Have you ever had one of those days when you know you gotta “do content marketing,” but you just don’t feel like it?
I’ve been there.
Today, as a matter of fact!
Actually, it was more like SEO copywriting. My client wants me to write a page of content for his website to help with his google ranking, and as much as I knew it needed to get done, I just couldn’t get there. I wrote one sentence and surfed Facebook. Then I looked at my emails. Then I went downstairs to get a cup of tea.
Get the picture?
It’s called procrastination!
ARGHHHH!!!!
So what did I do? Did I get the page written?
No. Not yet anyway. LOL!
And it’s ok. I had a talk with my coach about it. (If you don’t have a coach, I strongly recommend it – but that’s an article for another day.)
We talked a lot about self-compassion. And focusing on the things that I have gotten done. And then he asked me what I could do that would help get me out of my funk.
What I really wanted to do was write a blog article for ME.
Or rather – for YOU!
I haven’t been as consistent in writing for this blog. And I miss it. I miss serving you. Providing you with tips and strategies to help you grow your business.
It occurred to me that once I started writing something I had more passion for, my creative juices would be flowing again and I could tackle that client job.
And you know, that’s excellent advice I gave myself. If I do say so myself. 🙂
I am energized writing right now. I’m having fun putting words together on the computer screen. And it feels fricking awesome!
I also have some good jams going on Pandora right now, so that’s helping to lighten my mood as well.
What’s the moral of this story?
Don’t Force the Writing – Do Something Else
If you are forcing yourself to “do content marketing,” stop. Take a break.
Some people may be able to push through and get it done. But if you want to do the project justice, you need to be in a good frame of mind to get it done.
Creativity isn’t meant to be forced. It should be a joy. If you’re trying too hard, it’s unlikely you’ll be happy with the result.
Better to find something else to do. Bake a cake. Go for a walk. Play some music. Dance around your office. Draw a picture. And if you love those adult coloring books, have at it.
Personally, the thought of spending any time coloring in those detailed patterns is enough to send me to the looney bin! God bless of those you who love to do them. They’re beautiful. I just don’t have the patience for it. Sorry… I got carried away. Where was I? Oh yes… content marketing.
Content Marketing Is Worth the Effort
Once you’ve got your creative juices flowing again, go ahead and tackle that content marketing project. It’s worthwhile. Content marketing helps your small business in 4 key ways:
- Builds brand awareness
- Builds your reputation as an industry leader
- Helps drive traffic to your website
- Helps your website’s search ranking
Those reasons are why your content needs to be the best it can be. If you’re struggling or forcing the content to come out of your brain and onto the page, your reader can tell. And all that work and effort will be for nothing.
When you can write from a place of joy and inspiration, on the other hand, your readers and prospects will recognize the difference and reward you for it.
How do you conquer procrastination in your life and business? Share your best ideas in the comments below. We can learn from and help each other! And isn’t that what life should be all about?
