So, what exactly
is creative writing? Well, at first thought one might think it is all about poetry and fictional work, but this is not
all that creative writing entails.
In fact, according to
Oxford Summer Courses, "creative writing is
all about using your imagination and creativity to express ideas — quite simply, it's about adding your own 'flair' to writing."
Now, as with any writing, it is important to understand when it is best to use (or not use) a certain style or skill. For example, if you are reporting back on scientific data, it might not be advised to compare it to unicorns. However, when you are telling your brand's story, you can definitely get a little bit more creative.
So, what are the benefits of being creative when writing your content as a freelancer? Let's take a closer look:
1. Creative writing allows your identity to shine through
As a freelancer, you want to stand out and show your audience that you are the
right person for the job. This is already challenging, knowing that freelancers are competing with countless big companies and entities trying to make it big in their respective industries. So, instead of feeling demotivated, grab a pen, pencil, laptop or crayon — whatever works for you — and get
creative.
Content is a
vital tool in grabbing your audience's attention, keeping it and convincing them why you are simply the best. But with this said,
content fatigue is a real thing, which means that it might be time to steer clear of perfectly selected words or complex jargon. Instead, focus on your unique story! Now, don't go off the rails and change grammar rules, but be honest in your content regarding who it is that
you are and embody.
For example, if you have an irrational fear of adding boiling water to your instant coffee before milk, don't be afraid to share this vulnerability with your audience when the opportunity arises. Your personality and skills are what will convince people to support you on your freelance journey, so give the people what they want — creative content filled with the essence of you!
2. Creative writing keeps your content interesting
Have you ever started writing a caption, story, or marketing campaign and found that this has been said not once, not twice but probably a few hundred times? Well, as a content creator, marketer, influencer or even journalist, writing can become dull and repetitive if you don't add in that creative flair.
Writing in a way that is creative will ensure that your content stays interesting. Yet, it is vital to know that creative writing
doesn't mean you should add on tails to your story. For example, if you are quoting a famous person, don't add additional information to that quote if it is not true in order to make it more intriguing for the writer.
The goal of creative writing is to tell a story, regardless of what that story is, in a way that will capture your audience's attention and allow them to indulge in the words. The words should allow them to
almost break away from reality into a world filled with wonder. This can be done with creativity and the truth.
Talk about the power of creative writing.
3. Creative writing will evoke emotions within your reader
The beauty of using a creative writing style means that you can include emotional trigger words. These types of words are used with one goal in mind — evoking a certain emotion in your reader to obtain a specific action or reaction. Humans are emotional beings by nature, which means that emotion is a normal influence in
every person's life.
Creative writing allows you to use adjectives to tell a story — and to tell it
really well. By evoking emotions within a reader, you know that your content will be memorable and they will associate that feeling with your freelancing company.
Evoking the right emotions results in creating the right perspective surrounding your offering — ultimately leading to that ROI that you're aiming to obtain. And you guessed it — content that is well written, researched and
creative will inspire those needed emotions within your audience.
Here are just seven examples of different types of
words that can provoke a certain emotion:
- 'Visual' word — Huge
- 'Trust' word — Absolutely
- 'Surprise' word — Terrific
- 'Fear' word — Anxious
- 'Sad' word — Heartbroken
- 'Angry' word — Irritation
- 'Anticipation' word — Discover
What are some other reasons why freelancers need to include creative writing in their content? Let us know in the comments section below.
*Image courtesy of Pexels