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9 Article Openers to Smash Writer’s Block

Posted on April 6, 2021April 6, 2021 by Karen Marley

About 60,100,000. That’s the number of responses for a Google search on “procrastination.”

You don’t even have to include “overcome” or “stop.” The internet knows what you’re doing.

Procrastination is just another version of writer’s block. You have an idea, but delay writing about it because you feel stuck. However, once you crack the opener, a beautiful thing happens. Words flow. Structure and organization take shape. Energy and focus bloom.

How do you get from writer’s block to the latter … faster?

You bypass getting stuck at the start. Here are nine article openers to help you break the grip of writer’s block and grab a reader’s attention. After that, the rest is up to you.

Underutilized Writing Tools That Can Help You Self-Edit Your Work

Posted on April 1, 2021April 6, 2021 by Karen Marley

What they are and how they can improve your prose.

We’ve all been there. You write something and find the descriptions sound flat, the flow isn’t as smooth as you’d like, or you just feel stuck. At this juncture, having the right tools and knowing when to use them is critical for elevating your work out of mediocrity.

When it comes to tools, you have an overwhelming array of options. The following (mostly free) self-editing tools are all powerhouses and many of them are underutilized. Make that your advantage! From idea conception to final revisions, they will give you the focused guidance you need to transform your prose into something polished, professional, and remarkable.

Idea Generation

The first stage where writers flex their editing muscle is during the process of selecting which ideas merit their time and attention. A well-stocked idea pool is a good resource to have. For one filled with interesting possibilities, consider using sources that specialize in the odd and peculiar for unexpected inspiration.

Finish reading this article on The Writing Cooperative.

Photo by Todd Quackenbush on Unsplash

The 3 x 3 x 3 Guide to Testimonials

Posted on August 28, 2014September 2, 2014 by Karen Marley

What’s Your Strategy?

Testimonials are a written or spoken statement emphasizing the virtues of a product or service. Like a good song, a glass of fine wine, or an unexpected good deed: a testimonial is a simple item with the power to change someone’s perspective.

In real life, we use them all the time. Continue reading The 3 x 3 x 3 Guide to Testimonials

Does Your Marketing Have These Persuasive Basics?

Posted on June 29, 2013August 6, 2013 by Karen Marley

A couple of months ago my fifth grader came home with an assignment. The directions read, “Create a thoughtful, one page advertisement in color that shows the dangers of smoking.” The instructions provided a list of items the ad had to include.

You may find yourself dismissing a grade school assignment as a mild amusement. After all, it’s the stuff of childhood nostalgia — lunch room antics, art projects, chalk dust and the unadulterated joy of summer vacation. Let me assure you, it’s much more.

The need for marketing efforts to succeed runs high. Knowing the basics of persuasive strategy isn’t an ought-to-know…it’s a must. It’s astonishing just how much money is spent on material that fails to make the grade. Is your company producing B grade marketing? If you want to ensure your efforts are worthy of an A be sure your piece has: Continue reading Does Your Marketing Have These Persuasive Basics?

Due Diligence: The First 6 Moves of Any Content Plan

Posted on May 28, 2013June 27, 2013 by Karen Marley

Content marketing has moved from a trendy sideline position to a mainstream key player. No surprise here. People like to read about themselves and high quality, well-positioned content feeds prospects’ and customers’ egos. It appeals to their emotions. It soothes their concerns. It increases a company’s visibility. It defines your brand by putting your clients and prospects in the spotlight.

A good plan does all of the above, a poor one wastes effort and money. So what separates a good plan from a poor one? Continue reading Due Diligence: The First 6 Moves of Any Content Plan

Do This One Thing to Improve Your Blog Post Content

Posted on June 1, 2011June 27, 2013 by Karen Marley

Have you ever watched a sports team dominate a game? Star players are important but it’s the collective effort of the individuals working fluidly together towards a common goal that delivers the win. Content operates the same way. Strong writing is the star player but the win won’t happen without the contributions of good design. And both writing and design must work together to achieve readability.

Today I’m going to focus on the readability of a specific type of content; blog posts. Blog posts get the spotlight because of the explosion of their popularity in the past few years. Moreover, with an increasing number of businesses and individuals realizing the power of content through blogging for professional and personal gain the ability to create winning posts is more important and competitive than ever.

Continue reading Do This One Thing to Improve Your Blog Post Content

3 Things that Irritate Readers

Posted on March 30, 2011March 31, 2021 by Karen Marley

Can we agree that there is no shortage of material explaining the wisdom of why you should include a healthy amount of content into your marketing strategy? There is also an equal amount of how-to information. I know I’ve handed these strategies out to my readers numerous times.

What seems to have slipped through the cracks are the nuts and bolts of fundamental content construction. Emails, the do-it-yourself blog posts, the occasional sales letter, fliers, press releases, announcements–these are basic communication materials required of all of us. Yet it amazes me how often good information is buried under simple errors.

Continue reading 3 Things that Irritate Readers

How to Revive Your Creativity

Posted on November 11, 2010June 1, 2011 by Karen Marley

Ugh. I hope you can relate. Just when the Halloween candy was finally starting to go away, a wave of Girl Scout cookies hit our pantry. And of course I ordered plenty of boxes telling myself that it’s supporting a good cause. We finished the last of the thin mints…just in time for…the abundance of Thanksgiving! Not sure about you but after this I still have to navigate through cookie parties, gingerbread houses, and mugs of eggnog.

Of course the snowy weather that plans to descend on us only encourages one to stay tucked inside the office, cozy and warm, with tasty snacks on hand. A couple extra cookies, days spent inside…this behavior can drain your brain of its creativity and quietly sabotage your productivity.

Sometimes it’s the smallest things that make the biggest difference. Continue reading How to Revive Your Creativity