As a content marketer and experienced copywriter, I write about a lot of topics that are not particularly glamorous. For instance, in the last few months I’ve written about accounting, manufacturing, and toilets. When clients request articles on these types of “boring” subjects, I find it’s easy to get bogged down during the research phase and struggle with motivating myself to start writing. At times, it can also be challenging to stay focused once I’ve gotten started to craft something that will provide value for readers. In those instances, I use these tips:
Show Respect
Remember, even if you don’t find a subject thrilling, someone else must care about it or you wouldn’t be asked to write about it. You don’t need to love the subject itself, but you do need to respect it so that learning to love writing about it can follow.
Don’t downplay working on content for topics that aren’t sexy by complaining about them. The content will suffer, and you’ll be miserable slogging through it.
Using negative language about your work, regardless of the topic, will set you up for failure. This is the same principle behind using positive self-talk to improve your confidence. It can be used for your writing to increase respect for and passion around a more mundane topic.
Focus on Learning
Less exciting topics often require more research to find something juicy to write about with the specificity that your target audience wants. Research is learning, and that personal edification can often be enough to get you going. Getting excited about discovering new information may be all you need to improve your perception of the topic at hand.
Immerse Yourself in It
For topics that you write about more frequently, dive in deep. The more you immerse yourself in the topic, the more interesting it will become as you transform into a subject matter expert. Allow your writing on a topic to become something you are, not just something you do. As you become more connected, you’ll find interesting and exciting aspects of the topic to explore. Set aside time to work solely on the topic so your brain won’t wander and you can focus on creating the best possible content for its audience.
Challenge the Status Quo
Any topic can be boring if it just regurgitates what is already available. Instead of just doing what everyone else has already done, find a way to make people think about the topic in a new way. Challenge typical assumptions by incorporating new ideas or putting a new spin on a topic. Aim to move the industry forward intellectually in lieu of copying typical content norms and concepts. Incorporate your developing passion on the topic to draw readers in.
Geek Out
Go to events where people interested in the topics you write about usually gather. Conferences, webinars, online forums, and structured happy hours are great places to connect with the people who will read your content. The result is a first-hand look at their pain points, hear their common questions, get insight on hot button topics, and identify emerging trends. Additionally, their passion can be contagious, helping you to get more excited about exploring the topic you once dreaded addressing.
Take a Break
Anything can become boring if it’s all you do, which means you need to make time to step away from time to time. Get a change of scenery or go outside for fresh air. Dip into other topics to give yourself a mental break from time to time so you can approach the topic again later with more clarity.
Kate Pierce is the owner of LionShark Digital Marketing LLC, a West Michigan internet marketing company. Her areas of expertise include Paid Search, Search Engine Optimization, Business Blogging and Web Copywriting. She lives in the Grand Rapids area with her husband and two children and enjoys cooking, watching sports, and spending time together as a family. Like a true digital marketing expert (i.e. geek), she loves talking about current marketing trends… so don’t say you weren’t warned!
Remember, even if you don’t find a subject thrilling, someone else must care about it or you wouldn’t be asked to write about it. You don’t need to love the subject itself, but you do need to respect it so that learning to love writing about it can follow.
Don’t downplay working on content for topics that aren’t sexy by complaining about them. The content will suffer, and you’ll be miserable slogging through it.
Using negative language about your work, regardless of the topic, will set you up for failure. This is the same principle behind using positive self-talk to improve your confidence. It can be used for your writing to increase respect for and passion around a more mundane topic.
Focus on Learning
Less exciting topics often require more research to find something juicy to write about with the specificity that your target audience wants. Research is learning, and that personal edification can often be enough to get you going. Getting excited about discovering new information may be all you need to improve your perception of the topic at hand.
Immerse Yourself in It
For topics that you write about more frequently, dive in deep. The more you immerse yourself in the topic, the more interesting it will become as you transform into a subject matter expert. Allow your writing on a topic to become something you are, not just something you do. As you become more connected, you’ll find interesting and exciting aspects of the topic to explore. Set aside time to work solely on the topic so your brain won’t wander and you can focus on creating the best possible content for its audience.
Challenge the Status Quo
Any topic can be boring if it just regurgitates what is already available. Instead of just doing what everyone else has already done, find a way to make people think about the topic in a new way. Challenge typical assumptions by incorporating new ideas or putting a new spin on a topic. Aim to move the industry forward intellectually in lieu of copying typical content norms and concepts. Incorporate your developing passion on the topic to draw readers in.
Geek Out
Go to events where people interested in the topics you write about usually gather. Conferences, webinars, online forums, and structured happy hours are great places to connect with the people who will read your content. The result is a first-hand look at their pain points, hear their common questions, get insight on hot button topics, and identify emerging trends. Additionally, their passion can be contagious, helping you to get more excited about exploring the topic you once dreaded addressing.
Take a Break
Anything can become boring if it’s all you do, which means you need to make time to step away from time to time. Get a change of scenery or go outside for fresh air. Dip into other topics to give yourself a mental break from time to time so you can approach the topic again later with more clarity.
Kate Pierce is the owner of LionShark Digital Marketing LLC, a West Michigan internet marketing company. Her areas of expertise include Paid Search, Search Engine Optimization, Business Blogging and Web Copywriting. She lives in the Grand Rapids area with her husband and two children and enjoys cooking, watching sports, and spending time together as a family. Like a true digital marketing expert (i.e. geek), she loves talking about current marketing trends… so don’t say you weren’t warned!
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