How to Beat the Business Writing Blahs

You can bring some zing back to your business writing with a little creativity. But, what is creativity? One clue comes from the root word of “creativity,” which is “create,” meaning “to grow or cause to grow.” Consider a situation in which you “grow” a plant. Really what you are doing is supplying the conditions in which the plant can thrive. You can’t make it grow, but you can set it up for success by providing the right light, soil, water, etc. How can this same process be used in writing? That is, how can you supply the conditions in which your ideas can thrive in written form? Here are a few tips to get you started:

Find Your Own Creative Process

Try to get away from cultural notions of what creativity “should” look like: the disheveled writer at the keyboard; the sleepless painter surrounded by paints, brushes, and sketches; the interior decorator wearing bold colors and making sweeping gestures.  The creative process is different for everyone. Find what works for you. If walking around the office three times, then singing a Christmas carol gets your creative juices flowing, do it. Some popular methods include the following:

• Meditate to relax your mind, allowing the creative process to unfold more readily.
• Free write (write anything that comes to mind) for five minutes to get the words flowing.
• Get out in nature or into a city landscape to find inspiration and ideas.
• Use a prompt (see The Imagination Prompt Generator) to jump-start a writing exercise.
• Create an outline to use as a foundation for your ideas.

Obviously, the possibilities are limitless. Experiment to find what works best for you.

Redefine Creativity

Creative doesn’t necessarily mean outlandish or complex. Using an original analogy to describe a technical process is just as creative as developing an imaginary universe.

Redefine Business Writing

Business writing doesn’t have to be dry, boring, and blah. It can, and should, be exciting, compelling, and colorful. Whether you are writing a proposal, a brochure, a web page, a report, a white paper, or a news release, there is always room for creativity. Don’t just deliver the content. Tell a story, make a joke, invent a word, surprise your readers.

Get Out of Your Cubicle

One of your best tools for business writing is your life outside of business. Did you notice how I used the example of growing a plant in the intro? Knowing about plants didn’t come from my role as a copywriter. It came from my role as an amateur gardener. Use the world outside of your cubicle–movies, friends, vacations, books, music, hobbies, children, nature–as a basis for connection with your readers.

Use the Creativity of Others

Not sure where to start? Use a piece you like that someone else has written as an inspiration/jumping off point.

Do you feel creative when you write for business? What are your strategies? Please share in the comments.

About the Author: Karen Marcus, M.A. is a Northern Colorado copywriter who has been helping clients in a wide range of industries to put their best word forward for 13 years.

Need help beating the business writing blahs? Karen can help! Click here for contact info.

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1. Business Writing: When NOT to DIY