Ever feel like you can’t write headlines? Not sure what’s going on, but I’m having a serious creative block.

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Yes me all the time. I also can't think of headlines in front of my bosses, I have to be alone, so I look super lazy and disengaged 😫

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All the time. And every time I feel like that it’s because I’m wayyy overthinking it.

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I think a good headline is very hard to write. How about starting w a stream of consciousness letter to the target about the product? Then print it out. Circle phrases that could be an unexpected headline. And if that fails: watch the old movie "crazy people."

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OP it’s a word association concepting exercise that always sparks something good for me. Start with your product in the middle and see where it takes you.

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@FCb1 what's word tree?

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I love writing headlines but its almost always a struggle. Here’s how I cope. I like talking to myself out loud as I write to stay conversational, like you’re talking to a flesh and blood person and not an audience. I also think of whether the thought would be ‘tweet worthy’ for my own account, or is it only good ‘for advertising.’ I get a ton of them down (quantity and quality). Then I hit the bowl and everything comes together- I tinker with the lines so the joke/thought always hits at the very end. Cut any cheese word play. Then I get them out of my sight for 3 hours and come back with fresh eyes.

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try to learn more about the thing you’re writing about, or something it’s associated with, or the person it’s for. seed your brain with stuff to talk about. 10 mins of research can beat an hour of making the same joke.

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Word tree! Best headline writing exercise.

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Thanks CW1. Totally overthinking It plus outside stress. Glad I’m not the only one. Was getting imposter syndrome

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I’ve tried the “bar test”... write like you’re talking to someone at a bar. It’s helped. Definitely keeps It from sounding like a sales pitch.. but damn.. I’ve got some serious creative congestion.

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I love writing tons of headlines, whittling down to my favorites, and then having my CD only like maybe 2 of them.

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Think of it like a joke. Setup -> punchline. You got this!

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