Okay, so you need to write some content. Maybe it’s for a presentation, a sales piece, a social media account. It doesn’t matter so much what it is. I want to talk a little bit about getting started with developing content. Not the review cycle or the stakeholder review or the final polishing. Just how to get started.
So how do you start? This is one of the questions I get asked most by people who don’t write for a living. I also happen to ask myself the same question a lot, even though I’ve been writing professionally for many years, so I understand.
The short answer is that you just jump in—whether you’re writing a 200-page software manual or daily blog posts for your company. The long answer is that there are lots of different methods to help you along as you write something. Everybody has their own tricks, so you’ll have to figure out works best for you.
Here a few quick things I’ve tried over the years:
- Outline: this may feel a little reminiscent of middle school essays and some people hate this method, but outlines can be a big help, especially if you’re creating a document that’s longer than 50 pages. I recommend outlines for projects like software manuals, sales proposals, and employee manuals. Anything that requires a linear relationship in order to be understood—for example, to make a pot of coffee, you have to complete three steps (add filter, add coffee, add water) before you can push the On button—should be outlined because you have to make sure you cover things in the right order. Outlines don’t always have to be super-detailed; sometimes, you can get away with very high-level groupings to get started.
[space] - Write something…anything: sometimes it’s easiest to just start writing something. A lot of times you may not have the beginning, middle, and end figured out, but you’ll have an idea of something you want to say. If you do, just start writing. Don’t worry about how it will fit into the overall piece of whatever it is you’re putting together. Just the act of writing can sometimes get you going.
[space] - Start writing by hand: since almost all of us write exclusively on computers these days, I’m mentioning this one because it actually works…sometimes. Just changing up your normal routine and doing something a little different can sometimes trick your brain, helping you move forward on something you’re writing that’s giving you a hard time.
[space] - Take a walk: Yes, I’m serious. This is a good way to change up your routine to loosen up your thoughts enough to have some new ideas. Okay, you’re saying, but I work in an office. I can’t just leave in the middle of the day or every, single time I’m stuck! I know. But you can do other things that will keep you occupied but not so focused that your mind can’t wander to the writing project you’re working on. Filing, cleaning off your desk, or making copies can help you keep your mind off your writing struggles but not so busy that your brain can’t think about your writing too.
This list isn’t all-encompassing – there are a lot of other tricks out there. Maybe you have other ideas? Let us know how you jump-start your creative side for a writing project.