Great speaker, bad writer

by markethacker

Posted: 12 years ago 19 replies

INTERNET MARKETING

I am in a bit of a challenging situation here. When I sit down to write up a blog post or an ebook, my mind is blank. When someone asks me for help or opens up a conversation about one of my niche topics, I am overflowing with insights and I give them the best answers - answers I even didn't know that I knew.

I tried recording materials via audio/video instead of writing them, but I am always blank when I am sitting alone to create.

What's the best way for me to approach content creation in a scalable and natural way? Should I do webinars and record them then transcribe them? Do 1:1 consulting? Hire a ghost writer/interviewer to write for me?

If anyone faced a similar situation and found a successful way to overcome it, I'd love to get some insights.

Many thanks!

#bad #great #speaker #writer

Raindance 12 years ago

Get Dragon Naturally Speaking. When you're talking, just turn on DNS. It'll transcribe it, and you'll have your article. Although, you'll have to edit for the punctuations.

The alternatives you're planning are also very thoughtful. The best among them is hiring a freelance writer.
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fin 12 years ago

Try not to sit down and think about it.

It's good to speak to yourself. Maybe not out loud, lol, and not before you sit down to write.

Just pretend your having a conversation with someone while your walking to the shop. Think about how they would reply to you -- what you would say to reply to them.

Just go through a whole imaginary conversation. Once it's in your head new ideas will pop into your head, and start up the conversation again.

While this is going on, make sure you're scribbling down the important parts you want to include in your article.
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- Dan Curtis 12 years ago
  
  It seems like you could get a tape recorder and carry it with you. Then when someone asks you a question you could turn it on. If it doesn't interfere with your concentration you will have automatic content.
  
  Or have someone interview you, again with your tape recorder on.
  
  Or have them call you on the phone and ask some questions.
  
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CDarklock 12 years ago

Originally Posted by markethacker

I tried recording materials via audio/video instead of writing them, but I am always blank when I am sitting alone to create.

Get an audience!

They're cheap.
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- JimDucharme 12 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by CDarklock
  
  Get an audience!
  
  They're cheap.
  
  This is excellent advice! I've worked with people in radio who would tape a stuffed animal or strange looking bobble headed voodoo doll (as above) right in front of them on the console and use it to speak more naturally to. Sounds odd, but it does work and it's a good reminder that you should always be focused on speaking one-to-one...just like you are sitting accross from someone at a kitchen table.
  
  My point is, this is a state of mind and for some it comes easy, but others have to get into it. There's nothing wrong with that. Recreate the elements that make you smart, insightful and expressive for your writing or podcasting or videos.
  
  Another thing you could try is having someone interview or converse with you about your subjects. Then, take your responses and transcribe them. Or perhaps run videos or podcasts which are formatted like a casual chat or interview -- if you find this approach comfortable, you'll be more natural for the audience. Don't put to much pressure on yourself to perform as some others may. We are all different and have our own comfort zones. If you excell at conversing/speaking with somone then leverage that to exploit your own style and talent.
  
  Just about everyone I worked with in the biz had their own little tricks for getting into the swing for a show. For example, I always kept the stuido very dark because that's how I got comfortable. I also got comfortable by cranking the speakers up so high, they would shoot their magnets across the room, but that's another story.
  
  Regards,
  jim
  
  Thanks
  
  1 reply
  
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  The Great Gordino 12 years ago
  
  It seems that your problem is about starting the creation process.
  
  Here's a great tip from Rolf Harris that he uses for his paintings...
  
  He starts by splashing some paint all over the canvas - doesn't really matter what colour, he just needs something to stop it being a blank canvas.
  
  This technique can be used for writing, or audio, or video, in fact any content creation.
  Instead of slapping paint over the blank canvas, you simply type "this is a piece of content about XXX and it's aim is to XXX"
  
  There.
  
  You now no longer have the blank canvas, and can simply build on that starting point, goiogn into the conversation mode you are comfortable with.
  
  When finished, just edit out that bit at the start!
  
