How do you overcome obstacles to writing online?

My biggest challenge tends to be writing the 1st draft. The way I overcome this is by reminding myself: "The purpose of a 1st draft is simply to exist. It can only improve after that". That goes for practically all forms of writing, whether content, copy, or creative. Get some words on your page and let it flow; you can't edit a blank page, so even if you think you're writing gibberish, you can make it make sense later when reviewing it. Find what helps you drown out background noise and zero in on your task, and take every minute possible to think of alternatives to what you write before presenting the final version. Research thoroughly, write and re-write, and remember you're a writer too. There's no reason to be intimidated by others.

The biggest obstacle I see is not having audience persona clarity. The way I overcome it- 1. Create a persona of One to write to. 2. Make it all about them addressing them in their language and tonality. 3. Craft rough drafts with ideas so that it becomes easier to sift through. 4. Avoid jargons that people think they will get while reading. Relatability matters even if the audience is a CXO. 5. Follow the pomodoro technique to block my time and concentrate on one task at a time. 6. Declutter my screen and only keep the things I am working on then. 7. Speak with the internal SMEs to get better ideas that will help me get clarity. Ask for a product demo, if any. These are a few ways I overcome obstacles to online writing.

I always suggest that my writing coach clients start out with sloppy copy. Most of us are too hard on ourselves, and we writers seem to have perfected the art of self-castigation. By writing sloppy, you can explore your ideas while cranking out notes that will form the basis for a first draft. Once you have that first draft, you can put on your editing hat and critically analyze what you've written. By then, however, you'll probably have fallen in love with your prose. That's the irony. We're self-critical during the creative process when that doesn't serve us, and not when we need to be. Time to switch that around.

When I’m feeling blocked, I always start at the end - be it a CTA or a closing para - it reminds me where I want to get to. Having it there then prompts/inspires me to map out then start on the rest of the copy. Another strategy is a literal brain dump or sloppy copy. Get the ideas out then build on and finesse them.

Navigating obstacles in online writing requires a blend of strategy and persistence. Start by pinpointing the specific challenges, whether it's writer's block, distractions, or technological hitches. For mental roadblocks, create a consistent writing routine, find inspiration in diverse sources, and allow yourself short breaks to rejuvenate. To counter distractions, designate a focused writing space, use apps that block distracting sites, and allocate specific time blocks for undisturbed writing. Remember, consistent practice, ongoing learning, and adaptability are key to overcoming any hurdle in online writing.

You can't write good content if you're forcing yourself to be creative. The best way to solve this is to find the time of day you typically feel most energetic, and block out an hour of that time for your writing. You'll give your brain a huge headstart and make writing so much easier. You can always schedule that content for later times!

As a blogger and a copywriter for a digital agency who have been working from home for more than 3 years, I think I'm eligible enough to share this. First, identify which post/article you should prioritize. It can be the one which the nearest deadline, or the one you're most interested at. I'm not suggesting any work management platform or tools, do it your way. You can use sticky notes on your PC, Google Calendar, or write them conventionally on your notebook. If possible, start writing some articles at once.

Effective time and workflow management are essential. They boost productivity, reduce stress, enhance prioritization, allow for better planning, and create a work-life balance. It's about optimizing every moment for success.

One way to get rid of distractions is to make (physical) changes to your workspace. You might not even realise that you are distracted by small things in your space such as the location of the sun, the temperature of the room, or low-key background noises. Start by moving your workspace to a different part of the room or to another room entirely and see if it improves your concentration and mood. Also, don't work in spaces that you usually use for relaxation (e.g. working with your laptop on the bed), else your brain will be tempted to go into relaxation mode.

Take the writing process one step at a time: Use time blocking. Or Pomodoro technique to help focus. This will get you to a place where you can sit down and get things on paper. Adding clarity to what your next steps should be. Setting out regular time daily or weekly to do your writing and sticking to your schedule helps to get things moving.

Whenever you have an idea, write it down. I have a Google doc for each of my clients and my own business. every time I see inspiration or have an idea, I write it down otherwise it's gone. Another tool we have to day is, of course, AI. ChatGPT can come up with 50 ideas in the time it would take you to come up with one. Of course the majority won't be very good, but isn't that always the way with ideas?

I always get inspired at odd hours, and when I'm slowing down, so I'll always prepare my phone with Google Docs. Deciding the topic for each day is a game changer for me because I'm an overthinker.

As content writers, generating and organizing ideas is our foundation. It fuels creativity, streamlines storytelling, enhances reader engagement, supports effective research, and ensures our content is clear and compelling. Ideas are the cornerstone of our craft, driving innovation and captivating our audience.

