realistic and achievable goals for your copywriting projects, such as the number of words, the deadline, the tone, and the message. Break down your tasks into smaller and manageable steps, and reward yourself for completing them. This will help you stay focused and productive, without sacrificing quality or creativity.
Some key lessons I've learned that might be helpful: - Set time blocks. I find that either 45 minutes or 90 minutes helps. - Chunk your goals into smaller ones. Writing five pieces of content is easier than tackling 15 in one go. - Write when you feel freshest. I like mornings. - Try music. YouTube have some great study music videos. Can get you through. - Take walks. I've found that movement really helps re-energize my mind. - Finally, look for others for inspiration. LinkedIn is particularly good. Plenty of writers have unique styles. Add those to your tool kit. Hope this helps someone.
Staying connected to what got you pumped about being a copywriter is key—it helps sidestep burnout. Take breaks to recharge and stay in the loop with cool stuff happening in the world of content development. Whether it's getting inspiration from folks like Gary Vaynerchuck, or others who keep your copywriter mojo alive, it's a game-changer. And don't forget those breaks—they're like power naps for your creativity. Step outside, take a stroll, do some cardio, or bust a move to keep those good vibes flowing. Remember, a top-notch copywriter is a happy and passionate one ;)
When I was an ebook writer, I worked around 10 to 12 hours in the last three months of 2020. I performed well and fulfilled the expectations of my immediate boss, but I failed myself for the next 5 months because I was so exhausted that I could even complete my task properly. Writing demands creativity and you can only come up with unique ideas when you keep yourself a little free. Instead of keeping your plate full with so many things, set realistic deadlines. Ensure to allot time you need for research, proofreading and creating draft. It will help you write better with less stress.
Another way to prevent writer's fatigue is to take regular breaks and recharge your energy and inspiration. Writing for hours without interruption can drain your mental resources and make you lose sight of your purpose and audience. To avoid this, schedule some breaks throughout your workday, and use them to do something different and relaxing, such as reading, meditating, exercising, or listening to music. You can also use your breaks to review your copy and get feedback from others, which can help you improve your writing and gain new perspectives.
opywriters spend hours in front of their laptops and computers. As a copywriter, it is very important to take breaks. What is even more important is how we utilize the time when we are on breaks. Meditation, strolling, music, drawing, poetry, chocolates—do whatever you want, but stay away from screens. Screen fatigue is real. We often push ourselves to complete write-ups; however, in the long run, it degrades the quality of our work due to fatigue. Whether you need a 5-minute break or wish to be away from the screen for 2-3 days is up to you.
A third tip to prevent writer's fatigue is to vary your topics and formats. Writing about the same or similar topics over and over can make you bored and repetitive. To avoid this, try to diversify your copywriting portfolio and explore new and interesting topics that challenge and excite you. You can also experiment with different formats and styles, such as blog posts, newsletters, landing pages, social media posts, or video scripts. This will help you expand your skills and knowledge, and keep your copywriting fresh and original.
The trick is to be curious about everything. Often, the seemingly dull topics offer more opportunities for you to explore. To get new ideas, nothing beats having a chat with a subject matter expert who can point you to the latest trends and insights. Also think about how else you can repurpose the resulting piece of content beyond the initial format you're working on.
Try rotating between different types of writing projects and formats. For example, one day, you can work on a social media campaign, the next, you could craft a detailed blog post or an email marketing sequence.
A fourth tip to prevent writer's fatigue is to learn from other copywriters. Reading and analyzing the work of other successful and talented copywriters can help you discover new techniques, strategies, and ideas for your own copywriting projects. You can also learn from other copywriters by joining online communities, forums, or courses, where you can share your experiences, ask questions, and get feedback. This will help you improve your craft and network with other professionals, who can support you and inspire you.
Yes. Definitely learn from other copywriting champions but don't exclude the content you read to just copywriting work. Read everything all the time (fiction, non-fiction, news, forums, blogs, comics, etc.) because you never know where you'll strike inspiration from. As a final note, write other types of content. Write fiction or keep a journal. Give yourself other ways to enjoy writing so you aren't as fatigued with copywriting.
A fifth and final tip to prevent writer's fatigue is to have fun and enjoy. Copywriting is not only a skill, but also an art and a passion. If you lose your enthusiasm and joy for writing, you will also lose your motivation and creativity. To avoid this, try to find ways to make your copywriting fun and enjoyable, such as adding humor, personality, or storytelling to your copy. You can also celebrate your achievements, reward yourself for your efforts, and remind yourself of the value and impact of your copywriting. This will help you stay positive and passionate, and prevent writer's fatigue.
Enjoying your work is the most overlooked thing. If you aren't enjoying what you're doing, you are fighting a losing battle. You will always be beaten by others. Your work should feel like play to you. Then it doesn't seem like work anymore. Not loving what you're doing kills your creativity. And I don't have to tell you how creative copywriting field is. If you don't enjoy writing, don't opt in.
Explore. Oftentimes you can get amazing copy ideas from the randomest of places. Any form of media that piques your interest is a good place to explore whilst brainstorming in the background. However, it's best to explore because you enjoy exploring, not because you're looking for copy ideas. And if ideas come naturally while you do explore - hurrah!
Find your ‘focus hours’. I’m talking the times each day where you feel fresh, energised and full of your best ideas. Then, figure out your ‘low capacity hours’ - aka the times when you feel fatigued, uninspired or unable to think creatively. You can use these two times to schedule your work accordingly: - during your focus hours, tackle your most important tasks: writing a first draft, crafting the scaffold for a piece, brainstorming new headlines etc - during your low capacity hours, focus in smaller tasks like research, proof reading and actioning edits This will help you get through your to do list without feeling completely depleted.
A big mistake I see copywriters make when it comes to "writing" and feeling fatigue is that they're WRITING adn EDITING as they go. This ultimately means you're playing 2 roles at once. You're writing - being creative, letting the ideas flow. And you're editing - critiquing, cutting words down. Both have different objectives and when both are done at the same time, not only does it feel like it's "never ending" but essentially you never have space to pause between the two roles. Bottom line? Write first. Edit later.