On average, how long does it take you to write a blog post of, say, 500 words? On a good day, you might get one published – writing, adding images and links, and proofreading included – within an hour, maybe even less. On a bad day, especially if you do not have any topic in mind yet, it might take you double that time.
Source: howtoblogabook.com
If you make a living out of writing online, then you know very well the importance of being able to write content as quickly as possible without skimping on quality. That’s what this article is about – how to make writing content easier for you.
Have a running list of topics.
Back in the day, I would drum up a topic when I sat down to write. It was like an on-the-spot brainstorming session, albeit on my own. Not long after I started getting more work, I realized that my habits had to change. What I was used to just didn’t work, especially when I had several articles to finish in a day.
The result is this: I have a running list of topics for every blog/client that that I write.
I use Evernote for this purpose, with a notebook dedicated to article ideas. Whenever an idea hits me, I immediately open Evernote and add it to the relevant section. The great thing about Evernote is that I have it installed on every device – the laptop, the iPad, and the iPhone; so, wherever I may be, whenever, I can take note of an idea when one comes up.
Having this running list of topics makes it easier to write because you do not have to sit there and read and think about what you have to write. Just look at your list, and you already have a headstart.
Do research before writing.
While having a topic or title ready any time is handy, it is also good practice to do some legwork before you actually start writing blog posts. I do have to admit that some writers may disagree, and I understand. We all have different creative processes, but in my experience, doing the research and putting all the material I need to write an article makes it easier and faster to write. This may result in a window with a hundred tabs open, but at least sources are within a click’s reach.
Make an outline.
Another thing that some may disagree with is making an outline. Again, this is based on my experience: having an outline – as rough as it may sometimes be – helps me write faster.
How so?
Having an outline basically cuts down my writing time drastically because the ideas are already laid out in a (more or less) cohesive manner. The sections are laid out. The flow of the article is there. All I need to do is “fill in the blanks”. If you do not have this habit, I highly recommend that you try it out. You might find that “filling in the blanks” is so much easier than just typing out a whole article without a structure to follow.
This does not mean that the outline is rigid. The flow of the article may change as I write, but the entire writing process is facilitated by having that guide in place from the get go.
Wrap up
Three simple habits. Three easy things that any writer can do. Why not give them a try, and see if they work for you, too?