Struggling with Copy for My Business: What Do I Do?
I’m a copywriter (I have been for over five years), and I still can relate to this question.
Countless times, I’ve opened a blank page to write a simple Instagram post but couldn’t find the words to express my idea.
Sometimes, I didn’t even have the idea to start with.
So I can understand why you, a busy businessman or woman, would find it hectic to create a marketing email, a social media caption, a simple blog post, or, worse, a long article.
But that’s why we are here.
After years of struggle, research, trials, failures and success, I have a few strategies to help you create high-quality copy that resonates with your audience.
For every struggle I believe most people have experienced, I have detailed how I overcame it.
Ready?
Let’s get to it.
1. Limited Time
Copywriting is like any other job — it takes time.
And I won’t lie — sometimes, coming up with a simple (but quality) 500-word blog can take more than three hours.
But I have found this to have a good ROI because, with time, readers will prefer your copy and see you as an authority in the industry.
Giving personal experiences, reviewing projects, and using original screenshots all take time but are loved by readers.
Back to the main problem: how do you manage time in copywriting? Here are some strategies you can use to save time:
- Time Blocking: Schedule specific blocks of time dedicated solely to copywriting tasks. Whether it’s early morning or late afternoon, designate uninterrupted periods for writing to ensure maximum productivity.
- Use Tools and Templates: To streamline your writing process, leverage tools like Grammarly for proofreading and Canva for design templates. Having pre-made structures and layouts can significantly speed up content creation.
- Repurpose Content: Instead of starting from scratch each time, repurpose existing content. For example, convert a blog post into a series of social media posts. This not only saves time but also ensures consistency across different platforms.
- Dictation Software: Consider using dictation software like Dragon NaturallySpeaking or Google Voice Typing to transcribe your thoughts directly. This can be particularly useful for brainstorming ideas or drafting outlines quickly.
- Take Breaks: Break up your writing sessions with short breaks to prevent burnout and maintain focus. Set a timer for 25 minutes of focused writing followed by a 5-minute break. This technique, known as the Pomodoro Technique, can help improve productivity.
- Eliminate Perfectionism: Strive for progress, not perfection. Accept that your first draft may not be flawless, and focus on getting your ideas down on paper. You can continually refine and edit later.
- Prioritize Tasks: Identify the most critical copywriting tasks that align with your business goals and tackle them first. This ensures that you invest your time and energy where it matters most.
2. Writer’s Block
If you’ve ever sat down to write but found yourself staring at a blank page one hour later, you’ve likely experienced writer’s block.
It’s a common struggle, and it can feel incredibly frustrating. But rest assured, it doesn’t mean you lack creativity or intelligence.
Writer’s block often occurs when your creative well has run dry, but the good news is that it’s not permanent.
So, how do you overcome it?
Well, a 20–30 minute walk in the morning does wonders for me.
There’s something about the fresh air and movement that helps me clear my mind and re-energize my creative juices.
However, I admit that sometimes I just have to step away from my laptop and watch YouTube videos.
While this isn’t the healthiest approach, it can give your mind the rest it needs to recharge.
(I don’t recommend watching the whole day; it never goes well, and the guilt can be overwhelming)
Here are some other practical ways to break writer’s block:
- Freewriting: Set a timer for 10–15 minutes and write without stopping or worrying about grammar or structure. Let your thoughts flow freely, even if they seem disjointed or nonsensical. This can help loosen up your mind and kickstart your creativity.
- Change Your Environment: Sometimes, a change of scenery can do wonders for overcoming writer’s block. Try writing in a different location, such as a coffee shop, park, or library, to stimulate new ideas and perspectives.
- Brainstorming: Grab a pen and paper (or use a digital tool) and jot down any ideas that come to mind, no matter how wild or unrelated they may seem. This brainstorming session can help generate new ideas and break through mental barriers.
- Read or Watch Inspiring Content: Immerse yourself in books, articles, videos, or podcasts that inspire you or relate to the topic you’re writing about. Exposing yourself to different perspectives and ideas can spark creativity and reignite your passion for writing.
- Set Small Goals: Break down your writing task into smaller, manageable goals. Instead of tackling the entire project, focus on completing one section or paragraph at a time.
