Set Your Mind Free

Writer’s block is the bane of anyone who writes – novelists, copywriters and journalists. It usually strikes when you are about to write, and then poof! Your momentum seemed to have disappeared in thin air. Here are a few things you can do when you’re suffering a bad case of writer’s block.

Don’t Panic
For sure, just like any writer, you are hard-pressed everyday with deadlines that make you want to scream. It’s a reality nearly all writers have to live with everyday. Nevertheless, even when work seems to be overpowering, you should learn how to relax. Take a deep breath, go for a short walk in the park or close your eyes for a few minutes. Finding time to relax when pressure is mounting will refresh your mind; it will let your creativity to flow freely.

Just Write
Forget about wrong spellings and inconsistent thought. Just write. Write anything that pops in your mind. It could be a memorable childhood memory, a teacher in grade school, or your first time to eat ice scream. Write with your heart first, meaning let your emotions dictate your writing, not minding sentence structure, grammar or spelling. After you’re done with your first draft, then you can start refining your work.

Change your perspective
Consider the interest of your parents, sister, favorite author, supervisor, or boss. What is their favorite time of the day? Where would they want to have a vacation? What makes them angry? Imagine how they would write your article or copy; you might be surprised of what you’ll discover.

Review your materials
Going over your source materials or re-writing them can help develop new ideas in your mind. By reviewing, you will also realize which data or information is unnecessary. Many successful copywriters use this method before they begin their first draft.

Read books on writing
Libraries and bookstores are filled with books dedicated on writing techniques. Choose a book that provides writing theories and tips that boosts confidence. You, as a writer, need to learn the technicalities of writing as well as the right attitude in order to succeed.

Ask help from a copywriter
If nothing still seems to work, then it’s time to call your copywriter friend. Seek his advice on how he deals writer’s block and how he conceptualizes powerful, attention-grabbing copies. Be sure though that your friend is rich in copywriting experience, and not someone who is just starting out.

11 Exceptional Copywriter Qualities

9. Understands the target audience
Knowing how and what to write are just the basics of copywriting. SEO copywriter also needs to consider another crucial dimension in writing copies – the target audience. Understanding target market makes writing copies highly efficient.

10. Has knowledge on structure & links
This means that the SEO copywriter knows how to link each page to every other page using text links. If the website is quite complex, the copywriter needs to create a hierarchical structure for the site.

11. Beats deadlines
All the essential skills that a professional SEO copywriter has will be put to waste if he can’t beat the deadline. Investing effort on writing quality copies remains futile if not done on time. Professionalism is best gauged in being prompt.

In looking for an SEO copywriter, exceptional talent and outstanding skills must be the only considerations. Settling for average writers only equal to mediocre copies – eventually leading to zero results.

11 Exceptional Copywriter Qualities

6. Understands word count principle
There are certain article submission sites that require a specific word count. An SEO copywriter must therefore understand the vitality of following the prescribed word count.

7. Knows where to place keyword
Keyword placement has been a controversial debate amongst SEO copywriters. Although placement worthiness is still unclear, there is a general agreement that generates some sort of impact in search engine friendliness. Good copywriters are aware of the popular opinion that keywords are more efficient if they appear in beginning of the page and bolded.

8. Has ability to use power words
Copies written by a good SEO copywriter can induce readers to take some actions. Knowing the technicalities in writing is not enough in a copywriter. Having the ability to use power words or compelling phrases is a prime requirement. It is important to generate action driven contents to get high results.
(see next post for other copywriter must-have qualities)

11 Exceptional Copywriter Qualities

It is a given in an SEO copywriter to be creative, ingenious, and skilled in writing. But these facts don’t suffice for an excellent and highly efficient copywriter. There are specific and vital skills that a real “pro” in copywriting must possess – indispensable qualities that deliver professional service and convert excellent results.

Here are the top eleven exceptional copywriter traits:
1. Has sophisticated understanding of SEO
It is an imperative that the SEO copywriter has a solid understanding of the nuts and bolts of the Search Engine Optimization. An above than average copywriter knows that ranking is essentially the result of a website’s relevance. There are a lot of other factors to be considered, but if the SEO copywriter doesn’t understand the basics of the industry, it is the most apparent sign of future low conversion rates.

2. Capable of doing keyword research and keyword analysis
Performing keyword search and keyword analysis are basic skills that every SEO copywriter must know. There are some companies that hire keyword researchers who perform the task for copywriter. However, it is a big plus if the copywriter is capable of doing researching and analyzing keywords. It is also a sign if the copywriter is equipped with complex SEO knowledge.

3. Has proven and relevant experience
Experience is undeniably the biggest factor in hiring an SEO copywriter. It is not enough that they can write well, there are more to an outstanding copywriting than writing keyword-inspired copies. It can be very difficult to find an SEO copywriter who can work on both keywords and link generation. But these few copywriters have a broad and useful working understanding of search engines.

4. Has fluency in using modern marketing tools
An SEO copywriter must also have a sound knowledge on up to date online advertisement strategy and the techniques – for the prime goal of receiving high rankings on the web site. Such techniques help in employing the appropriate writing approach in creating press releases and articles.

5. Knows keyword density
A good SEO copywriter doesn’t just fill up every page with targeted keywords. Exceptional copywriters know that keyword bombarding dilutes the site’s relevance and also reduces readability. A skilled SEO copywriter talks about density measures. Keyword density measures the number of time the keyword or keyword phrases appears on a page. Copywriters must know the appropriate amount of keywords to utilize.
(see next post for other qualities…)