Writer’s block can be such a pain-in-the-you-know-what sometimes. It’s a challenge PR professionals deal with regularly. The task of coming up with new angles and ways to present our client’s stories in new and enticing ways for reporters can leave even the best PR person staring at an empty page for hours. When you’re running low on brilliant ideas check out these top tips to cure your pesky writer’s block.

1. Brainstorm with colleagues:

Brainstorming is essential to any creative process and sure does help on those days when you’ve hit a wall with your writing. Getting together with team members to bounce ideas off each other can be just the trick to finding the inspiration you need.

2. Get moving:

This sounds a bit strange, but don’t knock it ‘til you try it! Sometimes getting away from your desk and doing something active can be the most effective way to get the creative juices flowing. Taking a walk outside or even pacing around the office for a few minutes will get your blood pumping and can reinvigorate you to develop that next award-winning pitch.

3. Change your environment:

Your environment has a huge impact on your mood and ability to be productive. If your office is just not inspiring you or you feel it’s hindering your writing abilities, move somewhere more uplifting. Take advantage of any visually inspiring spaces throughout your office, or if you’re able, take your work to a coffee shop, park, local museum or anywhere you feel inspired to write. Just getting into a new space will help provide a fresh perspective and a clear mind.

4. Eliminate distractions:

Remove anything from your office that feels distracting or stress inducing. If outside influences are taking up your attention, get rid of them. Turn off your phone, mute the music or politely move away from a chatty coworker to better concentrate on your thoughts. Clearing off a cluttered desk can also help to eliminate any additional worries or distractions pulling at your attention.

5. Make a Rough draft:

Take a first pass at that release or pitch. Allow yourself to make writing mistakes, don’t question every sentence and just let it flow. By incorporating a free writing approach, you can jot down any ideas that come to you without worrying about whether or not the paragraphs you create will make the final cut. This technique can help to spark great ideas and that’s the name of the game. Once you’ve got a rough draft down, take a second – or sometimes third – pass to bolster the content and fine tune any errors.

The day-to-day duties of a PR pro rely heavily on our ability to write and formulate carefully crafted press releases and pitches that are engaging, thoughtful and above all, persuasive enough to hook a reporter’s interest. Next time you get stuck, try one of these tips to get you back on track!