Once, Emma was trying to write three blog posts about a vacuum cleaner, a cot bed, and a mop… respectively. So, armed with two creative writing workshops, and the sudden but intense nostalgia for the 1987 film The Brave Little Toaster, she gave it her all, promptly gave up, and asked ChatGpt for help.
There’s a slice-of-life example for you of what a copywriter’s typical workday looks like. The fictional Emma is supposed to embody all of us silly gooses who waste our time trying to get a machine to make us sound more human.
And Thin Slice Digital has been blessed with writing websites, blog posts and copy for extraordinary clients: tour guides, a chocolate factory, even home services such as heating and plumbing. And unlike Emma’s vacuum cleaner debacle, expert content marketing services can turn even the most technical topics into stories that stick—without giving up halfway through.
Today, we'll show you just how you can beat Emma’s (frankly) sad and desperate approach to writing, and truly tell a compelling story through your writing.
Read a few short tips on how ChatGpt can systematise your already human writing and help you out when you’re struggling with writer’s block.
1. Poetry and Emotion: Setting the Scene with Yeats
Great content often starts with atmosphere. When you want to engage readers from the get-go, you need more t¯han just a dry introduction. At Thin Slice Digital, we take inspiration from poetic and literary sources to create emotion and invite readers into an immersive world.
For instance, in one of our travel blogs, The Heart of the Ireland Countryside: Life, Traditions, and Hidden Villages, we used W.B. Yeats’ The Lake Isle of Innisfree to set the tone:
"I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree, And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made; Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honey-bee, And live alone in the bee-loud glade."
This introduction does more than just describe the Irish countryside—it draws readers in emotionally, making them yearn for a peaceful escape into nature. Yeats’ poetry isn’t just a literary flourish; it frames the whole blog post with a sense of serenity, making the destination feel irresistible.
Takeaway: Understand the power of words that are familiar and deeply meaningful to readers. An understanding of local traditions can help you connect to readers and set the scene.
2. Fun and Quirky: Adding Personality to Technical Writing
Writing about technical or mundane topics, like plumbing or heating, doesn’t have to be boring. At Thin Slice Digital, we use humour and playfulness to liven up these subjects, turning what could be dull into something fun and engaging.
One standout example comes from a blog post about plumbing DIY tips. In it, we took a lighthearted approach by using a playful, pirate-inspired theme for a plumbing village:
"Named after a smuggler (we see you, Captain Theobold Magee), Portmagee is one of those villages where you half-expect pirates to pop out from behind a pub. This colourful spot is your gateway to the Skellig Islands, which Star Wars fans will recognise as Luke Skywalker’s hideaway."
By mixing history and pop culture, we crafted a narrative that not only informs but also entertains. It captures readers' attention and provides memorable associations that make technical information easier to digest.
Takeaway: Don’t be afraid to inject humour or personality into your writing—especially for more technical topics. It humanises the content and keeps readers engaged.
Google Hates Them! Link Velocity and How to Write About Clandestine Practices
Google doesn’t allow any link-building that isn’t the result of a natural, organic growth process. Anything that looks suspicious or manipulated can be flagged as spam. So, how do you write about building links in a way that balances stealth and authenticity?
It’s all about the tone. When writing about link-building, focus on gradual growth and quality. For example, in our article, we used the fictional Guinea Pig Café to illustrate the importance of organic backlinks:
"Imagine the Guinea Pig Café starting with a few mentions in local blogs or podcasts. As word spreads, its reputation naturally grows, signalling to Google that the café is gaining genuine attention. But if overnight it gains hundreds of backlinks, alarms go off."
Writing about link-building is a lot like the process itself—it requires patience, credibility, and stealth. Emphasize gradual progress and ethical methods like guest posts or social media mentions. Be subtle, but clear: consistency wins out over speed every time.
Final Words: Don’t Let Your Story Grow Legs: Keep Control with Creative Writing
Whether it’s taking inspiration from poetry to set the scene, injecting humour and pop culture into technical writing, or using sensory details to create a vivid experience, storytelling turns basic content into something memorable.
Emma didn’t need to give up and ask ChatGPT to do all the work for her. She was on the right path with The Brave Little Toaster! As Toaster himself said, "If a dog can do it, WE can do it!"—though Blanky quickly reminded him, "But a dog has legs." Toaster’s reply? "Ah, don't be a wet blanket."
Don’t let your ideas run away from you and grow legs! Instead, use online tools like ChatGPT to anchor your creative vision. By collaborating with these tools, you can overcome writer’s block and refine your ideas, without losing your personal touch.
Next time you’re stuck, remember: it’s not about giving up. With a little help, you can turn even the most challenging topics into compelling stories.
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