  Cheers,
  Gordon
  
  Thanks
  
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  DeanSoto 12 years ago
  
  One thing that helps me a ton (I have the same problem that you do) is to actually write out the questions that you want to give advice for. When I get a question from someone, I can blab all day. But if I sit and try and squeeze out information into a blog post, nothing comes out.
  
  So, write out the question first and then start answering via your writing. It makes it a ton easier. Then when you are done you can re-vamp it into a "how to" post, or an opinion post, or list post, etc.
  
  Thanks
  
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SamDermot Banned 12 years ago

You need to connect yourself with media, news sites, forums, blogs for the niche your are interested in.
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- WraithSarko 12 years ago
  
  I have the same prob...i downloaded a recording app for my android and started recording my phone calls. my mouth would run like water on the phone but nothing when i sat and tried to force it.
  
  it also sounded more natural then the stuff i would try and write.
  
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WikiWarrior 12 years ago

It sounds like the answer to this is buy or download some software to record as many 1:1 and group calls as you can. Then use webinars and answer questions on the call and do the same on Skype. You can record your Skype calls using Pamela, KishKish or similar. Great way to create a product and you can turn it into all sorts of other media - Podcast, Youtube vid, CD/DVD.
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samalexis 12 years ago

Thanks for asking this question! I have the same issue myself. It is amazing the kind of things I say when people ask me a direct question or I'm in a conversation. But like the OP I am mostly blank when I want to write the same information for myself. I have no problems writing for others but when it comes to my own content, I draw a complete blank.

I like the ideas others have shared. Recording my conversations and doing webinars may be the key for me.
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Eduard Stinga 12 years ago

Try and write more often - you need to "train" your brain to write. Back when I was in high school preparing for my English exams (I'm not a native speaker) I used to write a few essays each week and my mind and hand would just flow with writing. When I stopped, I found it hard to write again, even to write a post on the forum. Now I'm trying to get back into it by writing on the forum, blog posts, even my essays for uni, etc. I think it's just a matter of "training" yourself to do it.
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andynathan 12 years ago

set up a Webinar on anymeeting and invite some prospects. Then take clips from the Webinar to fiverr for transcription. sell the Webinar or use it as an opt-in.

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David Sneen 12 years ago

Most people would kill to be able to speak well. Congratulations!

I think you just need to train your brain to think of writing as talking to the paper.
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MarketingMinded 12 years ago

Why don't you just do a video blog? Even audio podcasts.

Just play to your strengths. Get a VA to transcribe them for you. It's very affordable.
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Patrick Batty 12 years ago

It looks to me like videos should be your medium for you website.

It sounds like you certainly be confortable doing them.

Simulate a question someone would ask and then record your answer.

Video has the added value of being VERY SEO friendly as well.
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markethacker 12 years ago

Thanks everyone for the amazing feedback. I definitely have some action steps to take now. I will share my results soon.
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yolandacsmith 12 years ago

I am a speaker also, I had this problem for a while. I found a company (PrBrigade) that writes blogs for me & the cool thing with them is they write it from our conversations. I have a weekly call for 1hr and I just talk with a pair of writers & they ask me a lot of questions. The conversation is recorded, reviewed by a team of writers and I am sent 3 different blogs to choose from. Once I select one they post it (website,FB,Twitter, & Lnk) There is a cost (of course) but I love the service so far. I am working on my 4th week with them and I have no complaints. Try it if it is in your budget. Let me know if that works out for you.
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Nixgan 12 years ago

Just post it as audios and make videos of you talking about it.

Add a funny comment here and there and make the content as good as possible.

It will be a breeze for a great speaker!

Next thing you know traffic will be coming in by the tons!

Trust me, I know how it feels because I am more of a speaker than writer too! After posting the audios or videos, you can have someone from freelancers.com write an article using the content in it and post it on Ezine, making even more backlinks !

Using the same information for three different marketing strategies is a real swell way to get results fast ! Post your video on your squeeze page too, to create curiosity !

Hope I was of some help , Good Luck !
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