Video:
Write Now! Persuasive Writing Prompts:
Get Unstuck by Going in Reverse

Practice your copywriting skills with this prompt from The Professional Writers’ Alliance (PWA).

Learn a trick to get you unstuck with this Write Now! tip.

Marketing Coach, Marcia Yudkin, shares a technique for breaking writer’s block. (Or read the transcript below.)

Play Video

Get unstuck by going into reverse gear.

When you don't have a clue how to approach a topic or are flummoxed by having too many ideas on how to write something, here's one way to break the deadlock: Write the worst possible draft you can.

For example, if you're trying to write a sales page, start with a ridiculous, clichéd headline. Then proceed to a far-fetched opening paragraph. Continue with an explanation of the product that hypes it to high heaven. Write exaggerated bullet points with promises that would never stand up to legal scrutiny. Go into full used-car salesman mode.

Keep going until you run out of steam.

What normally happens is that encouraging yourself to write badly releases some excellent ideas mixed in with the schlock. Reread what you wrote, find something that makes you smile and make that the kernel of a "real" draft.

View Our Full Library of Persuasive Writing Prompts

Write Now! persuasive writing prompts are presented by the Professional Writers’ Alliance (PWA) — a professional association just for direct-response industry writers. Learn about the many benefits of a PWA membership.

The Professional Writers’ Alliance

The Professional Writers’ Alliance

At last, a professional organization that caters to the needs of direct-response industry writers. Find out how membership can change the course of your career. Learn More »


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Published: August 30, 2017

10 Responses to “Write Now! Persuasive Writing Prompt: Get Unstuck by Going in Reverse [video]”

  1. This brings back memories of when my grade school teacher asked us to write ad text for images that we pasted to a scrapbook. I wrote ad copy for Scotchguard sofas. It had an image of a kid eating a sandwich on a sofa.

    Moonman67

  2. I remember in collage I had an assignment in my marketing class that had a similar task. I had to write a ad for a new species of potatoe! It was outrageous, ridicules, fun and thoroughly cleansing!

    Musick

  3. An excellent prompt for me because I've just started learning about copywriting. I love coffee, music and reading. That helped me to write a hyped up sales pitch for coffee, including outlandish health claims! And I "suddenly" realized what type of copywriting materials to look for, both direct response & content. You've expanded my learning. Thank you!

    lisa25

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  9. Everyone has experienced writer's block in his or her writing career and journey to become a pro-writer.Learning how to unstuck writer's blocks is important as writing itself.This is how I happen to managed it.First I take pen and paper. I begin writing what I know about the topic in point or bulletin form.Once you begin the first sentence,be sure you open the world of ideas into mind as progress paragraph after paragraph.I begin with the worst side of it.To Know disadvantage or negative side of what you want to write will help you craft the best of positive side,if you are to persuade someone to purchase or change attitude towards something I think that is what you referred here bad draft.From there you sieve,and hype the best draft.

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