If you make money writing blog posts, whether it’s as a blogger, or a freelance writer, then you know that the more blog posts you write, the better.
But do you ever find yourself spending multiple hours, or even days, drafting and refining a single post while other people seem to be able to churn new posts out daily?
Writing high-quality blog content takes time, but it doesn’t need to take too much time. You can easily start applying strategies to write blog posts faster.
The truth is that writers who are making six-figures work more efficiently and effectively when it comes to crafting content, but there is no reason that you can’t use the same methods to write blog posts faster too.
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1. Create a Content Calendar
There is a well-known saying that goes, ‘Failure to plan is planning to fail.’ I believe this is true, especially when it comes to content marketing and blog post writing.
If you find yourself looking at a blank screen watching the cursor blink trying to develop new content when you should be writing blog posts, you need a content calendar.
Planning your ideas in a content calendar kickstarts your blog writing and keeps you focused on the work needed to support your business goals.
Creating a content calendar frees your mind from the burden of coming up with new ideas every time you sit down to work, which is a colossal waste of time.
Even as a freelance writer, you should plan what you will be writing about before you sit down to work.
With an effective content calendar, you can focus your work, make more money, and grow your business.
2. Shorten your Brainstorm and Research Time
Brainstorming and research are essential for writing high-quality blog posts for your audience. But that doesn’t mean you need to spend an entire afternoon on it.
You shouldn’t need more than 20-30 minutes to research before starting to write.
Having the correct information creates a valuable and engaging post, but spending countless hours researching and going down the internet rabbit hole wastes productive writing time.
Set a timer and try to get your research and outline done before it goes off. You will probably be surprised at how fast you can complete this!
As you are writing, you can always refer back for additional statistics and data points as needed.
3. Create a high-level Outline
You don’t need to create a super detailed outline, but an overview helps break down a post into smaller pieces of work.
An outline can be as simple as:
- Draft title: Why SEO Rocks Your Socks Off
- Intro: Catchy stat
- Draft Heading of first section: What is SEO
- Draft Heading of second section: Why do you need to use SEO on your website?
- Draft Heading of third section: Top 5 SEO Tips and Tricks
- Closing draft heading: SEO Up your website Today!
By using an outline, you can start to fill in each section instead of having the pressure of the entire article.
4. Write the Introduction Last
The goal of the first sentence of a blog post is to get readers to the second sentence.
You want to be able to write something the draws your reader in right away, however spending 45 minutes on the opening paragraph when you could have drafted the entire body instead isn’t efficient.
By waiting until after the post is drafted to write the introduction, you can more easily engage the reader since you already know the rest of the content.
5. Pick Dedicated Writing Time
When you have all afternoon to work on a single blog post, it’s easy to check your social media and complete the other tasks on your lengthy to-do list before realizing it’s the end of the day only have a third of the post done.
Sound familiar?
Instead, set aside a specific period where you don’t do anything except for writing. That means no emails, no social media, no online shopping, just writing. If you can, put your phone on Do Not Disturb.
You will be surprised at how fast you can write a blog post when you have a time limit and no distractions.
6. Edit Later
Editing is just as important as writing, but that doesn’t mean you need to edit each paragraph as soon as you write it.
The blog will flow better if you work through the initial rough draft, no matter how messy, and then edit it. Remember, a messy draft is still a draft!
You will be able to ensure that the blog post’s flow and tone are more cohesive when you do it as a whole instead of piecemeal.
7. Use an Editing Tool
While it is imperative to spend time editing, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t leverage the tools that make it easier. There are a lot of apps and tools that can help you edit more efficiently.
Grammarly is very popular and super easy to use. Grammarly detects grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors while providing tips to make your writing better. It is incredibly easy to use and navigate, and there are Grammarly plug-ins you can download to edit while you write in word docs and emails.
8. Learn to Type Faster
Typing faster sounds like the obvious answer, and if you want to write blog posts faster, you may want to consider learning to type faster. There are free tools and paid courses you can use to improve your typing skills, go to typingtest.com to check your current speed, and improve your skills. It’s free!
Even if you decide not to take a typing course, simply writing consistently will improve your skills naturally, which will help you write blog posts faster.
9. Plan to Write
Preparation is key.
As a writer, it’s not as easy as sitting down, opening your laptop, and writing. If you want to be productive, then it is helpful to get ready in advance.
For example, do you need a cup of coffee, a glass of water? Do you need white noise? Is it easier for you to write better in an office, or at the kitchen table?
If you have small children crawling around or other distractions, writing at the kitchen table while they are having a snack will not enable you to get your work done efficiently.
Plan for you when you are going to work and be mindful of what you need to be successful.
10. Keep Writing
The more writing that you do, the faster you will get at crafting valuable content and writing blog posts.
Try to write every day. Regardless of it’s for a client, your own blog, or following a writing prompt, the more you write, the better. You will become more efficient and learn what tools enable you to write blog posts faster.
Start Writing Blog Posts Faster Today
Whether you are an experienced blogger or a brand new freelancer, you will be surprised at how quickly you can write high-quality blog posts when you start to work like a six-figure blogger.
For more tips on how to write blog posts like a pro or how to turn your side hustle into your dream job, follow my new account on Pinterest!
