Creative writing makes your content unique, setting you apart from your competitors.
It isn't just for novelists, poets, songwriters, and others in the creative arts.
When your target audience can relate to your voice and tone, they will be more likely to become customers and show loyalty.
Here's a guide to writing creatively in your content marketing.
What you will learn
- What is creative writing, and what are the types of creative writing
- Why creative writing is important to help companies grow, boost their ROI, and more
- Tips to help unleash your creative side
- How to use the best creative writing examples to find your creative genius
What is creative writing?
Creative writing is a type of writing that expresses feelings and emotions rather than just presenting facts and information. It can include poetry, novels, short stories, screenplays and comics.
Creative writing is meant to entertain and share human experiences like love and loss. It differs from academic writing, journalism, professional writing, and technical writing that present arguments and dry factual data.
With creative writing, a writer uses their personal experience and imagination to craft a personal essay or song.
What sets creative writing apart from other forms of content is how it emotionally impacts the reader.
This type of writing evokes strong visuals in the mind of the reader, emotionally captivating them because it plays on their senses and feelings to engage them in a way that non-creative writing cannot.
Fictional or creative writing includes the following elements:
- Genres
- Themes
- Narratives
- Plots
- Pacing
- Setting
- Character development
- Metaphors and foreshadowing
- Tensions and conflict
- Action
- Dialogue
- Emotional appeal
- Point of view
Overall, defining creative writing isn’t easy, and writing as an art form has evolved over time.
While critics wouldn’t associate blog posts and nonfiction with creative writing, these writing types can be creative when the author adds imagination and story.
Writers breathe life into their content, and that is what separates the creative from the non creative, academic, or technical.
Creative writers artistically express themselves using words and don’t deal with the same kinds of constraints associated with non creative content.
Types of creative writing
There are various genres and formats of creative writing and literature, from novels, short stories, songs, and poetry to personal essays, plays, TV scripts, and screenplays.
Here are the main types of creative writing.
Novels
The first type of creative writing you thought of was most likely a novel. Professional and aspiring writers have a lot of creative freedom when writing a novel, and they create original work with relatable characters and worlds that can be captivating.
A novel is typically 40,000–100,000 words with a fictional narrative prose that deals with anything from romance and cowboys to space travel and horror stories.
A novella is shorter than a novel at 10,000 to 40,000 words, and a novelette (like a short story) is 7,500 to 19,000 words.
Some examples of novels include The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.
Poetry
Poetry is thousands of years old, and it's another creative writing genre, but it is quite open-ended because of how diverse the poems are.
It doesn't have to rhyme, nor should it be a certain length, unless you are writing poetry of a certain kind.
Types of poetry include sonnets, sestinas, and limericks.
Some examples of poems written by famous writers are Robert Frost's The Road Not Taken and Maya Angelou's And Still I Rise.
Songs
Song lyrics are also very creative and are a kind of poetry or short story that's set to music.
While the melody stimulates emotions and lowers your stress levels, heart rate, and blood pressure, the lyrics add to that effect.
Many songs also tell a story.
Plays and Screenplays
Plays and screenplays bring stories to life in another way.
Whether on the theater stage or in a TV show or movie, plays and television have the power to transport their audiences to a whole different world.
Comics
Illustrative narratives, such as comic strips, comic books, and graphic novels, combine visual storytelling with dialogue to elicit emotion.
This kind of creative content has expanded in popularity and genre, from romance and fantasy to action, fantasy, and memoirs.
Manga, which are Japanese comics, are well liked and well received all over the world.
Comics were once relegated to the "funny pages" of a newspaper, but now they're so popular that they're sold in bookstores, online shops, and comic stores.
Some examples of comic books are Frank Miller's Sin City, Alan Moore's V for Vendetta, and Watchmen.
Why is creative writing important?
Creative writing is important because it helps writers express themselves and build a connection with readers. Creative writing encourages the use of imagination and improves vocabulary, grammar, and the ability to express complex ideas.
Also, creative writing often involves figuring out a plot point or making up a character.
This helps improve critical thinking skills. It also lets writers talk about social, cultural, and political issues with readers.
Creative writing makes both the writer and the reader happy. It lets us go to different places, live different lives, and feel different things.
Creative writing has the following benefits for readers:
- Improves mental and emotional well-being
- Helps develop self-awareness, self-expression, and communication skills
- Cultivates empathy
- Improves vocabulary
- Boosts creativity and imagination
- Offers an escape from the real world, which can help decrease stress and anxiety
In the classroom, it can help students understand narrative structure, character development, and other storytelling elements while allowing them to creatively engage with course material.
