How to Overcome Business Writer’s Block

Business Writer’s Block is what?

Well, it tends to happen when you’re in a hurry, flustered, or tried.

‘If you don’t understand it, you can’t write it.’

This isn’t totally true.

You can write something — it mightn’t be great — by distracting the reader, playing with clever words, and showing off. But others see through this. And you can only get away with it so many times.

So, how can you avoid business writer’s block?

Here’s a simple question. Have you noticed that you rarely get writer’s block when you’re writing about something you know very well?

Think about this a second.

What is writer’s block?

It’s not one thing. Rather, it’s several problems happening at the same time. Things you can usually handle one at a time.

But when they conspire together, you get that terrible feeling of being overwhelmed.

To avoid this, try the following approach:

Schedule your writing work in advance.

You know what they say about ‘haste and waste’?

It’s tempting to sit down, roll up your sleeves, and start hammering at the keyboard.

And it’s true: words will appear on the page.

But is it any good?

Likewise, don’t write while watching the clock.

A piece of writing takes as long as it takes. You can aim to write for 45 minutes but it may take three hours.

Fail to Plan.

Next, schedule your writing.

Add it to your calendar. Use Google Calendar or some other app to see what’s coming next.

Look at your calendar last thing at night, see what’s up next, and let your sub-conscious mind get started. While you’re sleeping, great ideas start to bubble in the background.

Channel your inner Sherlock Holmes.

What does he do?

Study the subject from a thousand angles.

Gather as much information as possible, look at the issues, features, benefits…

Avoid writing cold. Instead, give yourself time to study the subject matter, ask questions, so you can develop a more nuanced view of the product – then begin your first draft.

Write in drafts.

Develop a ‘draft, review, refine’ mindset.

Think like a writer. Approach your writing with three hats:

Writer

Reviewer

Editor

Look at your work through these lens.

Now I’m writing…

Now I’m reviewing…

Now I’m editing…

If you use this approach, the quality of your documents will improve immediately.

The wrap.

Start early. Read as much as possible before starting.

Schedule at least one hour for a significant piece of writing.

Develop the three hats routine.

What else would you add?