When you write for a living you don’t have the luxury of waiting until you’re “inspired” to write. You write and meet client deadlines or you starve. There’s no third option. If you fail to deliver on time then you convey an unspoken message that says, “I don’t always keep my word,” and clients don’t appreciate that.
So the question arises, “what do you do when you have writer’s block?”
I can only speak for myself and tell you what works best for me. Ask another a copywriter and he’ll probably tell you something different. The key is to find what works for YOU.
Personally, I don’t allow writer’s block to keep me from writing. I believe in conditioning my writing muscles so I can write anytime, anywhere. I want to share with you exactly how I do this.
The Schwartz Copywriting Method
Let me tell you, I didn’t invent this idea. I learned it from a copywriting legend by the name of Eugene “Gene” Schwartz. The Schwartz method works like this.
Schwartz would set a kitchen timer for 33:33 mins (33 mins and 33 seconds) and during this time he could only do one of three things:
1. Drink his coffee
2. Stare at the wall
3. Write
When the timer buzzed he would stop (drinking, staring or writing) and take a short break. He would repeat this process until he got 3 1/2 hours of writing in every morning.
So I decided to try his method out and here is what I found.
It works!
At least for me it does. I do my best writing in the morning so from about 9:00-12:30 I write using the Schwartz method. I use a countdown timer I found online, not a kitchen timer though. And I allow myself to stare at the wall OR the window (I have a nice view of the trees). But I don’t allow myself to get up from my desk during this time (even if my coffee gets cold!).
I’ve found when I write like this I get far more done then any other method I’ve tried. I also feel like it gets me into my writing rhythm.
Could it work for you?
You never know unless you try. But if you do try it — do it right. When you set the timer resist the urge to check your email and Twitter. And don’t go warm up your coffee. You’re trying to form a habit remember? If your income is tied to your ability to write quality content then you need to take some extreme measures to develop your own copywriting rhythm.
If you think you’re going to wait for the muse to write you might as well start looking for a new job. The professional copywriter cannot afford to wait around idly for “inspiration” to strike. You must learn to strike first and then perhaps “inspiration” will pay you a visit.
So that’s how I developed my writing rhythm but how about you? Do you have a system or method that helps you be more productive when you write?
About Joshua Monen
Josh is a full-time freelance copywriter who makes a living by producing results from the written word. One day he decided to learn everything there was to know about copywriting and marketing...his education is ongoing. To sign up for his daily newsletter visit onlinejosh.com or click "Web" below.
Thanks for sharing this Josh. Finding a rhythm writing is something I struggle with a lot sometimes. I’ve never heard this method, but I do want to try it (although i don’t know that I can find over 3 hours to spend on it, maybe I’ll just do a couple cycles).
The only other advice I’ve heard on this topic is to type without stopping. Set a timer, and just write write write until it goes off. Doesn’t matter what it’s about, just keep going. I’ve done this a few times with mixed results. It does help me keep from censoring myself so much (a big problem for a recovering perfectionist). Have you ever tried this method?
Hi Deacon, thanks for your comment. Let me know how this method works for you.
And I have tried the “write without stopping” method but I find I get way off course when I do that. So I prefer to just stare out the window when I go blank and then start typing again. But everyone’s different and this is just what works for me.
Thanks for sharing!