But creative writing is important for businesses too.
Even though blog posts and online content aren't typically considered creative writing, they can benefit from a lot of the same techniques.
Good content writers understand the importance of using creativity in their marketing campaigns and content strategies.
Here are 5 reasons why creative writing is important for content marketing:
Enhances brand storytelling
You can also use creative writing to craft compelling brand stories that resonate with customers on an emotional level.
It also helps build trust, making it more likely for your audience to recommend your brand to their friends and family.
When you include creativity and elements of creative nonfiction in your content, you create a stronger brand identity and brand recognition while fostering a deeper connection with your audience.
The script for Nike's Find Your Greatness campaign is a good example of creative writing.
Deepens customer engagement
When you use creative writing techniques, you create more engaging content that captivates the attention of potential customers.
Creative writing can help your content resonate with customer values. They're more likely to have brand loyalty when they see that you share the same values.
Differentiates from competitors
When you incorporate creativity into your content and marketing strategies, you have a better chance to differentiate your company and message from those of your competitors.
Unique content that resonates with your target audience is more likely to capture their attention. Plus, there's a higher probability that they'll remember your brand.
Potential for virality
Employing creative writing skills can unlock viral opportunities for a business.
Most copywriting is either bland or more of the typical stuff that we are used to seeing everywhere.
On the other hand, thousands or even millions of people can share a well-written, relatable, or thought-provoking piece of writing on websites like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.
With creative writing, marketers have the benefit of saying something bold or risky that can grab attention.
SEO performance
Creative writing can make your content more enjoyable and easier to read, leading to a better user experience. Search engines favor people-first content that is valuable and answers user search queries.
High quality content has a role in reducing bounce rates and keeping visitors on your page longer.
This user behaviour can communicate to search engines that your content is engaging and valuable, thus promoting you higher in the SERPs.
High-quality, creative content is also more likely to earn backlinks from other websites.
8 tips for creative writing
The exploration of ideas, characters, and narratives can be an exciting journey in creative writing.
Whether you're an experienced writer or starting out on your first song or novel, incorporating creativity in your writing can help you stand out.
As we've already seen, creative writing can also benefit readers and businesses due to its unique nature. Here are 8 insightful tips for creating creative content.
Read widely and observe the world
Observing and experiencing the world can spark ideas and situations that you can use in your creative content.
Remember to make your writing as relatable to your audience as possible.
Here are some ways to help you practice observation skills for writing:
- Read from a wide range of genres, styles, and authors. This can expose you to new writing techniques, perspectives, and ideas that you can apply to your own work.
- Read to learn. Consider how the author constructs sentences, develops characters, and creates tension. Think about what works and what doesn't.
- Carry a notebook or a note-taking app with you to scribble down observations, ideas, or interesting snippets of conversation that can be used as a source of inspiration for your writing.
- Take note of the details around you—the sights, sounds, and smells. This can help you write more vivid and engaging descriptions.
- Read, watch, and talk with people from different backgrounds and points of view. This can help you learn more about the world and give you fresh ideas for your writing.
Write frequently
Practice makes perfect, right?
Plus, your brain is a muscle you need to continuously exercise.
The more you write, the more creativity you can unlock making it easier for idea and words to flow.
Make writing a daily habit through which you improve your skills and find your unique voice.
Here are some ways to write often:
- Set aside a certain amount of time every day or week to write. Writing can become a habit if you do it on a regular schedule.
- Setting writing goals that you can reach, like writing a certain number of words or for a certain amount of time every day, can keep you motivated and give you a clear direction.
- Don't wait for inspiration to start writing. Instead, make writing something you do often. The more you write, the more likely it is that you will get ideas.
Your character development skills will also improve as you write more often.
You can journal, free-write, use creative writing prompts, or do other writing exercises to help you develop the confidence and discipline you need to write high-quality, engaging, and relatable content.
Experiment with different content genres
Each writing form presents its own challenges, which helps writers learn a wide range of skills and become more flexible in their craft.
This can also lead to new ways of expressing thoughts and feelings, which can help people think creatively and come up with new ideas.
Also, different forms and genres appeal to different people, so by trying new things, writers can reach a wider audience and get more attention.
Lastly, trying out different forms and genres can help writers figure out what they enjoy writing the most and where their strengths lie. This can help them find their own unique voice as writers.
Seek feedback
Seeking feedback is an important part of the creative writing process. It gives writers a new perspective on their work, which can help identify areas for improvement that may have been overlooked.
