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LinkedInProgram your brain for writing success in 7 easy steps
Did you ever wonder how some people can just sit down and joyously write for hours, while others struggle to crank out even a few paragraphs?
I’m not talking about writer’s block. I’m talking about what some people would call willpower, the willpower to write regularly, stick to writing schedules, and succeed.
But what is willpower? We tend to define “willpower” as energetic determination or inner strength. It’s as if we’re saying, some people can overcome their hurdles while others are just too weak. It’s a comment about character.
But hold on a minute. I think that’s unfair and inaccurate. In my opinion, some people are simply programmed for writing success while others lack that programming. So it’s really about learned behavior.
Those who can flip a switch in their brain and start writing aren’t overcoming anything or exercising great power of will, they simply enjoy writing. And that enjoyment comes from programming in their brain that gives them pleasure and satisfaction.
This makes a big difference in how you think about writing, because while it’s hard to change character, it’s much easier to change learned behavior. We’re simply talking about breaking old habits and forming new ones. Right?
So let’s drop the judgmental attitude, and concentrate on creating some positive habits that can lead to greater pleasure from writing and greater writing success in your life and career.
How? I thought you’d never ask. I just happen to have 7 suggestions.
A copywriter’s guide to consumer psychology
Copywriting is less about writing than it is about psychology.
You can be a great writer, but if you know little about how people think, you won’t succeed as a copywriter. On the other hand, you can be only a fair writer, and if you have a deep understanding of the human mind, you could do very well as a copywriter.
People can be pretty hard to figure out sometimes. Even though I’m a lifelong student of human behavior, I still can’t figure out why the young bagger at the grocery puts two dozen cans in a single bag but just one bunch of celery in another.
So providing guidance on something as complicated as consumer psychology is a little tricky. But there are a few things I’ve learned over the years that shape the way I write copy when my job is to motivate, persuade, and sell.
Are you satisficing? How people REALLY make decisions
Someone reads your copy. You pile on benefits and sales arguments. Fact by fact, people carefully evaluate the pros and cons of buying. If you present your information in just the right way, you will convince people to want and buy whatever widget you’re selling.
Right?
Boy do I have a surprise for you. Because that’s not at all how people make buying decisions. In fact, that’s not how people make any kind of decision.
Let me introduce you to “satisficing.”
