The tales that little voice inside might tell you, and why they might be wrong… Here’s what I think about learning to love writing when you don’t believe you can

How do you feel about writing? If you’re one of many, many people who don’t think they’re very good at it, then the seeds of that belief were probably sown a long time ago. But that doesn’t mean it’s true.

Whether the writing process frustrates you beyond belief, or the publishing makes you nervous in the pit of your stomach, my guess is that it all goes back to how you were made to feel about your writing at school.

I have been at this copywriting game for seven years now, and I’ve heard so many stories of the damage that is done in those earliest years of writing and literacy. Perhaps a teacher took you by surprise with a load of bright red ink across an essay you thought was good. Maybe a friend or relative was unkind about a story you’d written. Or perhaps you have dyslexia and didn’t get any support in those early years, and it chipped away at your confidence, creating those many little moments of defeat and disappointment that you could do nothing about.

It all adds up over the years. Whether someone told you outright you were no good at writing, or it’s a belief that’s built up within you based on lots of tiny pieces of ‘evidence’, my guess is you didn’t go into business for all the writing you’d need to do. And in business today, that’s a problem and it can feel really overwhelming.

As recently as 15 or 20 years ago, I’d say, when you went into business you were probably going to have some sort of premises: a shop or an office that could do a lot of the talking for you. People would pass it in the street, and make decisions based on the window display on whether they wanted to come in and buy from you. Now, that business shop window is online – on your website, social media, and email marketing – and that means a LOT of writing. An overwhelming prospect if you already believe you can’t do it very well.

But I believe you can. I believe that anyone can write for their business, and produce all sorts of brilliant material that resonates with people: blogs they can’t wait to read, and emails they look forward to opening.

Here are a few of the beliefs I’ve heard over the years that could be holding you back, and my thoughts on what you can do to get past them – and even learn to love, and not dread, that writing you have to get done for your business.

I don’t know if I’m writing the right things

Whenever you write something, start with the outcome you want in mind. What do you want your readers to do, think or feel when they’ve read it? What do they need to know for that outcome to happen – what would you need to know in their position?

Keep that in mind all the time you’re writing – you can even start writing at the end and work backwards, if you find that easiest. When you check it over, make sure it’s simple, clear, and to the point – that’s all they need to take that action at the end of it. 

But I’ve already said – I’m no good at writing!

If that little voice just won’t keep quiet, try this. When it’s time to approach the keyboard, instead of thinking I’m no good at writing, change that to I can communicate with my customers – because I am sure you absolutely can.

Think about when you feel you have explained it all really well – on the phone? In person? At networking? – and remind yourself that in those circumstances, you can do it and get across all that passion and expertise. So why not on paper (or screen) as well?

Like any skill, thinking in this way and writing off the back of it improves with practice – and it starts with nurturing that belief. Like networking or public speaking, it might feel awkward at first; but the more you do it, the better the words will flow, and the happier you’ll be each time with what you write.