You know that content marketing is an important way to promote your business, but you’ve been staring at a blank screen for an hour now with nothing to show for it. Tick. Tock. Your brain feels like Al Dente pasta. Why is this so hard? You should be writing – but you’re fresh out of ideas. Your inspiration is emptier than your coffee cup. Your well of creativity is bone dry. 

You have yourself a bad case of writer’s block. Don’t worry, it’s not contagious. Step away from your computer – slowly. Take off your writing hat. Now try one of these tips to kick-start your creativity:

1. Do Some Housework

Ever wake up at 3 am with the most astounding idea? ‘That’s it!’ you say, as you shoot out of bed. "Chicken popsicles – that will be my claim to fame!"

There’s a reason your most unconventional and creative visions arrive in moments of rest. Your mind needs to re-coup. It needs to make sense of all that stimuli being thrown at it. You can’t squeeze blood out of a stone, and you can’t squeeze ideas out of grey matter. 

What you resist persists – don’t force it. Take a break and get clear. Why not wash a few dishes? Watch the bubbles as they cascade down that spaghetti-spackled casserole dish. Feel a warm wave of clarity wash over you, much like the sudsy water splashing against your hands. If all else fails, you’ll have an orderly place to come home to. Try to relax. Give your brain a time-out.

2. Pet Your Cat

Your furry friend usually calls the shots in this regard. Why not keep him guessing? Your kitty may be delighted with a spur-of-the-moment afternoon petting. Usually the feline will decide when it’s a satisfactory petting time. 

But why can’t you wear the slacks for a change? Remember: If Mr. Boots purrs, you’re doing a decent job. If he lashes his tail and glares at you with pointed ears, you’re doing an unacceptable job. If kitty squints his eyes and tucks his ears back, run for the hills – Mr. Boots is in attack mode. Maybe it’s time to start writing again?

3. Do Some Googling

Google something silly. See what pops up. Maybe you’ll get an idea or two. What websites consistently inspire you? Can you read some Hemingway or the work of other writers that you admire? All things creative build upon what came before. 

Don’t copy other writers (please don’t do this), but let their words pervade your awareness. Let their work transport you to a different mind-space entirely. Good ideas don’t fall from the sky. Immerse yourself within other creative works to catalyze that same inventiveness within yourself. 

4. Silence Your Inner Critic

Relax – be nice to yourself. Stop scrutinizing every word that you produce, over and over again. Make friends with your inner critic – turn your worst adversary into your greatest ally. It’s easier to be ingenious when you’re not afraid to fail or "look stupid."

Take-Home Lesson

Writer’s block doesn’t have to derail your content marketing efforts. Take a break. Immerse yourself in other creative works. Get some housework done. Pet your cat. And have some fun while you’re at it, OK? If all else fails, perhaps it’s time to outsource your marketing copywriting efforts?