As a student majoring in creative writing at Baldwin Wallace University, I have had years of experience writing and editing poetry, playwriting, and fiction writing. This has increased my ability to express ideas creatively and significantly influenced my approach to content creation during my digital marketing internship, which I have held for almost a year and a half. In this article, I will share how the skills I developed have helped me use creative writing techniques in marketing with these content creation tips.
Creative writing is about crafting engaging narratives and connecting with readers on an emotional level. In my classes at Baldwin Wallace, I learned that whether you’re writing a poem or a short story, the goal is to evoke feelings and create vivid images in the reader's mind. This principle is just as important in content creation. During my internship, I quickly realized that applying storytelling techniques can creatively transform marketing content. The ability to tell a story can transform an ordinary blog post or social media update into something memorable and impactful.
It is very important to be original with your marketing. “No one wants to see the same content over and over again. Therefore, by approaching your content as a creative writing piece instead of regular copy, you can more easily write original content.”
1. Storytelling
Storytelling is at the heart of creative writing and can be great for content creation. By framing your content within a narrative structure, you can draw readers in and keep them engaged. For example, when developing a blog for a client, I focused on a few specific people who overcame challenges rather than simply presenting data. This narrative approach made the content relatable and compelling.
2. Vivid Imagery
In poetry and fiction, imagery is a big part of evoking emotions and creating connections. Incorporating vivid descriptions into your content can make it more engaging. Instead of just listing features of a product, I learned to describe how it fits into the user's life, using sensory details that allow readers to visualize their experience.
3. Experiment with Structure
Creative writing encourages experimentation with structure and pacing. In my internship, I often play with paragraph lengths and sentence structures to maintain reader interest. Short sentences can create urgency, while longer ones can provide depth and detail. This variety keeps readers engaged and enhances the overall flow of the piece.
4. You Need Your Own Voice
Finding your voice is crucial in both creative writing and content creation. At Baldwin Wallace, I've been encouraged to explore different styles and tones through various writing assignments. This exploration has helped me develop a distinctive voice that resonates with audiences while adapting to different client needs during my internship.
Your company or brand, even if that brand is you, needs to connect with your audience. This means adding some personality to your LinkedIn or other social media posts, sharing personal experiences in blogs, or highlighting your great employees in recognition posts.
5. Edit Ruthlessly
One of the most valuable lessons from my creative writing courses is the importance of editing. Good writing often emerges from tons of revision. In my internship, I apply this principle by stepping away from my drafts before revising them with fresh eyes. This practice allows me to identify areas for improvement and ensure clarity in my messaging.
Madilyn Nathaniel is a senior Creative Writing major and Marketing minor at Baldwin Wallace University. Her professional experience includes a Digital Marketing internship with Marcom Content by Ashley and an Account Specialist at the Digital Marketing Center. Learn more from her bio.