Work with editors and others in your industry to get feedback on your work. Take the constructive criticism you receive as an opportunity to learn and grow and be a better writer.
Identify what you're good at, and where you can improve.
Feedback can ensure effective communication and reception of a writer's intended message or theme.
It can also show how different people interpreted and reacted to the work. This can help with revisions and future writing.
Join a writing group
Joining a writing group or workshop can be a good decision in your creative writing journey.
These provide a supportive and collaborative environment where writers can share their work, exchange ideas, and learn from others.
The structure and discipline of regular meetings can also help you be more consistent and productive in your writing. Seeing others with shared interests can prevent you from slacking off.
You can find writer's groups online or in your community. The best place to inquire is your local library or bookstore, which may host meetings.
Writing groups and workshops often expose writers to a variety of styles, genres, and techniques, fostering creative growth and exploration.
You may also find that sharing your experiences, challenges, and successes can lead to friendships and mutual support in the writing community.
Set realistic writing goals
Setting realistic writing goals can provide a clear direction and purpose, helping you to focus your efforts and maintain motivation.
Whether it's writing a certain number of words each day, completing a draft by a specific date, or submitting work to a certain number of publications each month, these goals help you progress.
Keep the following in mind when setting realistic writing goals:
- Begin with small, manageable targets. This could be writing for a set amount of time each day or finishing a single page or paragraph. You can gradually increase your goals as your confidence grows.
- It can be hard to measure and reach goals that aren't clear. Set a specific goal like "write 1000 words every day" or "finish one chapter every week" instead of just "write more."
- Set goals that fit into the time you have available. Assess how much time you can spend writing every day or week especially if you have a full-time job or other obligations.
- Set both short-term and long-term goals. Short-term goals could be to write every day or every week. Long-term goals could be to finish a first draft or send your work to a certain number of publishers by the end of the year.
Setting a writing routine
Establishing a writing routine can provides structure and consistency, that can significantly enhance your productivity as a writer.
By setting aside a specific time each day or week to write, writers can train their minds to get into a creative state more easily.
Here are some ways you can set a writing routine in place:
- Set a specific time for writing each day and stick to it. This could be in the early morning when you're fresh, or late at night when everything is quiet.
- Create a writing Space to help you focus. This could be a specific room in your home, a favorite coffee shop, or the local library. Make sure it's a comfortable and distraction-free environment.
- Warm-up exercises can help you get ready to write before you start your main project. This could be done by free writing, keeping a journal, or following a writing prompt. These exercises can help you come up with new ideas.
- Don't forget to take regular breaks while you're writing. This can help you avoid burnout and keep your mind sharp.
Embrace the revision process
No writer's first draft is ever perfect because there's always room for improvement. Don't be discouraged by feedback and revisions.
A revision process can allow you to refine your ideas and improve character development, plot structure, pacing, and other key elements of your creative writing.
It will also entail receiving and incorporating feedback, which can provide valuable insights and perspectives.
Here are some things to consider when revising your content:
- After you finish your first draft, put it aside for a while. This can help you see it in a new way when you go back to revise it.
- Reading your work aloud can help you catch awkward phrasing, run-on sentences, and other issues that you might miss when reading silently.
- In your editing, first pay attention to the main drivers of your story: plot, character development, pacing, and structure. Once you're satisfied with these parts, you can move on to grammar, punctuation, and word choice.
- Have other people look over your work and give you feedback. They can give you a different point of view and may see things you haven't. Be willing to hear what they have to say, but remember that you may be in the best position to decide.
- Go through the revision process multiple times, focusing on different parts each time. This can help make it easier to handle and more thorough.
Revision is also a process of self-reflection, where you can learn more about your own writing habits and tendencies and work to improve them.
Treat it as an opportunity to learn, grow, and improve your content until it meets your content standards.
Creative writing vs content writing: Differences and similarities
The main difference between creative writing and content writing is that creative writing is primarily focused on storytelling and emotional expression, while content writing is typically used to educate and inform in marketing, journalism, and online media.
They are both distinct types of writing, each with its own purpose and characteristics.
Language styles
One of the main similarities between creative writing and content writing is that both forms use the written language to create content that's interesting and compelling to the reader.
Pure creative writing has fewer restrictions, so writers can choose a style that best conveys their message.
With content writing, you have to work within a brand voice and content brief so you are more restricted in your writing and creativity.
Creative writers are more likely to use their imagination to create a story or idea while content writers are more likely to use facts or statistics.
