Bored? Here’s how you can spice up your SEO content
Whether you consider yourself a niche writer or not, chances are you tend to create content for similar websites. Maybe you tend to write websites for medical or legal professionals. Maybe you have many small business clients. Perhaps you have mastered B2B writing.
Regardless, if you are comfortable writing similar sites, you may be stagnant and not even know it.
When I first started out, I wrote websites for many dentists. I could write about the various types of teeth whitening systems, the differences between an inlay and an onlay, and even the various methods to overcome dental phobia.
The bonus: I could write these websites in my sleep. There was a quick turnaround and very little effort.
The problem: I could write these websites in my sleep. The websites started sounding the same and I lost my desire to write something different. I was bored.
Then I received a referral and things got interesting.
This client sold “marital aids” and wanted an extensive guide.
Was this outside of my normal comfort zone? Oh yeah. But writing about something else was fun and exciting. I couldn’t turn off my brain and mindlessly type. I had a new target audience to write for, new perspectives to consider and new products to discuss.
Plus, I noticed even more benefits – ones that carried through to my other jobs.
The gig shook up my thinking and let me approach the next dental website with a refreshed outlook. I saw new opportunities and broke free from the same boring structure.
All from trying something new.
This week’s SEO content challenge: Spice things up!
Write something different. You don’t have to write about marital aids, just something outside of your normal writing realm.
If you don’t have the luxury of breaking out of your niche (especially if you are an in-house writer), find another outlet. Write a short story. Create an unrelated blog post. Do whatever you can do to shake up your creativity.
You’ll be amazed at how much it helps.
Happy writing!
(And if you have your own tips of how to break through from “boring” into “brilliant,” please let us know in the comments. Thanks!)
Photo thanks to Clyde Robinson
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That’s why I’ve always been a little reluctant to follow the ‘get a niche’ advice (sorry, Heather!). The very reason I started copywriting was because I’d become bored as a niche tech writer. Variety is very much the spice of life and the more different things you do, the more perspectives you see and the more creative and effective you become.
Try more new things!
I outsource a lot of my copy writing when I am not familiar with the topic. And it is not that I mind spending the time on research (you can always learn something new). Being in my comfort zone which is online marketing, allows me to get the best return on my time. Being creative with the topic and spend lots of time on one article is the luxury I would like to but most of the time can not afford.
Craig,
I can understand your reluctance to relive the niche boredom. I see the pluses and minuses of becoming a niche writer.
When I worked for a company that only marketed to doctors (plastic surgeons and dentists) and lawyers, I started to get bored with the copy. I then tried to find ways to get extra creative with the copy. It was interesting. :-)
Hi Asher.
If you can’t afford the luxury of being creative with a topic, how do you keep yourself from burning out?
Wow Amy, talk about *spice*! haha.
I think writing different things is key to keeping your writing & business fresh. Whether that means writing different content types or about different topics, it can help keep your brain interested & engaged.
If you’re not able to break out of a niche, then finding other creative outlets is important. Writing fiction or poetry can help, indulging in a hobby like knitting, beading, fixing cars, whatever can also help too. Anything that gets your mind working in a slightly different way than you’re used to.
You’ll come back to your writing & work refreshed and ready to go.
Thanks for the comment Julia. I feel the same way. Mixing things up keeps your mind fresh.