Beating Writer’s Block: Tips for Charities on National Writing Day

Happy National Writing Day! If you work in a charity, chances are you’ve had to wrestle with words at some point; whether it’s for a funding application, a heartfelt social media post, or the never-ending cycle of newsletters, blog post, speeches, and reports. But let’s be honest: writing can be tough, especially when your to-do list is already a mile long.

Writer’s block is real, and for small charity teams juggling multiple roles, it can feel like just one more hurdle to overcome. So, in the spirit of making things easier, here are some simple, practical ways to beat writer’s block and get those words flowing.

Tips to Tackle Writer’s Block for Charities

1. Start Messy

Perfection is the enemy of progress. Don’t aim for a polished masterpiece straight away, just get something down. Even if it’s a jumbled list of ideas or a voice note you transcribe later, the hardest part is often just starting.

2. Write Like You Speak

Formal, corporate jargon is out, and authenticity is in. With GPT’s doing most of the heavy lifting for content writing these days people are really valuing imperfect, casual and authentic content. Imagine explaining your point to a friend over coffee. Your audience, whether it’s donors, funders, or supporters, will connect more with human, heartfelt language than perfectly structured sentences.

3. Use Prompts to Get Unstuck

Sometimes, a simple question can unlock a flood of ideas. Try asking yourself:

• Why does this matter to our charity?

• How would I explain this to a child?

• What’s the one thing I want people to take away from this?

4. Borrow a Structure

Not sure where to start? Use tried-and-tested formats to make writing easier:

• Listicles (like this one!)

• Problem, Solution, Action

• Before & After Stories

5. Take a Break

Staring at a blank screen? Step away. Go for a walk outside, stretch, make a cup of coffee, or have a shower. Your brain will often work on the problem in the background, and when you return, you might find the words come more easily. I’ve got loads of half started (or finished?!) articles and posts which I’ve parked until I know what I actually want to say about them.

7. Listen to Music

Music can be a great way to reset your brain and shift your mindset. Try instrumental music, nature sounds, or even your favourite uplifting playlist to help you get in the zone. Weirdly I like listening to ASMR.

8. Repurpose What You Already Have

Chances are, you’ve already written something similar before. Dig through past newsletters, reports, or social posts, sometimes a slight tweak is all you need rather than starting from scratch. There’s no need to reinvent the wheel every time, and it means your messaging is consistent.

9. Ask for Help

You don’t have to do it all alone. Brainstorm with your team, get quotes from beneficiaries, or even use AI tools to help shape your thoughts. Fresh perspectives can make all the difference. I like having a chat with my 4-year-old who isn’t shy about giving her feedback or ideas.

10. Keep It Short & Sweet

Not every piece of writing needs to be lengthy. If a short, impactful sentence does the job, leave it there! More often than not, brevity is your friend.

11 . Read Back Your Work Out Loud

It might feel a bit strange at first, but reading your work out loud helps catch awkward phrasing, typos, and overly long sentences. If something doesn’t sound right when spoken, chances are it won’t read well either.

12. Trust Yourself

We all overthink our own words, second-guessing every sentence. But remember; you know your charity’s message better than anyone. Have confidence in what you’re saying and how you’re saying it.

13. Remember Who You’re Writing For

Think about your audience and what they need. Are they donors looking for impact stories? Volunteers looking for inspiration? When you focus on their perspective, it becomes easier to craft a message that resonates.

Writing takes practice and confidence in yourself, so give yourself permission to write imperfectly, to start small, and to embrace the process. Your words have the power to inspire, educate, and drive real change so keep going!

Need help crafting content for your charity? Let’s chat!