Content writing is often fun and enjoyable, except when it isn’t. It’s important for every content writer to find a niche, but it’s not so much fun when you constantly have to write similar articles in that specialized field. Who wants to write their hundredth article about which type of air conditioning duct is right for you? It’s not the most glamorous assignment, yet we all have to find a way to pay the bills.
The good news is that content writing doesn’t have to be strictly by the book all the time. It’s possible to have a little fun while discussing serious topics. Now, you don’t want to do anything that will jeopardize your article or your relationship with a client. However, there’s always room to inject a little bit of your personality into your work, no matter how boring the subject.
Insert Quotes
Have you ever had a song stuck in your head while you’re trying to work? It doesn’t have to be an annoyance. In fact, it could be the inspiration you’ve been looking for! Throwing in a song lyric, movie quote or a fun phrase might not be enough to completely change your mindset, but a cultural reference might be enough to enliven otherwise drab subject matter—and sometimes, that’s the difference between a bad article and a great one.
Try New Words
As a writer, it’s very easy to rely on the same lexicon you’ve traditionally used. This isn’t to say that you don’t have a great vocabulary, but when you write similar content frequently, it’s not hard to get stuck in a verbiage rut. What better time to spice it up than when you’re putting yet another spin on the same old content?
Adding in new words here and there accomplishes two things. First, and most importantly, it helps to get you through the drudgery of the piece you’re trying to avoid writing. Second, incorporating new words and phrases will help to make you a better writer. It might start out as an exercise to break the monotony, but eventually these new additions will become part of your regular vernacular, making you a more versatile writer.
Find New Sources
So you’re writing about a topic you know by heart. You know exactly what you want to say, and you don’t need to do any research. Right?
Wrong. Nobody knows everything about anything. There’s always something more you can learn, even in a subject on which you’re an authority. Instead of inserting the same links you always use, seek out some new sources and get a new perspective on the topic in question. Even if you have an understanding of a given issue, seeing it laid out differently can give you new insight, which will then change the way you write about the subject.
Again, your goal is not to make a mockery of your piece, nor is it to alienate your client. You just want to find ways to make writing as fun as it should be. Use these tips, create some tricks of your own, and watch as you transform these dreaded pieces into unique and fun works of art.
Bryan B is a freelance writer based in Long Island, NY. He loves hot chocolate, but hates waiting for it to be cool enough to drink.
