Any ideas for sparking a fresher voice for our content?

[vc_row][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text]We've reached altitude as I answer your question. I power up my laptop and review my notes. It's time also for me to build a personality, a voice and tone for my client's new interactive health initiative. Voice is a key element to a content strategy, and one that usually comes easily to me.

How to Create the Voice of Your Content

Here's my typical process to develop the voice portion of a content strategy.

1. Start with immersion in the material
2. Play with personas and scenarios (who are they, where are they coming from, what are their issues and concerns?)
3. Tinker with stream of consciousness. Try on different shoes -- doctor shoes, dad shoes, nurse shoes, paramedic shoes -- and write write write, not caring if it's good.
4. Try first, second, and third person format, and see what feels right for the brand.
5. Shape and trim, add facts, remove falseness and redundancy.
6. Sleep on it. Read again. Edit.
7. Communicate the voice strategy with samples, metaphors, this-and-not-thats, and content placement mockups.

Overcoming Creative Writer's Block with ... Haiku?

Today, for some reason -- maybe it's the knees in my back or a prickling thirst -- I circle and circle on the first step. With three hours of confinement ahead, I had to start. Instead, I write haiku. Yes, it seems random to start to write haiku on a plane when I should be working, but it really isn't. And the act of writing haiku was different enough and silly enough that it broke the block and got me thinking and writing meaningfully again.

What About Your Voice?

What is the voice of your content? Does it need to evolve? How do you overcome creative blocks? We would love to hear from you![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/3"][vc_column_text]Airplane Haiku Flying high above the pale clouds whispery thin Washington ahead Checkerboard of homes Gray river twisting through them Eyes burning with light A drink would be nice Stomach begins to grumble The engine roar like icing. Piercing squeals in my back Mumbling pilot jabbers I settle for mints. [My companion says:] --- I can't do haiku because it takes me too long I'm put on the spot. --- Dry spotted mountains below with snowcaps above Magazine flipping Mammoth is snowy Tuolumne meadow closed South will the bird fly Good. Here comes the cart. I am so very thirsty. One ginger ale please. Magazines are like glossy grownup picture books I want to stand up Savory snack mix with pretzel twists and soy nuts Did I mention I'm thirsty? One lake shaped like bull with an alligator tail Window seats are best. From 70 to snowcaps in 60 minutes I take a picture Mono lake is round like a skull with an ear hole I bet it tastes metallic. Searching for Tahoe I'm sure it's down there somewhere I believe it's missed. My ginger ale gone circles of farmland conjoined aliens were here Wait, there it is now! much bigger than expected Directly below That must be Reno? A river cuts through the town But it looks so small Powering down now Puffy clouds are closing in Prepare for landing[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]