As a digital copywriter, boosting confidence and honing skills is paramount. It amplifies creativity, sharpens messaging, enhances audience engagement, fosters adaptability to evolving trends, and ultimately, delivers more impactful digital content. Confidence and expertise are the keystones of effective digital storytelling.

Overcoming obstacles in online writing and boosting your confidence begins with consistent practice and exploration. You gotta write regularly in different formats and styles, stepping out of your comfort zone. Take a page from writers—read and emulate their work to expand your skills. Join online copywriting communities to share and learn from others. Don't forget to seek feedback from clients, editors, or peers to refine your craft. And most importantly, celebrate your achievements along the way! Recognize your growth and reward yourself for your hard-earned progress. This continuous journey of self-improvement will fuel your confidence and pave the way for success in digital copywriting.

My mentor says: "Be ready is a decision, not a feeling." Same goes to confidence and skills, it's not a feeling, but rather a mindset shift and the decision to TRUST yourself. Just start doing it, because everyone else builds confidence that way. Because the best bet is always yourself.

There's no better way to boost your confidence than to just start. Because when you start, you'll: - Get comfortable with being public - Get used to writing - Get seen. Over a few months, this compounds big time. And your confidence grows!

It's hard to write when you're not feeling inspired. So here's my secret weapon: Music. If I'm writing something vulnerable/sad, I listen to music for that mood. Same with motivational posts, I do the same. Music is one of the few things that engages the entire brain. Use it to your advantage!

Working at a digital marketing agency, I so often found myself being lost in writing. I tend to forget why am I writing and what am I writing about. The solution that helped me out from this: Always remember the objectives! List down those two things before writing: 1. Reader's Objectives: What are they looking for? What do they want to know? What are the problems that they are having right now? 2. The Writing's Objectives: What is the solution that this writing can bring to solve the TA's problems? What are the other useful tips that I can bring to them? How can I showcase my writing or work as the solution to their problem? I genuinely feel more motivated to write when understand that I am solving an existing problem!

This "writing online" is a bit broad, so I'll just add perspectives as a copywriter (no. 4 is my ultimate goal): 1. To know my purpose/goal for writing. Without that, don't even think of writing something. 2. To know who I would speak to with my content/post. 3. Discover my niche/topics/kinds of projects and what I enjoy writing the most. 4. Never underestimate yourself, your skills, and your passion/interest. If you truly love writing, you'll rekindle with your interest and passion sooner than you thought.

As a digital copywriter, reigniting your passion and interest is pivotal. It revitalizes creativity, infuses enthusiasm into your content, deepens audience connection, and ensures that every piece you craft resonates authentically. Passion and curiosity are the sparks behind captivating digital narratives.

Two tips to rekindle your passion and overcome obstacles in writing: 1. Throw words around. This is not a time for structure. It is a time for creation and thoughtlessness and action. It is a time for letting words flow where they please. Basically, you can just write without a plan. After that, you can read through it all and see what makes sense. It can help you overcome blocks, remember why you love writing and get ideas for the projects you have. 2. Write new things - in new formats. Try out short stories, poetry, the kind of writing you haven't done before. It can help you re-learn what made you love writing and help you get out of a block.

Never stop writing, no matter what conditions/factors/fears you might have. As long as you keep showing up, you can only get better with this. And, never limit yourself. You can find inspiration EVERYWHERE, even when you're doomscrolling.

One obstacle writers face writing online is Procrastination. Here are 3 simple ways to overcome it; 1. Stick to a few tasks. Instead of overwhelming yourself with an extensive to-do list, prioritize a few manageable writing tasks. This helps prevent feeling overwhelmed. 2. Create a content calendar. Plan your writing tasks over a specific period. This helps you organize your workload, set deadlines, and maintain a structured approach to your writing projects. 3. Eliminate distractions and focus. Turn off notifications, close unnecessary tabs, and find a quiet space to concentrate on your writing. By eliminating distractions, you can enhance your focus, making it easier to overcome procrastination and make progress in your writing.

Writing online can be highly rewarding experience, but in the interest of becoming viral, don't forget the basics. it's best not to restrict yourself to the online world, so keep putting pen to paper, observe writing happening in art/cinema/songs/shows/pop culture reviews and more. Remember, your writing (and maybe even research) is happening online but your skills are developing all the time.

Keep practising and don't give up. Don't give yourself a hard time if you're struggling. This will only end up blocking you. You don't know what works till you write it down and put it out there. So get writing and see where it takes you. Enjoy the ride!