Want to be a better writer? You need a system.
The Copywriter Column #188
One of the things I learned long ago is that, as a writer, you need systems in order to effectively get things from ideas, onto paper, and into the hands of your readers.
Sure, there’s something alluring about the idea of wandering in a cafe, planting yourself in a corner window with a warm cup of coffee, and chasing the muse on pen and paper.
But the problem is that approach isn’t sustainable (or realistic) for the majority of writers.
We’re balancing inconsistent schedules, random work meetings, doctor’s appointments, last-minute projects, child drop-offs and pick-ups, soccer practice, and everything in between. The luxury of uninterrupted writing time is usually just that, a luxury.
This is where well-developed systems can help you navigate the chaos and make progress on your writing goals.
I’ve spent years building out my writing system, and while it’s taken a bit of refining, it allows me to deliver content week after week.
Here’s what you can do to get yours off the ground
1. Begin by identifying your (writing) purpose
Why do you want to write to begin with? What’s your reason for taking the thoughts in your head and making sense of them on the page?
It’s mandatory that you become crystal clear about this because it guides everything else you do when you sit down to work.
Let’s take the Weekly Round Up for example.
The purpose of that specific newsletter is to provide young, aspiring DTC copywriters with writing tips, resources, and inspiration to help them on their writing journey.
Every time I sit down to write or source content for it, that purpose gives me immediate focus, helping me say “yes” and “no” to what will or will not serve that end.
2. Develop a content/editorial calendar or database
You know why you want to write, so now what? You need to start organizing your ideas. This is where a content calendar or database is useful.
Personally, I don’t do well with traditional calendars, so I prefer a database format.
But your content database houses everything from concepts to rough drafts and final versions of your writing. I use status tags in Notion to keep track of what’s what.
👉 If you want to see what my setup looks like, drop a comment below and let me know!
3. Create a way to quickly capture content and ideas
Have you ever been in the middle of one thing when a brilliant idea interrupts whatever it is you’re doing and you think by God I hope I don’t forget that? Fast forward to three hours later and you’ve completely forgotten it.
It happened to me all the time until I developed a content capture system.
I use Readwise (←referral link) to quickly save and tag articles, podcasts, and other interesting pieces of content I find online.
I use my iPhone to snap pictures of billboards or ads that catch my eye when I’m out and about.
I use a Notion shortcut on my iPhone to quickly add concepts to my content database when inspiration strikes
It’s worth mentioning that I never take action on these ideas (i.e. write about them). I only capture them. Writing about them comes later.
4. Schedule time to sort through and organize your ideas
Once again, this is not a time to sit down and write! This is a time to intentionally go through the content and ideas you’ve captured over the last week and make sense of them.
Each Monday, I spend about 30 minutes going through my idea bank and sorting the “gold from the dross” using my “writing purpose” as a filtering mechanism.
Typically, when something really jumps out at me, I flag and tag it to work on in more depth later.
5. Schedule time to outline your ideas
Again, this is not time for writing. This time is reserved for choosing one or two of your ideas and outlining them in more depth.
This way, when you actually do sit down to write, you’re not wasting your time thinking about what you’re going to say. Instead, you have a clear direction and are able to write with a laser-like focus.
💡 Pro tip: This process is easier to do if you work with a writing template. If you want me to share some template ideas with you, drop a comment below!
6. Schedule your writing blocks
One of the biggest mistakes I see young writers make is wanting to write “when inspiration strikes.” Given what I mentioned above in the intro, that’s not usually feasible. Instead, you have to create dedicated windows of time to write.
Start by identifying the pockets of time you do your best writing. With those in mind, open your calendar and block those times off.
I don’t recommend you write for more than 30 minutes at a time, especially if you’re new and trying to develop a writing habit. It can get too overwhelming otherwise.
But this is why having an outline in hand is so essential. You have a limited writing window and you need to have strategic focus to guide your hand!
Personally, I do my best writing in the mornings. This is why I wake up so damn early and rarely (if ever) schedule morning meetings.
When you piece the above items together, you end up with a writing system that helps you stay organized, get your ideas down, and actually do something with them.
To recap:
Identify your writing purpose
Develop a content calendar/database
Create a way to quickly capture ideas and content
Schedule time to organize your ideas
Schedule time to outline your ideas
Schedule time to write
Whether you’re writing a weekly newsletter, cranking out campaign copy for a client, or something else, there’s value in developing a system to help you move the needle on your writing projects.
Do you do something similar? Different? Drop a comment on this post and share it!
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