Copywriting is about putting ideas onto the page. In writing, as in speaking, you need to put these ideas down authoritatively. You need to know what you’re saying, and you need to say it. That may take work, and it definitely takes revisions. But in the end, you need to do it if you want to write good stuff (and trust me, you do).
I guess that sounds simple enough… and it is in a vacuum. But as you know, startups (and startup writing) don’t occur in a vacuum. There’s attention, rumors, and of course, there’s criticism. Lots of it. The business world and the startup world are full of criticizers - people who are in first in line to declare ‘FAIL‘ and who are first in line to tell you how little you know (and how much you suck).
No matter if you’re one of these people, or if you’re good at dealing with criticism, these things can ding you… they can get you down. The criticizers (no matter how dumb) can make you doubt your ideas, and thus, make it harder to write good idea-based copy.
The solution? Keep working. Keep focused on producing quality-content, not on how stupid people receive it. In the end, you’ll have good copy, a better shot at a successful company, and a better shot at the last laugh.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Brian,
It was a pleasure to meet you today at BOCC. Your thoughts here neatly sum up my feelings on the subject of what to do w/h8rz. I think it’s good to go heads-down during moments of self-doubt that hinge on what others say (typically shrouded in the oh-so-mysterious cloak of Anonymous). Put on the proverbial blinders and keep creating. That’s the only way through sometimes. I’m definitely not saying we should _never_ look up. Feedback feeds us…helps us grow. But putting pen to paper (or whatever your instrument is) allows you to focus solely on the present moment. That’s the way through. Stay present, even when it hurts. Turn up the internal heat and keep moving forward.
agreed Gwen. It’s not about not listening. And it’s not about hearing (and processing) everything. It’s about being somewhere in the middle… accepting what others say, and using it to guide your course. But ultimately, letting your own internal measure mark it.
No surprise… I figure it’s about the right balance.
I believe that there is value in haters/criticizers (let’s called them ass-wipes) if you are able to sift through them and pick out the one’s that have a valid point or a different perspective on your project/start-up that is helpful. However, you must be focused on finding the gems keeping in mind that they are ass-wipes.
You know, I really liked Gwen’s post on the overuse/uselessness of the the FAIL meme, and now you’ve created another great post along those lines. (You guys should collaborate!)
Anyway, there’s nothing I can add that hasn’t already been said. We all have to operate with anti-BS systems in place. Sometimes you still have to wade through it, but at least you’ve got your waders on!
@gerhardrivera: Thanks for the new terminology. Haters will now be known as ass-wipes. and thanks to @kohlmannj, we know we must put on our waders, and wade through the shit stream.
Two very solid (albeit kinda gross) contributions. Thanks guys!
I think you are thinking like sukrat, but I think you should cover the other side of the topic in the post too…
EngenceCler: I think you should #suckit