Here’s a scenario we all face now and again, especially as PR professionals. A deadline is looming, and instead of furiously typing your ideas onto your Word document, the page remains completely blank. It is a problem we know quite well, writer’s block.
In a field like PR, in particular, where crafting messages and writing represent such a large part of our jobs, writer’s block can be a real hindrance. The good news, though, is there are some easy tips and tricks to help fight off the dreaded writer’s block.
If you are dealing with writer’s block, try any of these techniques to help spark new ideas and get you back on track.
- Step away from the computer if you are at a loss for words. Writing is such a major component of a PR professional’s job. Some days, the volume of releases, bylines, blogs, etc., that we need to crank out can feel overwhelming. Rather than forcing yourself to sit staring at your computer screen, step away from your desk and take a break. Go for a walk, pour yourself a cup of coffee, or even draw – whatever works for you to give your mind a rest for a few minutes.
- Eliminate distractions. Distraction and procrastination are detrimental to overcoming writer’s block. If possible, put away your phone, limit any time that you spend on social media and make sure your office space is neat and quiet, which can all help you focus on the task. If background chatter or noise distracts you, close your office door. If you do not have an office with a door, it might help to put on your headset and listen to some calming music that will help to keep you in the zone.
- Change your working environment. Working in the same place, day in and day out, might leave you feeling stagnant. Getting a new perspective and fostering creativity is sometimes as simple as changing your atmosphere.
- Create an outline. When your inspiration is there and you still cannot seem to make the words flow, the problem could be that your ideas need some fleshing out. That is when an outline can really make a difference. Before writing your masterpiece, start with a detailed outline with bullet points to help you see a better direction for where you want your writing to take you.
Writer’s block is a common problem, even for the most seasoned PR professionals. Following these tips will help you to fend it off and get you back into a productive writing groove.
Have any of these tips worked for you? Do you have other tricks for combatting writer’s block? We would love to hear your thoughts.