Let’s take a look at the personal motivations and goals of those who decide to become writers and content marketers — people like you.
I like to revisit this topic whenever I have a cynical reaction after I hear someone romanticize writing as a profession. (It also happens if I read some lofty inspirational quotes for writers).
See, I don’t subscribe to the fantasy that writing is a special job. Writing is hard work and always feels incomplete because improving your craft is a never-ending process.
Why would someone think it’s “cool” to be a writer?
That’s the question that always snaps me out of my negative-spiral, because the answer is simply … being a writer is actually that cool. I need to remember that.
The hard work part is still real, but the personal joy writing produces is incomparable. “Fulfilling” is an understatement.
Perhaps the most driven to communicate clearly, artists who are writers take on many different roles. They’re teachers, mentors, philosophers, trailblazers, revolutionaries.
They don’t just “do work,” they love the work they do.
Personal goals can fuel business goals
In the 1981 hit “Working for the Weekend” by Loverboy, the sentiment is that we have to get through the week. The weekend is what we look forward to, our reward.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m a big fan of the weekend. And it may seem a bit absurd to dissect the chorus of a lighthearted pop song, but the point I want to highlight is:
If we spend the majority of our time working during the week, shouldn’t we strive to make that time enjoyable as well?
I also support taking breaks during your workday and making it a priority to not get burned out.
Those aspects aside, I’ve always been fascinated with the idea of loving the work you do so much that you’re not desperate for an escape.
Professional writers and content marketers tend to gravitate toward that intersection of personal and business goals.
They first get clear on the “why” that gets them out of bed in the morning and carries them to work each day, and then take steps so that some part of their daily reality (even if it’s not their full-time job) consists of progress that helps them achieve their desired lifestyle.
They find the space where hard work and fun coexist.
So, if you’d like to spend more of your time “working for the weekday,” try the exercise below.
Answer these 3 questions to get clear on what you want
Before a content marketer writes her first word to promote a product or service, that product or service had to be born.
Someone had to decide to build something that solves a problem.
In a notebook, write down these three categories across the top of a piece of paper:
- What do I love to do?
- What do people need related to those interests?
- What solutions can I offer that will help establish me as a leader in this field?
Jot down anything that comes to mind for each question.
Don’t hold back here because sometimes you won’t see a brilliant connection between all three categories (that will become your content, product, or service concept) until you release all of your ideas and get them written down.
I always go through this process with a pen and paper because it’s supposed to be messy. A digital document — that allows you to seamlessly delete some of your answers into oblivion — is too clean and organized for the madness that is necessary to have a breakthrough.
Help people discover what you have to offer
Passionate writers want to reach anyone who will benefit from their work.
The thoughtful content you research, create, optimize, and promote is a reflection of your passion — and it attracts the people you aim to serve.
Reader Comments (14)
I love to write. It is easy to get burned out though and run out of good ideas, write nearly identical content, or not really add to the conversation. It is hard work to be original but it’s always great to look back at past articles and marvel at the insight. That’s where the joy is I think.
Thanks a lot for the post Stefanie. I really enjoyed the idea of the 3 questions to ask yourself. I will be using that immediately. Thanks again.
I hope you get some great ideas, Richard!
I’m totally with you on Eye-roll-Ville. Of course writing is all good and fun – but it certainly has its ups and downs.
Thanks for the post, I’m going to attempt and write down ideas with old fashion pen and paper to embrace the madness.
Yep, embrace it! 😉
Hey Stefanie,
I have always been a person who seeks for the new challenges and writing is something I adapt.
The three questions should definitely be answered. Showing what you got, fulfilling your readers’ need is what you should do.
Working on the weekends and enjoying that time is always the best combo. I like to tackle that writing phenomenon in a happy habitat.
Thanks for enlightening.
~Ravi
I agree. I love to write, and always strive to ensure the content I produce is fresh and relevant, but it can be frustrating at times. I do always write down ideas because I believe it actually helps so I’m definitely an advocate for pen and paper!
Wow, self-care and self-harm equally indulgent, but the latter more acceptable. Brilliant, and so true. Sadly, we pay the price for self-harm not only in lack of happiness but in health and relationships. I’ve spent the last 10 years attempting to recover from from the “you can sleep when you’re dead” self-indulgence.
I have been a content writer all my life. People just pay me to write. I started writing consultancy reports. I did research and investigated things then wrote about them for our clients. I moved on from that and started writing bids for projects. Then I had enough and went on to write grant applications. Now I am a writer for different blogs, internet news websites and I occasionally write a publication on some research I do in parallel to my writing. I just love writing, but cannot see myself writing the same thing every day. I am now embarking in writing a children book for my kids. I am loving it. Always do what you like and change little things to improve and feel good. That is what writing has taught me.
Hey Stefanie, You have shared some wonderful tips here with me. I really like the tips you have that ask 3 questions to yourself.
The passion for work always drives me crazy and it motivates me to work more hard on my goals. Being full time blogger sometimes it becomes very messy and things get tough when Google dance happens but all you need is dedication and surrounded by positive people .
This writing thing—ugh! Look what it’s done to my fingernails. But Stefanie, you’re right: sometimes this writing thing is just dandy.
One of its spiffiest thrills is variety—yesterday I wrote a content-marketing piece on native advertising, today I’m writing a travel article on viewing the hot lava on the Big Island. My fingernails will be just fine. Thank you for the good word.
(But man, do I get the self-harm plague. I must learn to consistently say “no” to the nagging voices in your head.)
Yes, yes and yes… you should strive to love the weekdays as much as the weekends. I love my job and I start to work every morning with a smile. It must be so hard to live a life where the weekdays are your enemy!
Yes! I love writing! Few things are as fulfilling as being able to create words that move people to action and promote new ideas. I’m a content marketer and I also work in SEO. I love both of them!
Those three questions will definitely help me in my writing. When you find out what you are passionate about, then produce writing or a product around that passion, the entire world becomes a better place. It’s all about sharing your talents with the world.
Hi Stefanie,
Thanks for your post, I really liked the idea of self-care. It has motivated me a lot.
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