3. Content Management and Scheduling
Even seasoned copywriters struggle with content management. I know I do, and it’s still a challenge, even after years of experience.
So, go easy on yourself while being consistent and always keeping your target audience in mind.
One of the practices I’m almost mastering is using content calendars. As you are starting, don’t worry about any sophisticated software.
A simple spreadsheet or physical planner will go a long way. Later, when you have a bigger team, you can adopt software like Asana, Trello, CoSchedule, or Monday.
I also suggest establishing a clear workflow for creating and publishing content.
Determine who is responsible for each task, set deadlines, and develop communication channels to ensure smooth collaboration.
Additionally, make use of automation tools wherever possible to streamline your process.
For example, you can schedule social media posts in advance using scheduling tools like Buffer or Hootsuite, freeing up time for other tasks.
Remember, effective content management is about finding a system that works for you and your team and continually refining it to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
4. Confusion on When to Post on Social Media
Besides struggling with deciding when to post, you may have encountered content, be it written or videos, advising on the same.
But why is this important?
The timing of your social media posts can significantly impact their reach, engagement, and effectiveness. Here’s why it matters:
- Maximizing Visibility: Posting at optimal times when your audience is most active increases the likelihood of your content being seen. This ensures that your posts stay visible in users’ feeds and have a better chance of catching their attention.
- Boosting Engagement: Posting when your audience is most engaged can lead to higher interaction rates, such as likes, comments, and shares. This engagement strengthens your relationship with your audience and increases your posts’ visibility through social algorithms.
- Driving Traffic and Conversions: Timing your posts strategically can drive traffic to your website or landing pages and increase conversion rates. For example, posting during peak times when your audience is likely to be online can result in more clicks on your links and, ultimately, more conversions.
- Optimizing Ad Performance: If you’re running paid advertising campaigns on social media, timing your ads correctly is crucial for maximizing their effectiveness and return on investment (ROI). By aligning your ad schedule with peak engagement times, you can ensure that your ads reach the right people at the right time.
- Staying Ahead of Competitors: Understanding when your competitors are posting can help you identify gaps and opportunities in the market. By strategically timing your posts to coincide with lulls in their activity, you can increase your chances of standing out and capturing your audience’s attention.
So When Should You Post for Each Platform?
By now, you must have learned that with copy, there is no one-size-fits-all. Your target audience dictates this.
With social media especially, you must consider the specific characteristics and behaviors of your target audience, even though general guidelines can be helpful too,
Analyze your own audience’s engagement patterns and optimize your posting schedule. Here are some general recommendations based on industry research and statistics:
Facebook:
Best Days: Thursday to Sunday
Best Times:
- Weekdays: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- Weekends: 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Engagement tends to be highest on Thursdays and Fridays.
However, the optimal posting times may vary depending on your target audience’s demographics and preferences.
Instagram:
Best Days: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
Best Times:
- Weekdays: 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
- Evenings: 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Engagement tends to be highest on weekdays during lunchtime and in the early evening.
Instagram Stories can be posted throughout the day, with peaks during lunchtime and evening.
Twitter:
Best Days: Wednesday and Friday
Best Times:
- Weekdays: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- Weekends: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Engagement tends to be highest mid-week during business hours.
Twitter users are active throughout the day, so posting multiple times per day can be effective.
LinkedIn:
Best Days: Tuesday to Thursday
Best Times:
- Weekdays: 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM, 12:00 PM, and 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Engagement peaks during typical business hours, especially around mid-morning and midday.
LinkedIn is primarily used for professional networking, so posting during working hours when professionals are active is ideal.
Pinterest:
Best Days: Saturday and Sunday
Best Times:
- Evenings: 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Weekends: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Engagement is highest on weekends and evenings when users have more leisure time.
Consistent weekly pinning, especially during peak times, can increase visibility.
Bottom Line
Just because you are not getting the results you want yet does not mean your products or services suck.
It only means you haven’t grabbed the right audience’s attention.
But you’ll be good to go if you can apply most of these strategies.
Remember, copy requires keenness and a good understanding of your target. So, do not focus on putting out lots of posts at the expense of quality.
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Instead, take the days you need to curate quality content valuable to you and the people you target.
But, if you are unable to set time aside for this, you can always hire a professional copywriter to help.