It’s nearly Christmas.
You’re busy.
There’s a man looking at me funny across the café.
So let’s not muck about.
Here are five fast things to get your brain moving and quite possibly help with your copywriting.
Ready?
Track your time
Your time is your most important asset.
And ultimately, as a copywriter, it’s what you’re selling.
It’s why you need to understand how long it takes you to do things.
How long does it take to write a blog, research a new idea, review and proof a sales letter?
Of course, it changes with each job. But if you track your time, eventually you’ll start to notice patterns.
You can then begin to develop a much more accurate understanding of your time and use it to better inform the quotes you make to clients.
Be an idiot
“I should point out I’ll likely ask a lot of stupid questions and you’ll probably think I’m an idiot.”
That’s how I start a lot of my meetings, especially with new clients.
It’s not to cover my back in case they do think I’m an idiot…
Instead, I explain that the best way for me to see their business from an unbiased and original point of view is to pretend I literally know nothing.
It allows me to make new observations and see things with fresh eyes. It helps a lot.
Walk it out
We’ve all sat there at the computer lamenting the fact the ideas aren’t flowing.
We scratch our heads, surf the web, chat to a colleague – searching for some way to jerk us out of the funk.
But the truth is: one of the easiest and most effective ways to get your brain going is to get away from the computer and walk it out.
It’s not hard. It’s not fancy. And it’s certainly not a secret. It’s just a simple way to get your mind going again.
So next time you’re stuck, don’t flounder about. Get up, throw on a jacket and take a stroll.
Read it out
Copy not quite flowing right? Just read it out loud.
It’s one of the simplest ways to check tone, readability, authenticity, spelling, grammar and rhythm.
Yet so few people actually do it.
I get it. For one it might look weird reading your copy out loud. And I know people think it adds more time to the whole process.
But a) screw what other people think and b) it’ll save you a whole heap of time in the long run.
Go on. Read the next piece you write out loud and see how it helps.
Trust your brain
Isn’t your brain great?
Sure, sometimes it can go all wonky.
Sometimes it just shuts down.
Other times it makes you question things you usually take for granted.
But as a creative, you’ve got to trust your brain.
Despite all the times it creates anxiety, all the times it throws out bad ideas and all the times it leaves you confused…
It’s still the best creative tool you have.
And when it’s on form, it can work wonders.
It can call up an idea from nowhere. It can solve problems in a matter of seconds. And it can even reassure you when you’re not sure you’re doing the right thing.
So, remember to always trust your brain.
And BOOM…
There we have it.
Like sneaky fox pelting you with ideas.
I mean, I have no idea why a fox – sneaky or not – would pelt you with ideas. But hey, that’s what this was like. Yes, it was. Stop disagreeing with me.
Anyhow, if you enjoyed those nuggets of thought, you should give me a follow on Instagram here.
I post a new one every few days, which you can use to get your brain going when you’re feeling a bit stuck in the morning.
P.S. Have you picked up a copy of my book, The Art of the Click, yet? Remember, if you forward me the order confirmation from Amazon, I’ll send you a special Swipe File Starter Kit bonus.