Goals
Creative writing's main purpose is to tell a story while emotionally engaging the reader.
A creative writer wants to captivate the reader's imagination so the novel, song, or screenplay feels real to them.
In contrast, content writing focuses on optimizing text for search engines and readers to drive more traffic to a website in order to boosts a brand's search visibility and and bottom line.
Storytelling
Creative writing is highly artistic as the writer needs to create a compelling narrative and express their thoughts, feelings, and emotions in an artistic or unique way.
On the other hand, content writing is much more factual and involves keyword optimization, internal linking and writing for search engines.
Unlike creative writing, content writing is in the form of a blog post or press release.
Emotional engagement and traffic
Creative writing aims to emotionally engage audiences by evoking feelings, provoking thought, and inspiring action.
These writers want to be published, sell their books, get their poetry out there, and have people buy or listen to their albums.
While content writers also want to engage readers, they primarily focus on generating website traffic through SEO.
Web or social media content isn't emotionless, but it isn't deeply emotional either and certainly not as much as creative content is.
Since their main goal is to get more people to visit the company's website, digital content writers use SEO strategies to make sure the online content they write is appealing to both search engines and readers.
Combining Creative and Content Writing
Content writing and creative writing can be combined to create engaging content, often referred to as "creative content writing."
You can use storytelling to make even informational or persuasive content more compelling and relatable.
Even nonfiction content can have "characters," which can be real people, companies, or products, and developing these can make the content more engaging.
Use creative writing to connect emotionally with potential customers by addressing their desires and challenges.
While creativity can improve your content, keep in mind that the primary goal of content writing is to communicate a specific message. As a result, your top priorities should always be clarity and relevance.
How to learn creative writing?
You can learn creative writing by reading widely and writing often. You can learn about different writing techniques, perspectives, and ideas by experimenting with different genres and styles.
Analyzing the books you read and figuring out how the author builds sentences, creates characters, and creates tension can teach you a lot about how to write creatively.
You can also combine self-education with these resources:
Books
While you can learn by reading novels, short stories, and other works of fiction, you can also include ever-green writing books, such as:
- On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction
- On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
- Zen in the Art of Writing: Releasing the Creative Genius Within You
Online courses
If you prefer video, here are some of the best online creative writing courses:
- Creative Writing for Beginners on Udemy
- Secret Sauce of Great Writing on Udemy
- Margaret Atwood Teaches Creative Writing on Masterclass
Writing apps
Try Squibler's The Most Dangerous Writing App. You have to keep writing or you literally lose it. Generate a prompt to inspire you and start typing, or write for 5 minutes without a prompt if you feel motivated or have an idea.
There's also Writing Prompts to help you branch out and try new things. On this platform, you can practice different types of stories.
Writing groups or workshops
Find local writing groups with other writers via Facebook Events and Meetup. Sign up to The Writers Studio or Gotham Writers Workshop, or join other online writing communities.
Blogs and websites
Check out Writer's Digest and The Write Life, which offer a wealth of information about writing, tips and techniques, and how to get published.
Other sites you can learn from are:
- Writers.com
- Self-Publishing School
- Reedsy
- Purdue University's Online Writing Lab
Podcasts
Some podcasts on writing you can listen to are:
- Self-Publishing School's Podcast
- Reedsy Bestseller Podcast
- Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing
Key takeaways
- With creative writing, writers use their imagination, emotions, creativity, experiences, and innovation to craft content that's emotionally engaging.
- There are various types of creative writing: novels, poems, song lyrics, plays and screenplays, and illustrative narratives in the form of comics and graphic novels.
- In general, creative writing is beneficial because it relieves stress, provides an escape for the audience, improves communication skills, empathy, and creativity, and aids in self-expression.
- In the digital marketing world, creative writing helps company's craft better brand stories and deepens customer engagement. It can also boost SEO results, give them an edge over the competition and has potential to go viral.
- Learn how to write creatively by reading widely, observing the world, writing regularly, experimenting with different writing forms and genres, seeking feedback and refining your content, joining writer groups, communities, and workshops, setting realistic goals, getting into a writing routine, and embracing the revision process.
- Learn how to write creatively by reading books, websites, and blogs, doing online courses, listening to podcasts, using writing apps and software solutions, and joining writing workshops and groups.
Conclusion
Creative writing is important, whether you are a writer, reader or marketer. Businesses can capitalize on creative writing when they include narrative, first person writing, and other creating writing techniques in their online content.
What are your thoughts on creative content writing? Let us know in the comments section?
