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No, it’s not. Sometimes you can, sometimes you can’t. As with most aspects of the job, the more time you have to think, the better the output will be. My go-to phrase is “let me give it a think and I’ll crack it.” It puts pressure on me to definitely come up with a solution, but means I don’t have to do it in the room, which is an insane expectation.
I don’t even like coming up with lines on the spot. If they’re good it makes it seem like our job is too easy and we don’t need all the time we ask for a project and if it sucks it looks like we’re careless and don’t put thought into it
It will get easier with time, don’t worry!
Nope, not a big deal. Take notes and be clear you need to go somewhere and work it out in your head. If you deliver, who cares how you got there. I’m a writer and I still have to do the same thing.
Coming up with lines on the spot would say more about speed than quality. Just because it works and it pops into your head doesn’t mean it matches the quality of what you can do with some quiet time and writing 50-100 headlines to craft your message.
So to answer your question, you’re fine.
Nope. And don’t be afraid to tell your CD that.
100%. Be vocal about how you work best. Once someone sees that it’s true, they’ll let you do you. Just be honest
I used to not be able to do this and now I can. Comes with time homie
I’ve been doing this for nearly a decade and I can’t do it either. As long as you’re able to come up with good lines when you get back to your desk, it shouldn’t matter.
Get better
I’m also worried about this as a junior writer but i hope it gets better with time! I’m so bad with stuff on the spot
I believe every creative person, whether it’s writing or designing or coming up with a strategy, needs time to go get into a zone in order to do their best work. Sometimes it does happen on the spot and it’s magical, but you should be afforded the time to get into a flow
No. Not an issue. But it may be beneficial for you to come up with the “bad copy, but what if it was something like...” If your CD isn’t expecting the perfect line on the spot, but just voicing some feedback/direction, this is the moment you can gather that direction by throwing some initial thoughts at them. Use that to your advantage. Try to push aside insecurities and collaborate.
I think as long as you are working hard, it’s ok if you don’t crack it on the spot. But don’t be the guy that’s on his phone or scrolling through reddit, insisting he’ll “do the work later"
WTF ....a Jr. Writer that can't come up with lines at the snap of a finger.....I can't believe this....this is an outrage..... preposterous....back in my day we wrote jingles while whistling in the snow...do you even know what a jingle is?!?! Search the YouTube for one, and have 6 on my desk in an hour.....JK. You're the least paid and are still learning no biggie. Take your time and learn the craft before trying to run at full speed....because once you reach full speed there's no slowing down....ever. (cue manic laughter)
Nope. I’ve never been able to. I’m faster at coming up with a good one without writing 50 but never been an on-the-spot headline writer
Don’t worry about it. Most people don’t come up with lines on the fly. And if they do, they’re mostly not that good
Dude same. I hate when people ask for a line or caption on the spot. I’m not a machinnnne!
Don’t sweat it. It’s going to be ok